Parents

• Interview - Talking With Michael Kirk

  An interview with Michael Kirk, producer of the PBS documentary Caring for Your Parents, about taking care of aging parents.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - A Healthy Gift for National Women's Health Week

  National Women's Health from May 11 to 17 is full of useful health prevention activities on-line and off.

• Blog Post - Easy Money: It's Not Too Late!

  Although the April 15th tax deadline has come and gone, your parents may still be eligible for this year's rebate check -- even if they didn't file a return.

• Blog Post - Alcohol Abuse Among Seniors -- the Last Taboo Subject

  Alcohol abuse among seniors still tends to be secret, but new data show it's more common than most people suspect. A guide to how to talk about it.

• Blog Post - My father seems interested in moving in with me -- and I don't want him to.

  At 81, my dad has Parkinson's, three heart stents,...

• Blog Post - Wii Senior Sports Craze May Get Your Parents Moving

  The Wii video game is a hit among seniors; a fun and gentle way to get them moving.

• Blog Post - I constantly feel guilty because no matter how much I do for my parents, I know it's never enough.

  My mom has advanced Alzheimer's and my dad is 92 and...

• Blog Post - Desperately Seeking Senior Care Specialists

  A shortage of senior care doctors concerns baby boomers and their aging parents; find tips on how to locate a geriatric specialist.

• Blog Post - Parents' Driving Worries Baby Boomers, But No One Wants to Talk About It

  Survey finds widespread concern among Baby Boomers about their parents' driving -- and reluctance to talk about it

• Blog Post - Don't Wait for a Doctor's Visit to Test for High Blood Pressure

  For those with high blood pressure, home monitoring is recommended by the American Heart Association and other major organizations.

• Blog Post - Aging Parents and Dental Care: A Life-and-Death Issue

  Regular dental care for your parents can be a matter of life and death.

• Blog Post - Surprising News About Who's Happiest

  The oldest people are the happiest, surprising new research reveals.

• Blog Post - "Magic" Stoves, Sinks, and Other Inventive Eldercare Helpers

  New appliances are being designed with seniors in mind.

• Blog Post - Fire! A Teaching Tool

  A tragic death in Texas serves as a reminder of how vulnerable seniors are in fires and how prevention can really help.

• Blog Post - Falling Down and Feeling Down: What's the Connection?

  Falling down and feeling down linked in elderly, say researchers from Down Under.

• Blog Post - Farewell to Falls

  Seniors can prevent life-altering falls by doing balance training exercises.

• Blog Post - Overweight Women at Greater Risk for Cancer But Receive Fewer Screenings

  Being overweight is a risk factor for many types of cancer, but new research shows that overweight women are less likely, rather than more likely, to receive recommended screenings.

• Blog Post - A "Hip" New Sound or a Noisy Nuisance?

  Why some artificial ceramic hips squeak and what people with hip replacements are doing about it.

• Blog Post - Diabetes Studies: Good News? Bad News? Who Knows?

  How to make sense of drug study findings for people caring for parents with type 2 diabetes.

• Blog Post - Falling: A Deadly Problem Helped by Prevention

  Falls are a deadly problem that can be helped through prevention.

• Blog Post - Behind-the-Wheel Safety for Older Drivers

  Car makers and others are gearing up for an increase in the number of older drivers over the next decade.

• Blog Post - Doctors Don't Seem to Care for Medicare

  Although the vast majority of doctors accept Medicare, many place limits on how many Medicare patients they'll take in their practice because the government reimburses them at a relatively low rate.

• Blog Post - Music Hits the Right Note for Stroke Patients

  New research shows that listening to music for a couple of hours a day can help patients recover from stroke.

• Blog Post - Should Family Members Who Provide Alzheimer's Care Be Paid?

  Paying family caregivers is controversial and has pitfalls to beware of if you go this route.

• Blog Post - Exciting News For Heart and Stroke Patients

  Two-drug combination blood pressure therapy lowers cardiovascular risk in patients with high blood pressure.

• Blog Post - The Adult Diaper Wars: A Call to Arms!

  A Canadian government official's threat to wear diapers triggers open talk of how to keep seniors who wear diapers comfortable and healthy.

• Blog Post - Shingles Vaccine Strongly Recommended for Seniors

  A shingles vaccine is recommended for all seniors by the Centers For Disease Control, along with other adult vaccinations.

• Blog Post - Reverse Mortgages: Time to Look at Other Options?

  If you're looking into a reverse mortgage for yourself or your parent, two new articles may give you pause.

• Blog Post - My mother's caregiver is too controlling and won't take direction from us.

  My mother has Alzheimer's and has had a live-in caregiver...

