Caring.com: Helping you help your parents
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  • Article - Sorting the Stuff: A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing Your Parent's Move (Without Getting Disowned)

    Read these six easy steps to learn how to help your parent take stock of a lifetime's worth of belongings before moving to a new home.

  • Checklist - 9 Things to Automate When a Forgetful Parent Wants to Continue Living at Home

    Tasks and chores you can take off your parent's hands so that they can stay independent longer.

  • Article - How Much Care Will Your Parent Need After a Stroke?

    How to assess how much care and help your parent will need after a stroke.

  • Article - Getting a Second Opinion When Your Parent Is Diagnosed With Cancer

    Guidance from Caring.com on when, why, and how to get a second opinion on your parent's cancer diagnosis.

  • Article - How to Make Sure You Understand Your Parent's Cancer Prognosis

    This article helps you understand the implications of your parent's cancer prognosis.

  • Article - How to Tell if Your Parent Is Having a Heart Attack

    Five heart attack symptoms to watch for and how to respond if you see symptoms of a heart attack.

  • Article - ECHO (elder cottage housing opportunity): A Backyard Solution for Senior Housing

    What is an ECHO? An elder cottage housing opportunity (ECHO) is a small, temporary senior housing unit that can be installed in a backyard.

  • Article - The Path to an Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

    Six steps to take if your parent is showing signs of Alzheimer's disease, from documenting the symptoms to finding the right doctor -- and what to do after you get a diagnosis.

  • Article - Exercise Classes That Improve Your Aging Parents' Strength and Balance -- and Prevent Falls

    Find an exercise class that improves a parent's strength and balance, reducing the risk of falling and preventing hip fractures and other injuries.

  • Article - How to Care for a Parent With Urinary Incontinence

    Caring for a parent with urinary incontinence is a difficult issue. Here are some basics to help.

  • Article - Managing Congestive Heart Failure

    A parent with congestive heart failure can lead an active life, especially if he knows how to manage the early-stage symptoms. Here's how to help.

  • Article - Physical Therapy to Help Your Parent With Incontinence

    Physical therapy for incontinence -- including exercises, biofeedback, and "bladder retraining" -- can help your parent improve control over urination.

  • Checklist - 8 Signs to Watch for if You Suspect Alzheimer's

    Alzheimer's Symptoms. How to recognize Alzheimer symptoms. The 8 symptoms to watch for if you suspect your parent has Alzheimer's disease.

  • Checklist - 10 Questions to Ask Your Parent About a Fall

    Don't be surprised if your parent is reluctant to talk...

  • Article - Cancer and Mouth Sores

    Mouth sores are one of the most common side effects of cancer and chemotherapy. Learn how to prevent, treat and reduce the pain of chemo mouth sores.

  • Article - Defining Your Role as a Cancer Caregiver

    Before you take on the role of caring for a parent with cancer, read this comprehensive look at what the job entails -- how to best care for your parent and how you can avoid burnout.

  • Article - Medigap: A Beginner's Guide

    Medigap: A Beginner's Guide. What is medigap? What are the medigap insurance plans and what do they cover? Are my parents eligible for medigap?

  • Article - Warning Signs That Your Parents' Finances Are Off Track

    Eight warning signs that your parents may need help with bill paying, financial planning, and daily money management.

  • Article - Demystifying Your Aging Parents' New Stage of Life

    Demystifying Your Aging Parents' New Stage of Life. Understand your elderly parents to improve communication and avoid power struggles.

  • Article - How to Know When Your Parent Should Stop Driving

    How to Know When Your Parent Should Stop Driving. Risk factors and warning signs that tell you it's time for a parent to stop driving.

  • Article - Medicare: A Beginner's Guide

    Medicare: A Beginner's Guide. What is Medicare? Who's eligible for Medicare? What's covered by Medicare? How much does Medicare cost?

  • Article - Bathing Your Mom: A Beginner's Guide

    Strategies for tackling one of the trickiest and most intimate parts of caring for your mother when she's unable to care for herself.

