Aging Parents Resist Interfering ‘Helicopter’ Children

As parents age, it is easy for children to become overly protective and concerned, reports the Wall Street Journal . Doctors say it may be best for children to pick their battles. For example, if an older parent causes a car accident, it may be time to stop them from driving. In contrast, issues like not wearing a hearing aid or walking up steps may not be worth arguing about. William Doherty, family therapist and professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, says a good rule of thumb is for children to ask if they are interfering with the lives of their parents to alleviate their own concerns. Technological monitoring devices can be helpful in these situations, but they can create more problems for parents and children. Other experts say if a parent has not shown signs of cognitive decline or impairment, their decisions should be respected.