Ideally, before things get to this stage, you’ve had conversations with your parents about how they want their needs met during their later years. They’ve hopefully designated powers of attorney for both health care and finances, drawn up a will, and finalized... Read more →

...They don’t want to entertain the thought of hiring professional caregivers or moving Mom or Dad to assisted living or a nursing home because outside care is expensive. To make matters worse, they wholly oppose paying a fair wage to their siblings who have taken on the role of primary caregiver. Read more →

I spent six years in child protective custody. I moved around a lot and did not graduate high school since I dropped out because of the bullying. When I turned 18, I was an adult legally, so I was discharged from foster care.,, Read more →

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses the beginning of life, while the other addresses the end. Both are a natural part of the circle of life, but many find that sex is often the easier subject to discuss... Read more →

They’ve hopefully designated powers of attorney for both health care and finances, drawn up a will, and finalized any other legal documents and financial plans. It’s best if all siblings are aware of these preparations and all agree with what they entail. This is important because taking care of aging parents... Read more →

...moving Mom or Dad to assisted living or a nursing home because outside care is expensive. To make matters worse, they wholly oppose paying a fair wage to their siblings who have taken on the role of primary caregiver. Read more →

Dear GL: Money is a hard topic for many families. Why? Often, the reluctance stems from just what you mentioned. Other people’s finances seem too intrusive and personal to talk about. Additionally, parents don’t like... Read more →

Dear AR: Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate hearing from people of all ages. I’ve covered end-of-life documents before, of course, but here I’m adding information about another form ... Read more →

Dear SN: You have my sympathy and understanding. I believe that your situation isn't all that rare. I hear about it often from readers, and it happened to me, as well. My timeframe was similar to yours but... Read more →

While the enormous amount of information contained in When Your Aging Parent Needs Help could be overwhelming if presented by someone less skilled, Dr. K, as she’s known to her patients and readers, has a talent for making information accessible, even friendly. Read more →