Aging family members is difficult. Everyone is learning through the process. Whether you have kids or not, some of the experiences make it feel like you do.

Aging family members is difficult. Everyone is learning through the process. Whether you have kids or not, some of the experiences make it feel like you do. But that’s very difficult to reconcile, as this person raised you. It is hard not to internalize some feeling of “how dare I?” in these cases. Since when does a parent need their child’s help at such basic things? Parents raise their children, but I don’t know of a term that captures that same feeling about an adult caring for their elderly parent. If there isn’t, there ought to be. Additionally, consider looking into resources for caregivers. Reading material, maybe a support group, I don’t know. Whatever sounds right, if it sounds right. You are one, a caregiver, even if you didn’t know it. That’s hard work! Sometimes invisible, even to the worker. If you feel exhausted from all of this, that’s not an unreasonable feeling. It’s hard to be proactive if you’re worn out.