Care for the Caregiver -- You!

A few months ago, my husband John and I were having dinner with two other Boomer couples. We've been friends for years and were catching up on our lives and families. Near the end of the evening, one of our friends commented, "We used to get together and talk about the challenges of raising our kids. Now we get together and talk about our aging parents."

Commiserating about our kids used to cover skinned knees, chicken pox, late night emergency room visits, the teenage years of parties, fast driving, the opposite sex, dangers of drugs, and college applications. Now, we talk about the challenges of helping our parents and the awkward role reversal that's taking place. When did we start worrying about our parents drinking and driving?

Who can I turn to?

My grandparents and great-grandparents lived into their mid 90s. So there's been a lot of caregiving going on in my family for a long time, but not until my parents and in-laws needed help did I understand the full impact of family caregiving -- because now it's my turn, my responsibility. I'm supposed to know what to do and how to help them. To make matters worse, I live almost 600 miles away and can't always be with them when they need me. (The photo is my dad Bob Banfield, my mom Nancy Banfield, and me on the right.)

Over the past few years, I've shared my frustrations, fears and overwhelming guilt with my colleagues at Advisor Media. Soon, we were all sharing stories and seeking advice on helping the Seniors in our families. What's the best nursing home for a parent with Alzheimer's? Who installs grab bars? How do you tell your father it's not safe for him to drive any longer? What is this Medicare D stuff? Who makes healthy meals that are easy to heat? How do you make your parents' home safe? Where can you find quality recreation activities for Seniors? How do they get there? How do you navigate through doctors, nurses, and insurance systems? What happens when the Seniors' money runs out? How do I choose between my kids, my spouse, my job, and my parents?

None of us had a good source, a guide for what to do, how to feel, and how to make the best of every situation. We knew there were answers out there, we just didn't know where to find them. So, we created Senior Solutions Advisor.

Boomer Advisor expands, and Senior Solutions Advisor arrives!

Fortunately, Advisor Media has been providing expert advice and know-how for more than 20 years. We have access to essential information and key connections, and we help you via BoomerAdvisor.com. What's new is that Boomer Advisor is expanding to be a printed magazine. You are invited to subscribe at http://AdvisorStore.com.

It's called Boomer Advisor because that's who the magazine is written for and about. Of course, being a Boomer means many things that we cover in the magazine, including lifestyle, work, play, home, travel, health, money, and more -- including, Boomers helping their parents.

Many Boomers are becoming the caretakers and often hands-on caregivers of their aging parents, the generation known as Seniors. So a key mission is to give you the hard-to-find answers and practical help you need in the new Senior Solutions Advisor section of Boomer Advisor magazine, and also on the website http://SeniorSolutionsAdvisor.com, in Advisor e-newsletters, in online forums, and even in live Advisor conferences and seminars we are planning.

We are working with top experts to give you detailed Senior Solutions advice, the resources you need, the steps you can take right now, and the path you can pursue to help your entire family. We'll cover the gamut, from everyday Senior life to end-of-life, always with the focus on problem solving. And, just as important as solving problems, we'll show you how to help your family's Seniors have fun, and maintain joy, laughter, and sanity.

We'll also share our own discoveries, such as my husband John's airport security tips for Seniors learned from helping his dad.

Our Senior Solutions Advisor online Resource Guide is a place to find products and services that will help you. This is a living resource, continually updated with new information. If you're aware of a great solution that's not listed, let us know!

Also, visit our online forums for Boomers, another way to connect with each other, ask questions, and share ideas -- or just to vent.

Being a Boomer continues to be an adventure. Managing and improving the lives of Senior relatives isn't always easy, but it's our job. We all want the best for our families. We want them to be safe, happy, and engaged in life. We're in this together -- let's help each other.