February 2, 2026 by Dean Bellefeuille
You’re helping Mom through her evening routine. The plan is simple: change clothes, wash up, and head to bed. But the closer you get, the more tense she becomes. Her shoulders stiffen. Her voice sharpens. Suddenly, everything feels harder than it should. Then you quietly start singing a song she loved decades ago. Almost immediately, something shifts and there’s relief from her dementia-related agitation. Her breathing slows. Her hands relax. That small moment of ease is exactly what a “playlist sandwich” is meant to create. (more…)
December 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
There’s something deeply comforting about familiar flavors—the crunch of potato chips, the sweetness of cookies, or the satisfying warmth of a quick microwave meal. For many older adults, those foods have been part of life since childhood. But new research from the University of Michigan reveals something surprising: the very foods that shaped a generation’s memories may also be fueling an addiction. (more…)
December 3, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
It starts with what looks like a helpful message: a pop-up alert saying your computer’s been hacked, a text warning that your bank account is at risk, or an email claiming to be from customer service. It might even include a friendly phone number to call for help. (more…)
October 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
For many people, a headache is a passing nuisance. A glass of water, a Tylenol or two, or a short nap, and the ache fades into the background. But for someone living with COPD, a headache can feel heavier, more stubborn, and often tied to something deeper than a missed meal or a stressful day. (more…)
October 10, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
You’re enjoying a walk with Dad when, without warning, he yells at a passerby or insists on crossing the street at the wrong time. You’re either mortified, terrified, or a combination of both. (more…)
October 3, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
When life throws challenges our way, many of us instinctively reach for natural fixes. A squeeze of lemon in hot water can soothe a scratchy throat. A walk in the fresh air can clear a foggy mind. A warm bath can ease tired muscles better than most fancy treatments. (more…)
September 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
It started with a clear plan: Mom would go to rehab, get stronger, and come home. But then—progress slowed. The days blurred into weeks. A discharge date appeared, then disappeared. And suddenly, words like “long-term stay” or “nursing home” were on the table. Complications after rehab can turn a short recovery into an open-ended question. But here’s the part families often don’t hear: there’s still room to rewrite the ending. (more…)
September 10, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s easy to overlook. After all, Dad’s just relaxing in the recliner, watching TV, maybe dozing off here and there. But when sitting becomes the main activity of the day, the risks start stacking up. (more…)
September 3, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
You’re doing your best. You show up every day, you try to stay calm, you remind yourself that it’s the disease, not the person. But sometimes, when the same question is asked for the 12th time in an hour, when you’re met with resistance while trying to help, when you haven’t had a full night’s sleep in weeks, something inside you snaps. And then comes the guilt. (more…)
August 12, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille
Mom likes to talk things through. Dad prefers quick facts. She wants reassurance that everything will be okay. He wants to know he’s still in control. And you? You’re learning that caring for aging parents with different needs often means learning two entirely different “languages.” It may feel like two jobs at once, but understanding what each parent needs emotionally and practically can make the journey more manageable and meaningful. (more…)