  • Checklist - 6 Ways to Make Bathing Your Parent More Comfortable

    There's no getting around the inherent awkwardness...

  • Checklist - 10 Things You Need to Know When Your Parent Is Diagnosed With Cancer

  • Article - How to Find Out Exactly What Kind of Cancer Your Parent Has

    Learn which questions to ask to understand your parent's cancer diagnosis, so you can help her make the best treatment decisions and get the care she needs.

  • Checklist - 10 Ways You Can Help Your Parents Prevent a Stroke

    Stroke prevention: 10 ways you can help prevent a stroke. These stroke prevention strategies will help your parents reduce their risk of a stroke.

  • Article - Documents to Bring to the Oncologist's Office

    Be prepared: The ten crucial pieces of Information you need to have when you visit your parent's cancer doctor.

  • Article - Questions to Ask Your Parent's Oncologist About the Diagnosis

    The 20 essential questions to ask the oncologist when your parent is diagnosed with cancer.

  • Article - What to Do When Your Parent Experiences Depression After a Heart Attack

    Understanding the emotional aftermath of your parent's heart attack, including the warning signs of depression and what you can do to help.

  • Article - How to Tell if Your Parent Is Having a Stroke

    How to Tell if Your Parent Is Having a Stroke. 5 stroke symptoms to watch for and what to do if your parent shows symptoms of a stroke.

  • Article - Giving Your Parent a Bed Bath: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Giving Your Parent a Bed Bath: A Step-by-Step Guide. When getting to the shower or tub is impossible, a bed bath is the only option.

  • Article - Is a Home Share Right for Your Parents?

    How to help your parents determine whether sharing their home with a tenant who can help with the housework (and the cash flow) is the right housing alternative for them.

  • Checklist - 10 Things You Should Know About Your Parents' Finances

    Know the answers to these 10 elderly parent finance questions. Where do they keep their financial records? Do they have a durable power of attorney?

  • Interview - Talking with David Rieff

    The author of Swimming in a Sea of Death reflects on his inner struggle over how to help his mother, Susan Sontag, face death.

Blog Posts

  • Blog Post - Help! My mom's in hospice and my sister and I are arguing about her funeral.

    Our mom has said she wants to be cremated "so you don...

  • Blog Post - How can I deal with my mom's anger at me for urging her to move my dad to an Alzheimer's residence, where he fell in love with another woman?

    My mother, who took care of my father through the early...

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

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

  • 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 - A "Sandwiched" Daughter Says Enough is Enough

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

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

    What to watch for and what you can do.

  • 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 - After a Stroke: When Words Fail Us

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

  • Blog Post - I'm not close to my dad's new wife, and that's keeping me from caring for him as much as I'd like to (he has Alzheimer's). How can I step in and help him more?

    What to do when your elderly father's new wife comes between you and him.

  • Blog Post - How Retirement Is Changing

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

  • 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 - Unforgettable Mother's Day Gifts for a Mom Who Forgets

    Great Mother's Day gift ideas for someone with dementia

  • Blog Post - The Mother's Day Gift That Keeps on Giving

    Spending time with your mother on Mother's Day is the best gift of all.

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

    Reflections on a first motherless Mother's Day.

  • Blog Post - Mom Far Away? Cool Gift Ideas, and Yes, There's Still Time!

    Mother's Day ideas for a mom who lives far away.

  • Blog Post - A Drug for the Bones Causes Risk to the Heart

    New research shows that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax nearly doubles the risk of atrial fibrillation.

  • 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 - My mother is gambling away every last penny -- and her financial independence. What should I do?

    Since my father's death two years ago, my 75-year-old...

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

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

  • 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 - Macular Degeneration: All Eyes Are on Hormone Therapy

    New research shows that taking hormones cuts a woman's risk of macular degeneration in half. But hormone therapy raises the risk for other health conditions.

  • Blog Post - My mother has asked not to be resuscitated if she has a medical crisis, but my siblings disagree on what constitutes a medical crisis.

    Before she showed signs of dementia, my mother decided...

