Advertise on podcast: The Aging Parent Playbook

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★★★★★

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Welcome to The Aging Parent Playbook, the ultimate resource for adult children navigating the complex journey of caring for aging parents. Hosted by Dr. Barbara Sparacino, a triple board-certified psychiatrist, this podcast offers expert insights, practical tips, and compassionate guidance on essential topics like legal issues, caregiver burnout, memory loss, and home safety modifications. Each episode dives deep into the challenges of caregiving, equipping you with the tools to support your aging loved ones while managing your own well-being. Whether you're facing difficult conversations about health and finances or seeking strategies for managing family dynamics, The Aging Parent Playbook is here to help you every step of the way. Join our community of listeners and gain access to invaluable advice and support tailored specifically for adult children of aging parents. Subscribe now and empower yourself to create a positive caregiving experience for you and your family!

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Check latest episodes from The Aging Parent Playbook podcast

Episode 71: The Free Senior Living Advisor Who Actually Pays

2026/10/15

Have you ever searched for senior living for your parent and felt relieved when someone offered to help you for free? It sounds great, especially when you're already overwhelmed and don't know where to start. But have you ever wondered who actually pays that advisor—and how it might affect the options you're given? In Episode 71 of The Aging Parent Playbook, Dr. Barbara Sparacino breaks down how senior living referral services work and what families need to know before relying on their recommendations. Listen to discover seven important questions to ask before choosing a senior living community, how to look beyond reviews and recommendations, and how to make sure a potential placement fits your parent's actual care needs—not just an available opening. Because free help can be valuable, but you deserve to understand exactly what you're getting before making one of your family's most important decisions.

Episode 70: Who Does What Building Your Parent S Professional Bench

2026/09/30

When your aging parent needs care, you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by doctors, social workers, attorneys, care agencies, and senior living professionals—without knowing who does what or who is actually working for you. In Episode 70, Dr. Barbara breaks down who belongs on your parent’s care team, who pays whom, and why every family needs a “quarterback.” Listen before you’re facing a 72-hour hospital discharge deadline. You’ll learn the questions to ask, the roles you need to understand, and the simple steps that can turn a crisis into a plan.

EPISODE 69 The Fall Before The Fall

2026/09/08

In this episode, I take you room by room through one of the most common and preventable crises families face with aging parents: falls. We’ll look beyond the obvious trip hazards and explore the five systems that can come together to create a fall, including medications, vision, balance, strength, and the home environment. I’ll also share practical ways to make a home safer without making your parent feel like they are losing their independence, plus what to look for and ask after a fall happens.

EPISODE 68: I'm Her Best Shot

2026/09/01

In this episode, I talk about what it means to become your aging parent’s advocate when you are the person who knows them best. I share my own experience of showing up for my mother during a medical crisis and why understanding her language, habits, and unique way of communicating became so important. We’ll explore why consistency and daily check-ins are not necessarily a burden, but can become a powerful form of support and connection. Most importantly, this episode is about the deep relationship that allows you to recognize what your parent needs, even when they cannot fully express it themselves.

Episode 67: The Sibling Divide Why Your Brother Thinks Mom Is Fine

2026/07/30

In this episode, I unpack one of the most painful realities of family caregiving: why siblings can look at the same parent and see completely different realities. I explain the psychology behind the sibling divide, why both perspectives can be true, and how misunderstanding—not lack of love—often fuels family conflict. You'll learn practical strategies for getting everyone on the same page, creating shared responsibility, and replacing arguments with objective information. If caregiving has strained your relationship with your siblings, this episode will help you move from frustration to collaboration.

Episode 66: Guardianship Avoidance Guide

2026/07/20

In this episode, I explain why guardianship is one of the most expensive, stressful, and avoidable legal situations families can face. Through the story of one family, I break down the difference between a durable power of attorney and guardianship, what capacity really means, and why the window for legal planning often closes long before a crisis begins. You'll learn why waiting "until the time is right" can have lasting consequences and how to start these important conversations before it's too late. This episode will help you protect your parent's wishes, preserve their dignity, and avoid unnecessary legal and emotional hardship.

EPISODE 65: The Ten Minute Pity Party And Why You re Not Allowed More

2026/07/07

In this episode, I challenge the belief that constant exhaustion is a sign of being a good caregiver. I introduce my "10-Minute Pity Party" framework, a simple but powerful way to process grief, frustration, and overwhelm without letting those emotions take over your entire day. You'll learn why suppressing your feelings can lead to burnout, how giving yourself permission to feel actually builds resilience, and why caring for yourself is essential to caring well for your parent. This episode is your reminder that showing up with strength begins by making space for your own humanity.

