It may be the most difficult conversation a child and parent can have, and it’s not the one about sex. Or drugs. Or really even about the child. It’s about the parent, and what happens when parents are getting too old to take care of themselves.
The roles reverse. Now it can be an aging father or mother digging in and arguing, “Don’t tell me what to do. I know what’s best for me. You cannot run my life.” while the child, now grownup, tries to explain, “Dad, it’s time to stop driving. Mom, you can’t live alone anymore.” It’s a conversation that has to happen, but too often does not, until it’s too late.
As Americans live longer and the shape of the American family keeps changing, the toughest conversation changes with it.
(Hosted by John Donvan)
Guests:
Elinor Ginzler, Manager of Independent Living and Long Term Care Initiative for AARP
Wendy Carberry, aging care manager in the Office of Aging in Centre County, PA
Rev. Lisa Schoenwetter, minister of the Memorial Congregational Church, of Sudbury, Massachusetts.