Taking Care of Aged parents: a Family Cycle Transition

Abstract

The experiences of adult children in caring for an aged parent are examined from a longitudinal perspective. Types of services rendered, perceptions and attitudes toward parents, and stresses evoked by the dependencies of the aged parent are explored. The coincidence of the parent's maximum demands with the child's own awareness of shrinking futurity exacerbates stress and conflict and underscores the need to identify ways for reducing stress in both generations.