• Blog Post - Parents Are From Venus, We're From Mars

  A simple online test promises to assess your "conversational relationship" with your parents. The bottom line: If you're not talking about the big stuff now, you'd better start.

• Blog Post - After a Stroke: When Words Fail Us

  Creative ways to communicate with someone who has trouble speaking or understanding language.

• Blog Post - Use of Restraints in Nursing Homes: Down But Not Out

  The law limits how and when nursing homes can use restraints. What to do if your parent is confined by belts or bed rails.

• Blog Post - What Do You Give an Old Dad for Father's Day?

  What aging dads really need for Father's Day can't be wrapped.

• Blog Post - How Retirement Is Changing

  A rundown of emotional and financial issues facing current and future retirees.

• Blog Post - A "Sandwiched" Daughter Says Enough is Enough

  A "sandwich generation" caregiver describes how asking for help saved her sanity — and her family.

• Blog Post - New Legislation (and You) Can Help Prevent Seniors From Falling

  The Safety of Seniors Act aims to help prevent falls among the elderly. Here are ways to help reduce the fall risk for your parents.

• Blog Post - Aging Artfully - Part II

  Research shows a powerful link between creativity and healthier, happier aging.

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: Ready to Make Your Brain a Promise?

  Scary new statistics about Alzheimer's disease and dementia are a wake-up call to caregivers to take better care of themselves.

• Blog Post - Sandwich Generation "Massively Stressed"

  A new study of sandwich generation women, caring for children and aging parents, finds them ill-prepared for the massive stresses of care giving.

• Blog Post - Is It Time For Your Parents To Give Up The Car Keys?

  Tips for how to know when it's time for your elderly parent to stop driving -- and what to do about it.

• Blog Post - Questions I Wish I'd Asked Mom

  Reflections on a first motherless Mother's Day.

• Blog Post - Cancer Research Breakthroughs Offer New Cancer Drug Options

  New cancer drugs offer hope for those with breast cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, and pancreatic cancer.

• Blog Post - The Plot Thickens: Another Clue in the Alzheimer's-Diabetes Mystery

  New research may help explain the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Plus tips if you suspect your parent with type 2 diabetes has Alzheimer's disease.

• Blog Post - Five Tips for Keeping the Sandwich Together

  Five tips to help sandwich generation members ease the stress of caring for aging parents in their homes.

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: You Really Ought to Talk About It

  New study shows one on one therapy helps reduce the burden on caregivers and their depressive symptoms.

• Blog Post - Do Parents With Dementia Need a "Sexual Power of Attorney"?

  New questions about the sexual rights of elders with dementia.

• Blog Post - A Brave New World for the Old

  Find out how new gadgets and technologies, like housecleaning robots and Personal Emergency Response Systems, can make living safer and more comfortable for seniors.

• Blog Post - A Big Butt May Keep Diabetes at Bay

  New research suggests that body fat found around the buttocks may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

• Blog Post - Big Brother is Watching....Mom and Dad

  A new breed of high-tech retirement community is using technology to monitor seniors with dementia and other conditions, offering new freedoms while raising privacy concerns.

• Blog Post - Tax Rebate Update

  If your parents tax rebate hasn't arrived yet, they aren't alone. If their tax rebate is missing, check the IRS Web site for help.

• Blog Post - Too Much and Too Little Shut-Eye May Be Bad for Health

  Too little and too much sleep can be a health hazard. Find tips on helping your parents get just the right amount of rest.

• Blog Post - Reverse Mortgages: Looking for Trouble?

  Reverse mortgages--a loan for people ages 62 and older...

• Blog Post - Aging Smokers: Who's Going to Get Lung Cancer?

  It's a medical fact that smokers are at much greater risk for lung cancer than nonsmokers, but it's long been a mystery why some smokers remain cancer free. New research breakthroughs provide answers about lung cancer risk and diagnosis.

• Blog Post - Going For Broke? Seniors Turn to Newer Loans To Avoid Cash Crunch

  Seniors hurt by the tough economy are raising money using reverse mortgages, life insurance settlements and 401k loans. In exchange for up-front cash, your parent may lose future equity or investment gains, so help them make smart money choices.

• Blog Post - Got a Parent With Diabetes? Chew on This

  A new chewing gum, infused with the widely-prescribed diabetes drug metformin, is in development.

• Blog Post - Caregiving Isn't for Sissies

  Caregiving requires courage, compassion, resourcefulness, and an open heart -- qualities that most of us would use to describe a hero.

• Blog Post - Should You Put Type 2 Diabetes to the Test?

  Researchers are asking whether daily self-monitoring is worth the effort and expense.

• Blog Post - Seven Words of Wisdom for Dealing with Diabetes

  Find seven words of wisdom for dealing with diabetes.

