I was at a women’s networking group meeting this morning and an attendee and after learning about my practice asked the following question: What do you find is the hardest thing for adult children who are caring for their aging parents? Here’s how I replied: It seems that the most difficult thing for my clients...Read More

Advancing age is often frustrating as you face the new limitations age imposes on your body and mind, and turning over control of even little things to others might make you feel insecure.  A loss of control is always frightening, but acknowledging that your situation is changing is not a loss of control … it is actually taking...Read More

Often, family members are faced with the decision regarding whether a loved one should move directly from a rehab facility to assisted living or whether they are better off to come home for a short time in between.  As with so many decisions involving older adults, it depends.  It depends on the five considerations of...Read More

It is not unusual for families to try to make the most of holiday visits by having “important” discussions while far flung family members are together. While the intent is good, all too often such attempts backfire and even damage relationships. Whether you are the matriarch or patriarch of the family or the adult children...Read More

When it comes time to care for an aging relative, especially a parent, it usually works out best for everyone if family members can set aside their differences. When a family first approaches me in search of caregiver coaching and support, I try to get a handle on where each family member is coming from...Read More

A just published book for adult children and their aging parents is “The Daughter Trap: Taking Care of Mom and Dad … and You” by Laurel Kennedy. This is a valuable resource for all adult children, daughters and sons alike. Ms. Kennedy bases her work on hundreds of interviews with baby boomers in the thick...Read More

Visiting your aging parents over this holiday season provides a wonderful opportunity to create memories and to take a good look at how they are doing. Make sure you take advantage of this time to do both, especially if you live at a distance and don’t get to see them often. Perhaps the most important...Read More

I am often asked to describe the benefits derived by adult children of aging parents when they elect to work with a family transition coach. Perhaps the best way to answer this question is through an example. I’ve changed some of the personal details to preserve the privacy of those involved, but the situation itself...Read More

One of the most difficult aspects of parenting your parents is the very delicate balance between preserving their independence and taking charge. While most of us will perceive it as “easier” to take on an activity ourselves, it is usually better to find a way to get the job done in a manner that allows...Read More