Maria I'm speaking from a Mother's opinion. It's difficult to realize I'm old. I have always been the leader of my family and the kids keep in step. But it's changed for both of us. I had to learn they were grown and stand back and watch sometimes. They are kind and let me still think I'm important and always ask question I know they know the answers to.
I lost my pension money because our Governor illegally invested it. Time wasn't on my side to continue to build it up again.  Each one of my children said I could live with them. I chose the oldest girl. We have a great Mother Daughter relationship because I know when to shut my mouth and when to give my opinion.  A Mother has to work very hard at letting go it's not easy. I still think of them as my kids. I am supported by all 4 kids and with God's blessing never have to want for anything. It's strange to live like this because I was always independent. But it starts with respect and ends with respect. I was raised to respect my parents as they gave me respect as a child and as an adult. I did the same for my kids. I see parents with very young children and they really don't show them respect because they say their kids. I often tell my now grown kids I remember everything I thought and did as a child to my parents. I watched my parents like a hawk and I know my kids watched me.  I wish all baby boomers could have the peace and love I have. It's great to be older, loved and know you don't have to have a Social Security check or Pension to live happy.  I learned lessons from my parents and GrandMother and passed it on to my kids. I can see they learned well. Love is rooted in from birth and cared for through life and it blooms as we get older if you take the time to work at it.

Now I find the boys are over protective and the girls are my best friends. A Mother will always remember when you close your eyes you can see your child at every stage of their life so far. It's the pictures God lets us keep and helps us smile. My family gave nicknames and to this day I sometimes forget and call the kids Pumkin, Wiggie, Preppie and Peaches. Oh yes they give me the look and then I correct myself and say their real names. It's just good to keep those names fresh in my mind.

Life is great thanks to my kids.

NBC has covered the issue of caretaking for aging parents extensively.  However, this particular series appears more self-promoting and self-serving than actual reporting.  It does your viewers no service to watch correspondents tell 'their' story about their parents. Last night, all we learned about Nancy Snyderman is that she's blessed with terrific resources to give her parents what they need.  Your viewers need real stories, not People magazine profiles.

Brian,

You have the most credibility in television news but it is rapidly eroding with reports such as the one described here.

I must agree with the writer from Alexandria. I do not need to hear about Lifestyles of the Rich and Privileged from entertainment reporters from Access Hollywood.

What were you thinking?

Luke Pulaski
Charlotte, NC

Your continuing special series “Trading Places” is heartwarming, but it is “a view from the hill.” Dr. Synderman is fortunate indeed to be able to build an addition to her already lovely Princeton home to house her aging parents. I submit that a series examining the financial, physical, and emotional circumstances of less affluent families would be more informative if more sobering. Aging at home in the warm glow of a loving family is, I suspect, little more than a fantasy for most elderly Americans.

Wow, what a self-absorbed piece of journalism just played on "the news." As one who has been in the profession, and now teaches it, I'd be appalled with a piece of work from an undergrad that seems primarily to serve the purpose of self-aggrandizement for the reporter, and has about as much depth as a blog. Even a cursory effort would have yielded many people mired in "trading places" situations more dire, demanding and dramatic than a well-paid tv reporter and her seemingly comfortable parents. If you're going to tell a story, tell a story. What next, Brian's struggles paying $4 a gallon for gas?

Everyone likes to see people helping their parents and other relatives. Taking responsibility is the right thing to do.  I like to see good being done but I make it a point to tune into Nightly News to get caught up on the wars, the economy, politics, and important world events. Please keep me as a viewer of "the news" and I'll get my human interest stories later, maybe.  You're good at what you do so please stay on course.  Thanks!

Really a shame that Maria's story should be criticized! One's mother and father are the Leveler of our society. When it comes to health, pain and suffering are equal opportunity, regardless of position in society. With all that is going on in our world today, I look forward to those precious few minutes at the end of the evening news. The reports that appear there never fail to lift my spirits. As for this evening's report, Maria, thank you for your story. I did not trade places with my parents who lived a long way from here and I regret it. Thank you, Maria!!!

Brian,

After watching the 'Trading Spaces' segments with Nancy Snyderman and Maria Menounos, it makes me wonder just how out of touch you are. The stories are nice, but they don't in any way reflect how most people handle this transition. How many people have the money to build onto their house or at age 29 make enough money that their parents can retire? If you're going to continue airing this segment, you need to start sharing the stories of the average American, not the privileged few. Their stories may not have the happiest of endings, but that is the reality most Americans face everyday. I am only 21, so I am not yet faced with this obstacle, but I think it's very insulting to those who cannot help their parents in this way and have to visit them in nursing and assisted-living homes.