• Blog Post - My dad wants to double-date with me!

  What to do when your elderly dad starts dating -- and he wants to double-date with you and your spouse.

• Blog Post - Solutions for Seniors Who Struggle to Get Enough Zzzs

  Sleep problems are common among the elderly; find ways to help your parents get a good night's rest.

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregiver? 4+ Ways You Can Take a Break

  Ideas for how dementia caregivers can use the arts for stress relief.

• Blog Post - My parents are begging me for an occasional drink or cigarette -- even though it's against their doctors' orders.

  Advice on whether it's okay for elderly parents, one of whom uses portable oxygen, to occasionally smoke or drink.

• Blog Post - My father's racist and inappropriate remarks have gotten so bad, I don't want to take him out in public.

  How to understand and deal with an elderly parent's racist or offensive remarks.

• Blog Post - Aggression, Fighting Common Among Nursing Home Residents

  High levels of aggression and fighting are common among nursing home residents. Experts offer advice for helping aging parents manage aggression from fellow nursing home residents.

• Blog Post - Elder Co-Housing Offers the Best of Both Worlds

  Elder co-housing is an innovative retirement housing option for seniors who want both a sense of community and a feeling of control.

• Blog Post - What Alzheimer's Caregivers Need Even More Than a Cure

  Alzheimer's caregivers need care resources as urgently as a cure

• Blog Post - My mother says she's lonely, and it's heartbreaking for me to hear her crying at night. What can I do to help her?

  My father died seven years ago, and for quite some...

• Blog Post - Lifestyles of the Rich and Retired

  As retirement housing options expand, cruise ships have joined luxury hotel chains in offering high-end retirement destinations.

• Blog Post - The NEW Retirement Hot Spots

  Nextville by Barbara Corcoran offers a whirlwind tour of great retirement destinations around the globe.

• Blog Post - In Case of Stroke, Better Call a Neurologist

  New research suggests that stroke patients treated by neurologists have better outcomes.

• Blog Post - In Men With Type 2 Diabetes, Bedroom Blues May Signal a Broken Heart

  In men with type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for serious heart trouble, including heart attack and death.

• Blog Post - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes

  Find advice from self-help writer Stephen R. Covey in a guide for people with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with Diabetes.

• Blog Post - Tune in to PBS for Help and Hope on Caregiving

  A new PBS documentary, "Caring for Your Parents," is Reality TV of the purest form -- recognizing that family members now provide 80% of the eldercare in the United States.

• Blog Post - Depressed? Try Sleeping It Off

  Research shows insomnia prolongs depression in some elderly people. Tips to help your parent sleep better -- and help her overcome depression.

• Blog Post - New Vocabulary Words for Caregivers

  Thoughts on the power of language to influence our perspective on care-giving for the better.

• Blog Post - Good Things Come in 3s for Aging Parents

  Three pieces of good news -- for a change -- about getting older.

• Blog Post - A Famous Mom Dies of Alzheimer's

  The inspiration for "Mommy" in the cartoon "The Family Circus" dies of Alzheimer's at 82.

• Blog Post - Talking Your Parent Into Trying Talk Therapy

  Talk therapy can help older people beat depression. Here are some practical guidelines for talking your parent into giving psychotherapy a try.

• Blog Post - Sex for Life

  New research shows that many people are sexually active well into old age.

• Blog Post - 5 Surprising Ways to Use Memories to Help People With Memory Loss

  Reminiscence therapy improves mood and communication in people with Alzheimer's and dementia by prodding deeply-held memories.

• Blog Post - Old Meets New: High-Tech Toys Help Seniors Deal With Diabetes

  A handy list of high-tech gadgets that can help take the hassle out of dealing with diabetes for seniors and their caregivers.

• Blog Post - Downward Dog May Keep Elderly Upright

  Recent research reveals Iyengar yoga improves stability and balance in older women, which could lower their risk of falling.

• Blog Post - The Transformative Nature of Caregiving

  The producer of the PBS documentary Caring for Your Parents talks about the ways eldercare changes families

• Blog Post - The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's

  What to watch for and what you can do.

• Blog Post - Are You a "Designated Daughter"?

  A new book coins a new term for grown daughters who look after their parents: designated daughter.

• Blog Post - "Leisureville" Paints Retirement Community Seniors as 24-Hour Party People

  Leisureville, a new book on a massive child-free retirement community, portrays seniors as 24-hour party people.

• Blog Post - Quick Quiz: Should Your Parents Stay at Home or Move?

  Quiz to help adult children figure out whether aging parents can stay at home or should move to retirement communities.

• Blog Post - Insurance Coverage: Denied!

