What to Do When Elderly Parents Become Difficult?

In this video caregiving expert, Pamela D Wilson responds to the question, what to do when elderly parents become difficult? Working through caregiving relationships requires time, patient and high levels of compassion. Learn tips to improve communication and relationships with elderly parents who need care.

Find tips, support, and education about caregiving, aging, and health from Pamela here:

Pamela’s Helping Parents Stay at Home Online Webinar Video Course

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[reedrobb]

I’m watching because my aging Inlaws are starting to become difficult. If I treat them like adults, it seems to get challenging. Complications happen and trying to reason with them as adults turns into arguments. They don’t speak fully or correctly, arguments begin and then it gets heated, I just want to go home but cannot always. Most days are good but we have our moments. I’m beginning to believe my best strategy is to be quiet, ignore what I see and avoid most anything more than hello or good bye. This is going to be difficult.

[briana]

Great advice! Thank you! My issue is my mom completely shutting down or being sarcastic when I’m trying to have a genuine conversation and ask questions. I’ll be watching more of your content 🙏🏾

[rebekahbrown]

They don’t know what they’re doing. They do act like children.

[aybigetek]

Thank you Pamela. You are my angel. I live abroad now. Used to live in usa. and 3rd world countries these topics are taboo. You made my day. thank you.. I dont feel alone anymore.. my parents are healthy however these were my fears as an only child. thanks a million!

[chrislim]

Some good advice. They are still parents and you still have to explain things not in an authoritative way. Easier said than done.

[syrenaxhaferi]

I'm pretty sure my mom just hates me....and resents me and hates that can't be independent

[wtv]

Only recently discovered your channel and all the great things you've done (and are doing) on the subject. Would love to see some content with actual conversations with elderly parents, not necessarily you and your parents - just to see your advice in practice and expand the dialog. Maybe you already have some videos like this. We'll keep exploring. Thanks

[jackilynpyzocha]

Dad's always been "difficult"(an understatement) I don't bother with him, he can't be bothered at all, with me. His loss!

[mvbigmagic]

Because of my parents' personality, they view EVERYTHING as an insult or a threat to their autonomy. Even if it could result in their deaths or someone else's deaths. It's been that way all their lives, and basically is sociopathic. My father was sued four times in his lifetime, and all four times, he maintained he was not in the wrong. Of course. Because he was never in the wrong. No humility at all. My father had three car accidents within two years before my uncle conned him into selling his car to him, just to get him to stop driving. And he was only able to do it because my uncle praised my dad's car, and said he couldn't find one for sale at the dealer's.... and because my father was so shallow, he believed it. These kinds of parents are delusional. :( I understand that now. There is no way to talk to them without them feeling insulted or slighted or like you are trying to take control over their lives. They've been paranoid and grandiose all their lives, and it doesn't stop until they die. :( I had to walk away, for my kids and my own safety.

[SirenASMR_]

Honestly my mom can’t make decisions and acts like a toddler and throws a fit when she doesn’t get her way . If I treat her like an adult I get alot of issues because she won’t take responsibility for herself . She has mental illness and we are going to put her into a home. I can no longer deal with it . She needs professionals . This is making me sick myself. It’s to much for me