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Easing tug of war between parents and grown children.

Article Excerpt
The last time my parents came to visit, I noticed how frail they are. When did that happen? When did my vigorous, independent parents get old? I guess about the time I hit middle age.

We are lucky. Both sets of parents are still with us and in relatively speaking, decent health. They don't move as well as they used to. They don't remember as well as they used to. They're old, but they're still able to take care of themselves.

All around me, friends are faced with aging parents, in need of full-time care. They are juggling their own lives, while trying to make sure mom or dad has what they need. They are finding their roles are now reversed. Daughters are becoming mothers to their own mothers. Sons are replacing dad as the authority figure. It's a painful time of transition.

The hardest part seems to be the inbetween stage. That's when your parents are still independent but beginning to falter. You notice they are not eating fight.

They cover for their failing memories. Falling becomes a major concern. And you wonder when is the right time to step in. Should you take away their car keys to prevent harm to themselves or...

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