Caregiving Blog: Caring for Aging Parents
Welcome to the Caregiving Blog: Caring for Aging Parents. Here you will find helpful caregiving blog articles as well as podcasts and transcripts from The Caring Generation® radio program for caregivers and aging adults. Use the social media buttons at the left to share on Facebook, Twitter, or Linked In, to email a copy to family or friends or to print a copy. All posts are written by caregiving expert, Pamela D. Wilson.
How Can I Be an Effective Caregiver? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 120, January 12, 2022, On this episode caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson answers the question, how can I be an effective caregiver? Effectiveness is a result of translating everyday experiences to wisdom. Gain tips to care for aging parents and loved ones in this podcast version of Pamela’s Livestream caregiver event How to Find Wisdom in Daily Life Experiences.
How to Figure Out What Aging Parents Need – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 119 January 5, 2022, On this episode caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson answers the question, how to figure out what aging parents need. Eight areas common to the needs of the elderly are identified, plus recommendations for managing through uncertainty and helping aging parents help themselves.
How to Stop Becoming Like Your Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 118 December 29, 2021. On this episode caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson answers the question How to Stop Becoming Like Your Parents? Parents do their best to raise children. But not all lessons about living a happy, healthy, old age are discussed when children are young because parents may not have learned themselves. What adult children can learn from the experience of aging parents.
Care Refusals: Elderly Parents and Caregivers – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 117 December 22, 2021 – On this episode, Care Refusals, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson explains the effects of saying no on health, well-being, and family relationships. Dr. Thomas R. Radomski from the University of Pittsburgh shares research about medications and shared decision-making by caregivers and older adults.
Why Caregivers Don’t Get The Help They Need – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 116 December 15, 2021, On this episode caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson shares tips for caregivers who struggle to get the help they need for loved ones. Aging parents and spouses needing care can lack insight into health concerns. Additionally, caregivers can underestimate the effect of stress on their ability to provide care and make good decisions.
How to Stop Being a Caretaker – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 115 December 8, 2021 – On this episode, How to Stop Being a Caretaker, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson talks about ethical dilemmas related to good care, living a good life, and managing health declines. Guest Dr. Robert Lefevre discusses the link between caretaking and addictive behaviors.
Toxic Caregiving Habits – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 114 December 1, 2021, In this episode caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson discusses how toxic caregiving habits can ruin family relationships between caregivers and care receivers. Learn how to identify toxic caregiving habits and choose to repair fractured relationships.
Why Won’t My Family Help Me – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 113 November 24, 2021. On this episode, Why Won’t My Family Help Me, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson offers insights and perspectives to help family caregivers get unstuck about expectations for receiving help. Guest Dr. Brent Roberts, Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discusses how personality traits link to health and why change at any age can be difficult.
How to Survive Caregiving – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 112 November 17, 2021. In this episode, How to Survive Caregiving, Pamela D Wilson practical steps for family caregivers to identify four behavior patterns that make caregiving relationships challenging and how to rise above difficulty.
Why Caregiving Never Ends – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 111 November 10, 2021, On this episode, Why Caregiving Never Ends, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson talks about caregiving responsibilities that begin with having children and progress to caring for aging parents, spouses, and ourselves. Guest Louise Hawkley, from NORC at the University of Chicago shares research about the health effects of loneliness on isolated caregivers.
Difficult Conversations With Aging Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 110 November 3, 2021. In this episode, Having Difficult Conversations With Aging Parents, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson talks about the importance of initiating uncomfortable or difficult conversations with aging parents and within families.
Strong Caregivers Make Better Caregivers – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 109 October 27, 2021. On this episode, Why Strong Caregivers Make Better Caregivers, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson shares solutions to the challenges caregivers experience that negatively impacts decision-making, relationships, and emotional health. Guest Dr. Mark Leary,
Does Assisted Living Take All of Your Money? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 108 October 20, 2021. On this episode, caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson answers the question Does Assisted Living Take All Your Money? Shared are individual and family beliefs about assisted living communities, reasons assisted care becomes necessary, and why care planning and prevention offer more choices.
What’s Good About Being A Caregiver? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 107 October 13, 2021. On this episode, What’s Good About Being a Caregiver? Pamela D Wilson shares the blessings, disappointments, challenges, and lessons to be learned from the experience of caring for aging parents and loved ones. Guest. Dr. Andrea B Maier shares research about longevity.
