Senior Care, Sheboygan, WI: Coping with an Aging Parent

Well I have to say I have not been as faithful in writing on my blog as I had hoped when I first created it (look at the last date!). Time just simply goes by too fast. It is my hope that I will be better at writing on the blog and look forward to your comments. The last 9 months have brought some changes. My father-in-law has been dealing with some fairly serious health issues. Both my parents and my in-laws have been totally independent up to this point so this has been a new experience. I recently did a presentation to adult children and admitted that I was speaking to them not only as a Geriatric Care Manager but also now as an adult child coping with an aging parent (in-law). The whole experience has given me new insight into the feelings, struggles, sadness and uncertainity that the adult children I work with are likely facing. Caring for an aging parent brings about so many different feelings. I remember one evening when I was staying in a hotel because my father-in-law was hospitalized out of town, I had this overwhelming need to cry; it was hard coming to grips with my father-in-law being in a vulnerable and needy position. And this from me - who works with these situations every day! I tell this story because I think all adult children feel a little foolish for the feelings they are having, whether it be sadness, frustration, anger and/or guilt. But we shouldn't feel foolish; for many of us this is a new experience and we don't have a road map for it or for the way it should make us feel. No matter if the relationship is near perfect or far from it, our relationship with our parents is complex and caring for an aging parent can put a strain on the relationship. Though it hasn't been completley smooth sailing, I have been honored that I have been able to help my father-in-law through these transitions.