The emotional journey of caring for aging parents

Relationship expert, Dr. Karyn Gordon, and home economist, Mairlyn Smith, discuss the emotional journey of caring for aging parents and the signs to look for.

[Yolduranduran]

Its extra difficult whit a dysfunctional family who has not healed.

[BratBustersParenting]

It's all about love, patience and humour. My mom battled dementia and cancer and died in my arms last year. She left feeling very treasured and loved. What more can you ask for?

[wordswordswords]

It's really hard though because you can get burned out very easily especially after caring for parent (s) for years. And siblings don't always help and parents aren't always grateful, etc. I do a lot behind the scenes without even telling my parents because it upsets them. If you can get POA or even just get signed up as authorized rep with medical and business it can help. Also, if you can afford some hired help, do it. If not, try to pace yourself and try to carve out an hour or more a day just to take care of yourself, take a walk, take a hot bath, do this every day and it can make a difference in your own health and sanity. It's very very hard and there isn't enough information and support out there for adult children caring for their elderly parents.

[karenmontgomery]

Thank you. I’ve been on this journey for about a year and it has been difficult but I think a part of life. Staying respectful of parents while helping them is important.

[nonawolf]

For those people who are determined to "die in their own home", a word of advice: Make plans to hire a live-in helper. At some point you won't be able to shop, or drive, or take out the garbage, et... you may even need help taking a shower or going to the bathroom. Don't expect your kids to fill this role. It's not right to demand they abandon their jobs and families to come and take care of you in your home.

[Theweatherlady]

Lost my mom to upper respiratory failure at 59 and now watching my dad age at 67 is really hard. I'm so glad I stumbled on this

[murasaki]

My dad died from bone cancer and my mother now is currently suffered from stroke and schizophrenia and me and my younger brother are taking care of her I halted my career but I guess this my life task and I hope everyone who is in the same situation would stay strong mentally and physically and we can complete this mission.

[ElderCareAttorneysArkansas]

You are right in that comment about looking after aging parents can be an emotional journey. There are so many questions about where to find resources for help with aging parents. At our law firm in Arkansas, we specialize in Elder Law and we often have people ask us these exact questions. Many elder law questions are answered on our Youtube channel, we have over 100 videos on many legal topics

[devbachu]

It's alot of work but I did are for my mom until she died in 2022 at the age of 76 with some help from my siblings I cooked washed etc

[jpowell]

My wife of 24yrs is caregiving to her 85yr old mother who lives with us. Its taking its toll on our marriage sometimes we argue we dont speak to each other its so stressful. My wife is tired and grumpy all the time I hate it. She doesn't want to take her mum to a nursing home.😟

[MAHWL]

Why am I just finding this now!.. ok I get it.. because I am actually needing to find this now!!

[tomlehr]

My wife and I, more of her, have her father living with us, 8 years now, he is 91

[BEACHDUDE]

I take care of my elderly parents and siblings help, I try to not get frustrated and laugh sometimes

[YappieKitchen]

This is so difficult. I don’t know how us millennials are going to handle raising kids and taking care of the elderly. Also us millennials do not make a lot of money.

[cindybrown]

my arents refuse to discuss and act suspicious and angry so we dont go over not all parents are nice

[Misitheus]

I am 60...my mother is 85....she needs to rap this up....way past her expiration date....

[dougat]

I can relate to just about everything that was discussed on this show. Thank you.

[marthacarbonero]

I think culture has to do with ut. You look at oriental people...they take care of their parents til death. They believe their parents took care of them when they were children...now is their turn to care for them. I admire them. God bless the person who cares for their parents.

[RaymondLavine]

There is no requirement to own a plan to pay for 'activities of daily living, ’ why have the conversation about long-term care benefits?

1. Caregiving means daily living activities, which means you will someday transition from an active lifestyle to needing assistance with daily living activities.

2. You have choices. You and your family may use your personal resources or telephone or write to your Health Insurer, Medicare, Veterans Benefits, or other social services to ask them how and where they will pay for your caregiving.

3. Own an LTC plan allows you and your family to decide where and with whom you want assistance with your daily living activities.

4. LTC benefit payments paid to you or a care agency are not subject to income taxes.

5. If you are a Corporation, Partnership, or LLC, some of your premiums may be deductible.

[mchesler]

Kids screaming through the whole thing...?