Psychology of Aging Parents

The Talk of Life: Organic Legacy, Out Loud

“What’s so important about saying it out load?” I was asked a few months ago during a Q&A session at the end of one of my presentations that talked about ?creating an organic legacy? Good question I replied. What is…

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Artificial Aging: The Developmental Implications of Dying Too Soon


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A woman in her early sixties was dying of a terminal illness. Her parents were gone, which left a younger sister as her only means of family support. But there was long standing disagreements between the sisters that had left…

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Magical Thinking and Aging Parents

Aging creates complexity and emotional burden. Aging parents find themselves facing situations and decisions that are hard to figure out and even more challenging to manage. They feel overwhelmed and understandably look for ways to simplify complexities and ease burdens.…

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What I Know Now: Lessons From Looking Back


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Last June I was interviewed by Nell Bernstein, Senior Editor at Caring.com about what “I would have done differently” in caring for my mother based on what I know now. Below is my response: Talking With David Solie June 2008…

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Aging Parents: No Plan For Paying The Bills


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A recent survey conducted by AgingCare.com only reinforced was most of us boomers know about the reality of paying for the care of aging parents. It found that 63% of caregivers “have no plan as to how they will pay…

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Helping Our Aging Parents Regain Their Balance in Times of Transition


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Our aging parents are negotiating a dense web of personal transitions in the last phase of life. As Nancy Gordon points out in her article, Spiritual Care in Times of Transitions(http://www.spiritualityandaging.org/pdfs/CSASPIRSep08final.pdf), it is helpful for family members and senior services…

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Needs Overload: Preferred Choices


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Here is a question I was asked from a caregiver who is feeling overwhelmed: How do I respond to my 89 year old father who demands much of my attention and doesn’t understand that I have other responsibilities besides him?…

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