Start Early
It’s interesting what catches your eye as you go through life’s transitions. We’ve recently made some changes in our family to be more available over the coming years for Angela’s parents. Many of you have done similar and I know many are considering your options on how you might do the same.
We each face this transition in one way or another. When my parents passed, they were in Mississippi and I was in Colorado. Although I visited Mom a couple of times before she went to be with the Lord, I was so grateful my sister lived close and did so much to help Mom and Dad (as Dad cared for Mom). What a difference my sister’s sacrifices made for our family!
As you know there are not only physical aging issues to deal with. It is very difficult for families to adjust when parents become more frail and their personalities also change because of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Many parents are not forthcoming about their finances, making it difficult for children to be of help with things such as paying bills or making medical decisions.
Both parents and children may have a desire to deny any decline in the mental or physical capabilities of their parents. I wanted you to have these two articles as a starting point to initiate a conversation when needed as this occurrence becomes more prevalent in our society.
I encourage you, as parent or child, have the conversation early.
See more in this USA Today article, Furious at your parents for aging? You’re not alone. and this Wall Street Journal article, The New Tools for Helping Aging Parents.
If you’re unable to retrieve these articles let us know and we’ll send you a copy. Call me if you have any questions about how to get started.
