Dear Lyn: I take care of my mother who has dementia. We don't have many problems, with the exception of bath time. It's always a battle! I try to convince her that she needs a bath, but she resists. She can't bathe herself anymore, and we can't afford to bring someone in to do it. I need some tips. - Battle-fatigued Babe ...more

May 9, 2008

Hello Lyn: My father has 24/7 care in his home. He has dementia, yet is quite independent. His caregivers cook and otherwise just keep an eye on him as he continues to do his "chores." (In other words, he doesn't require any "hands-on" care.) My question is: What is considered an appropriate gift for these wonderful people? I want them to know how much I appreciate their help. I don't know if it's appropriate to give cash. Can I give different gifts to each person? Do I give gifts to the helpers who work for agencies? Is there a "formula" like one day's pay? ...more

December 7, 2007

The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages about $5,500 a year, according to the nation's first in-depth study of such expenses, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends annually on health care and entertainment combined. ...more

November 19, 2007