If we’re honest with ourselves, we can remember back to a time when we and our siblings were all living at home and we settled into certain patterns within our families. For example, in a family of three brothers, there was the elder who had his act together, the middle one who was the clown,...Read More

So, the day you’ve been dreading has come. You, and perhaps your siblings, have decided that Mom or Dad simply can’t live in their home a moment longer. For whatever reason, moving in with one of the kids isn’t an option. It’s time to find the right place for the next chapter. If you are...Read More

One of the toughest parts of being a family caregiver, especially a long-distance caregiver, is keeping all of the balls you are juggling aloft. The truth is, the more organized you are, the less stressed you will be. Checklists and calendars are a big help for keeping yourself organized. But family caregivers are often expected...Read More

If you are like most baby boomers, you’re busy, busy, busy! Whether you do it with a PDA, a scratch pad and pencil, or all in your head, you’re a list-making creature. With so many balls in the air, you don’t want one to crash back down. You feel immense pleasure when you accomplish something...Read More

The aging parent who asserts that they will never be “sent” to a retirement home is the parent who fears being abandoned in his or her old age. He usually has expectations that one of his children will take him in. She might expect that she will be able to manage in her own home...Read More

There seem to be two kinds of aging parents – those who are determined never to be a burden on their families, and those who are in denial about the reality that their changing condition and ability places upon those who love them. This isn’t a value judgment; it just seems to be the way...Read More

If you are the adult child of an aging parent, you have probably asked yourself, “How do I know what type of help my aging parent needs?” Unless you are a senior resource professional, sorting this out can often seem overwhelming. So, here are six questions to ask to help sort it all out. What...Read More

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in a health fair in a local assisted living community. I was able to engage with several residents and I couldn’t help but think about some of the striking differences I observed. Let’s start with the residents themselves. The first lady I spoke with was very sweet, but...Read More

I’m often asked, “What’s the difference between a geriatric care manager and a family transition coach?” In a nutshell, the geriatric care manager deals with a situation once it is happening, and tends to focus on the physical and clinical care for the care recipient. On the other hand, a family transition coach is involved...Read More