What Is The Nearly Normal Aging Family? Definition

Most aging families are “Nearly Normal”. They are healthy, not dysfunctional, still have flaws but are knocked off balance by losses sustained when older family members decline or die, caregiving takes up huge blocks of family members’ time, or significant family relationships and continuity disappear.

These losses can disrupt even a healthy family. A “nearly normal” aging family can be righted if they have historically been compatible, cohesive, productive, and stable.