Shaping Families

Aging: Coping with Illness

When aging parents become ill and disabled, it affects the whole family. The Durkee family shares the struggle of dealing with their mother’s Alzheimer’s disease, a particularly debilitating illness that affects more than five million people and almost one in five nursing home residents in the United States (Alzheimer’s Association, 2010). 

“All of a sudden [Ruth] fell in the dining room and that was kind of the beginning of the end,” said Bob, Ruth’s husband. It was then they knew it would be too hard for Bob, already dealing with leukemia himself, to care for her any longer.

Listen - Transcript - Study Guide

Media Matters

Steve Carpenter

When Mom was still caring for my father at home, my wife and I gave her a DVD called Those Good Ole School Days, produced by Innovative Caregiving Resources. It’s designed to hold the attention of people with Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia, through the use of music, movement, and reminiscing. During the 50-minute video caregivers enjoy a brief respite. Dad loved it.

Embracing Aging Website
This companion website to the Embracing Aging DVD includes stories, bios and quotes from those in the documentary, along with articles and links on the subject of aging. These include mental health issues, sibling relationships, care issues and options, retirement and more. A large listings of resources is also available.

Coping with Disease is a Family Affair

It’s almost incomprehensible how quickly age creeps up on us. It starts with little, amusing things. As a young man, I was told that one knew he was getting old when the mothers of teenage girls were more interesting then the girls themselves. Was that ever a long time ago! I think I’m now somewhere between grandmothers and great grandmothers.

In some cultures multiple generations grow up and grow old together – often in the same house. Kalayaan Concepcion, who grew up in the Philippines, shares the value of caring for aging parents, having her children see life in all its stages, and how those inter-generational relationships build character and respect for others.

Cheese Chowder

Betty Hertzler offers this family favorite which she found in a church cookbook.  It’s simple but tasty, and the perfect supper on a chilly fall evening.

• Shaping Families Update - May 12
• Shaping Families Update - May 5
• Shaping Families Update - April 28
• Shaping Families Update - April 21

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