You have a feeling that it’s time to pay attention to your aging parents. They are healthy and active now, but you are well aware of what may happen down the road. They may be diagnosed with a chronic illness. Or worse yet, they may run out of money. And YOU don’t want to be …
Worried about your aging parents? Don’t say a word to them until you read this. Read More »
Let’s say your mom got scammed by someone over the phone and kept it a secret because she felt foolish and embarrassed. Or conversations with Dad escalate into shouting matches on a regular basis. You’re so angry all the time that by now you’re beginning to suffer from physical symptoms like headaches, frequent colds, interrupted …
Anger, Caregiving, and Aging Parents: What To Do About It Read More »
I recently wrote a 23-part blog series about moving my Mom and her husband, Bill long distance from Florida to Chicago. It was quite an ordeal in spite of the fact that they were motivated to move (at least Mom was). I plan to post that series once this one has ended. Now I am …
Attention Family Caregivers. How to help aging parents who refuse to move. Part 1 Read More »
Helping aging parents and others who are willing to relocate out of the family home and into an elder-friendly environment is one thing. Expect an altogether different experience when your elders dig in their heels and refuse to move under any circumstance. When home-safety is seriously compromised, or medical matters are too much to handle, …
Attention Family Caregivers. Do Your Aging Parents Refuse to Move? Read this series. Read More »
You get along fine with Mom and Dad. You have your life, and they have theirs. You do what you want and so do they. Sometimes that means your parents spend their entire day doing nothing more than sitting around the house watching TV, reading the newspaper, making something to eat, taking naps, and watching …
Attention Adult Children: Got an Aging Parent Who Does Nothing All Day? Read More »
Managing the care of parents and others requires updating our mindsets to fit the situation. On any given day we grapple with questions like: Who makes the decisions? Who pays for what? We also ride the daily emotional rollercoaster, simultaneously feeling sad, angry, guilty, loving and helpless and often wonder if we are “losing it.” …
Caring for Aging Parents? How Can I Be In Two Place At Once? Read More »
With the holiday season fast approaching, you may think this is an ideal time to openly discuss eldercare needs with the people in your immediate family. And I think otherwise. You’ve probably heard the expression, “timing is everything.” That statement is especially true when it comes to holiday family gatherings. Think about a past situation …
Holidays Are NOT the Ideal Time to Talk About Eldercare – Part 1 Read More »
When I walked into Mom’s apartment, she was sitting on the sofa with a bag of ice on her arm. Seeing her sitting there looking sad and out of sorts stopped me dead in my tracks. As I was trying to process the situation, she said, “Aren’t you going to feel sorry for me?” I …
When eldercare comes knocking at the door, many people run in the opposite direction; but not you. Just as childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and middle age are developmental phases of life, you acknowledge that someone you care about is going to get old and that someone is going to need care and attention. You may …
Worried about your aging parents? We Don’t Choose Eldercare. Eldercare Chooses Us. Read More »
Out of nowhere comes an emergency phone call. “Come quick. Your mother fell.” Now you are the one who is thrown off balance. Unquestionably the emotional climate surrounding a medical emergency is highly charged. Suddenly the appointed caregiver is you. Your game plan in an eldercare emergency is to reduce confusion and runaway emotions. Keep …
Caught off Guard? Suddenly You’re a Family Caregiver: 5 Things To Do Right Now. Read More »