What kinds of topics or issues are appropriate to discuss at a family meeting?
No topic is too big or too small for this kind of gathering. Typical topics of discussion and examples might include: • Support. A sibling who is the primary caregiver may be feeling overwhelmed by the demands of an aging and dependent parent. She may ask for more help by dividing up the many weekly tasks. • Finances. A sibling has taken time off from work to attend to a frail, bedridden father. He has also laid out a lot of money to cover their father’s medical bills, so he now asks others to share the financial burden. • Decisions. An elderly parent has recently broken a hip and may not be able to continue living independently at home. The family now needs to discuss housing options. Q. Some of us have anxiety about calling or attending a family meeting. Is this normal? Feeling a bit anxious about a family meeting is perfectly normal and natural. It is not an everyday event and we may have concerns about whether we will be able to handle difficulties and whether everything will turn
