Study: Baby Boomer relationships with their elderly parents improves over time

It was the original "generation gap" and the differences and resulting strains between the Baby Boom Generation and their parents of the Greatest Generation were even more pronounced than those of previous eras. But, according to a new study funded in part by the Institute of Aging, those strains lessen over time and Baby Boomers who are now in their 40s, 50s and 60s report improved relationships with their elderly parents.

The findings which were recently published in the journal Advances in Life Course Research, showed that:

... a majority of parents and children mentioned positive changes in their relationship, even as parents experienced declines in health. "Both parents and children reported significantly less ambivalence than we originally expected," said Karen Fingerman, [associate professor of developmental and family studies in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences]. "Generally, there was a feeling on both sides that this was as good as the relationship had been, and both sides felt appreciated and nurtured."

While much has been written about the stresses of Baby Boomers has they are "sandwiched" between the demands of their aging parents and their growing children, the study showed that most of the participants "focused on positive changes, such as trying harder to spend time together or talking more or feeling closer and appreciated."

Some things do get better with age and parental relationships appears to be one of them.