Week 316: Marriages and the Care of Aging Parents

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Please join us this week as we pray for couples that are the primary caregivers for an aging parent. This life-situation can turn life on its head as roles are reversed with children becoming the parents and the parent the child. At best this situation can be awkward; at worst is can lead to serious conflicts. A parent, who has had a lifetime of making decisions, now has children making decisions for him/her. These can be small decisions (“Dad you should not climb that ladder”) or life-altering decisions (“Mom, you can’t drive anymore"). Caring for an aging parent can limit the freedom of the care-giving couple. It can mean delaying travel plans, changing long-established schedules and learning the old “spur-of-the-moment” event now requires planning.

Also, the decisions that come with caring for an aging parent can put the couple at odds with siblings who may have different ideas about what is best for the their parent. Adult-sibling disagreements can add stress to an already difficult job.

Additionally, if the parent’s health deteriorates, financial stresses can crop up and time demands can increase because of numerous doctor visits and treatment appointments. Finally, if the parent’s care becomes too complex or physically demanding for the couple, they will often struggle emotionally with the decision of turning over the care of their parent to a third party.

Please pray that these couples will

  • Find joy in caring for the ones who have cared for them
  • Experience a strengthening of their marriage as they share in the grace of care-giving
  • Graciously support each other when the need arises for one to spend time away from their relationship to care for a parent
  • Have a gentle, understanding and loving attitude as roles reverse
  • Succeed in balancing the demands of family life and the needs of their aging parent
  • Have healthy and open lines of communication with siblings concerning the care of their parent
  • Seek the wisdom of God and His peace as they make difficult and realistic decisions concerning the parent’s care

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