On October 30, 1993, my father suffered a debilitating stroke. The next day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My mother, who was suffering with macular degeneration, osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, restless leg syndrome, and severe hearing loss, became his full-time caregiver. My parents lived on a farm six miles northwest of McPherson, Kansas, a… Continue reading How to Cope with Caregiver Stress
Category: Family
Five Ways to Maintain a Grateful Harmony in Your Relationship
“What If…” We’ve asked this question many times, sometimes in our heads and sometimes to each other. As college sweethearts, we separated because of a lack of maturity and communication skills, not because anything was wrong between us. Since we reunited six years ago, we’ve both wondered what would’ve happened had we stayed together. Don’t… Continue reading Five Ways to Maintain a Grateful Harmony in Your Relationship
5 Things to Consider Before Your First Empty Nest Vacation
The kids are gone and you and your mate find yourselves going on your first trip as “empty nesters.” No more choosing your destination based on what your kids want (and don’t want!) to do. You can even finally travel when school is IN session. Fall is ideal for most destinations and is often off-season… Continue reading 5 Things to Consider Before Your First Empty Nest Vacation
Chivalry May Not Be Dead when It Comes to Morality
Although women have made substantial strides toward equality with men, most people are still likelier to sacrifice a man rather than a woman when it comes to saving lives and pursuing self-interest, researchers say. “Our study indicates that we think women’s welfare should be preserved over men’s,” observes Oriel FeldmanHall, a post-doctoral researcher at New… Continue reading Chivalry May Not Be Dead when It Comes to Morality
People Tend to Downgrade the Looks of Those Who Could Threaten Romantic Relationships
What psychological factors might couples use to stay committed to their partners? According to a study published in June 2016 in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, people in relationships see tempting people outside of their partnership as less attractive than they really are. This perceptual bias could represent an unconscious method of self-control that assists… Continue reading People Tend to Downgrade the Looks of Those Who Could Threaten Romantic Relationships
Rage and “Stonewalling” Linked to Different Health Problems
Conflict can cause health problems – but exactly what kind of problem depends on whether you let your rage out or shut down emotionally. New research from UC Berkeley and Northwestern University, based on how couples behave during conflicts, suggests outbursts of anger predict cardiovascular problems later in life. Conversely, shutting down emotionally or “stonewalling”… Continue reading Rage and “Stonewalling” Linked to Different Health Problems
My Sister’s Lungs, Part Five: We’re Still Waiting
Editor’s Note: In the final part of a five-part series, thirdAGE contributor Nancy Wurtzel (at right in the above photo) shares the ordeal her sister Barbara (at left in the above photo) is undergoing as she waits for a match for a lung transplant. Barbara’s situation is complicated by the fact that her husband, Jim,… Continue reading My Sister’s Lungs, Part Five: We’re Still Waiting
My Sister’s Lungs, Part 4: The Beginning
Editor’s Note: In the fourth part of a five-part series, thirdAGE contributor Nancy Wurtzel (at right in the above photo) shares the ordeal her sister Barbara (at left in the above photo) is undergoing as she waits for a match for a lung transplant. Barbara’s situation is complicated by the fact that her husband, Jim,… Continue reading My Sister’s Lungs, Part 4: The Beginning
My Sister’s Lungs, Part 3: A Primer on Lung Transplants
Editor’s Note: In the third part of a five-part series, thirdAGE contributor Nancy Wurtzel (at right in the above photo) shares the ordeal her sister Barbara (at left in the above photo) is undergoing as she waits for a match for a lung transplant. Barbara’s situation is complicated by the fact that her husband, Jim,… Continue reading My Sister’s Lungs, Part 3: A Primer on Lung Transplants
My Sister’s Lungs, Part Two: Someone Has to Die for My Sister to Live
Editor’s Note: In the second part of a five-part series, thirdAGE contributor Nancy Wurtzel (at left in the above photo) shares the ordeal her sister Barbara (at right in the above photo) is undergoing as she waits for a match for a lung transplant. Barbara’s situation is complicated by the fact that her husband, Jim,… Continue reading My Sister’s Lungs, Part Two: Someone Has to Die for My Sister to Live
How Friends and Family Can Help with Your Doctor Visits
Editor’s note: Doctor visits can be frightening at any time, but they can become intimidating as well when you grow older. You may be dealing with serious or chronic health problems; you could be on several medications and need to talk to your physician about individual ones. Anxiety and tension may make it harder to… Continue reading How Friends and Family Can Help with Your Doctor Visits
Healing Relationships at The End of Life
Often, the end of a life leaves us filled with mixed emotions: sadness, yes, but also, deep regret about things that were never said and about thorny relationship rifts that remain forever unresolved. Bereavement care specialist Dr. Virginia A. Simpson, author of the memoir The Space Between: A Memoir Of Mother-Daughter Love At The End… Continue reading Healing Relationships at The End of Life
College Grads Moving Back Home Need These Ground Rules
Many young grads will move back in with their parents after getting their degree in May. It’s often not easy on either party. Boomerang kids typically raise a host of financial and family issues. That’s why open communication and setting some basic ground rules are important. Boomerang kids can be adult children of any age… Continue reading College Grads Moving Back Home Need These Ground Rules
Adult Siblings Over a Lifetime
Siblings play a central part in our lives. They know us in a way that no one else ever will. They were witnesses to our childhood and share our memories. And for millions of baby-boomers, relationships with siblings will last almost a century. But, unfortunately, adult siblings frequently have relationships that are fraught with conflict… Continue reading Adult Siblings Over a Lifetime
MUTTS Comic Strip Creator Patrick McDonnell: “I Try My Best to Give a Voice to Shelter Animals”
According to the ASPCA, each year approximately 7.6 companion animals enter shelters nationwide – approximately 3.9 million dogs and 3.4 million cats. Of those, approximately 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats are euthanized. Patrick McDonnell, creator of the phenomenally successful, award-winning comic strip MUTTS (http://www.Mutts.com), is devoted to helping shelter animals avoid that fate.… Continue reading MUTTS Comic Strip Creator Patrick McDonnell: “I Try My Best to Give a Voice to Shelter Animals”
In Older Adults, Frailty and Depression Can Affect Spouses
Frailty, a condition that affects 10 percent of people aged 65 and older, can make older adults more prone to disability, falls, hospitalization, and a shorter lifespan. In April 2016, research published online in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society examined the effects of frailty and depression on married couples. A research summary released… Continue reading In Older Adults, Frailty and Depression Can Affect Spouses
Ten Tips for Caregiving Daughters – and Their Mothers
As Mother’s Day approaches, many older women in a mother/daughter caregiving relationship may find it a bittersweet holiday. No matter how strong their relationship is with their mother, caregiving is an exhausting, often frustrating task. As in many aspects of life there are lessons to be learned and a lot of bumps and bruises that… Continue reading Ten Tips for Caregiving Daughters – and Their Mothers
The 8 New Relationship Rules Every Couple Should Follow
Want a great love? Then don’t be afraid to: Rock the Boat. Don’t hold back when something is bothering you because you’re afraid to make waves in your relationship. Think about ways you try to keep things on an even keel and instead, challenge your relationship – it’s the only way to grow stronger as… Continue reading The 8 New Relationship Rules Every Couple Should Follow