  • 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 - 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 - 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 - "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 - 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 - My mother, who suffers from dementia and alcoholism, wants my sister and me to be her caregivers, so she keeps sending away the one we've hired.

    My sister and I hired a caregiver to come into our...

  • 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 - My mother gave power of attorney to her new husband, who is putting her life in danger. How can we get it away from him?

    My mother's new husband has power of attorney for her, but I feel he puts her life in danger. How can we get her to reappoint power of attorney?

  • 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 - Catch Ovarian Cancer Early With a Simple Symptom Screening Test

    Catching ovarian cancer early: A new screening tool for three key symptoms can help identify 80 to 95 percent of ovarian cancer cases.

  • Blog Post - Vascular Dementia Resources for Caregivers

    Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia in the US. Here's a list of blogs and resources for vascular dementia caregivers.

  • Blog Post - Should I be responsible for my father's funeral bill when he never paid child support for me?

    My parents have been divorced for more than 20 years...

  • Blog Post - I was the beneficiary of my mother's trust deposit until that was changed to her husband's name a couple of months before she died -- and I think it was done illegally.

    My mother moved from Orlando (where I live) to Miami...

  • Blog Post - I can't stop feeling that I was an inadequate caregiver to my mom.

    I am a 56-year-old registered nurse. I took time off...

Questions & Answers

  • 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's the emergency procedure for obtaining durable power of attorney for finance or health care?

    What's the emergency procedure for obtaining durable power of attorney for finance or health care? Get answers on obtaining durable power of attorney.

  • Question - What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship?

    What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship? I want to know because my elderly parent refuses to sign a power of attorney.

  • Question - What's the best way to ask for a second opinion on my mother's breast cancer?

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

  • Question - Since her cancer diagnosis, my mother has seemed very depressed. Does she need professional help?

    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 - Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long-term care?

    Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long term care? Medicare will cover 100 days in a nursing home if certain qualifications are met.

  • Question - What's the best gift I can give my dying mother?

    When someone is terminally ill, you may not know what gift to give for a birthday or other event. Material goods may not be what a dying person needs.

  • Question - How can I convince my dying mother to write a "goodbye" letter to her grandchildren?

    Should your parent write a goodbye letter to loved ones? Expert advice about whether to nudge her to write a goodbye letter as part of her legacy.

  • 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 - Why is my mother so angry and abusive after her stroke?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I encourage my mother to be more independent after her stroke?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What do I need to know before I sign a nursing home contract?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I get my mother, who has breast cancer, to be more active so she won't lose muscle strength?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - My mother, who has breast cancer, asks me to visit her every time she thinks there's a crisis. What should I do?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I persuade my mother, who has stomach cancer, to quit smoking?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Will a gait belt help my elderly mother walk?

    Will a gait belt help my elderly parent walk and move better? Get expert advice on using a gait belt to assist elderly parents to balance and walk.

  • Question - Is my mother's "racing heart" normal after a bypass?

    After a bypass, is a racing heart normal? A racing heart after a bypass or heart surgery--possibly atrial fibrillation--requires medical attention.

  • Question - I don't think my 78-year-old mother has dementia, so why does she get sundown syndrome?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I help my 82-year-old mother overcome her fear of falling?

    If a parent has a fear of falling, it can actually make things more dangerous. Here's expert advice on how to help a parent overcome fear of falling.

  • 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 - How do I make sure my mother's personal information travels with her?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can we persuade my mother, who's caring for my dying father, to bring in hospice help?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - My mother doesn't want to know how long she has to live, so how do I say the things I need to say before it's too late?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Why are my mother's hand and arm swollen after her stroke?

    My mom had a mild stroke. She's been complaining of pain and I noticed that her hand and forearm are swollen. Are swollen hands and arms normal?

  • 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 - How can we prevent bruising due to low platelets?

    Bruising from low platelets is a common side effect in chemotherapy patients. Find out what you can do to reduce low platelet bruising.

  • Question - Is there any way to help my mother, who's losing her hair, decrease the itching on her scalp?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What can I do to help my mother stop crying all the time?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I prevent frequent nosebleeds caused by low platelets?