  What do you do when your parent's insurance company denies coverage for the care that his doctor has ordered?

• Blog Post - To Protect Seniors in Natural Disasters, Talk About It Beforehand

  Communication is key in protecting seniors in natural disasters.

• Blog Post - Link Between Depression and Heart Disease

  ScienceDaily offers a sneak peek at the findings of...

• Blog Post - Embarrassment Assistance! The Gift of Plain Wrapping

  Buying adult incontinence products online can save your parents from stressful embarrassment.

• Blog Post - Easy Money

  If your parents earned $3,000 last year, they're entitled to this year's tax rebate. Even if your parents haven't filed taxes in years because they're retired, they should file this year to ensure they receive their rebate.

• Blog Post - Cell Phones That Won't Scare Mom

  Check out Jitterbug: a simplified cell phone with features designed just for seniors.

• Blog Post - My mother's growing needs are putting a strain on my marriage, and I find myself wondering which will fall apart first -- her, my marriage, or me. What can I do?

  Since my dad died five years ago, my mother has had...

• Blog Post - Memory Loss Is on Everybody's, Um, Mind

  Many caregivers wonder about their own memory loss; these amusing readings offer a cheering perspective.

• Blog Post - Say What? Hearing Loss Common Among Adults with Diabetes

  NIH researchers discover that hearing loss is widespread among adults with type 2 diabetes.

• Blog Post - Robots and Other High-Tech Solutions Help Seniors Stay at Home

  New high-tech monitoring systems allow seniors to age in place with greater safety and freedom, but also raise privacy concerns.

• Blog Post - With Diabetes, Diet and Dumbbells Make a Difference

  Making lifestyle changes can help people at risk for type 2 diabetes prevent or delay the disease, includes diet and exercise tips.

• Blog Post - Back It Up

  Companies that offer backup childcare or elder care services have more loyal employees, according to a new survey.

• Blog Post - Can You Keep Type 2 Diabetes at Bay With a Mediterranean Diet?

  Type 2 diabetes may be kept at bay by eating a Mediterranean diet, a new study suggests.

• Blog Post - Cupboards Bare? Rising Food Prices Affect Seniors

  The rising cost of food is tough for many seniors, but here are some ways you can help.

• Blog Post - When You Can't Check in With Your Parents, Cops (Often) Can

  Numerous services will check in on your parent when you can't. Find them by searching "senior check-in" and your parents' town.

• Blog Post - Weighty Matters: Diabetes Drugs Can Pack on the Pounds

  Some prescription drugs, it turns out, have an unintended side effect: They lead to weight gain.

• Blog Post - Yelling and Nagging: Not the Way to Keep Someone With Diabetes on Track

  Practical advice on how to help your parent or partner with diabetes comply with health recommendations.

• Blog Post - Playgrounds for Seniors

  They're marvelously designed for safe, healthy geriatric activity. And they're fun!

Questions & Answers

• Question - How can I help my parents with dementia accept the care they need?

  Refusing help is common in parents with dementia. Get advice on dealing with parents with dementia who refuse help from assisted living staff.

• Question - When a good in-home caregiver loses enthusiasm, how can I get her back on board?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My parents are having marital problems. How can I help?

  My parents aren't getting along very well. Are they too old for counseling and/or separation?

• Question - How do you deal with a parent that is unable to communicate?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is it wise to put an elderly parent's home in trust?

  Whether it's wise for parents to put a house in a living trust depends on the context: their health, their goals, what else their estate plan provides.

• Question - What would be a reasonable bonus to pay a home health care worker who has taken care of an ill parent after that parent has passed away?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can my parent give durable power of attorney for healthcare to one child, and durable power of attorney for finance to another?

  My brother thinks my parents should give durable power of attorney for healthcare to one sibling and durable power of attorney for finance to another.

• Question - How do I get my siblings to realize that it is important to be with our parents during the holidays?

  My siblings never visit my parents during the holidays. What can I do?

• Question - With both my parents in the hospital, how can I pay their bills?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Can the new drug Symlin help my overweight dad with diabetes?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My parent’s blood sugar is going up and down from 275 to 43 on metformin and glipizide, what should we do?

  When blood sugar goes up and down on Metaglip, what does it mean? Diabetes patients must see their doctor when blood sugar goes up and down wildly.

• Question - How can I help my parent figure out when her blood sugar is too high?

  Blood sugar needs to be monitored often when someone has type 2 diabetes. How do you help a person with diabetes keep track of glucose levels?

• Question - How do I get a power of attorney without my parent's signature?

  To prevent fraud and be sure that a power of attorney is just what is needed and wanted, the law usually requires your parent to sign it before it will take effect.