Episode 64: The Six- to-Eighteen-Month Window You're Missing

2026/06/26

In this episode, I reveal the quiet six to eighteen month window that often comes before a caregiving crisis, and why so many families miss it. I walk you through the subtle warning signs that signal something is changing, how to tell the difference between normal aging and meaningful decline, and the four critical steps to take before an emergency forces difficult decisions. You'll learn how early preparation can preserve your parent's independence, reduce family stress, and give everyone more options. Recognizing this window may be one of the most important things you can do for your aging parent and for yourself.

Episode 63: Three Questions to Ask Before You Believe Any Doctor

2026/06/22

In this episode, I share the three most important questions every adult child should ask during a parent’s medical appointment. Too often, families leave the doctor’s office with more confusion than clarity, unsure of what was decided, what to watch for, or what happens next. I’ll show you how to advocate effectively, understand the bigger picture, and make sure your parent’s care aligns with what matters most to them. These simple but powerful questions can transform the way you navigate the healthcare system and help you walk away from appointments feeling informed, confident, and prepared.

Episode 62: What Happens When Your Parent Won't Sign the Documents

2026/06/16

In this episode, I tackle one of the hardest situations families face: what happens when your parent still refuses to sign important legal documents. I explain why resistance does not always mean refusal, how to keep the conversation moving without creating conflict, and the critical difference between capacity and competence. You'll learn the warning signs that the window for legal planning may be closing and what steps to take before a crisis forces decisions into the hands of the court. This is an essential conversation for any family trying to balance patience, respect, and the reality of time.

Episode 61: The Power of Attorney Conversation Nobody Knows How to Have

2026/06/03

In this episode, I explain why so many aging parents resist signing a power of attorney and why it’s usually not about trust. I walk you through what is actually happening emotionally beneath the resistance, including fears around loss of control, decline, and mortality. You’ll learn how to reframe the conversation in a way that feels respectful instead of threatening, along with the exact language that helps families move forward without conflict. This episode is about creating legal clarity before a crisis forces difficult decisions.

Episode 60: Why Your Sister Won't Help (And It's Not Because She's a Narcissist)

2026/05/28

In this episode, I unpack one of the most common phrases I hear from overwhelmed caregivers: “My sister is a narcissist.” I explain why most difficult sibling behavior is not actually narcissism, how pop psychology is reshaping family conflict, and why mislabeling people keeps families stuck. You’ll learn the difference between personality disorders, family roles, unresolved relationships, and plain old selfishness — and how understanding those distinctions changes the way you respond. This conversation is about moving away from labels and toward clearer, healthier, and more productive family dynamics.

Episode 59: The Five Roles Every Caregiving Family Falls Into.

2026/05/26

In this episode, I break down the five family roles that show up in almost every caregiving situation and why the same arguments keep happening over and over again. From the responsible one to the disappearing sibling, the critic, the peacemaker, and the dependent child, I explain how these patterns shape family dynamics when a parent starts needing care. You’ll learn how childhood roles quietly resurface in adulthood, why caregiving tension feels so personal, and what it actually takes to change the system. This conversation will help you stop fighting the people around you and start understanding the patterns driving the conflict.

Episode 58: Why You're Not Parenting Your Parent

2026/05/12

In this episode, I challenge one of the most common phrases caregivers use: “I feel like I’m parenting my parent.” I explain why that mindset creates guilt, resentment, and emotional exhaustion, and what’s actually happening instead. You’ll learn how to shift from feeling responsible for everything to stepping into a more sustainable role as an advocate. This reframe will help you protect your relationship with your parent while also protecting yourself.

Episode 57: Grief Before Loss: What Anticipatory Grief Actually Looks Like

2026/05/05

In this episode, I talk about one of the most painful and unspoken parts of caregiving: grieving a parent who is still alive. I walk you through what anticipatory grief really is, why it feels so isolating, and the thoughts and emotions many caregivers are too afraid to say out loud. You’ll hear why nothing is wrong with you, even if your feelings feel confusing or heavy. Most importantly, I share simple, grounded ways to help you process what you’re carrying so you don’t have to hold it alone.

Podcast reviews

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5 out of 5

7 reviews

★★★★★

jvms8 2024/11/02

Figuring It Out

This one hit home. My mother is getting older and I needed to know how to start having a conversation with her about her aging. This podcast was an am...

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