aging parents

Bring on the Caregiving Talk!

Posted on 02/29/2012 by | Caregiving | Comments

Caregiving | Home & FamilyThe email is intriguing: My friend is gathering a group who are grappling with caregiving issues for a brainstorming dinner at her home. She feels overwhelmed, with a job and husband in Boston and very ill parents in Connecticut. Not only do I write about caregivers, but I’ve been one for 14 years straight (first my father, then my mother, now my mother-in-law). I’ve never met the others at the dinner table. At 58, I’m the baby, while one of …

The Takeaway: Why Diets Fail (The ‘Blame Your Hormones’ Edition); Financial Strategies for Supporting Aging Parents

Posted on 10/27/2011 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsHunger hormones may refuse to return to normal for up to a year after dieting. And what’s the best way for boomers to provide financial support to aging parents?

Wonder Dog Reminds Me What’s Important

Posted on 08/16/2011 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | RelationshipsSome days, amid the stress and demands of caregiving, I get so overwhelmed that I forget about the important things. Fortunately, life has a way of jerking me back into focus. One day not too long ago, my Dad had an endoscopy, which consumed a big chunk of his — and my — time. I took him to the medical center, waited nervously while the procedure took place, then, relieved he was okay, brought him home. Next on the agenda …

Caregiver Meltdown

Posted on 07/20/2011 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | RelationshipsThere I was in the middle of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, when I was told I was 8 minutes too late to check my bag for the flight. I was trying to get to Indianapolis for a memorial service for my uncle. Missing a flight would upset any traveler, but my reaction surprised even me.  Total and complete meltdown. You know the kind — sobbing uncontrollably to the point where the airline attendant had no idea what to do. …

Valuing the Invaluable – Me

Posted on 07/19/2011 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | RelationshipsI spent most of yesterday doing media interviews about a new report AARP released called, “Valuing the Invaluable” – which did just that…it put a dollar value on me. I know my parents feel I’m invaluable – but I didn’t realize anyone else did! The value of over 40 billion hours of care that 62 million family members – like you and me - provided for our loved ones in 2009 came to $450 BILLION. That’s as much or more than the total sales of …

Traveling with Older Family Members: Planning is Key to Success

Posted on 07/19/2011 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | RelationshipsOriginally posted in the AARP Online Community October 15, 2010 Last weekend I took my parents to my sister’s wedding in Los Angeles. It was a short flight, and while my Mom had some difficulties prior to take off, things went pretty darn smoothly – I felt so good about enabling them to be there, managing the trip for them and my niece, and making good memories for all of us. I know it meant so much to both my …