It’s common to wind up parenting your parents. Life expectancy at 65 in Canada today is 85 for men and 87 for women. Almost all seniors will suffer from diminished capacity before they die. This period may last 15 or 20 years - modern medicine has become really, really good at keeping people alive.
This isn’t something we’re prepared for, culturally. Nobody tells you that right about when your kids are starting to become more independent in their teens, there’s a good chance you’ll need to start devoting more time and energy to caring for parents. And that this phase of life may last as long as child-rearing, but in reverse - your parents become more and more reliant on you, not less.
It helps to talk to friends and colleagues who are going through the same thing. They can offer tips for transitioning parents away from driving, from encouraging them to take medication, getting financial and legal matters in order. It’s also easier if you get along with siblings - issues around health, moving into care homes, inheritance, etc. can tear families apart.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
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