Elderly Parents Want Constant Attention – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 106 October 6, 2021. On this episode, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson offers reasons elderly parents may want constant attention and how the actions of adult children caregivers may have unintentionally contributed to the situation.
Why Older Adults Can’t Get Care – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 105 September 29, 2021. On this episode, Why Older Adults Can't Get Care, caregiving expert and host Pamela D Wilson shares insights into difficulties experienced by older adults attempting to navigate the healthcare system and the...
Hard Truths About Caring for Aging Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 104 September 22, 2021. On this episode, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson talks openly about the challenges and trade-offs adult caregivers experience when making decisions to care for aging parents, spouses, and other family members....
Wishing a Sick Parent Would Die – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 103 September 8, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson offers insights into feelings experienced by caregivers that they hesitate to share including wishing a sick parent would die Guest Dr. Mellissa Withers Associate Professor at the Keck School Medicine shares research about EOAD – early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Aging at Home and Remaining Independent – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 102 September 8, 2021. On this program, expert Pamela Wilson shares insights about aging at home. What aging adults, caregivers, and elderly parents must know to remain independent and self-sufficient today and in the later years of...
What Assisted Living Communities Don’t Tell Families
Caregiving Blog: What Assisted Living & Care Communities Don't Tell Families Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, CSA, NCG What assisted living and care communities don't tell families is a subject rarely discussed. Assisted living communities and nursing homes provide...
Why Do Old People Get Mean? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 101 September 1, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson helps caregivers gain insights for changes and frustrations experienced by aging parents to answer the question Why Do Old People Get Mean? Guest. Dr. Jennifer Frontera shares research about the short and long-term effects of COVID.
Caring for a Much Older Spouse – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 100 August 25, 2021. On this mini-podcast program, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson responds to questions posed by caregivers: What Caregivers Should Know About Caring for a Much Older Spouse and how to manage age gap caregiver relationships?
What to Do About Parents Getting Older – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 99 August 18, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson talks about what to do about parents getting older. Guest. Dr. Claire Ankuda shares research about homebound older adults and the risks of becoming homebound to health and well-being.
Living Alone After 60 and Thriving
Are you wondering if living alone after 60 and thriving is possible? Worry no more.
While research figures confirm that a large number of men and women ages 60 and older live alone, many of these older adults relish their privacy and being able to do what they want to do when they
Healthcare Issues Faced By Caregivers – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® – Episode 98 August 11, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson talks about Healthcare Issues Faced by Caregivers. Learn issues that family caregivers confront when working with the healthcare system.
Things Caregivers Wish Their Parents Knew – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation – Episode 97 August 4, 2021. On this caregiving program, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson shares things adult children caregivers wish their parents knew. Find advice for elderly parents and adult children about initiating caregiving conversations that support positive family relationships when duty and responsibility to care for parents is a priority.
Why Does Caring for Elderly Parents Make Me Mean? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 96 July 28, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson talks about ongoing challenges that test the emotions and patience of caregivers to answer the question Why Does Caring for Elderly Parents Make Me Mean? Guest Dr....
Why Do Caregivers Quit (or Wish they Could)? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation – Episode 97 August 4, 2021. On this caregiving program, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson shares things adult children caregivers wish their parents knew. Find advice for elderly parents and adult children about initiating caregiving conversations that support positive family relationships when duty and responsibility to care for parents is a priority.
Resentment Towards Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 94 July 14, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson discusses caregiver resentment toward parents and how to release judgments to focus on the future. Guest, psychiatrist Dr. Christian Heim offers tips for caregivers...
When You Can No Longer Care for Elderly Parents-The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 93 July 7, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson shares tips for being compassionate and making caregiving decisions for When You Can No Longer Care for Elderly Parents. Guest Dr. Ingrid Bacon shares research and...
Caregiving Experts Meaningful Advice for Caregivers
Caregiving experts invite family and working caregivers to discuss experiences close to the heart through participation in caregiver groups, surveys, social media, and other platforms. However, fear of judgment frequently results in caregivers feeling hesitant to...
When Elderly Give Up on Life – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 92 June 30, 2021. What to Do When Elderly Parents Give Up? On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson offers tips for staying positive and managing change when elderly parents and caregivers face the unexpected. Guest Rich...
