For adult children of aging parents, caregiving is often a role they do not feel ready to play. Being our parents' children has certain built-in dynamics, which is why bringing a doctor or another professional into the conversation can be so helpful.

 Here are some tips for opening and improving the lines of communication with a parent's medical team.

 Do the Legal Paperwork:  Give the doctor copies of your parent's signed  health care proxy or durable medical power of attorney so he or she knows who in the family is responsible for making medical decisions should your parent be unable to do so. In addition, have your parent give the doctor a list of family members allowed access to his or her .........