Parents usually provide stability within a family. They pay the bills, bring home the groceries and tuck their kids into bed at night. But as parents age, their children – who have grown into adults themselves – often become the ones looking out for the people who raised them, whether it’s regarding their finances, safety, health or relationships.
“The challenge was trying to be respectful of Dad’s wants, but also his needs. But his needs didn’t always align with his wants,” she says. “I would try to get my parent a good GP and relevant specialists,” Low says. “Geriatricians are particularly helpful in holistic management of health care for older people. I would also offer, and sometimes insist, on going to important medical appointments.”Depending on your parent’s specific financial situation, Bryant says adult children can generally assist by offering to help with online banking, or by taking them to a physical branch.
“If I can help you, you can help me – that implies a level of respect and each party is equal. Or frame the conversation differently, like saying, ‘How about you relax, and I clean the gutters for you?’”As for driving, some states require people over 75 to complete a medical assessment with their GP, or undergo driving assessments.