Reply to Talking with your adult children about a parent's chronic illness

Forum Index » Adult Children

Reply to "Talking with your adult children about a parent's chronic illness"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Having a parent get terminal cancer when you are 40 is completely different than having a parent get Parkinson's when you are in your 20s. these are completely different experiences. Cancer sucks but it typically doesn't cause a slow steady decline over a decade or more. cancer is horrible but it is a different beast.

OP, I am so sorry about your husband. Are you in a support group? Is there a social worker you can ask for advice? My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when I was in my 30s and her sister had Parkinson's (as did my grandparents). I wish my dad had been clearer about what he needed from us. And that I had asked more about what I could do for him.

Have you talked to an estate/elderlaw attorney? really the best thing you can do for your kids is get a plan in place in case something happens to you. I am so sorry for what you are going through.[/quote]

I agree with this advice - and your plan should also include disability/end of life considerations for both of you, i.e., a plan for both of you, even though you’re still healthy.  Take the time to consult with an attorney and talk through with your husband about what you both want, and then talk about it with your kids, all together.  Healthcare power of attorney, disability care, finances, etc.

Thinking about these things for young adults in their 20s is indeed different from someone older.  My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was 38, which was challenging because I already had young children who needed me.  Hers is the long-term kind, but likely will be fatal, ultimately.

I’m sorry, OP.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics