As an eldercare expert, I speak all across the country. In listening to my audiences, I have discovered some universal themes that are common to all caregivers. Over the next couple of months, I will share all 10 themes.

The greatest Boomer fear is to have taken care of aging parents for 10 years, and not have learned a thing about how to age better. We are panicked that we will repeat the same things our parents have done. That we will be a burden to our kids and present the same challenges. We will not have cleaned the clutter out of our house. We will not have our entire financial, medical and legal papers assembled and signed. We will not have planned ahead. We will not give up our care keys with a smile and loving heart.

My book Stuck in the Middle…shared stories and tips for caregiving your elderly parents started as a list on my computer. It was a list of all the things I was going to do better than my parents. I titled it “I’ll be darned if I’m going to do this to MY kids!” All my friends wanted to add their thoughts to my list. Once it was compiled, I signed the list and gave a copy to each of my two young adult children. We will all see if I am compliant when I am elderly.

Stay tuned!