    When someone has nosebleeds from low platelets, can it be prevented? Low platelets can lead to nosebleeds because it takes the blood longer to clot.

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can my mother help pay for her grandchildren's education and still qualify for Medicaid?

    Will a parent risk Medicaid benefits by helping with grandchildren's education? It's essential to consider whether Medicaid will be lost this way.

  • Question - How should my mother decide when to file for Social Security?

    Is it best to file for Social Security benefits early, at age 62, if a parent needs money or wait until 65 or 67 to file for Social Security benefits?

  • Question - Should I interfere in my mother's social life if she has Alzheimer's?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Do I tell my mother her memory trouble is Alzheimer's?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can exercise raise my mother-in-law's ejection fraction?

    Can exercise raise my mother-in-law's ejection fraction? Her ejection fraction (EF) is now 10 percent, what it was before bypass surgery.

  • Question - What can be done to help my mother's fatigue, caused by her heart failure meds?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - Why doesn't my mother's doctor want to perform a red blood cell transfusion, just because she's never had one before?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Where do I get financial help for my 88 year old mother?

    A senior with low income and assets can qualify for SSI benefits of $600 to $800 per month, Medicaid and a very low-cost prescription drug plan.

  • Question - How can I persuade my mother to sign a living will?

    Many people fear that signing an advance healthcare directive means giving up on living. It may take an objective source to convince them of the truth.

  • Question - How do we preserve my deceased father's estate when my mother remarries?

    To find out whether you are slated to get family property when your mother remarries, you have to look at the underlying estate plan.

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

    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 can we find out if my mother-in-law had a will?

    If a search in the obvious places doesn't turn up a will, try a few less obvious ones.

  • Question - How can I get my brother to help out more in caring for our mother?

    Ideas for how to handle sibling rivalries and misunderstandings between sibling caregivers.

  • Question - How do I resolve a family conflict so I can visit my mother?

    My sister lives with my mother, and is making it hard to visit Mom and make sure she is okay.

  • Question - Can I get paid to provide care for my mother in FL?

    Can I get paid to care for my mother at home? It's possible for you to get paid if your parent is on Medicaid or has long-term care insurance.

  • Question - How do we handle paying taxes on my deceased mother's estate?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - My mother is dying and has stopped eating. How long can the body sustain itself without food?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - Should my mom put my sister's name on the deed to her home?

    Should my parent put my sister's name on her house deed? Putting a child's name on the house deed before death has some serious disadvantages.

  • Question - How can I direct my mother's medical care if others are named in her power of attorney?

    If people named to act in a power of attorney are not doing their job well, there may be steps you can take to right the wrongs.

  • Question - Is it OK for my mother to keep her recent diagnosis of Parkinson's disease a secret from friends and colleagues?

    Is it okay to conceal a Parkinson's disease diagnosis from friends and colleagues? Expert commentary on the consequences of concealing Parkinson's.

  • Question - Can my half-brother keep me from seeing my mother, who is in a nursing home?

    Make sure you've tried to get to the bottom of a family member's attempts to block you from seeing your ailing mother. Then, you may need to take matters in your own hands.

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

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - What do I need to apply for Medicaid for my mother, for whom I'm guardian?

    To apply for Medicaid, you need records of income and assets. If it's for nursing home care, you need financial transactions from the past 5 years.

  • Question - Does my mother have to sign a home lien for short-term nursing home care?

    Medicare or Medicaid can cover all or most of short-term nursing home costs, but a nursing home might want a home lien from a private-paying patient.

  • Question - How can I convince my mother and sister to step back without hurting their feelings?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - How can we protect our elderly mother from being taken advantage of?

    If you're sure that it's money and not love that is prompting an alleged suitor to call on your mother, act quickly to avoid financial scamming.

  • Question - Can my mother continue to see her current physical therapist if she isn't Medicare certified?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can my sister put my mother away in a nursing home without asking the rest of the children?

    One sibling may have the right to help arrange nursing home care for a parent, but it feels wrong not to consult other family members about the decision.

