How To Handle Manipulative Aging Parents: Guilt, Money, And Power

Helping aging parents can be a difficult journey as they age. Some elders are relatively simple, though always work, while other families experience a minefield with their parents. Some aging parents have always been manipulative in their lives. It can get worse with aging, when they expect more as their needs increase.

Those with substantial assets can use threats of disinheriting their kids to try to force them into doing their bidding. Adult children may feel trapped, stressed, emotionally drained, and overwhelmed. If they do what the aging parent demands, they are angry at being manipulated. If they don’t obey, they question themselves and feel guilty.