Family Issues arise when an elderly parent, sibling or other relative is unable to live independently. People are often perplexed as to how they will be able to care for that elderly person when their own lives are so busy and they may still have obligations to their own children and careers. My own patients have experienced frequent normal feelings of anger, guilt, frustration, confusion, depression and anxiety.

| Becoming a Care Giver |

Irritability:

Irritability is an underlying feeling of anger, helplessness and anxiety that the elderly may experience when they are unable to express their thoughts and/or feelings. Frequently, family members have told me they experience irritability when they are stressed, feeling ineffectual, helpless and frustrated with their ageing relative. It is a normal response but has no productive function in solving the difficult decisions and problems that frequently arise in dealing with the ageing process.

| Chronic Pain | Alcohol | Drug Abuse |