• Question - What do I do when my parent's doctor tells me something important and suggests that I not tell my parent?

  It can be very uncomfortable when you receive information from your parent's doctor that your parent doesn't have. Here's how to handle this difficult situation.

• Question - Can we travel with parents with dementia?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - Is there any financial aid for a child to quit their job and care for their parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What documents, besides a will, do my aging parents need?

  Parents need an advance health care directive, a release for health care records, a durable power of attorney for finances, and maybe a living trust.

• Question - Since my parents own property in several states, how will their estate be administered?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should we get a home equity line of credit in order to pay for nursing home care until my parent's home is sold?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - If I'm the primary caregiver for my parent with cancer, should I join a caregivers' support group?

  Guidance on the benefits of cancer caregiver support groups and what its like to be part of one.

• Question - How do I convince my father to use a walker?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do to encourage my elderly parent to use a walker or cane?

  Ideas to encourage your parent to use a walker or cane

• Question - What should I do if my parent resists bathing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does the VA/State have the right to take over my parent's assets?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are the moral and legal obligations for adult children in caring for a parent with early Alzheimer's/memory loss?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Should my active parent check his blood sugar during exercise?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can you offer any tips for bathing an overweight parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Am I responsible for my parent's debt?

  Am I responsible for my parent's debt? I recently discovered that my father has several thousand of dollars of debt. Are parent debts transferable?

• Question - My parents are 81 & 82, my father was in a bad car accident...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Could you please give me suggestions on how to treat pressure sores?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why won't my parents and their friends use the word Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we convince our parents that they need to move so we can care for them?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I get paid for taking care of parents?

  Becoming a certified home care aide might mean some pay from Medicaid, or from long-term care insurance, for caring for parents.

• Question - Do my parents need to get divorced to qualify for Medicaid?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I deal with my mom, who has Alzheimer's, refusing care and assistance?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Is a home given away more than five years before still considered the parent's asset?

  Long-term care facilities can't attach assets given to adult children but Medicaid may consider such assets in deciding eligibility.

• Question - What if my dad's doctor doesn't think it's Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are restrictions on bringing parents to the US for long term care?

  Advice on moving aging relatives to America. Finding culturally specific senior housing.

• Question - Should my parent, who has macular degeneration, take antioxidants to help stem vision loss?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does stress affect my parent's blood sugar levels?

  My mom is diabetic and has a tendency to get upset and anxious. Does stress have an impact on her blood sugar level, and if so, what can I do to help?

• Question - What should I do when my parent with Alzheimer's doesn't recognize members of the family?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get the doctor to be more responsive when my mother has side effects from chemotherapy?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My parents just deeded their home to me for $1.00. Do I still qualify to be gifted the 2008 $12,000.00 amount without being gift taxed?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are there ways to help my vision-impaired parent stay active and safe?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the best way to respond when my parent with memory problems keeps repeating himself?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the difference between a senior real estate specialist and a garden-variety real estate agent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I tell if my parent has Alzheimer's or depression?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How often do I need to bathe my parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - I'm trying to decide which personal alert (device) program is best for my father. Which is best?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Financial help when a parent leaves a nursing home to live with family?

  A low-income elder who leaves a nursing home to live with family may get help from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

• Question - How can I help my parent accept her eye disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I balance my time with the time I need to give to caring for my mother with Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can a parent revise or revoke a durable power of attorney for healthcare or finances?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are powers of attorney different from state to state?

  Life -- and dealing with powers of attorney -- might not be as confusing if all state laws were identical. But they're not.

• Question - How should I tell my mom's friends that she has Alzheimer's?

  What's the right time to tell friends about a parent's Alzheimer's? When it's time to tell them about the Alzheimer's or dementia, they can help.

• Question - When the doctor prescribes a narcotic painkiller, don't we need to worry about addiction?

  An answer to the question of whether you need to worry about addiction when your parent is taking strong medication for cancer pain.

• Question - Can my parents access a nursing home without a hospital stay?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get my brother to help with Alzheimer's care?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - What's an Amsler grid?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Financial Aid for Caregivers?

  I am caring for my parents and need to be home with them day to day. Is there any financial aid that I can get since I will have lost my income?

• Question - What's the diplomatic way to handle wild accusations by a parent with Alzheimer's?

  Coping with accusations by an Alzheimer's patient diplomatically is tough. Here's how to respond to accusations and keep friends from being alienated.

• Question - How can I ease my father's discomfort when I have to help him with physically intimate tasks?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I handle finances when I share POA with my sister and both parents have dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I say when my parent with cancer falls into self-pity?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I help my mom, who has chronic pulmonary disease, from across the country?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What should I do when my parent with Parkinson's disease suddenly "freezes"?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is it safe to leave a parent with Alzheimer's home alone?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do you go about finding a Geriatric Care Manager?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can all children see their parents' living trust?

