Childhood Abuse Can Alter an Adult's Ability to Provide Parent Care

Photo credit Caleb George Dear Carol: My mom abused me during my childhood and I left home right after high school. I'm now nearly 40 and Mom, who is in her 60s, has developed Parkinson’s disease. She's beginning to need daily help and has asked me to move back home to take care of her. I don’t know if I can do this. I’m not married, don’t have children, and I can work from anywhere, so there’s no real reason not to move in and help her.  I’m still resentful, though, and I know that I’m vulnerable to her emotional manipulations. Is this something that I am morally beholden to do? Would it help me get over our history if I helped her now? I feel guilty saying no, and people seem to expect me to take care of her, but I’m afraid and I don’t even know why. – JTR: Read the full article on Inforum about how this woman must decide if she can emotionally go back to an abusive mother in order to provide care: MedicareFAQ – Medicare Resource Center Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories - for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol                  Related StoriesWhen People Can't Articulate Pain Body Language is a Crucial ClueCaregiver Humor Provides Armor Against Unbearable SorrowDementia Caregivers Carry Soul Deep Grief 
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs