Parenting Your Parents

January 6, 2014
This updated book by Mindszenthy, a caregiver and eldercare advocate, and Gordon, head of geriatrics at a Toronto geriatric care center is a read filled with anecdotes about different families and how they have struggled to assist and make decisions on behalf of ailing, aging parents. It describes culture clashes, strokes, dementia, substance abuse, guilt and many more scenarios that lock seniors and those who love them in a struggle to balance regular life with appropriate caring requirements. Those dealing with such issues and the heart wrenching decisions involved may be relieved to feel that they are not alone. Authors write eloquently and compassionately about each case study, weighing in on treatment plans and on which family members are behaving suitably under the circumstances. Mindszenthy's chapter on his mother's dementia and the personal anguish it caused his family is a cry from the heart that sends the ultimate message of the book with great clarity: "It's a portion of life none of us is prepared toâor wants toâface. However, it's there, and for each of us, it's there in a different way and form."