How do you care for an ageing parent – when they want none of it? | Barry J Jacobs

Supporting my mother as she grew older meant facing pride, minimization and resistance. The key to a healthier relationship was empathy

One evening as I was using my key to let myself into my mother's apartment for a visit, I glanced toward the kitchen table where she usually sat reading the newspaper and saw her rolling walker standing alone. Surprised, I said loudly: Where are you, Mom?"

Here," I heard her respond from her bedroom down the hall. I'm fine."