CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK
Bursack: Mom resents daughter’s attempts to help
Dear Carol: My mother is mentally sharp, but she has serious physical health problems. I try to help her manage her health so that she can stay out of the hospital. When I push her to make good decisions about taking in fluids or using her cane, she tells me that that I’m “bossing” her and that she is perfectly capable of deciding what she needs.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , March 31, 2012
Bursack: Dealing with dementia and the loss of a spouse
Dear Carol: My grandparents had been married for 63 years.
Two years ago, my grandmother’s general health started to decline and she has recently been diagnosed with moderate dementia.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , March 24, 2012
Bradley Bursack: Daughter asks, 'When should we call hospice?' 
Dear Carol: My 87-year-old mother has Alzheimer’s disease. She came down with shingles a few weeks ago, which is being treated, but she’s still in terrible pain. She also has COPD and diabetes.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , March 17, 2012
Bursack: Daughter doesn’t trust mom with Dad’s care
Dear Carol: My mother and I don’t get along. She is manipulative and often nasty to me, so I’ve had to distance myself from the chaos. I keep intending to walk away completely, but I can’t do that because I want to help take care of my dad, or at least spend time with him.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , March 03, 2012
Bursack: Dad with Alzheimer’s obsessed with wallet and paying bills
Dear Carol: My dad has Alzheimer’s and lives in a very good nursing home. What I’m wondering about is his habit of repeatedly taking his wallet out of his pocket and emptying out the contents. He then carefully puts everything back. He also tries to pay the nursing home staff when they help him. Telling him everything is paid for simply doesn’t work. Any insight? – Julie
By Carol Bradley Bursack , February 25, 2012
Bursack: Dr. Stork talks about elder heart health
By Carol Bradley Bursack , February 18, 2012
Addressing Valentine’s Day for surviving parents
Dear Carol: My father died a month ago and I’m worried about how to handle Valentine’s Day for my mother.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , February 11, 2012
Bursack: Wife struggles to care for husband with early on-set Alzhiemers’s
Dear Carol: My husband developed Alzheimer’s disease at 46. I’ve cared for him on my own for three years, while also running the business we started years ago
By Carol Bradley Bursack , February 04, 2012
Bradley Bursack: Use compassion with Mom to help her into new home
Dear Carol: My dad died suddenly about a year ago. Mom is 73 and quite frail for her age. She’s also slipping cognitively. She can’t keep up the house they’ve lived in for decades and she seems afraid to live there alone, so I’d like to see her move to assisted living.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , January 28, 2012
Bursack: Calls, visits mean a great deal to seniors
Dear Carol: My mom, 93 years old, sent cash Christmas gifts to all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. However, she got few thank you notes and asks why she never hears back from these people.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , January 21, 2012
Bursack: Sundowning with Alzheimer’s common and difficult behavior
Dear Carol: My husband has Alzheimer’s. We get by fairly well for most of the day, but he gets agitated late in the afternoon and acts as if he’s searching for something or someone.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , January 14, 2012
Bursack: Doctor may help when it’s time for a care facility
Dear Carol: I want Mom to go to a nursing home because I’m burned out. She insists on my undivided attention every minute that I’m home. I work full time, have a handicapped husband at home as well, and don’t have a minute for myself. I have a wonderful marriage that I have sadly neglected since Mom moved in a year ago. However, I’m paralyzed with guilt when I consider making the decision to move Mom to a facility.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , January 07, 2012
Bradley Bursack: Looking for balance in the New Year
Dear Readers: When caring for vulnerable people, we often find it difficult to know what the proper balance is between other-care and self-care.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , December 30, 2011
Minding our elders: Staying in the moment
Dear Readers: As you read this column, you may be starting your Christmas day, ending it, or catching up on newspapers the day after your celebration. Whenever you do get around to reading this column, chances are Christmas will still be on your mind.
By Carol Bradley Bursack , December 24, 2011
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