Carol Bradley Bursack, CDSGF
Author, speaker, columnist and eldercare consultant
Over the span of two decades, author, columnist, consultant and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Her experiences inspired her to pen "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories," a portable support group book for caregivers.
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Seniors need to feel useful to enjoy a high quality of life. Sticking to everyday routines and engaging in enjoyable activities helps them maintain a sense of purpose. But if you believe an elder’s actions are risky or dangerous, when should you step in?
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It's heartbreaking to hear a loved one say, “I want to go home,” regardless of whether they’re already in their own house or now living in a senior living facility. How can family caregivers help calm and comfort them without giving them false hope?
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Chemical restraints are no longer the norm in nursing homes, but stories of overmedication of the elderly persist. Drugs may be necessary to improve a resident’s quality of life, but close monitoring is the only way to tell if a facility is overdoing it.
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Nursing homes of the past were known as institution-like environments, where people went to die. Today's nursing homes have been modernized and are comfortable home-like settings with a movement toward person-centerd care.
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Moving an aging parent in with you can be complicated. A realistic approach toward multigenerational living will help you determine how living with an elder will affect the entire family dynamic.
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Senior move managers specialize in organizing, downsizing and packing up an elder’s current residence and helping set up their new home.
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When choosing senior housing and elder care, there are many options. These tips will help you decide which options are best suited to meet the care needs of your aging parent.
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Geriatric care managers specialize in elder care management. These professionals are uniquely qualified to help family caregivers assess their loved ones’ needs, coordinate their health care, oversee finances, navigate senior housing choices and more.
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Families often worry about falls, illness and care quality when their loved ones move into a skilled nursing facility. Familiarizing yourself with the various regulations and security measures used in nursing homes will help give you added peace of mind.
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Calling in hospice for the care of an elderly parent or other a loved one means you need to come to terms, on all levels, with the idea that this person is dying.
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When aging parents want to continue living at home, but can no longer do minor home repairs, a handyman for seniors could be the answer.
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If you’re struggling with nursing home visits, it’s important to identify what’s holding you back so you can find ways to move past these factors and give your loved one the attention and support they deserve.
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Watching an aging loved one decline is never easy, especially when they have a low quality of life. Caregivers experiencing burn out may wish for an end, not out of cruelty, but because they realize there is little they can do to help.
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For seniors with dementia, modesty and fear of water can make bathing very unpleasant. Learn how a few tips and products can simplify this task.
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Becoming a caregiver causes a major life shift. Many caregivers not only struggle with tough care decisions, but they also grapple with how to handle resentment over being stuck in a situation that seems to leave them few choices.
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Read how this family caregiver's advice differs from the official guidance from the nursing home staff. Transitioning to nursing home care is challenging for everyone involved.
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Has being a family caregiver affected your mental health? Take these simple steps to reduce your stress levels, beat caregiver burnout, and improve your quality of life.
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Adult children often refuse to accept that their parents are getting older, leading some to avoid participating in their care. Primary caregivers can use these tips to help their siblings embrace the reality of their parents’ current and future needs.
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Yoga can help caregivers relieve stress, ease pain, and increase wellbeing. It's a great way to practice self care while taking care of an elderly parent.
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Dealing with negative elderly parents is tough. Some are chronic complainers, but there can be valid reasons for these difficult moods. Explore causes of complaining and negativity and identify when these behaviors are a red flag.