From Dale Carter: While discovering that our aging parent has Alzheimer’s may seem like a devastating loss, one woman shows us the way to view it as a life-changing opportunity. That woman is Lori La Bey.  She is no stranger to Alzheimer’s.  Her mother suffered early onset Alzheimer’s, and after 30 years, is in the more »

Our aging parents face all sorts of challenges as they grow older: A simple illness can wreak havoc on a compromised immune system. A fall can result in a broken hip and extensive rehab. The loss of a spouse can result in quick onset of depression. The 3 challenges I’ve listed are more common than more »

Margery Pabst, author of “Enrich Your Caregiving Journey” was a guest on my BlogTalkRadio show.  If you have time, I highly recommend you listen to the archived recording.  She shared so many nuggets of wisdom for caregivers.  I’ve decided to highlight 3 tools that I think are quite unique and powerful. Create a Circle of more »

Articles about preventing memory loss are prevalent these days.  For those of us caring for elderly parents, we are likely immersed in caring for a parent with dementia… or perhaps our parent recently received the diagnosis…or we are watching our parents closely for signs.  I realized something last night as I was leaving a meeting.  more »

Dementia affects 5 million Americans.  The number is expected to triple by 2050.  Many believe dementia is simply a mental ailment of old age.  It is not! A Time Magazine article highlights a large research study published in the Oct. 15th 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.  The conclusion is that “dementia more »

I’ve created two Top 5 lists that summarize keypoints that will help you and your aging parent before crisis hits. 5 things I did (in my mother’s crisis) that helped 5 things I wish I had known and done beforehand 5 Things I did that helped us: 1. From the start, my mother and I more »

It seems that every day I have a similar conversation with friends and colleagues.  “I can’t get our family on the same page about our elderly parent.  It’s like my brother came in from another planet.”  I laughed the first time I heard that statement but realize that’s exactly how I felt about my brother! more »

Many long-distance caregivers are preparing for visits with our aging parents during the spring and summer. We all want to make the most of the time with our parents. But do you sometimes end your visit and realize you wished you had broached some important topic? OR sensed there was something your parent was not more »