AFTER Mark Donham’s wife, Chris, fell under the spell of early-onset Alzheimer’s, he doubled down on his marriage vows. He quit his job as a well-paid sales representative in the printing industry and became his wife’s 24-hour caregiver: dressing her, doing laundry and scheduling social visits with friends. Faith, hope, and courage became his new […]
Caregiving can begin with a moment’s notice, as Beth discovered. Her elderly mother, widowed and living independently in the Midwest, had suffered a disabling stroke. Beth, the youngest of six children, willingly responded since she lived closer than her siblings did and felt capable of providing help. Once the health crisis stabilized, Beth moved her […]
Mother’s Day is over but there’s still time to get her a gift. Perhaps you forgot a card or a gift, maybe your mother doesn’t live near you and you want to send her something.
Each time I make a house call, I stay much longer than I should. I can’t leave because my patient is holding my hand, or because she’s telling me, not for the first time, about when Aunt Mabel cut off all her hair and they called her a boy at school, or how her dad […]
Inactivity, isolation, and depression are the greatest threats to an older adult’s mental and physical health.
