Elder Care Decisions

I have been a caregiver off and on for over forty years, but when I read posts from others on AgingCare.com, I realize how lucky I have been.

Dementia patients with end-of-life care instructions in place were three times less likely to experience fear and anxiety in their final days.

We all want to live just the way we want, and we all want to die the way we want. But we must communicate our wishes to family and physicians to ensure they're respected. Here are some insights about a very important and difficult subject.

Dementia and age related decline have impacted my husband's ability to drive. I'm dreading taking him to have his driver's license renewed. He only has to pass a vision test, but it's his coordination, reflexes and decision making that are the problem.

New research shows that unhelpful stepfamily members can increase caregiver stress astronomically. Here are some tips for keeping the peace during difficult discussions.

It can be hard to avoid passing judgement on other people whose elder care situations we don't fully understand. Keep these important points in mind before criticizing a fellow caregiver's decisions.

A caregiver's perspective on when you should (and shouldn't) tell someone they have Alzheimer's disease.

Finding the right assisted living facility can be tricky, especially when you factor in the federal, state and in-house regulations that govern everything from admission requirements to the protocol for putting a bandage on a resident.

When introducing a new caregiver for an elderly loved one, involve their entire care team to ensure a smooth and positive home care experience.

For people with dementia, home care offers customizable one-on-one care and specialized services in the comfort of one’s own home.

Americans spend ten times longer searching for a new car than they do researching the right doctor. Part of the problem is that picking a quality doctor or hospital can be tricky. What can a caregiver do to find a reliable care provider?

Over 90 percent of adults in assisted living enjoy residing in their communities. Discover what you can do to make sure your loved one falls into the percentage of pleased residents.

One of the most exhausting parts of being a caregiver, from my point of view, is that there's always the threat of an emergency that we are responsible to handle. We are literally on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For many, being a family caregiver involves our own aging parents and our significant other’s mom and dad, too. When dealing with elderly in laws, how much care can you be expected to provide, and how much say do you have in their care decisions?

In both caregiving and football, the pressure is intense and teamwork can make all the difference. As a primary caregiver, you are the leader of a team that is working cooperatively toward the goal of providing excellent care.

When faced with the prospect of moving to a senior living community, aging loved ones make their objections very clear to family and friends. Experts share how to respond to the most common excuses seniors use to avoid discussing assisted living.

Despite the benefits of palliative medicine, many terminally ill seniors only receive hospice care for a few days or weeks before passing away. Why is it so difficult for families to seek comfort care for dying loved ones?

Caregivers want objective advice and guidance. Long-term care is a major life decision, so understandably, caregivers have a long list of concerns: navigating the complex long-term care landscape, paying for care and choosing the right care top the list.

When touring assisted living facilities, skilled nursing, even independent retirement communities, caregivers may feel like they're getting a bit of a sales pitch during their visit. Here are 12 questions to ask senior living community residents.

Caregiving doesn’t end once a senior has moved to a long-term care facility. Now it’s up to you to be their advocate, visit regularly and follow up to determine if the senior living facility you chose lives up to your expectations.