Several years ago, I found myself trying to help my aging parents from more than 2,000 miles away. My mother was undergoing cancer treatment while still trying to care for my father, whose dementia was quietly progressing. My sister had ALS and was unable to help, so much of the responsibility fell on me from coordinating care, understanding medical decisions, and trying to manage everything from a distance. Language barriers with the medical system made things even harder for my mother, and important details were often confusing or missed. Looking back, I realize there were warning signs we didn’t recognize. Like many families, we assumed certain changes were “just aging.” By the time we understood how serious things had become, my father had declined to the point where he was completely immobile. I created Aging Parent Insider to share the lessons I wish my family had known sooner. Helping families recognize warning signs earlier and prevent crises whenever possible.
