October 9, 2026
Hi Reader
I had a different topic planned for this week, but something more important is on my mind.
Last week I went to Arizona to visit my mom and my sister. My sister turns 60 in October, so she is now officially a subscriber! And my mom turned 85 in September. I wanted to celebrate both birthdays and see everyone. Unfortunately, because of the distance, that only happens about once a year.
What I've been noticing
Over the past few years, I've noticed things with my mom that were not normal for her.
She is more forgetful. She is always tired. And this past year, she could not figure out how to do her taxes. This is a woman who was an accountant in her younger years and always did her own. So I started doing them for her.
On this trip, I really noticed a change.
As I mentioned in my newsletter a couple of weeks ago, she was scammed. Luckily, a local banker overheard her conversation as she was trying to withdraw $20,000 from her account and stepped in. It's crazy to me that she let it get that far.
The other thing I noticed is that she is very short-tempered. Not that she had a lot of patience in the past! But this visit, it was a lot worse.
A really tricky situation
When you only see someone once a year, the changes hit you all at once. And then comes the hard part: what do you actually do about it? How do you bring it up with a parent who has always been the capable one, without making her feel like she's being managed?
It is a really tricky situation. Luckily, my sister and I are on the same page, and that makes all the difference.
So in this week's blog post, I'm sharing some helpful tips on how to approach this topic with a parent, along with how I plan to move forward to help my mom.
Early Signs of Dementia in a Parent: What My Mom Taught Me
I'd love to hear from you
I know I'm not the only one here. Many of us are stepping into retirement at the very same time our parents need us more.
Have you been through this with a parent or someone you love? What helped, and what do you wish you had known sooner? Hit reply and tell me. I read every message, and what you share may help another reader.
Warmly, Wendy
Quote of the Week
"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors." — Tia Walker
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Have a wonderful week.
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