The Aging Parent Playbook

Barbara Sparacino MD
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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!

  1. Episode 46: The Aging Parent Safety Net

    JAN 15 · VIDEO

    Episode 46: The Aging Parent Safety Net

    In this short but important episode of The Aging Parent Playbook, I’m inviting you to a free live training I’m hosting called The Aging Parent Safety Net, designed to help you prepare before a crisis hits. I start with a question I hear families ask only after something goes wrong: if your parent had a fall, stroke, or medical emergency tomorrow, would you know what to do legally, practically, and emotionally? I walk you through the most common crisis scenarios adult children face, being denied information in the hospital, struggling to manage medications or accounts, unexpected financial issues, early warning signs you’re unsure how to interpret, and family dynamics that complicate everything. These situations aren’t rare, and families don’t struggle because they don’t care. They struggle because they don’t have a plan. I also explain what the Aging Parent Safety Net training is—and what it’s not. This isn’t vague inspiration or a confusing legal lecture. It’s a practical, step-by-step framework to help you build clarity around legal and financial essentials, define responsibilities, assess your parent’s real needs, make key decisions before an emergency, and create a plan that protects both your parent and your peace of mind. This episode is for you if you feel that constant background anxiety, if you’re noticing changes and don’t know what to do with them, or if you’re tired of being the default decision-maker. My goal is to help you move from reactive crisis mode to calm, confident planning—because preparedness isn’t pessimism. It’s love with a backbone.

    8 min
  2. Episode 45: The Caregiver Strategy

    JAN 14 · VIDEO

    Episode 45: The Caregiver Strategy

    In this episode of The Aging Parent Playbook, I dive into Pillar 4: The Caregiver Strategy—how to avoid burnout while balancing caregiving with your own life. I share practical tools to set boundaries, create non-negotiables for your health, delegate tasks effectively, and plan for crises before they happen. This episode is all about helping you care for your parent and yourself, so you can make grounded, values-based decisions without guilt, resentment, or chronic exhaustion.

    6 min
  3. Episode 44: The Health Optimization Plan

    JAN 5 · VIDEO

    Episode 44: The Health Optimization Plan

    In this week’s Aging Parent Playbook, I introduce Pillar 3: Health Optimization, how to clearly understand what your parent actually needs so you can stop guessing and start planning. We move beyond diagnoses and look at the full picture: physical health, mobility, cognition, emotional well-being, and daily function. I share simple questions and observations you can use right away to assess safety, prepare for medical visits, and make thoughtful decisions about care options without jumping to worst-case scenarios. This is about clarity, not crisis—and creating a plan that truly fits your parent’s needs.

    4 min
  4. Episode 43: Conflict Resolution Course

    2025-12-22 · VIDEO

    Episode 43: Conflict Resolution Course

    In this episode of The Aging Parent Playbook, I walk you through Pillar #2 of my caregiving framework: Conflict Resolution. I talk about why caring for aging parents so often brings up old family dynamics, sibling tension, and guilt, and why trying to “keep everyone happy” usually leads to burnout. I share a simple, practical structure to help you communicate more clearly, set boundaries you can live with, and navigate difficult conversations with parents and siblings without losing yourself in the process. If you’re feeling like the default caregiver or stuck in family conflict, this episode is for you.

    5 min
  5. Episode 42: Your Parent's Legal Safety Net: The 3 Documents Every Family Must Have

    2025-12-09 · VIDEO

    Episode 42: Your Parent's Legal Safety Net: The 3 Documents Every Family Must Have

    In this episode, I’m formally launching a powerful four-part series by breaking down the first pillar of my framework: the legal protection guide. If the words “power of attorney” or “advance directive” make you want to run the other way, you’re not alone, and I’m here to make this feel simple, clear, and doable. I walk you through the essential documents every family needs, why timing matters more than you think, and the real-life chaos that happens when these conversations get delayed. I also share practical, low-pressure ways to bring this up with your parent without triggering defensiveness or drama. By the end, you’ll feel prepared, confident, and genuinely empowered to take the first step.

    5 min
  6. Episode 41 – Recognizing the Signs Your Parent Needs More Help

    2025-10-13 · VIDEO

    Episode 41 – Recognizing the Signs Your Parent Needs More Help

    How do you know when it’s really time to step in with your parent? In this episode, I share the subtle and sometimes not so subtle signs that your mom or dad may need extra support. We’ll talk about how to notice these changes early, how to bring them up without creating conflict, and small steps you can take that protect both safety and dignity. It’s a compassionate, down-to-earth guide for anyone walking that delicate line between caring and overstepping.

    7 min
  7. Episode 40: When Your Parent Insists "I'm Fine" Understanding Denial and Resistance

    2025-10-01 · VIDEO

    Episode 40: When Your Parent Insists "I'm Fine" Understanding Denial and Resistance

    Ever hear your aging parent say, ‘I’m fine’—even when the signs clearly show otherwise? In this episode of The Aging Parent Playbook, Dr. Barbara Sparacino breaks down why denial is so common, what those little red flags really mean, and how to approach the conversation without creating conflict. You’ll learn practical strategies to respond with compassion, build trust, and reframe help as empowerment. If you’ve ever felt stuck between worry and respect for your parent’s independence, this episode will give you the tools to move forward with confidence.

    7 min
  8. Episode 39: Handling Emergency Situations with Aging Parents: How to Stay Calm and Prepared

    2025-09-01 · VIDEO

    Episode 39: Handling Emergency Situations with Aging Parents: How to Stay Calm and Prepared

    Emergencies happen without warning—and when it’s your aging parent, the stress can be overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Sparacino shares exactly what to do in a medical crisis, which documents you must have ready, and how to build an emergency plan that works under pressure.What You’ll Learn: • The first steps to take in a medical emergency. • The “go bag” checklist every caregiver needs. • Which documents can make or break decision-making in a crisis. • How to create a family emergency plan that reduces confusion.Links & Resources: • Download the FREE Emergency Preparedness Checklist – www.theagingparentcoach.com • Follow Barbara on Instagram – @theagingparentcoach

    7 min
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About

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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