Dear Allegra, My 83-year-old mother lives alone in a home she’s owned for almost 40 years. She’s reached the point where she can’t manage it all on her own but says she doesn’t want to “burden” her family by asking for help with tasks and chores. We finally compromised: she will accept assistance from a … Continued
When you’re faced with end of life care, emotions can run high, and it can be difficult to make decisions. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand your options, including alternatives to hospice and end-of-life palliative care at home, before you need them. Many times, when you think about hospice care, you might picture … Continued
Death is rarely predictable. Sometimes a person’s health declines gradually; sometimes it can happen in the blink of an eye. By learning the signs of active dying, you have a better chance of being there at the end, creating an opportunity for you to spend some final moments together. The passing of a loved one … Continued
“I’m constantly worrying about my elderly parent driving. What if they get into an accident? But also, would it be MY fault if they got into an accident and hurt someone else? I take care of everything my parent does, and I’m worried negative attention will be put on me.”You may feel a moral obligation … Continued
Right now, your parent may be saying one of the following statements: I don’t need help. I can take care of myself. I don’t want to go to an old folks home. Are you saying I’m too old? I’m not. I can still do it all. These statements may be true at times. But your … Continued
You might be trying to help an aging parent manage their finances. You might want their wishes to be respected if they become incapacitated from illness. In either case, the document you need is called a power of attorney. It allows you to name an agent who can make decisions on your behalf. Talking about … Continued
As summer starts to wind down, it’s a great time to start looking for new ways to help keep seniors busy. Staying active in mind and body is essential for our health and well-being. Oftentimes, the hardest part of getting started is taking the first step. But there are a variety of simple ways to … Continued
The passing of a loved one can be a difficult time, especially when you need to get the deceased’s affairs in order. You have a lot of paperwork ahead of you, but most of these processes begin with a letter of testamentary. What Is a Letter of Testamentary? After someone dies, a probate court issues … Continued
Dear Allegra, My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. After looking at all of my personal and financial options, I have decided that it would be best for me to take on the role of an informal caregiver. This was a tough call to make, but I’m confident this is the best way to … Continued
The elderly talking to dead relatives in dreams is not an unusual occurrence. Dreams of dead loved ones can have psychological or spiritual connotations, depending on the situation. Does Dreaming of the Dead Mean the Dreamer’s Time Has Come? Hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley wrote about the phenomenon known as Nearing Death Awareness … Continued