  • Question - What are the tax implications for the beneficiaries of my father's IRA and joint stock/mutual fund accounts when he passes away?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What legal recourse do I have with my drug abuser/alcoholic brother who has POA for our mother before he manages to go through my mothers money?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

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

    Unanswered. Can you help?

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

    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 - Is a Medicaid annuity a scam?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I get my mother to acknowledge that she has Alzheimer's?

    Should I tell my parent she has Alzheimer's? Expert advice on how to talk about Alzheimer's when your parent is starting to experience dementia.

  • Question - Could my mother's sleeping pills be causing her sundown syndrome?

    Could sleeping pills be causing my parent's sundown syndrome? Yes, sleeping pills could certainly contribute to sundown syndrome, or confusion.

  • Question - How can I be sure that my mother's headaches aren't really ministrokes, or TIAs?

    If a parent often has a headache after a stroke, what does it mean? Is it a TIA (transient ischemic attack), or are headaches after a stroke common?

  • Question - Could herbal supplements affect my mother's ability to drive?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What's the best way to catch my 91-year-old mother when she falls?

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

  • Question - What does "end stage" congestive heart failure mean for my mother?

    End stage congestive heart failure doesn't mean someone is dying. End stage congestive heart failure is serious, but some patients live for years.

  • Question - How can I tell if my mother's having an angina episode or a heart attack?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - What do I do when my mother seems to have lost the will to live?

    Redirectlng your mother's time and attention to other people and activities may help give her a new zest for life.

  • Question - How can I make a hospital stay easier for my mother with dementia?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How to resolve conflict over when to place mother in assistive-care?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - What is the best way to gauge how much exercise is too much?...

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

  • Question - What's the best way to dress my mother's bunions?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Why do teens get especially upset about their grandparents' Alzheimer's disease?

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

  • Question - How do I handle my mother's erratic behavior in the hospital after her surgical procedure?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I comfort my mother when she feels distressed about losing her hair?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Why is my mother's ovarian cancer causing swelling in her legs and feet?

    Why does cancer cause swelling in the hands and feet? The swelling in the hands and feet of a cancer patient can be caused by pressure on a vein.

  • Question - How can I help boost my mother's mood after her bypass surgery?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I help my anxious mother sleep better?

    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 - Can Coenzyme Q10 raise my mother's ejection fraction?

    Can CoQ10 raise my parent's ejection fraction if she has heart failure? CoQ10 has not been proven to benefit people with heart failure.

  • Question - What's the best way to move my mom from her wheelchair into the car?

    How do you transfer someone from a wheelchair to a car? Devices can help transfer him from the wheelchair to the car, but body mechanics matter too.

  • Question - How do we get my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's, to allow us to clean her house or bathe her?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How do I gently correct my mother-in-law, who has had brain surgery, when she calls my daughters the wrong name?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - What is my first step in administering my mother's will?

    The first step is usually the hardest: Finding and organizing the property your mothe owned at her death.

  • Question - I am looking for an assisted living home for my mother in...

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

  • Question - My mother needs help but is unwilling to accept it. What should I do?

    How can I help my mother when she fights me on everything?

  • 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 - Can my mother do a reverse mortgage on our home?

    I am 51 and co-own my mother's home. Can she take out a reverse mortgage?

  • Question - How can I carve out time for myself without feeling guilty?

    I"m my mother's caregiver, and I feel guilty when I take time for myself.

  • Question - How can I convince my mother's doctor to keep her out of a rehab facility?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - My mother is a veteran's widow. What kind of rights does she have in choosing a home health aide?

    This question has been answered by two Caring.com Experts

  • Question - What financial assistance is available for caregivers?

    Medicaid can pay for in-home care and might even pay a home-bound senior directly, who can then pay a familymember.

  • Question - How can I legally get payment from my mother -in-aw for a property we co-own?

    When an adult who has dementia is no longer paying bills, it’s time to get some legal device in place so someone else can manage the finances.

