The Plot Twists With No Warning
Aging sneaks up on families like a bad Netflix twist. One minute your parents are independent and running the show. The next, Dad drives like he’s auditioning for Mario Kart and Mom still believes the internet is a fad. Suddenly, the family chat isn’t about vacation plans, it’s about who has the power of attorney paperwork.
Canadian psychologist Frank Markel calls it the Five Stages of Aging: independence, interdependence, dependency, and everything in between. The problem is, most families have no roadmap. They stumble into the transitions and end up in wars over car keys, bills, or where Mom should live. And because no one names this stage out loud, relationships don’t bend they break.
That’s why People In The Squeeze exists. To say the quiet part out loud. To give families a framework for this messy, complicated life stage. To remind everyone that wealth transfer isn’t just about money it’s about relationships, health, and not losing each other in the process. And yes, sometimes it’s about laughing in the middle of the chaos, because otherwise you’ll cry.
Trillions are already on the move. The real question is whether families will come through it intact. Will this be a story about thriving… or a cautionary tale about the family who couldn’t talk about car keys?
If you’re ready to do this differently, join us. Because thriving in chaos isn’t just a tagline, it’s a survival skill.
Looking for more support while navigating the squeeze? Grab a copy of our book Thriving in Chaos: Navigating the Challenges of Aging Parents on Amazon, and stay connected with us at PeopleInTheSqueeze.com. You can find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @peopleinthesqueeze.
