Family & Relationships

Being a caregiver for an ill loved one is extremely challenging, and many people are torn about accepting this role. Even those who want to help may not have the resources, abilities or desire to provide hands-on care.

Caregiving is a stressful job even during the best of times. Don't be too hard on yourself if you blow up from time to time but do look for reasons why you are feeling angry or frustrated and learn how to offer a sincere apology.

If you’re looking for a new perspective on aging, tips for communicating with elders, advice on setting boundaries or valuable insights on dementia care, pick up one of these acclaimed books about caregiving.

We tend to think of temper tantrums as only pertaining to small children or teens, but even the elderly act out at times. Learn what's behind these angry outbursts and how to best handle them without losing your own temper.

A healthy sex life is important for all adults, and becomes even more essential as a person gets older, but sexually active seniors aren't often offered enough educational or emotional support from the elder care facilities where they live or society in general.

Aging parents are often resistant to receiving assistance from their grown children—even (and sometimes especially) when they desperately need it. Researchers shed light on why convincing an older adult to accept help can be so tricky.

Striking a careful balance is crucial when it comes to visits and family involvement at a long-term care facility.

Even well-intentioned comments and questions can be hurtful when they come from someone who doesn’t understand what family caregivers are going through.

Feelings of anger, frustration and resentment are all too common when caring for an aging loved one. Identifying how you cope with these emotions can help you devise strategies for managing caregiver anger in healthier ways.

Isolation and loss are two side effects of aging that can negatively impact one’s physical and mental health. Discover how to help lonely seniors reengage with their surroundings and pursue meaningful social connections.

Transitioning from a partner to a caregiver brings forth a host of emotions. A wife shares her struggle with deciding to be her husband’s primary caregiver and making the best of every day with him.

Narcissists have a limited ability to love other people and value their emotions. Accepting this reality will help you come to terms with your uniquely difficult caregiving role and set boundaries with your narcissistic mother or father.

Father's Day is a great time to remember who your dad used to be before age-related changes set in. Sometimes you forget how vibrant and caring he was, but the truth is he’s still that person on the inside—and he always will be.

One sign of the aging brain is repeating stories and questions more often. While there is no quick fix, a change in attitude and some proven strategies can help you keep your cool and preserve your loved one’s dignity.

Memory loss is a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, but neurological damage can also cause patients to make up hurtful stories and level false accusations toward their caregivers.

Watching an aging parent or spouse progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be a heartbreaking experience. The loss of cognitive abilities becomes especially painful when mom or dad no longer recognizes their own family.

Whether you're providing hands-on care or managing care decisions, setting boundaries with difficult elderly parents enables family caregivers to provide care while safeguarding their own mental health.

When one sibling does all the caregiving for aging parents, it often breeds tension and resentment. Take an objective look at your siblings’ reasons for staying at arm’s length and learn how you can get everyone on the same page.

Dealing with negative elderly parents is tough. Some are chronic complainers, but there can be valid reasons for these difficult moods. Explore causes of complaining and negativity and identify when these behaviors are a red flag.

The strain of caring for an aging parent (or in-law) takes a serious toll on a family caregiver’s relationship with their spouse. Use these tips to keep your marriage strong and prevent caregiver burnout from overwhelming both of you.