Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]
Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones. Authors: Karen Lutfey Spencer, University of Colorado Denver and Jane Callahan, North Carolina Central University Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly the answers will revolve around comfort, [...]
Somewhere tonight, a daughter is learning to insert a feeding tube using YouTube. Her mother, who once taught her how to tie her shoelaces, no longer recognizes her face. The home health aide hasn't shown up in three days. That image stopped me mid-scroll. Not because it was shocking, but [...]
David Kessler is an American author, public speaker, and grief expert. He has published many books, including two co-written with psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD. Looking to him as a leading grief expert when seeking support, we can be comforted knowing he is well-informed and providing reliable information on the topic. [...]
Why this helps: Reading aloud is different from poetry (Way #2). A short story—just a few pages—offers a narrative arc, characters, and a gentle plot. This can be more engaging for some people while still being low-pressure. Summer-themed stories about beaches, gardens, or family gatherings can spark seasonal memories. [...]
Neal K. Shah left a $250 million hedge fund to fix a system that failed his own family. After caring for his grandfather through dementia and his wife through a multi-year cancer battle, he saw firsthand what 63 million family caregivers already know: the care system in America is completely [...]
"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it with me when my memory fails." (Author unknown) Why this helps: For someone living with dementia, family connections can feel distant and abstract. A regular ritual of acknowledging birthdays—through song, a phone call, or simply speaking [...]
Harvard researchers followed 105,000 people for 30 years and only 9% reached age 70 free of chronic disease, cognitive decline, and depression. Their secret wasn't genetics or supplements. It was consistently eating real food: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and unsaturated fats with almost no ultra-processed food or [...]
Why this helps: Blowing bubbles is playful, low-energy, and deeply engaging. Watching bubbles float and pop encourages visual tracking and can bring spontaneous smiles and laughter. The deep breathing required to blow bubbles is also a natural relaxation technique, good for both of you. How to do it: Buy a [...]
"Air pollution has long been linked to heart and lung disease. But a large US study suggests it may also raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia." Author: Eef Hogervorst, Loughborough University Researchers tracked nearly 28 million older adults over six years nationwide. They [...]
