The Child-Parent Caregiving Relationship in Later Life: Psychosocial Experiences

The book explores the challenges faced by adult children when making difficult decisions about care for and with their ageing parents in later life, offering new insights into the practical, emotional, and physical effects of witnessing the ageing and death of parents. It uses a psychosocial approach to understand the complexity of the experience and the ambiguous feelings that these decisions evoke.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Adult children face significant challenges when making difficult decisions about care for and with their ageing parents in later life. This book provides a sensitive account of these challenges, offering new insights into the practical, emotional, and physical effects of witnessing the ageing and death of parents on those in late midlife. The author uses a psychosocial approach to understand the complexity of the experience of having a parent transition to care and the ambiguous feelings that these decisions evoke.

The book begins by exploring the various factors that influence adult children's decisions about care for their parents. These factors include cultural, social, economic, and personal beliefs and values. The author highlights the importance of understanding these factors in order to make informed decisions that are in the best interests of both the parent and the child.

One of the key challenges faced by adult children is the emotional impact of witnessing the ageing and death of their parents. The author describes how this can lead to feelings of grief, loss, and anxiety. These feelings can be particularly intense if the parent was a significant part of the child's life or if the child was responsible for caring for the parent.

The book also explores the practical aspects of care for ageing parents. This includes issues such as financial planning, healthcare, and housing. The author provides practical advice on how to manage these issues and how to ensure that the parent receives the best possible care.

In addition to the practical and emotional aspects of care, the book also explores the physical aspects of care. This includes issues such as mobility, nutrition, and hygiene. The author provides practical advice on how to help the parent maintain their physical health and well-being.

One of the challenges that adult children face when making decisions about care for their parents is the conflict between their own needs and the needs of their parents. The author describes how this can lead to feelings of guilt, resentment, and frustration. The book provides practical advice on how to manage these conflicts and how to ensure that the parent receives the care that they need.

Another challenge that adult children face when making decisions about care for their parents is the impact of their own health and well-being. The author describes how caring for a parent can be physically and emotionally demanding, and how this can lead to health problems for the child. The book provides practical advice on how to manage these health problems and how to ensure that the child receives the care that they need.

The book also explores the role of family and community in care for ageing parents. The author describes how family and community can provide support and assistance to adult children during this phase of the life course. The book provides practical advice on how to build and maintain these relationships and how to ensure that the parent receives the care that they need.

In conclusion, this book presents a sensitive account of the challenges faced by adult children when making difficult decisions about care for and with their ageing parents in later life. It offers new insights into the practical, emotional, and physical effects that witnessing the ageing and death of parents has on those in late midlife and how these relationships are negotiated during this phase of the life course. The author uses a psychosocial approach to understand the complexity of the experience of having a parent transition to care and the ambiguous feelings that these decisions evoke.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447319696