My Teenaged Parents by Phyllis Staff

Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled. But, as the single parent of teenagers, I stunk! Faced with the reality of children who could (and did) do whatever they really, really wanted to do, I was often baffled.

Functioning as the caregiver of two adult parents, I again find myself baffled. But I am sure of one thing -- It's no wonder many caregivers die before the elders they care for! They simply wear out!

Consider this recent exchange:

ME: "How is that new medication working?"

PARENT: "It doesn't work. I still feel sick."

ME: "OK, call the doctor and tell him."

PARENT: "I can't. He doesn't answer calls on the weekend."

ME: "Well, someone does."

PARENT: "No, they just tell me to go to the emergency room."

ME: "OK, call the doctor's office on Monday."

PARENT: "Well, he doesn't have anything better to offer."

ME: "How do you know?"

PARENT: "He never does."

ME: "Well, call anyway, OK?"

PARENT: "He doesn't pay any attention to me."

ME: "He can't help if he doesn't know you're still sick. So, call, OK?"

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BIO:

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy residential care. She is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them. She is also the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Visit the author's web site at http://www.thebestisyet.net.

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