The "secret society" of people caring for their parents

Jane Gross writes an engaging and sometimes heartbreaking blog on the New York Times about aging in America. She also wrote this post: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E2DF143AF931A15754C0A9679C8B63 which talks about the "secret society" of people who are suddenly, dizzyingly immersed in their parents' lives in ways in which they never imagined. Care homes, finances, health, ambulances, arguing with doctors and insurance companies, cajoling and arguing and shouting and pleading and worrying with their own parents about decisions big and small.

In this post Jane says that when she meets someone in the same situation as her, "These conversations generally end the same way. 'We should form a support group,' one of us will say. 'Who has time?' says the other."

There is so much latent need in this group for connections and peer to peer support, for "I've been there" advice and stories, for recommendations about planning, care, local services, dealing with siblings, giving oneself a break. The internet poses an interesting potential solution to the "no time for a support group" phenomenon. It takes away the constraints of time and space and lets people connect on their own schedules, anonymously if that's what works for them.

Drop me a line at info (at) supportmyparent.com if you're interested in participating.