Dad won't listen

"Your father still refuse to go and see a doctor," mum said over the phone.

How do you help an aging parent who doesn't want help? Let me say at the outset that I haven't found an answer.

For the past two months, dad's skin condition on his arms has not improved. Yet he insists on self-medication.

Recognising his pride or vanity, knowing his stubborness has not helped me. I have begged and pleaded and threatened. To no avail.

When aging parents remain alert enough to make their own decisions, children find themselves torn between feelings of respect and responsibility. Respect for their independence and responsibility for their safety.