  • Question - Do we need a court order for the bank stating my mother is unable to handle her financial affairs any longer?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Should I sign a payment agreement with my mother's rehab center?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can my mother give tax free gifts to her grandchildren?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Do I still have power of attorney over my mother's bank accounts even though she's passed away?

    Once a parent dies, you may need to freeze a bank account to keep out those who might misuse the money left.

  • Question - How do we deal with my brother who has taken over our mother's life and finances, convincing her we don't care anymore?

    If a personal visit doesn’t work to sooth ruffled family feathers about caretaking, the next stop may be court for a guardianship.

  • Question - What is my mother's liability to Medicare if she enters a nursing home?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - We are concerned for my mother-in-law's safety in living alone in her home, but how can we convince her to move?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I overcome my father's resistance to hiring a home health aide to bathe my mother?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - My mother was recently moved from independent to assisted...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • 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 a person with Alzheimer's repeatedly makes mistakes, is it OK to correct her?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What can I do if my mom's nursing home is mistreating her and I live out of state?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Should I take cigarettes away from my mother, who has Alzheimer's, for fear she'll start a fire?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • 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 parent needs to move, but she's a pack rat. How do I convince this hoarder to get rid of some of the junk so she can move into a smaller place?

  • Question - Is it common for Alzheimer's patients to have good and bad days with their memory?

    If a parent with early Alzheimer's or dementia has both good and bad days, it can mean that some situations are more confusing or stressful.

  • Question - How do I help my elderly mother deal with the loss of her pets?

    When someone moves into assisted living, does he have to give up his pets? If so, what should you do with his pets once he moves into assisted living?

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

    Can my parents give one child durable power of attorney for healthcare and one durable power of attorney for finances? Power of attorney can be split.

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

    Can my parent revise or revoke his durable power of attorney for healthcare? He can revise his durable power of attorney if he's of sound mind.

  • Question - Does guided imagery really control cancer-related pain?

    Is guided meditation or guided imagery helpful in relieving pain from cancer or other diseases? Studies have shown that guided meditation can help.

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Is there an alternative to washing my father's private areas?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What's the best way to handle criticism about the Alzheimer's care I'm giving my mom?

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

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Are hallucinations common in people with Alzheimer's?

    Are Alzheimer's hallucinations common? My parent who has Alzheimer's has been experiencing hallucinations. Yes, hallucinations are fairly common.

  • Question - Why do Alzheimer's patients remember certain things and forget others?

    Why do Alzheimer's patients remember certain things and not others? Alzheimer's patients tend to remember things that happened longer ago better.

  • 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 - How can I prescreen assisted-living facilities so I don't have to tour every one?

    When you're looking for assisted living, how do you narrow down the choices? Here are tips for screening assisted living facilities ahead of time.

  • Question - How can I get my mother, who has dementia, to calm down in her nursing home?

    How do you calm down someone with dementia in a nursing home? Is calming a dementia patient down even possible in an environment like a nursing home?

  • Question - Should I show my mother this site and let her browse around?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Should my mom's house remain unchanged even though she has memory problems?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What can I do about the fact that my sibling is in denial about Alzheimer's?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

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

    This question has been answered by two Community Members

  • Question - Should I continue to encourage my mom to be social, even as her Alzheimer's worsens?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What's the best way to control odor from urinary incontinence?

    How do I get rid of the odor of my parent's urinary incontinence? Odor from urinary incontinence can be dealt with in several ways.

  • Question - What are my responsibilities if I hire a home health aide?

    Do I have to take out taxes when hiring a home health aide? You must withhold taxes after you hire a home health aide unless you use an agency.

  • Question - How can I keep my mother's hair clean when she resists shampooing?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • 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 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 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 - Does Alzheimer's disease cause my mother's rummaging behavior?

    Rummaging is a common Alzheimer's behavior, though you may feel like it's driving you crazy. Alzheimer's behaviors like rummaging help calm a patient.

  • Question - How can I be sure my mother, who lives on the other side of the country, is driving safely?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What is my mother's legal obligation to pay donation pledges she has given over the phone?

