Family meetings about mom’s care, intended to be about teamwork, have become tense debates. You say she needs more help at home; your brother insists she’s fine. You’re worried about her safety; your sister thinks you’re overreacting. The same arguments circle without resolution, leaving everyone frustrated, resentful, and, most importantly, unable to present a unified front for your mom’s well-being. When sibling…
When a parent needs care, the sibling relationship you thought you knew can suddenly feel like unfamiliar and stressful territory. What should be a united front often becomes a source of tension, with disagreements over expectations, finances, and responsibilities leading to frustration and resentment. Old family dynamics resurface, and conversations meant to plan care can quickly escalate into arguments. Navigating this complex…
Conflicted relationships make caregiving more difficult Some parents may have been neglectful, mean, absent, or abusive. When they need care, it can put you in a difficult situation. If you’re struggling with making decisions about caring for parents who didn’t care for you, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many adult children have complicated relationships with their aging parents, especially…
Caring for estranged parents can bring up a whirlwind of emotions – resentment, guilt, obligation, and even unexpected compassion. Whether the distance between you was caused by conflict, abandonment, or years of silence, stepping into the caregiver role now requires navigating both practical challenges and deep emotional complexities. Before taking on this responsibility, consider these three crucial factors: your boundaries, their actual…
When family doesn’t believe seniors need help You might be frustrated by family members who are in denial about your older adult’s declining health and increasing care needs. Whether it’s about Alzheimer’s, dementia, fall risk, stroke recovery, or another health condition, their denial can make you feel angry, stressed, and frustrated. We explain why someone might be in denial and share 3…
Caregiving can strain sibling relationships For some families, working with siblings to care for aging parents can be almost as challenging as the caregiving itself. In an AARP article from Dr. Barry Jacobs, he talks about his experience working with his brother to care for their mother and the challenges and conflicts that come up for most siblings. We share his 5…
Communicating with seniors is essential, but can be frustrating Caring for an older adult is all about communication. It’s essential to talk with them about major changes in their life – health, finances, living situation, legal documents, and more. It’s also important to involve other family members in these discussions. But these sensitive topics can easily cause disagreements or put them on…
Why would someone criticize you as a caregiver? Caring for a parent or spouse is an even bigger challenge when family or friends feel free to criticize you. Especially if they aren’t even helping with caregiving. We share 3 reasons why they may be saying these negative and unfair things – that have very little to do with you. We also explain…
Welcoming an aging parent into your home is an act of love, but it can also bring unexpected challenges, from disrupted routines to emotional strain. While the transition may sometimes feel overwhelming, you can create a harmonious living situation that benefits everyone with the right strategies. In this article, we share 10 practical ways to cope, from setting boundaries to finding caregiver…
Legal issues that come up when caring for an older adult are stressful. You don’t know what you’re supposed to do, you’re afraid of costly mistakes, or you’re not sure when (or if) a lawyer is needed. To get answers, we asked Dennis Healy from ARAG, a legal insurance firm, to advise us on legal situations that affect seniors and family caregivers. Dennis…
