How to Cope with Aging Parents – Ep143

In this episode, the guys continue the conversation about the different stages of parenting by talking about how to cope with aging parents. This stage in life is a major transition for both the parent and the child and is something that is handled differently from culture to culture. They talk about care taking role, how this responsibility should be handled, and then they go over different ideas on how to cope with this change.

Tune in to see How to Cope with Aging Parents Through a Therapist’s Eyes.

Previous Episode:

Episode 78: https://www.throughatherapistseyes.com/2020/03/05/episode-78-chris-personal-story-the-business-of-dying/
Episode 97: https://www.throughatherapistseyes.com/2020/09/09/episode-97-burnout-lets-avoid-this/

Listen for the following takeaways from the Show:

  • Like the Lost Decade, when taking care of your children, taking care of your parent can be a big undertaking for a person.
  • It is Okay to not want to be in the Care Taking Role. Some people do not want to or can not take on that responsibility.
  • When having to start helping more with a parent, sometimes the resistance comes from the parent not you.
  • Best way to deal with the situation is with Honor and Respect.
  • Here are different examples of how cultures will hold the elderly in a position of honor: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-other-cultures-can-teach_n_4834228
  • There are 12 ways that we must deal with when coping with the change in the dynamic.
  • These include Transference, Anger, Pre-grief, Outside Support (Spouse, Friends, Family), Boundaries & Expectations, and Mindfulness.
  • Here are some areas to help an aging parent: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/what-to-address-when-helping-older-parents/ 
  • After talking, Chris thinks the title of the episode could be “How to Celebrate Your Aging Parents”.

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