The fastest-growing segment of our population is people 85 and older, and many of them are now cared for by their children. The best resource to help you care for your aging parent! This comforting and poignant guide bridges the gap between elderly parents and the adult children who care for them. Covering health, finances, living arrangements, communication, and emotional struggles, Caring for Your Aging Parents offers caring, professional advice for the increasingly difficult decisions that caregivers face, including- Making the right choice between home care and assisted living Coping with memory-loss and dementia Expressing care and concern without sending mixed messages Counteracting negative behavior Encouraging other family members to help with caregiving Managing stress and taking care of yourself With a wealth of resources and reassuring answers, Caring for Your Aging Parents helps caregivers foster a loving, cooperative relationship with their parents in this new chapter of their life and realize that even during this difficult transition, they are not alone.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments
Prologue

1. Living on the Far Side
Gaining perspective on the social, sexual, and occupational losses of the aged; understanding our emotional responses as adult children responsible for their care.

2. Missed Signals
Bridging the communication gap between the generations; discovering the hidden agenda of our parents.

3. Sending Straight Signals
How to express care, concern, and compassion without reinforcing negative behavior or sending unclear messages.

4. It's All in the Family
Exploring and controlling changing relationships within the family as parents age and roles change.

5. Who's the Boss?
The transfer of authority from parent to child: detecting the need, preparing emotionally, making a smooth transition, accepting responsibilities.

6. Breaking Out of Old, Destructive Patterns
How to counteract manipulative behavior and power plays by understanding our parents' motives and setting our own objectives.

7. How to Help Our Parents Compensate Constructively
Helping aging parents find positive ways of making up for their losses; a rundown of organized programs for seniors.

8. Taking Care of Yourself as well as Your Parent
Strategies for sharing the care of aging relatives; managing stress and guilt as caregiver.

9. When Your Parent Has to Move: How to Find the est Living Arrangements
How to find the best housing options for your parents, whether in your home with backup care or in independent or assisted living facilities.

10. How to Talk about Difficult Subjects
Discussing topics such as remarriage, finances, living arrangements, driver's licenses, illness, and death with the elderly.

11. Dealing with Confusion and Memory Loss
Causes of debility among the aged; symptoms to watch for; coping with malnutrition, medication, and medical care; ways to improve memory.

12. What Does the Future Hold for America's Seniors?
Changing societal attitudes and evolving social institutions for our expanding senior population.

Resources
Organizations, associations, and programs for seniors.
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors