Caregivers, Assisted Living, Nursing Homes:  Americans who need caregiving assistance are increasing as life expectancy increases. All types of senior services and products providers are now available for caregiving needs.  The adult child often helps make financial, health care, senior housing and legal decisions.

Don't Forget Yourself When Caring for Someone With a Mood Disorder
By Mary Logan

When you care about someone suffering from a mood disorder, taking care of yourself can be a challenge. Mood disorders run the gamut from chronic and clinical depression to panic disorders and bi-polar disorder. In addition to the stress of caregiving, family members have the added burden of trying to avoid the "isolation factor" that is part and parcel of mental illness. It's easy to see how this happens. Caregivers often believe nobody knows how they feel, or that things will never be ok. When you do have a morsel of time, you may be too down, feeling unsocial, or even tired to do the things you enjoy. Sometimes your only option is socializing with the person affected by mental illness, which may not feel like much of a restful break.

When You Can't Be There
By Chloe Jon Paul

Just four years ago I couldn't have imagined where this book would lead me.  The book itself came about as a result of observations I made while my parents were in a long-term care facility,

It was apparent that many family caregivers were uncomfortable visiting with their loved one; that they didn't know how to interact with staff and other residents; that they were unable to deal effectively with unforeseen, upsetting issues which inevitably arise.

I took a survey of family members whose loved ones resided at this facility to find out what they wanted to know and the book emerged as a result.  I would like to share with you a chapter from my book, What Happens Next?

Saving Your Family from Nursing Home Neglect
By Nick Johnson

When our oldest relatives start to pass beyond their golden years and into a time when they need extensive care, sometimes the kindest thing that we think we can do for them is to put them in a situation where they will be cared for by a staff of professional nurses at all times.  In some cases, however, this well intentioned act takes a deadly turn as nursing homes neglect and sometimes outright abuse patients. 

Elder abuse and nursing home abuse are not isolated or rare phenomena.  Like the shaking of babies when children cry for reasons that an overly stressed parent cannot fathom, the constant needs of the elderly can cause over worked nurses to snap.  No one sets out to work in a nursing home just to abuse people, but stress and a difficult job can combine to set terrible acts in motion.

Role Reversal - When Parents Resist
By Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson

Your parents are getting older.  You see things slipping.  The house is not as clean as it once was, your mother is increasingly forgetful, your father has lost weight, and you are concerned about their safety when they drive.  So as a responsible child you bring up the subject.  How do your parents react?  They are angry.  They feel like you are trying to tell them what to do.  Maybe they feel like you want to move them out of their home and place them in a retirement facility.

Sometimes your mother complains about the burdens of caring for your father.  Other times she tells you everything is fine.  You spend as much time helping as possible, however it is never enough.  You talk to your parents about retaining outside help, they hedge and refuse.  What do you do?  What can you do?