    There are some ways to cut back on hectoring calls from charitable organizations--and guidelines about whether a person must make good on pledges.

  • Question - Our 81 year old mother was recently diagnosed with dementia. How should she be convinced that she should not be administering her own medication?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • 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 - How do I encourage my mother, who has limited mobility, to exercise?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - What's an Amsler grid?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What can I do about my emotionally dependent mother?

    My mother is dependant and miserable -- and making me miserable, too.

  • Question - How do find time for your own privacy when living with and elderly parent?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - Is it time to consider assisted living for my elderly mother?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How can I get a break from caring for my mother 24/7?

    My mother, who lives with me, is blind and needs constant care. How can I get some time for myself?

  • Question - How do I encourage my mother, who has limited mobility, to exercise?

    Suggestions for getting your parent exercising.

  • Question - Should we see an ear, nose and throat specialist for my mother's issues with taste?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - What are the first steps in getting my mother's home deeded to my siblings and me?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Is there help for someone under age 65, who has serious illness and little money?

    For someone under 65 and disabled, government programs can help: Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

  • Question - How do I get my 90 yr old mother to go to a nursing home?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Siblings disagree over selling parent's house

    My sibling has power of attorney and wants to sell my parent's house. I don't want to sell the house because my parent is still competent. What to do?

  • Question - How can we prevent my mom, who has type 2 diabetes, from constantly getting yeast infections and cystitis?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How does a reverse mortgage affect the equity 5 to 10 years down the road?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I help my mother with the stress of caring for my grandmother?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Does any government program pay for assisted living?

    Does Medicaid pay for assisted living? Medicaid pays for assisted living instead of a nursing home if you're lucky enough to live in the right state.

  • Question - How can we keep from selling my mother's home to pay for her final expenses?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Does a living trust protect money from Medicaid consideration?

    Will putting money in a living trust protect my parent's money and help her get Medicaid? No, Medicaid considers money in a living trust an asset.

  • Question - How do I reflect my mother's Medicaid coverage and nuring home costs on her tax form and is she eligible for the rebate?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can a new diabetes drug also help my mother lose weight?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Should I put my mom in a nursing home as her care has gotten too much for me?

    Should I put my mom in a nursing home? Putting your parent in a nursing home could be the best thing for her, physically and mentally.

  • Question - How can I can my mother to talk about end of life planning?

    There are ways to help ease the way to discussions about estate planning and end of life issues with parents. But it's also wise to recognize that they may listen to other voices more readily.

  • 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 - What is the best way for my five brothers and me to contribute toward paying for my mother's care?

    Family planning for health care costs that may have tax consequences can get complicated in a hurry. It's one of those situations in which it may be best to call in expert help.

  • Question - How can I get my mom to agree to wear adult diapers?

    My parent refuses to wear diapers. She has moved in with us, and she needs to wear adult diapers, but we haven't been able to persuade her to do it.

  • Question - My Mother lives in Michigan, she wants me to relocate back...

    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 the wishes of the deceased paramount.

  • Question - How can I deal with my family's denial of my mother's Alzheimer disease?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Could this be a recurrence of the cancer?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Why is my mother's platelet count dropping so drastically?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How can I convince my mother to move to a safer place near me?

    My mother isn't safe in her home, but won't consider moving.

  • Question - How can I get financial help for things like a ramp and hand rails to accomodate my disabled mother who now lives with me?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Will my mother or I lose our house if she has to go into a nursing home?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How should the children sell and divide the family home?

    Before you can sell off the family home, you have to prove that you own it.

  • 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 - How can we arrange a nonreligious funeral and burial to honor our mother's wishes?

    You are free to plan whatever final services seem most fitting for a deceased parent, which can sometimes be a difficult freedom. One caveat: Consider the needs of those attending.

  • Question - Is it possible for my sister and I to apply for dual guardianship of our mother?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How can I comfort my dying mother who is still holding on for dear life?

    Help with dealing with feelings of helplessness while witnessing a death often come from those close at hand: hospice workers.

  • Question - Why would my mother be prescribed Arresta if her doc says she does not have dementia or Alzheimer's?

