Q. My neighbor, Sam, is a ninety-year-old widower who has lived alone in his home for several years. His health has deteriorated over the past few months and he frequently comments about how much he misses his wife. His daughter lives far away and only visits on holidays and special occasions. Sam barely manages to […]
When Caregiver Stress Becomes Extreme
Q. My aunt Rae, 84, was the primary caregiver for my Uncle Leo, who suffers from dementia. Leo would wander, so Rae couldn’t leave him alone, and she missed the conversations she and Leo used to have. Rae became resentful and depressed because she had to forego her dreams of world travel and didn’t even […]
Depression and Suicide Prevention: What to Do When a Loved One is Depressed
The suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade last week left most people in shock. Two exceptionally creative talents, who shared their passions with the world and seemed to have it all, took their own lives. Their untimely deaths have prompted other celebrities to open up about their own struggles with depression, and some have […]