Role Reversal: Caring for Elderly Parents
A recent family meeting at a rehab facility where my father-in-law is recouping after a fall has left me pondering our cycle of life.
When we are born as helpless infants our parents care for us. We are totally dependent upon them. We slowly grow and become more independent. As adults we might start families of our own and raise our own children with the help of our parents. But then a funny thing happens…
Our parents age. They are no longer the independent adults we come to for help. Instead, we become the caregivers and slowly begin to take on the responsibilities our parents once handled on their own. Instead of asking our parents’ advice, they are asking for ours. It’s not always a comfortable place to be. It can be difficult to know how to approach things like: if they are safe living in their own home, how to pay for medical expenses, who to trust if an in-home caregiver must be hired, and how to make the best decisions but still be respectful of their wants and needs.
Here are links to some resources that you might find helpful:
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/coping-with-role-reversal-more-adults-caring-for-aging-parents-11538630.html
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-q-and-a/life-challenges/when-to-assume-care-of-an-elderly-loved-one
but if any…has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 5:4
