Frail Parents
How to make the most of the time you have left
by Keith Ablow, M.D.
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Q: My parents suddenly seem very frail. How do I get the most out of the time I have left with them?
A: By being conscious of the fact that your parents' time on the planet isn't infinite, you've already started. Another way to enhance the time you have is to say more, rather than less, about the lives you have lived together. Tell them or write to them about special memories you have of your childhood. Ask them to share memories with you in exchange—even ones that date back to their childhoods.
Don't assume that they know everything about you, or vice versa. Also, don't be afraid to bring up anything between you and your parents that remains unsettled or painful. Patients of mine who have unresolved conflict with parents that have passed away almost always regret not having addressed these concerns with them. Gently put your issues on the table and talk them through so you can move on.
About the Expert:
Keith Ablow, M.D., is a psychiatrist, Fox News contributor, and author of Living the Truth.
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