Caring for Dad – The Caring Generation® Podcasts
The Caring Generation® – Episode 91 June 23, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson talks about Caring for Dad when mom isn’t around anymore. Advice for adult children caring for a father who is widowed, divorced or caring for mom.
How to Stay Out of a Nursing Home – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 90 June 16, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson shares tips for Staying Out of a Nursing Home and remaining active into your nineties. Guest David Frost, an NFPT Certified Master Fitness Trainer, shares tips for...
How to Appoint a Power of Attorney
Appointing a Power of Attorney Appointing a power of attorney establishes a trusting relationship between two people. The principal is the term used for the person making the appointment. The attorney in fact accepts agent authority to fulfill legal responsibilities...
My Mother Refuses to Take Care of Herself – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 89 June 9, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson offers insights for caregivers who say My Mother Refuses to take Care of Herself. Is mom refusing care or is there something else going on? An interview with Dr. James...
Taking Care of Family: Living for Someone Else – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 88, June 2, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson talks about why Taking Care of Family can be exhausting as a caregiver who feels like you are living your life for someone else. Guest, Martha Tettenborn, a registered...
24 7 Care For Elderly – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 87, May 26, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson shares the different meanings of 24 7 care for the Elderly, including insights for family caregivers told by the healthcare system that parents need 24 7 care, plus...
Help for Seniors Living Alone – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 86, May 19, 2021. On this program, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson offers suggestions and Help for Seniors Living Alone who want to remain independent and in control of life and decision-making. Interviews with seniors paint a...
Putting a Parent Into a Nursing Home – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 85 May 12, 2021. On this caregiving program, expert Pamela D Wilson offers insights into decision-making about Putting Parents into a Nursing Home. Guest, Dr. Marissa Holst from the University of Minnesota Morris discusses how Culture...
Why Healthcare Consumer Understanding of Caring Fails Caregivers
There are many reasons why healthcare consumer understanding of caring fails caregivers and aging adults. The healthcare system has recently become focused on the concept of healthcare consumerism—a medical speak term—that places personal choice and responsibility on...
Caregiver Anger and Resentment – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 84 May 5, 2021, On this caregiver program, host Pamela D Wilson talks about how caregiver anger and resentment can erode the self-esteem and confidence of caregivers who ask how to deal with feeling unappreciated. An interview with a...
Caregiver Decision Making: How to Take Care of Aging Parents
How to take care of aging parents involves caregiver decision making. One choice leads to the next. Mistakes happen when caregivers do not thoroughly understand the potential consequences of decisions. In addition, conflicts between adult children and parents about...
What Are the Levels of Care for Elderly? – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 83 April 24, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson offers insight into levels of care for elderly from various perspectives. Guest Ben Clincy a paramedic, writer, artist, fellow podcast host, and comedian with a...
How To Keep Your Aging Parents At Home
Adult children pose the question of how to keep your aging parents at home after an unexpected event brings into question a parent’s ability to care for him or herself. When children begin to help elderly parents, it’s impossible to predict the future events that can...
How to Cope With a Chronically Ill Spouse – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 82 April 21, 2021. On this caregiver program, expert Pamela D Wilson shares tips for how to cope with a chronically ill spouse, manage chronic illness, and openly discuss caregiver concerns. Guest Elisabet Eriksson, a registered nurse,...
How to Take Care of My Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 81 April 14, 2021. On this podcast for caregivers, How to Take Care of My Parents, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson discusses the life and health effects of being a caregiver and how chronic stress can negatively impact care for aging...
Moving Home to Care For Sick Parent – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 80 April 7, 2021. On this program, Moving Home to Care for Sick Parent, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson offers insights for adult children considering moving back home to care for elderly parents from another state, city, or foreign...
How to Have Patience With Elderly Parents – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 79 March 31, 2021. On this caregiver program, How to Have Patience with Elderly Parents, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson offers tips for learning how to balance emotions, time, and dealing with aging parent's concerns and health....
Protecting Elderly Parents from Siblings – The Caring Generation®
The Caring Generation® - Episode 78 March 24, 2021. On this program, Protecting Elderly Parents from Siblings, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson talks about how favoritism and enabling behaviors can create dependent parent-child relationships that result in family...
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