This is a very personal blog for me and a bit emotional so I'm sorry if it's a downer but I came across this article and I found my self inspired to share.

"Experiencing the decline of aging parents is hard. When an elderly mother or father becomes sick, roles are reversed, and children become caregivers. "Even though it is painful to give up your parents' support, there is a satisfaction in being able to give back the care that your parents gave to you," points out Helene Clark, assistant professor of nursing, The Catholic University of America."

The transition can be difficult, though. Many adults struggle to find the right care for elderly parents while balancing careers and families. "When our parents can no longer take care of themselves, we ultimately sacrifice some of our lifestyle," explains Marie Raber, an assistant professor of social work.

The entire family should discuss the care of elderly parents. most cases, one person, traditionally the eldest daughter, is chosen as the primary caretaker. Clark advises leaving behind family tensions when making such decisions. "Families tend to fall into familiar, harmful roles during times of stress. But doing so only makes it harder to reach a solution." Caregivers should not forget parents' considerations. "Even if they are incapable of making decisions on their own, they are still adults and should be treated with respect and dignity."

Once a primary caretaker is decided upon, other family members must continue to offer support. They should step in when the primary caretaker needs a break and continue to be part of the decision-making process because parents' needs will change. If caregivers have no family members to lean on for a respite, Clark suggests looking into area nursing homes that may offer temporary care.

Raber stresses the importance of families sharing duties. "When the care of an elderly parent rests solely on one person, it's overwhelming. That is when people break down." If you don't have other family members who can help, look for a support group that can offer emotional support as well as advice on care.

Finding the right services for elderly parents can be difficult. "There is not one number to call for help, not one person to call for advice on nursing, health, and elder care centers. You really have to become your own social worker and do research," Raber indicates. She suggests looking at employee benefits. Some large companies offer elder care programs or have resource and referral services for employees. She also advises contacting a local chapter of National Area Agencies Association, a network for area social services."

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2607_v124/ai_17862974/