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Supporting a person with arthritis
Arthritis is a difficult condition to understand as an onlooker. The pain is invisible and unpredictable. Some days are good. Other days...
Ann Hollander
Oct 11, 20202 min read
What is palliative care?
Life with a serious illness is not all dreary and glum. The condition and its symptoms can certainly take over. But daily life continues....
Ann Hollander
Oct 5, 20202 min read
What is "mindfulness," anyway?
Many people confuse mindfulness with meditation and Eastern religions. Mindfulness is a skill gained by training your mind to observe...
Ann Hollander
Sep 28, 20202 min read
Nonverbal signs of pain
Dementia itself does not cause physical pain. But people with dementia still encounter pain, just like anyone else: headaches, arthritis,...
Ann Hollander
Sep 21, 20202 min read
BPH: Weighing surgical options
Ever wondered why older men seem to need to urinate frequently? An enlarged prostate gland is likely to blame. The condition, benign...
Ann Hollander
Sep 14, 20202 min read
Getting the most from doctor visits
Time with a doctor is precious—and that creates pressure to make the most of each visit. Whether your loved one's next appointment is in...
Ann Hollander
Sep 7, 20202 min read
"But I wasn't there when she died"
Many of us hold unconscious covenants with our kin. Among the most poignant, perhaps, is a commitment to "be there" when death is near....
Ann Hollander
Aug 31, 20202 min read
Caregiving as a team
Millennials and Gen Xers are using strategies that might benefit family caregivers of all ages. Nearly half (47%) of adults in their 40s...
Ann Hollander
Aug 24, 20202 min read
Repetitive questions
"When are we going out?" A reasonable question under normal circumstances. But if the person you care for has dementia, you may get this...
Ann Hollander
Aug 17, 20202 min read
Help prevent choking
Swallowing involves the coordination of many muscles in the mouth and throat. The action pushes chewed food down toward the stomach. At...
Ann Hollander
Aug 10, 20202 min read
How to beat "decision fatigue"
Caring for an ill family member often requires taking on the role of “decision maker.” Sometimes it’s multiple mundane decisions (Should...
Ann Hollander
Aug 3, 20202 min read
Osteoporosis: What you can do
If you are concerned about a loved one's osteoporosis—brittle bones—it's a good idea to bring this up with the doctor. He or she will...
Ann Hollander
Jul 27, 20202 min read
What's in an Alzheimer's test?
When symptoms of memory loss or confused thinking arise, it's natural to wonder: Is it Alzheimer's? There is no specific test for...
Ann Hollander
Jul 20, 20202 min read
The importance of staying connected
Staying connected is extremely important. Isolation and loneliness are not just sad situations. They have been shown to increase the...
Ann Hollander
Jul 13, 20202 min read
Talking with children about serious illness
Children are like sponges. They soak up whatever is around them. If Grandpa is sick, or Grandma has dementia, they’ll pick up on your...
Ann Hollander
Jul 6, 20202 min read
Is twice a night too much?
Many older adults complain of having to get up several times in the night to pee. Some of this is a normal part of aging. Our bladder...
Ann Hollander
Jun 29, 20202 min read
Cooling down to make a decision
Our fight-flight-or-freeze reactions are deeply embedded in our body and brain. In intense situations, they take over. As a family...
Ann Hollander
Jun 22, 20202 min read
Coronavirus scams
Scammers thrive in crises. The Federal Trade Commission is reporting a surge in fraud complaints. Bad actors are leveraging fear and...
Ann Hollander
Jun 15, 20202 min read
Removing "junk stimulation"
If you were asked to name the stresses in your life, you might think first about all the tasks and responsibilities you are juggling. Or...
Ann Hollander
Jun 8, 20202 min read
Signs of osteoporosis
Does the person you care for seem to have shrunk a bit? Pants are too long? Can't reach items on their regular shelf? You can see the top...
Ann Hollander
Jun 1, 20202 min read
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