Navigating Aging Parents
Barbara
Meet
I Am So Glad You Are Here!
Hi, I’m Barbara.
Not too long ago, I was standing exactly where you are now. Worried, overwhelmed, and wondering how on earth to help my aging mom. I spent countless hours researching, calling experts, and piecing together advice, only to realize… there wasn’t one place that made it simple, positive, and doable.
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So I decided to become what I needed back then: a guide for women like us in the sandwich generation. I’ve taken the late-night Google searches, the trial-and-error, and the tough lessons and turned them into clear, practical tools that actually make life easier.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why isn’t there a handbook for this?” You’ve found it. You’re not alone anymore. And I’m so glad you’re here.
Where it started!
My parents had me when they were older. My mom, was 42 and my dad was 49. Back then that was well, old. We lost my dad to a brain tumor cancer when I was 20 which was the hardest thing in my and my families life. My mom has been single ever since and living independently until she was 86. My mom Bette, and I have always been very close. My mom is truly the best, everyone that knows her absolutely loves her.
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When covid happened my husband Bryan and I saw it as an opportunity to move back “home” to Portland Oregon after living in southern California for 21 years.
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We knew my mom needed more support, and moving back felt like the right decision. The pause from her usual routine, no longer driving or keeping up with her daily activities seemed to accelerate her aging. She became more anxious about being alone and, after one day forgetting where she parked, grew reluctant to drive.
Recognizing these changes, she decided it was time to move into a retirement community. I saw clear signs that her home of 25 years had become too much for her to manage. Though she’d always loved gardening, a few falls had made it too risky. She chose a beautiful retirement home, just a mile from her previous place, that offered her comfort and proximity to her old neighborhood.
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The process of moving her from a home filled with years of memories was challenging, but I learned a lot and have some great tips to make it smoother and less overwhelming.
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After a little over a year in the retirement community, I started noticing signs of cognitive decline. Following visits to her doctor and a neurologist, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I was at a loss, unsure where to begin, with limited guidance from the doctor. So, I began researching and reaching out to everyone I knew, determined to understand and support her through this new stage.