    We suspect my Mom may have either dementia or alzhiemers...

  • Question - Who gets to determine when my terminally ill mother, who is on life support, is allowed to pass? My aunt, who has power-of-attorney, or her children?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Have there been any new VA widow's pension laws passed since 2007 that would require my mom to pay back what she's already gotten?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - My mother, who lives with us, is driving us nuts! Help!

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How can my mother give me $130,000 without getting hit with a gift tax?

    My mother wants to give me $130000 but doesn't know how...

  • Question - How can I help my mother lose weight?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - How do we get guardianship of my mother-in-law, who lives in a care facility and is out-of-state?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Can I get information on my father's condition even though my mother has instructed against it?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Is there a way to use my mother's assets to compensate me as her caregiver?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - What kind of legal action can I take to care for my mother, who has got cognitive issues?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - What if your mom is abusive should you have her move in...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - How can I help my mother deal with her pain and keep her from driving?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Does a living trust protect my mothers assets if she has to...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - my mother died in California - no probate - do I have to pay...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - My mother of 82 has been diagnosed with alzheimers for a few...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • 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'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 - Can my mom try out an assisted-living home before she commits to it?

    Is it possible to try out assisted living before committing to it? Yes, some assisted living homes allow people to live there for a short time first.

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

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Does stress affect Alzheimer's?

    Does stress cause Alzheimer's symptoms or make them worse? Here's expert advice on dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia behaviors affected by stress.

  • 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 - 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 can I help an elder die?

    Make sure the older person's desire to die is real. Then read up about it.

  • Question - Am I entitled to property from my brother's estate if both of my parents are alive?

    Whether a sibling is entitled to another sibling's property at death may depend on whether or not there was a will in the picture.

  • 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 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 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 - My mom has macular degeneration, but still insists on driving. Is there anything I can do?

    My mother has macular degeneration. Should she still be driving?

  • Question - my husband doesnt understand severe fibromyalgia and how my...

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Can I get medicare to pay for both a scooter and a wheelchair?

    Medicare can pay to rent or buy a power wheelchair or power scooter, if medically necessary, but not both at the same time.

  • Question - If a couple is separated but own a house jointly, does one filing bankruptcy affect the other's financial affairs?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What financial help is available for caregiver who had to...

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - What are my legal options if they refuse to cooperate with my suggestions for Mom's care?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • Question - Is there a program where I get paid to be my mom's caregiver?

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • 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 - Can Alzheimer's affect how someone feels about the outdoors?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Is there an alternative to washing my mom's private areas?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - How can I encourage my listless mom to bathe?

    Elderly people sometimes refuse to bathe out of modesty or fear of falling. What can you do to help when when a parent refuses to bathe or shower?

  • 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 - What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?

    This question has been answered by three Community Members

  • Question - My father-in-law is depressed and has no daily activities to occupy him.

    This question has been answered by three Community Members

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

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

    This question has been answered by a Community Member

  • Question - My father has had a stroke and has no will. How do I ensure his things are taken care of?

    A parent who wishes to make a will may be able to do so, even after suffering a stroke.

  • Question - Can you transfer power of attorney in late-stage Alzheimer's?

    A power of attorney generally cannot be transferred once the principal is incapacitated.

  • Question - Should I be concerned that my mom has lumps where she injects insulin?

    Lumps under the skin from insulin injections (lipohypertrophy) may appear in someone with diabetes. Insulin like Novolog or Humalog might avoid these.

  • 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 - Does it take your body longer to heal from wounds when you're older?

    Unanswered. Can you help?

  • 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 - Why can't my dad, who has Parkinson's disease, correct his bad posture or avoid falling over?

    This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

  • Question - Is there a way to get power of attorney back after it has been revoked?

    If possible, get to the bottom of why your mother's power of attorney was revoked. You may need to fight this legal action with legal action of your own.

  • Question - How do we deal with two conflicting opinions about an Alzheimer's diagnosis?

    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 - When someone is incapacitated, how can another person get POA for them?

    Unansw