More and more working couples at the tail-end of 25+ years of successful working lives are coming face to face with the quandary of how to contain and manage their priorities and their careers in a situation where their parents suddenly fall ill and need constant care and attention. The responsibility of a son or daughter is, after all, every bit as critical as that of a C-level manager in a corporate - possibly more so, because of the emotional and genetic connect. Is there a perfect solution, then ? Particularly in a country that hasn't even got around to addressing such things as paternity leave ?
Different people are working different solutions out, but everyone is left somewhat dissatisfied : after all, there are only three immediate options - your home, their home or an old age home; and all three seem somehow imperfect. To add to the problem, geriatric care organisations are pathetically few.
If you are over 45 and both of you work, and your parents are alone in another city and not in particularly good health, this is a question you need to address today; because tomorrow may be a little late for both sides.
Do share your views on how you are coping, or on how you plan to cope.
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