Mediate Michigan

“Americans hate aging,” said Joanne Corbett, executive director of Elderly Services Inc. in Middlebury.

Her listeners, attendees at an “Introductory Eldercare” class last month, were all caring for — or thinking ahead to a time when they would be caring for — an elderly relative.

Corbett described the many factors that families find themselves juggling when it comes to planning elder care, generally for a parent or other close relative.

From the logistical side of things, there are the choices of whether to move an aging parent out of his or her home into a son or daughter’s home or an assisted living facility. There are decisions about the range of social services available to seniors. And there is the financial burden associated with aging, which the recession has brought into a much more serious light.

Among the most difficult parts of the process, said Corbett, is the period of “watchful waiting,” where adult children see their parents aging and start to prepare for when the parent isn’t independent anymore. This process is often further complicated by the struggle to accept a change in the power structures that have always existed — instead of the parent caring for the offspring, the daughter or son now has to step into a role of responsibility for the parent.

via Adult children face tough decisions in care for aging parents | Addison County Independent.