Caregiver. Even the word carries a lot of weight, doesn’t it? It signifies a responsibility, a change in your role in life, sometimes a change in a relationship in your life… And for most people, there isn’t a “warm-up” or a dress rehearsal, it is a phase that starts on its own terms. Setting a determined, positive and even energetic tone for braving the ups and downs ahead encourages happiness. It also benefits the well-being of your loved one over time. Remember that Alzheimer’s and dementia are progressive, so the best thing you can do is remember what they can do.

It’s back-to-school season! If your family is like mine, you are scrambling to prepare your children to head back to the classroom. A lot of these little ones are growing up in a different home environment than the generations older than them grew up in.

Depression strikes in several forms. The term clinical depression just means that the depression is severe enough to require treatment. Thus, when a senior has been badly depressed during a defined period, he or she can be said to have had an episode of clinical depression.

Depression is a physical illness—chemicals produced in the brain called neurotransmitters, which work to stabilize mood, are involved in major depression. In a depressed individual the brain cannot adequately regulate its neurotransmitters and the chemicals become unbalanced. However, nobody knows exactly what causes it.

Clinical depression is common in seniors—about 3% suffer from major depression, but many more suffer from milder forms. Depression can be very dangerous for your aging loved ones because it can lead to disability and increased mortality. Depression breaks down the body’s resistance because those who are depressed are less likely to exercise, eat well, and sleep well.