The ordinary aging processes are made far tougher when a family has a
history of dysfunction. Aging professionals, like geriatric care managers
have their greatest challenges in working with these “difficult” families.
Dysfunctional families are not able to organize themselves effectively
face gut-wrenching eldercare challenges and crises. These families are under more
stress as they move from long-established roles into uncharted territory.
What if they “ cut off” their Dad years ago and now he had a severe stroke-
what do they do?? Someone has to take over Mom or Dad’s care and these dysfunctional midlife adult kids
are heavy ambivalent or just don’t want to
do it.
Now that the holidays are arriving – they have the same attitude about
attending the family Thanksgiving dinner.
Especially after some holiday liquid cheer, sour step-parents and angry step-siblings and mid-life adult kids who have grown up in a dysfunctional family can turn into cats and dogs with teeth bared and claws full out at Thanksgiving dinner.
Read Lynn Lynn Hackstaff’s chapter, Difficult Families: Conflict, Dependence, and Mutuality: Care Management with the Difficult Aging Family in HANDBOOK OF GERIATRIC CARE MANAGEMENT