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

Sometimes life interrupts our plans. It came as a surprise to Anthony Lomonico after 18 years of working for the Florida Department of Transportation in the engineering field. He was rear ended by a drunk driver, suffered pinched nerves and herniated discs, and was declared permanently disabled. ...more

February 25, 2008

Authorities say Sean Welsh attempted to steal almost $80,000 from his mother by using her identity to open nine credit cards and selling her possessions. ...more

January 31, 2008

Authorities say Sean Welsh attempted to steal almost $80,000 from his mother by using her identity to open nine credit cards and selling her possessions. ...more

January 30, 2008

Ronald Larsen, the elderly man who was neglected to the point that cancer consumed nearly half his face, has died. ...more

January 22, 2008

A PBS documentary explores a dark chapter in modern American medicine. ...more

January 21, 2008

"Congratulations, the operation was a complete success." ...more

January 12, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - One disabled resident of a Tarpon Springs nursing home was arrested Wednesday on charges he sexually molested another disabled resident there, according to Tarpon Springs police. ...more

December 27, 2007

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

Lyn's new column, The Caregiver's Caregiver, first appeared last July in 4You, Tampa Tribune's magazine for health, fitness, nutrition and appearance. Kim Franke-Folstad, editor of 4You, recognized the need for caregivers to take as good care of themselves as they do the loved ones in their care. The subject is one Lyn has been involved in since the 1980s when she began helping care for both her father and her grandmother. Her father suffered with Alzheimer's disease for 13 years. Her grandmother did not have dementia, but she grew increasingly frail and unable to care for herself. She lived to be 95. Lyn's many magazine articles on caring for caregivers and her book filled with practical caregiving tips earned her the nickname "the caregiver's caregiver." Therefore, naming the new column was easy. ...more

December 7, 2007