Tolstoywrote that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and a new study in the August 2010 issue of theJournal of Marriage and Family finds significant national differences in the degree of conflict between older parents and their adult children.
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“Given that family life has its basis in the tension between the desire for autonomy and the need for interdependence, it is not surprising that intergenerational relations—throughout the family life cycle—are among the most ambivalent of social relationships,” said Merril Silverstein, USC professor of gerontology and sociology, and lead author of the study. [continue reading…]
Its an RSA focus this Friday, in his comment this morning Paul Allen addresses how the time bomb of an ageing population and a diminishing workforce coupled with the economic climate provides the new government with a difficult challenge.
Time is ticking on this potentially explosive situation. Paul Allen argues that swift, decisive and well thought out action is required to ensure the needs of our elderly population are met.
In 2009, the UK population numbered 62 million: 38 million of working age, 9.2 million between 50 and 65 years, and 11.3 million over current state pension age. The forecast for 2031 is a 58 per cent increase in the number of people aged over 65, but just a 16 per cent increase in those at working age. This creates a huge imbalance between those who are earning and those likely to need care. However, the funding available for elderly care has been shrinking for some time and many local authorities have slashed budgets up to 400 per cent, with some regions reducing sheltered housing provision from £40 to just £11.75 per week. link to continue reading
Recently ‘Dr. O’ reviewed The Daughter Trap: Taking Care of Mom Dad and You by Laurel Kennedy. Shortly after we experienced bit of a blog glitch and the review was tossed into the murky depths of the world wide web. So here is the review resposted again!
On this Friday before Mothers Day I am reminded that a boy’s first love is his mother. She certainly was mine. Mothering Sunday is a poignant day for me as I fondly recall my mother who passed away two years ago on Valentines Day. She survived my father by 10 years and was fortunate enough to spend those last years of her life in her own home, her mind intact. [continue reading…]
