Baby Boomers will start entering the Golden Years soon enough. Since the '60s PILL, more "only child" families have popped up.

Caring for an elderly parent/relative should not be a burden. So there are very many ways that you can help or assist with the care of an elderly parent/relative.

If you don't live near your parents; when you do visit them, visit their Senior Center where you can get pamphlets of local resources. Get a copy of their local yellow pages, as well as use the internet.

Talk to the parent asap about Living Wills/Advanced Directives, Trusts, POA, etc.

See a social worker and their doctor(s).

And whether or not you are the one that is the caregiver or whether others are, a good resource/bible is The 36-Hour Day

I'm so glad you started this group.

I am caring for an elderly mother and I am exhausted!

My mom does not suffer from Alzheimers and there is no history of it in our family, however just the process of aging has caused her to exhibit many of the conditions you describe on a very minor scale.

I am trying very hard to extend my tolerance level and I think I'm doing pretty well...but never has it been pushed so hard!

The 36 hour day is a great resource if your relative has Alzheimer's disease but not relevant to the person caring for an aging adult without cognitive problems.

Be aware that pamphlets obtained at Senior Citizen centers only touch those who advertise. I have found that the best services do not spend money on advertising because they do not have to. Ditto with the phone book.

Check with your local area on aging for resources.

If you are really lost there is a National Society of Geriatric Care Managers that has a data base of Care Managers in most areas of the US.

You can connect to them through my web site www.OptionsForElderCare.com

You can also find a proliferation of information on the elderly resources at this site.

Wow you and I have the same mother.

I quit working two years ago and I'm finding it hard leaving her alone to grocery shop. So I'm looking into Adult Day Care to get a break.

I can't work so I cannot afford to pay for both Geriatric Managers and providers.

I had cancer over the summer and had to hire caretakers while I was in the hospital for my 94 yr old mother. They were bonded and even though I could've done better, they did provide the protection and care that my mother needed.

The phone book is for more reasons then as a resource for caretakers. If you don't live near your elderly relative, you may need the phone numbers of cabs, restaurants, grocery services, cleaning agencies, police & fire dept., government agencies, churches, doctors, etc.

There are numerous entitlement programs to assist in paying for in-home or daycare services for the lower income elderly. Roughly speaking, if your single parent's income is below $18,000 they should qualify for some aide through your state area on aging program. Most states are now instituting money's for care at home, prefering to pay this vs. the high cost of skilled nursing care.

There is also aid if your parent was a veteran of spouse of a veteran. Check with your local VA or American Legion Representative.

AnitaP, we must have not only the same mothers, but the same lives. I too, fell very ill and had to face difficult decisions about my mother's care.

For a while she was actually listed as MY caregiver, so that the doctors would be satisfied enough to let me return home from the hospital. Such irony.