Carol O'Dell, Caring.com contributing editor
Carol D. O'Dell is the author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir, about her experience caring for her mother through Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and coronary diseases. Visit her blog that explores the joys and challenges of caregiving at Caregiving, Mothering Mother and More. Carol is a featured speaker at caregiver workshops and conferences of caregivers and healthcare and geriatric professionals.
Recently Published on Caring.com
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Dancing to the Oldies — Mar 05, 2012Nothing can change your mood faster than music. Dancing raises your heart rate, helps with balance, exercises your muscles, burns calories (for those of us who need a littl...
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Brownies in a Jar — Feb 27, 2012Need an inexpensive but thoughtful gift? Brownies in a jar are perfect. They're easy to assemble for all ages and physical abilities. Just don't give them all away -- you'l... -
Nature Journals — Feb 20, 2012You don't have to leave your house or yard to enjoy a little bit of nature. Whether you live in the city or on a farm, one terrific ongoing activity is keeping a nature log... -
Easy-Knot Fleece Lap Blanket — Feb 13, 2012Want a simple project you can make together? Try an easy-knot lap blanket. If you can tie a knot, you can make this colorful and cozy throw. It encourages small-motor skill... -
Dad has dementia and I find myself lying to him more and more. The guilt is killing me! — Feb 07, 2012Dad really, really wants to go back to his home (which is now up for sale), but it's not safe for him to live alone anymore. He has dementia and reasoning with him is impos... -
Birthday Cards for a Year — Feb 06, 2012Sending cards is a good way to stay in touch with family and friends near and far. Creating a card caddy can help you stay organized and not forget anyone -- and it makes a... -
My mom wants me to drive her on her dates! — Jan 31, 2012Mom is starting to "take up" with a gentleman at the adult day center. She wants me to drive them on a date! Dad is in a care home with late-stage dementia and doesn't even... -
I can't seem to get over the grief and shock of finding out my husband has Alzheimer's. — Jan 24, 2012My husband (not quite 60) has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. We've spent four months telling close family and friends, making small changes to our lives, and ... -
Transitioning Mom's Care — Jan 17, 2012I'm afraid I won't be able to continue being my mother's full-time caregiver. She's in her mid-80s and lives with me in my small house. She has mild dementia and other heal... -
My cousin refuses to believe that his mother is facing worse problems than just "old age." — Jan 10, 2012I live with my aunt, who's 82. After she totaled her car, she needed me to drive her wherever she needed to go. Then I began to notice that she would forget simple things, ... -
My brother is bent out of shape because he wasn't named executor of our parent's estate -- I was. — Jan 03, 2012My parents updated their will recently and named me executor. I'm not surprised; I've been their primary caregiver for the past three years and even moved nearby so that I ... -
I'm torn between caring for my partner's parents and getting ready for my own new baby. — Dec 27, 2011I've been caring for my partner's 80-year-old parents since February, because his mother had a stroke and his dad has dementia. But I'm 38 weeks pregnant, and I'm at a loss... -
Money and Siblings — Dec 20, 2011I have two siblings, but I live closest to our mom and handle most of her care. I drive her to all her appointments; get her groceries, personal, and medical items; and coo... -
Dad's in hospice and I'm afraid this is our last Christmas together -- but my brother isn't even planning to come into town! — Dec 13, 2011Dad has just been accepted into hospice, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in July. I've moved him into our spare bedroom and taken a leave of absence at work. I'm hop... -
Mom is jealous of Dad's care aide! — Dec 06, 2011I feel so bad for my mom. After several years of heavy and stressful caregiving, we found Anne (not her real name) about three months ago. She's a great home care aide for ... -
My dad is in assisted living, and my mom feels so guilty that she's upset all the time. — Nov 29, 2011My mother has cancer, and although she seems fairly healthy at the moment, we chose to put Dad in assisted living. He has Lewy body disease and is in the moderate stage. He... -
Six months ago we brought my husband's mother into our home. She's a widow, has a heart condition, and was recovering from a hip replacement at the time. The move was prese... -
Mom is Dad's primary caregiver, and she clearly needs help with his care. Both my parents are in their mid-eighties and still living in their own home. Dad's a big man and ... -
Daughters Fighting About Caregiving — Nov 08, 2011We've always been a close family. But now that I need care (I have multiple sclerosis and am in a wheelchair, requiring daily assistance), my daughters are starting to bick... -
My mother constantly thinks that someone is either trying to break in or steal from her. Dad died a few years back, and my mother has insisted she continue to live in their... -
My mom is balking at moving closer to us. — Oct 25, 2011My brother and I are helping our mom move from out of state into a nearby condo we’re buying. It makes good sense, since she doesn't own her home or have strong emotional t... -
My sister is getting a divorce and is moving back in (with her two kids) with our mom -- who is already caring for our dying grandmother. I've tried to tell my sister this ... -
I know Dad's just sitting at his care facility all day, feeling miserable -- and the guilt is eating me alive. — Oct 11, 2011After leaving my household of his own choice, then spending three years living in a mobile home community, my dad has moved into a nearby care facility. Problems with mild ... -
I'm beyond caregiver burnout! — Oct 04, 2011My mother has severe Alzheimer's. My sister helps out financially, but Mom lives with me. I have a home health aide, but Mom just screams nonstop and won't let anyone touch... -
My mom is making mealtime miserable! — Sep 27, 2011My mom moved in a few months ago after recovering from a bad car accident. When a new eye condition made it unsafe for her to live alone, we invited her to stay on permanen...
