A compendium of family scenarios for those dealing with the guilt, worry, and difficult decisions that come with eldercare.
In the fourth edition of this eldercare classic, advocate Bart J. Mindszenthy and geriatrician Dr. Michael Gordon present twenty-seven case studies of families working through the eldercare puzzle. With new scenarios covering legalized marijuana and medically assisted dying, this revised and updated edition of Parenting Your Parents makes the case for good planning, family unity, and being aware of your loved ones’ health.
With the help of Gordon and Mindszenthy’s expert advice, care providers are able to shed guilt and worry and become confident that they have done all they could to make their parents’ latter years as fulfilling and comfortable as possible.
- Is it time for your aging father to stop driving?
- How can you balance your career opportunities with your mother’s care needs?
- Can your parents cope on their own?
- Is it time for long-term care? Given their reluctance, is that even an option?
In the fourth edition of this eldercare classic, advocate Bart J. Mindszenthy and geriatrician Dr. Michael Gordon present twenty-seven case studies of families working through the eldercare puzzle. With new scenarios covering legalized marijuana and medically assisted dying, this revised and updated edition of Parenting Your Parents makes the case for good planning, family unity, and being aware of your loved ones’ health.
With the help of Gordon and Mindszenthy’s expert advice, care providers are able to shed guilt and worry and become confident that they have done all they could to make their parents’ latter years as fulfilling and comfortable as possible.
Authors
- Pages
- 296
- Published in
- Toronto, CA
Table of Contents
- Cover 1
- Title 11
- Copyright 12
- Dedication 13
- Contents 15
- Foreword 17
- Introduction: The Case for the Cause — Caring for Aging Loved Ones Is a Major North American Social Issue and Challenge Family Case Studies 19
- Family Case Studies 25
- 1. Control: Laying on the Guilt Trip 27
- 2. Surgery: Weighing the Odds 34
- 3. Independence: Helping Parents Live Their Lives 41
- 4. Breaking the Mould: The Rebellious Grandmother 48
- 5. Tapping the Human Spirit: It Is Never Too Late to Create 54
- 6. Substance Abuse: Drinking All Day Keeps Reality Away 60
- 7. Sexuality, Romance, and the Family: When Children Worry About Their Parents 67
- 8. Culture Clash: Pitting Values Against Needs 74
- 9. The Conflicted Single Child: A Confusing Battle of Priorities 82
- 10. The Stroke: Sudden Challenges and Changes 91
- 11. Dementia and Depression: Reading the Signs 97
- 12. Advancing Dementia: When Life Gets More Difficult 105
- 13. Technology: Opening New Avenues of Care Management 114
- 14. Scams: Seniors Beware 123
- 15. Navigating the Health Care System: Knowing How to Get the Help You Need 128
- 16. We’re on Our Own: How to Plan for the Future 136
- 17. Decision Time: Planning for the Inevitable 143
- 18. When Love and the Law Conflict: Who’s Right, Who Has the Right? 149
- 19. End of Life: Caring and Sharing 160
- 20. Cannabis Concerns: Is Marijuana Only for the Young? 167
- 21. The New World of MAID: Moral and Personal Dilemma 171
- 22. The Difficulties of Decision- Making: Deciding Which Treatments Make the Most Sense 178
- 23. Moving On: Living Life Without a Loved One 186
- 24. Being Sandwiched: Parenting Your Parents and Your Children 193
- Our Own Experiences 199
- A Time of Trauma Sets the Stage for Years of Hurt, Hope, and Endings by Bart Mindszenthy 201
- More than the Birds and the Bees: Having “the Conversation” with Your Parent by Dr. Michael Gordon 232
- Roz and Max by Dr. Michael Gordon 237
- Now It’s My Turn: When Parenting Your Parents Reaches the Next Cycle by Dr. Michael Gordon 270
- Appendix: Vulnerability Index — How Are Your Parents Right Now? 279
- About the Authors 291
