"On your mark! Get set! Wait!" That is the experience, and in fact the best strategy, when hoping to persuade an older relative to move to assisted living. You may feel sure your mom or dad needs extra help. But they may not agree. This is a common dilemma. For...

Are you feeling isolated, alone, frustrated, anxious, or just plain sad as you care for your loved one?  Meeting with others who are also facing caregiving challenges can be very helpful. You can share anything, from coping with the emotional demands of your role...

A "special needs trust" (SNT) is typically created to provide financial support for a disabled individual. Aging parents of a person with Down syndrome might create an SNT to provide for their child's needs after they have died.  The SNT trustee must manage the...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects one out of seven Americans. It is among the top ten causes of death in the United States. At first, its symptoms are very subtle and it progresses slowly, getting worse over decades. People often don't know they have CKD. By the...

Older adults need about seven hours of sleep at night. But they often have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. They frequently wake up early and are not able to go back to sleep. This is due in part to normal changes of aging. We just don't spend as much...

There are many options for older adults who can no longer live at home independently.  Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are tailored to individuals with health concerns that do not require the 24-hour medical attention provided by a nursing home. ALFs enable...

The emotion of disgust is a natural response. It evolved to protect us from potentially dangerous, scary, or infecting situations. But when it arises in the course of caring for a loved one—you involuntarily gag, for instance—it may cause you both distress. ...

"Dementia" is not a diagnosis in and of itself. It describes a collection of symptoms that involve memory and thinking that are enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause, but there are many other reasons a person might have dementia...

Technology has done wonders to help us stay connected with family members. But beginning users have to learn new terms and skills. In-person classes are often available through senior centers or the library. And AARP's AgeTech Collaborative offers online video...

Persons over age 65 are 2.6 times more likely than the general population to die in a home fire. That's alarming! Older adults most often incur burns at home, typically when cooking or bathing. The most common burn injuries are from scalding hot water or flames. ...

Finances are bound to be a concern if your spouse has received a diagnosis of dementia before age 65. As in many households, your partner's job may cover important monthly bills. And perhaps essentials such as family health insurance or retirement funding.  In...

Regret tends to be one of those emotions we'd prefer not to feel. Which is unfortunate, according to researcher Brené Brown. Her point is that "regret can be a fair but tough teacher." If we don't let regret mire us in the past—with self-blame and guilt—then we can...