  People who make living trusts are free to keep their contents secret. But there may be ways you can air out hurt feelings over that.

• Question - Is there any financial aid available for buying a home to house my family and my parents, who need me to care for them?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Answer to getting medical care for a parent who refuses to be seen.

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - When is the right time to call in hospice?

  Hospice care is generally reserved for those who are diagnosed to be near death. But other options for help with care may be available.

• Question - How can I stop feeling so guilty that I'm not doing enough for my mother?

  How to approach feelings of guilt when caring for a parent with cancer.

• Question - How do I compensate a sibling who is the primary caregiver for our parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there any software available to help track and organize yearly costs for a guardian taking care of a parent?

  The biggest challenge in tracking guardianship expenses may be to focus on the categories to include.

• Question - Why won't my parent's doctor order a blood transfusion to boost his platelets?

  When platelets are low, should doctors do a platelet transfusion? Most doctors hold off transfusing unless a patient with low platelets is bleeding.

• Question - How can I get my parent's doctor to explain his cancer treatment in a way I can understand?

  When you're having trouble understanding your parent's doctor or oncologist, try these communication tricks to get her to explain more clearly.

• Question - How can I get a FREE HIPAA release form for my parents to...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Does Medicare cover lifting and transporting a parent to dialysis?

  Does Medicare cover lifting or transportation to dialysis? Only when a Medicare doctor prescribes an ambulance to transport someone to dialysis.

• Question - Can you offer any advice on bathing a modest parent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Is there such a thing as a geriatric health manager?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Where can I get financial assistance for monthly expenses we...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I tell strangers about my parent's Alzheimer's disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How do I pick an attorney and what should I expect to pay?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get the addresses of the properties belonging to my parents after their passing?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are the housing options for my parents who are filing bankruptcy?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do I gain access to my parent's health records without a durable power of attorney for health care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are family trusts public documents?

  Unlike most other legal documents that proclaim the maker's intent to the world, trusts keep the lid on things.

• Question - How can I get my anxiety under control while caring for my mother with lung cancer?

  How do you manage the anxiety of caring for someone with a disease like cancer? Here's expert advice on easing the anxiety and stress of caregiving.

• Question - How do we handle a parent who has dementia and refuses to go to a doctor?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do I cope with an aging parent living in my home?

  Since my mother came to live with me, our relationship has gone down hill and my home feels like a prison.

• Question - As a caregiver is there any kind of aid or tax breaks I can...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I handle my elderly mother who doesn't want me to travel at all?

  An elderly parent may worry or get upset when you travel; she may even claim she'll die while you're away. Should you give up travel to ease her mind?

• Question - How soon after my parent's death do I need to begin administering her will, and what's involved?

  How soon after my parent's death do I need to administer their estate and other financial affairs? What other legal matters should I be aware of?

• Question - Should my parents keep Medicare and private insurance?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can cause the parent to see things and people that are not there?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I help my parent control nausea while he's on chemotherapy?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are living trusts and living wills the same?

  When it comes to living wills and living trusts, only the names are similar. One concerns itself with controlling medical care; the other, passing title to property.

• Question - What is the difference between power of attorney and a conservatorship?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - If I have power of attorney, am I liable if my parents drive even if I think they should stop?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my parents to simplify their affairs before something happens?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Siblings disagree over selling parent's house

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is a personal emergency response system appropriate for a parent who travels?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can a person get paid for caring for their parents in their parents' home?

  A family caregiver can get paid to take of parents by the Cash and Counseling or similar state program for low income seniors.

• Question - where do I begin when the time comes to put a parent in a...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my parent to eat without nagging?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How do I help my parent with cancer stay positive and look on the bright side?

  Techniques for helping a parent with cancer feel more positive.

• Question - How can I help my parent continue to enjoy books after her vision loss?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there financial assistance when a parent lives in my home?

  A family caregiver can get paid to take of a parent by the Cash and Counseling or similar state program for low income seniors.

• Question - Any suggestions for talking to my father, who has Alzheimer's, about his finances?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How old must a child be to get money at a parent's death?

  Money left to a minor will usually be managed by an adult until that child legally becomes an adult, too.

• Question - With a spouse in a nursing home paid by Medicaid, how much can the other spouse keep?

  If Medicaid pays one spouse's nursing home costs, the spouse who lives at home may keep some income and assets. The amounts vary state to state

• Question - How do I evaluate a nursing home for my parent?

  How to evaluate a nursing home: key questions to ask when choosing a nursing home for your elderly parent.

