March 1, 2026
By Sara Lynn Leavenworth
When my friends and I were pregnant, we were flooded with information on how to parent. The What To Expect books were staples of every baby shower.
Fast forward to today: Where is the book “How To Parent Your Parent?”
At Senior Advocate Services, we hear the same stories:
“Mom fell and went to the hospital, but Dad said she will be fine.”
“Dad got lost driving back from the store, but he is still good to drive.”
“I wonder if the bills are being paid on time. The refrigerator is full of expired food. They don’t want my help.”
Individually, these moments don’t feel like an emergency. Collectively, they are often the early signals that something is changing.
The generation born in the late 1930s and 1940s is fiercely independent. Conversations about aging and planning can feel off-limits. There’s often denial—until a crisis forces rushed decisions and overwhelming choices.
Starting conversations early helps. And when parents resist, understanding options allows you to prepare—not to take control, but to protect their safety, dignity, and independence.
There may not be a bestseller on parenting your parent. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. A senior advocate can offer guidance and help build a support system. Everyone wants the same thing—to stay safe, to remain independent.
