We are living longer and that's a big reason behind the explosion of Alzheimer's cases in the coming decades.

 

Dr. Richard MacDonell. 

 

"I think as people are living logner we are seeing more age related diseases that we weren't seeing 30 to 40 years ago when individuals had shorter life spans.  People are living with Alzheimers, dementia, Parkinson's and osteoporosis."

 

Alzheimer's is a devastating brain disease that eventually takes away a person's memory and cognitive abilities.

 

Adult children of aging parents are being forced to care for their eldelyl parents -- while they are raising their own children.

 

Ali Davidson is a senior advocate who used to own an in-home care facility in Bend.

She says families have to have the conversation on their final wishes before it's too late.

 

"We can't parent our parent.  You have to establish a peer to peer relationship with your parents.  They'll respond must better to a peer better than a child."

 

It may be an uncomfortable conversation, but an important to make sure your parent's wishes are realized.