Chapter 3 & 4

There is great difficulty in accepting that a parent is suffering but at the same time distancing yourself from that suffering, while still remaining close to the parent. It is a very complex balancing act that is of great importance in supporting the parent. It is a great responsibility for a child to take on in caring for an aging parent, but it also can have great rewards for all involved. Often times, an elderly or widowed parent has no one else to turn to but their own children when they are no longer able to care for themselves. If the child has the financial resources and time available to care for a parent, even if this means using professional care and still spending time with the parent, it can fulfill an important mission in life. While it is difficult to see someone you care about suffering, it is necessary to still be a part of their life and show them that you care in order to ease their condition.

Adjusting to losing independence due to illness or another cause is a very complex process for all parties involved. Each of us hopes to remain healthy and independent until our final days, but that goal is not realized for many. With increasing age, the probability of developing one or more chronic diseases grows, which leads to decreases in function and/ or mental ability. For the most part, parents would choose to be taken care of by their child rather than institutionalized. This can put a strain on the family, but the overall benefit or weakness depends on the people involved, their interests, and financial capability. While caring for a parent in the child’s home can be costly in time and privacy, professional care is extremely costly in the monetary sense, as well as mentally for both the parent and child. In many cases, this is the only option, and all parties must accept the challenges and support each other through the trying times.