"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack suggest enlisting the help of a friend or relative, adding that a third party can help remove the dynamic that causes the family conflict.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist says it's important to remember that we can't "fix" aging for our parents, but we can listen with empathy and validate their feelings.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack advises a reader who wants support and to talk to others in this position, but doesn't want to get "mired in the negative."
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack says it's become far more common in recent years for people who are aging to be without a competent partner or adult child.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack says even with dementia, people need to be allowed as much autonomy as they can possibly have without undue risk.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack says the loss of a spouse or partner is sometimes enough to exacerbate the survivor's own health issues so a disease that may have become manageable for a time becomes the official cause of death.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack says there are several reasons longtime friends and relatives might not visiting, but it doesn't have to be that way.
"Minding Our Elders" columnist Carol Bradley Bursack says it's certainly hard, but it's still worth trying to celebrate those big anniversaries, even if your spouse might not understand why you're celebrating.
