Caring for aging parents? Discussion on new forum helps baby boomers cope with overwhelming responsibilities.

When Lorraine and Lynnita Mattock were caring for their terminally ill father, they wished for others to consult with, people going through similar experiences. Aware that others were feeling the same way, they developed a forum for caregivers to discuss problems, concerns, and ideas about caring for elderly parents.

(PRWEB) August 22, 2003 -- After the publication of When Our Parents Need Us: Caring for Aging Parents, Lorraine and Lynnita Mattock received numerous requests for help from adult children in various stages of caring for their elderly parents. In answer to those appeals they developed the When Our Parents Need Us forum offering a lively online discussion for those caring for elderly parents.

Lynnita Mattock, author of When Our Parents Need Us: Caring for Aging Parents, says, We can expect more baby boomers getting involved in some way with the care of their elderly parents. Many who are stepping up and accepting the challenge of helping their parents want and need good advice. This forum provides caregivers the opportunities to share what has worked for them and what hasnt. It also gives them a chance to talk to people who are going through somewhat the same thing."

Lorraine Mattock of Autumn Rose Publishing LLC developed the forum. People need a network of support when the roles reverse," she says. The parent becomes the child, and the child becomes the caregiver. Its a difficult time for both. Hopefully our forum will help facilitate support, positive energy, and ideas." The forum can be visited at www.whenourparents.com/forum.

In Lynnita Mattocks book, When Our Parents Need Us: Caring for Aging Parents, two tenacious daughters find themselves face to face with adversity and confusion when they decide to take care of their stubborn, elderly father who is suffering from a terminal illness. Heads butt heads, horns lock, and tempers flare when the daughters try to bathe their father, cook for him, and dispense his medications.

You will weep, giggle, nod your head and say, "Yup, that's the way it is," when you read how the daughters contend with the medical community, evacuate their parents from a wildfire, and shuffle their schedules to accommodate their father's ever-changing needs.

The day by day nitty-gritty details of elderly care are discussed, ranging from washing swollen feet to obtaining hospice assistance and dealing with a physician lacking pleasant bedside manners. The daughters arrange for their father's funeral and attack the complications and idiosyncrasies of managing his estate as personal representatives.

Ideas for managing elderly parents abound in this true story. Suggestions for reliable resources for elderly care are offered, accompanied by tips woven into the story about managing an estate, dealing with financial institutions, and communicating with medical personnel.

Anyone who has elderly parents (or even if they don't) will relate to this book. Visit www.whenourparents.com for excerpts.

Lynnita Mattock is also the author of Silent Flight, Devoted Pursuit and Break Free published by Autumn Rose Publishing LLC. Visit www.FromTheAuthorToYou.com for information.

When Our Parents Need Us: Caring for Aging Parents
ISBN#: 0934793743
Format: Soft Cover 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 124
Published: Pathfinder Publishing of California
Retail: $15.95 US
Publication Date: 2002