• Question - What authority is needed to gather a parent's documents for Medicaid?

  When you want to access your parent's health records, do you need a durable power of attorney for healthcare? Or can HIPAA prevent it even with one?

• Question - How can I stop feeling resentful that my parent with cancer has become so self-involved?

  How to deal with troubling feelings toward a parent who has become self involved after cancer diagnosis.

• Question - How do you declare an elderly parent incompetent?

  While you may need to provide the evidence, the decision of incompetency usually comes from a doctor’s pen.

• Question - How do I get my parent's doctor to give us complete and honest information?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What is the best way to remove a dog from a parent with Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Do you need a prescription for a walker?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - In the state of MO, how many years before a parent has to go into a nursing home is it legal to turn all real estate property and money over to the adult son or daughter?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I help my mother, who is being physically threatened by my father and refuses help?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - With how emotional my mom can get and how quickly she also...

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• Question - What are the medical reasons an elderly person needs to...

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• Question - Will the State of CA pay you to care for your parents?

  The State of CA won't pay family to provide care, except possibly some Medi-Cal home care payments if the caregiver is a certified home care aide.

• Question - Are family corporations good or bad?

  Some parents choose to set up corporations or partnerships to pass along their property to their children. The elephant in the room can be the IRS.

• Question - How can I get my father to join a Parkinson's disease support group?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mother has been depressed since her cancer diagnosis; how can I persuade her to see a therapist?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How do I advise my mother that it is time to move to an assisted living facility?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we deal with our brother who is seeking guardianship over our mother?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do I get Mom to see a doctor when she's in denial that she might have symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Because of her diabetes, my mom has nerve damage to her feet -- what kind of footwear does she need to avoid problems?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mom has type 2 diabetes, so does that mean I'll get it?

  Know your risk factors for type 2 diabetes if one or both parents have the disease -- and the steps to take to avoid developing diabetes later on.

• Question - Why does my mother need treatment planning for radiation therapy for lung cancer?

  Learn how treatment planning before radiation therapy helps doctors more accurately target a cancerous tumor while avoiding healthy tissue.

• Question - How do I get my husband to cope with his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Are we entitled to my great-grandmother's property?

  Whether you have a legal claim to a distant relative's property depends on whether they did any estate planning -- and who survived whom.

• Question - How can I get transportation assistance?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - How can I persuade my dad to be honest with others about his vision problem?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What short-term in-house care options when caregivers need to go out of town?

  Some guidance for those seeking temporary in-house care for their aging parent.

• Question - Now that my mom is in a nursing home, how can I make the most of my one-hour visits with her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What do I say to my mom when her Alzheimer's causes her to forget the obvious?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are some tips for a long distance caregiver to a dad with pancreatic cancer?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we prevent drug interaction problems?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - My father has colon cancer. What's the best way to deal with his angry outbursts?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I help my demanding father -- without neglecting the rest of my life?

  My father is in a comfortable living situation, yet still seems to need constant attention

• Question - What's an A1c test and why is it important for my dad to take it?

  A diabetes expert gives you the scoop on A1c tests and why your parent with diabetes might need one.

• Question - What if I'm worried about my dad's Alzheimer's but he and my mom aren't?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What are some budget-friendly ways to keep my mom safe during bathing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Answer To When To Call Hospice Question

  Hospice care is generally reserved for those who are diagnosed to be near death. But other help with care may be available if your parent doesn't qualify for hospice.

• Question - What do I do when my mother, who has ovarian cancer, expresses resentment about my siblings not coming to visit her enough?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I get my dad to share the responsibility of making decisions about my mother's healthcare with me?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How long does insulin last once it's been opened?

  How long does insulin last, and does it expire faster if not refrigerated? Here's expert advice on how long insulin lasts and how best to store it.

• Question - What size walker should I choose?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do we deal with the expenses associated with the cost of burying my mother when her life insurance policy doesn't cover everything?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mom asked to be moved to assisted living, and now she is miserable. What can I do?

  I'm worried because my mother is miserable in her assisted living facility -- and she seems to be rapidly going down hill.

• Question - As trustee for my parents' living trust, can I manage their affairs in they're unable and do I still need power of attorney?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Can I take classes and become certified for home care for my mother?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Should I bring my four-year-old to my father's funeral?

  Is it OK to bring a child to a funeral or memorial? It depends on the child's temperament -- some kids do better at funeral services than others.

• Question - Why does my mother talk about health issues -- in excruciating detail?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do you move a body to be buried in another state?

  With some exceptions, most state laws require that a body being transported to another state must be embalmed first.

• Question - How do I get my dad to stop taking questionable financial advice from his friends?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get guardianship over my mother in order to add her to my health insurance?

