Parenting a Parent

“Caregiving is not a fringe issue.”

When we think about caregiving, we often picture something rare — an exception, a special circumstance, something that affects “a few people.”

But caregiving is not peripheral.

It is not niche.
It is not seasonal.
It is not confined to one department.

It is woven into the workforce.

If one in four adults is a caregiver, that means, in a meeting of 12 people, three are navigating caregiving responsibilities right now. This isn’t a “side project.” It’s often a second job — unpaid, emotionally intense, and logistically complex.

And yet, most caregivers do not formally identify as such. They say:
“I’m helping my mom.”
“I’m dealing with some stuff with my dad.”
“It’s been a lot lately.”

Translation:
Caregiving is already inside your organization.

Illness can change the shape of relationships overnight. Friends may become caregivers. Children may find themselves making decisions for their parents. Siblings may take on new responsibilities. These role changes often carry their own emotional toll, which can include grief—grieving for the loss of the relationship as it once was.

Acknowledging the shift in the relationship is the first step. You may not be able to return to the old dynamic, but you can still honor it. For example, a daughter caring for her father might say: “I’ll always be your child, even as I help with these decisions. That part of us doesn’t change.”

At some point, many adult children begin to manage medications, track appointments, handle finances, and make decisions that were once made for them. The shift is often gradual… until it isn’t.

“You don’t notice the role reversal until one day you realize you are the one holding the clipboard.”