It''s an experience shared by almost all of us at some point in our lives, yet we all feel like it''s something we go through alone. When our parents reach a certain age, and are unable to cope the way they did when they were younger, we find ourselves wondering how to provide them with the kind of love, care, support, affection, and attention they need -- just as they have done for us all our lives.

Parenting Your Parents examines the experiences of fourteen families that are facing the challenge of helping and supporting their aging parents through a range of demanding situations. Each story demonstrates that we are not alone -- that many thousands of us face similar challenges every day, everywhere. And if we set our minds to it, we can learn to understand the challenges, pitfalls, joys, and sorrows, and begin to plan now.

With reflections and advice from one of Canada''s pre-eminent geriatric physicians, as well as a personal planner and a list of organizations and services that can be of assistance, Parenting Your Parents is a valuable tool for anyone facing this special family crisis.

Bart J. Mindszenthy, APR, Fellow CPRS, is partner in The Mindszenthy & Roberts Corp., a Toronto-based firm specializing in organizational major change, conflict, and crisis communications. Bart is co-author of No-Surprises, the first Canadian book on crisis communications, and co-author of last year''s best-selling business book, Leadership@Work.

Dr. Michael Gordon is head of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine at Toronto''s Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He writes regularly for the lay and professional press and contributes frequently to radio and television about the challenges and joys of growing older.