  An adult guardianship may be a way to get health insurance coverage for a parent.

• Question - Are there any mobility devises that don't look like walkers?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Who is responsible for paying for my mother's care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I talk to my father about the mess he makes in the bathroom when he urinates?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Are there programs that can help with the cost of in-home care?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - I love my mother, but I don't like her. Is there anything I can do to improve our relationship?

  My mother is rude and unkind to me. I want to make her last years pleasant, but she is miserable to be around.

• Question - Should I take my 80-something parents with me to check out assisted living facilities for them or go alone?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - What are ROM exercises, and will they help my bedridden mom?

  Range of motion (ROM) exercises for bedridden patients help keep joints flexible. It's easy to help your parent do these range of motion exercises.

• Question - How do find time for your own privacy when living with the...

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• Question - How do we deal with my mother, who requires oxygen 24/7, while enduring air travel?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I determine "reasonable" trustee fees?

  You may need to do some careful bookkeeping and verifying to determine a "reasonable" trustee fee.

• Question - How can I find financial aid to care for my mother in her home?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I convince my stubborn father to see a doctor about his diabetes?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My dad qualifies for Medicaid but they say my mother makes too much. Any advice on how to deal with this financial problem?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Answer to getting my able-bodied mom to bathe?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can Alzheimer's disease cause mild-mannered people to swear?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I help my mother handle low blood sugar incidents?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My father needs thickened foods - where can I find recipes?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I make sure my father with Alzheimer's remembers to take his medicines?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Can vitamin supplements and herbals slow memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease?

  Alzheimer's memory loss may be slowed by vitamins. Supplements can't improve memory, but they might be able to slow memory loss down slightly.

• Question - What is the meaning of dying?

  The raw time after a parent's death can be a rich time to ponder the bigger questions of life.

• Question - How can I convince my father to stop chemotherapy that's no longer working?

  When is it time to stop chemotherapy? My father wants to continue chemo, even though it's stopped working, because he wants to "keep on fighting."

• Question - Why does my father keep refusing to take his medicine, and how can I get him to take it?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I convince my pack-rat mother, whom I'm moving into a smaller apartment, to let go of all her junk?

  My mother is a pack rat. I need to move her into an apartment but she refuses to throw anything away. How do I convince her to let go of all her junk?

• Question - Should I get a reverse mortgage or a bank loan for my elderly folks?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where can I find a support group for caregivers of people with non-Alzheimer's dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I get my sedentary mom, who spends all her time sitting or laying down, to be more active?

  Guidance on encouraging a sedentary mom to be more active.

• Question - Why don't you write about spouses taking care of spouses?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Does Medicare cover children?

  Medicare does not cover medical care for children, but Medicaid and related programs do cover care for children in low-income families.

• Question - Mom is moving here from several states away. How do I find...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Why would chemo cause stomach pain for my dad, who has stage 4 colon cancer?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my father to stop yelling at me?

  My father is miserable, and taking it out on me.

• Question - What can I expect--regarding my Dad in moving from a nursing...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's a Totten Trust and how does it work?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is a Medicaid annuity a scam?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What documentation do we need in order to avoid any potential issues with Medicaid qualification related to giving children an early inhereitance?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where can I find transportation information for my dad?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are the benefits of putting a home in a revocable trust?

  There are several possible benefits to putting a home in trust; protecting it from Medicaid rules is not one of them.

• Question - How do I protect my parents' home from being taken by the state if they ever need public aide?

  This question has been answered by three Caring.com Experts

• Question - How do I keep my spirits high when caregiving in a challenging situation?

  Caring for mother is taking over my life. Is there anyway to make things easier?

• Question - How do I set up a conservatorship for my mother?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Do hip protectors really work to prevent fractures?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I help my mom deal with high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol?

  Along with high blood sugar, someone with diabetes might also have high blood pressure and cholesterol. But she can reduce all three the same way.

• Question - Can I get paid to be my mom's caregiver?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - In Ontario, what happens if a spouse dies and does not have a will?

  When a person dies without a will, who will get his or her property depends on how the survivors are related -- and sometimes, how many there are.

• Question - How can I help convince my mother that it's time to move into a retirement community?

  My father is ready to move into a retirement community, but my mother refuses. What can I do?

• Question - Does the Veterans Administration have any claim on my parent’s estate?

  Does the VA or our state have any claim on my parent’s estate?

• Question - How do I convince my mother to move to be closer even though she's overwhelmed with the thought of moving all of her stuff?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are there any specific exercises out there that are geared towards seniors that will help them to gain better balance?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What's the best type of sunglasses for someone who has impaired vision?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we include adopted relatives in an obituary?

  When writing an obituary, keep