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Facts & Tips

  • Consider your own needs first! Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others!
  • Even great families become dysfunctional while caregiving for elderly parents.
  • Most decisions are made out of crisis. Being proactive is the only way to stay sane.
  • It's never too soon. Start the conversation early while your parents are still able to make decisions.
  • Let go of futile efforts and focus on the battles you can win.
  • Don't sacrfice yourself for the perceived good of your parents without including your own needs.
  • 70% of adult children have never talked to their parents about finances.
  • People age 85+ are the fastest growing segment of the population.
  • It's normal to feel angry, resentful, guilty, inadequate, and lonely. Handle those feelings properly.
  • The best gift we can give our children is to get our financial, medial, & legal documents in order now.
  • Over 75 million people care for an elderly parent.

Resources


Woman helping elderly woman with walkerWhen Barbara first began caregiving, she eagerly looked for resources to help guide her through the process. Unfortunately, there wasn't much out there. After her ten years of caregiving was over, she began her own research which eventually became the foundation for Stuck in the Middle.

Barbara is happy to share with you some of the books, websites, and organizations that have provided her with information, advice, and support. Do you have a resource that you've found particularly helpful but don't see listed on this website? Contact Barbara and let her know!

Online Resources

Today, there is a wealth of eldercare information available online. This section contains links to many of the sites Barbara has found most helpful view these online resources now.

Print Resources

Aside from her own book, Stuck in the Middle, Barabara recommends several other caregiving books and eldercare print resources which she found helpful. Topics range from: Caring for Elderly Parents to Alzheimer's and Death Benefits.

Eldercare Checklists

Barbara has put together several Eldercare Checklists to help families prepare themselves for future events and help caregivers navigate through the caregiving years. The Documents Checklist is an excellent resource for families to use as a tool to preparedness when having family meetings together with their elderly parents.  The Assessing Needs Checklist serves as a ongoing record keeping tool to pinpoint specific areas to review regarding a families elderly parents on a regular basis.