Do a report for all of us who provide more than half the cost of care for our parents and can't deduct them as a dependant because our parent's income is too high. My mothers income is 22,000 a year and I provide 25,000 additional funds for her.

I agree with the aove comments. Your increments present problems. period.  Who cares about high salaried employees.  I am 85 and have no children or people to turn to in an emergency. I live on my social security and can care for myself at this time.  Get real and tell it as it is. Your program sucks.. John Sowley

This is tabloid journalism. Maria is an awful writer and reporter and I have mentioned this before. Please be real. Remove her from your line up.

Brian,

I've been hoping see stories about other caregiving situations, surely I am not alone.  There must be lots of interesting situations going on.  For example, I am a 49 year old female who is the primary caregiver/caretaker for my 47 year old brother disabled due to a traumatic head injury from a motorcycle accident.  He is also a very "brittle", Type I diabetic (since age 7) who is now experiencing complications of long term diabetes.  He has "good days" and "bad days" and "really bad days".

I am fortunate to have a very supportive spouse who cares as about my brother as much as I do.  We live in a rural area on 40 acres which allows my brother to live in a single-wide trailer across the driveway from us, and allows him (and his dog "Sarge") to stay at our house for the "really bad" days and nights.  Over the past several years, my bother has had over 50 medical appointments per year, five surgeries, multiple emergency room visits and two hospitalizations.

Prior to bringing my brother back "home" to Colorado five years ago, I worked at a university as a (non-lawyer) contract specialist and in other administrative positions for 25 years.  I miss having co-workers/friends and the intellectual stimulation and sense of accomplishment from working away home; but am very glad to be able to be there for my brother (and husband, mother, step-son, friends as needed).

Because of my commitment to my brother, I cannot in good conscientious commit to a full-time job or even most part-time jobs.  I have been able to work 4 hours per week providing care to a quadriplegic gentleman who lives two towns away from us.  

We have heard about adult children caring for parents and grandparents raising (and adopting) their grandchildren.  But there must be LOTS of people out there caring for siblings, adult children, spouses, neighbors, strangers, etc.  Some of those stories might be interesting from time to time.

I agree with all above--real people and real stories should be reported rather than what Hollywood does to help the aged and what those in priveleged situations do to help their aging parents.  I am a caregiver to my 81-year old father who suffers from Parkinson's and dementia--we care for him wholly and completely providing him financial, emotional and physical support.  Come visit the heartland to see what real families in real situations do to care for their loved ones.

I'm a 28 year old professional and have watched NBC news my whole life.  Unfortunately, I can't agree with the previous entries enough and am disgusted by this "series".  To show Nancy Snyderman and Maria Menounos, who have ENDLESS resources (money, time, contacts, etc.), this "series" is nothing more than a promotion of your correspondents.  The average American cannot afford to have their parents quit their jobs and move to their daughter's compound in Los Angeles while spending the other half of their year "at their home in Connecticut", nor can they afford to build an entire addition to their home for their aging parents.  In these times of recession and record gas prices, NBC should be focusing on actually helping their viewers cope with the costs aging parents require and not self-aggrandizing promotions of the rich and famous.  I'm disappointed in you.

Dear Maria,
It was encouraging and a little sad to watch your segment on the Nightly News.  It was encouraging to see that you have taken responsibility for your parents - not all children do this.  My brother (and his family) and I are currently caring for our 92 year old mother.  It is the least we can do for her after all she has done for us.
What was sad to me in your report was about your father's type 1 diabetes.  Both my brother and I are type 1 and have struggled through the years with very low low's and high high's.  The part that I struggle with alot is that I am not married and have no children.  I wonder who will take care of me when I am unable to do so.  I don't dwell on it endlessly but it is a concern.  Having gone through what your father has experienced it was very encouraging to see that you care for your paren't so much.  Keep up the good work.

We are a low to middle-class family and we also found out the best course of action to care for my elderly mother was to build a 450 sq foot efficieny apartment onto our house.  It was pretty expensive considering it was just one large room with a closet, bathroom and mini kitchen.  We took out a second mortgage to suppliment the balance we could not pay.  But it has worked out great for my mother and us.  She has been here for almost 2 years. We rent out her old home to pay the mortgage plus she gives us an allowance each month to pay her part of our expenses.  She has enough of her own space to feel she is on her own, yet can come into the main house when she wants company.  I would recommend this arrangement to anyone who has the space to add on and the financial means to attempt it.  It is not just for the rich.  I would be very interested in seeing what Dr. Snyderman's parents apartment looks like.  Not so I could feel jealous, since I am very happy with our arrangement.  I would just like to see how they arrange the space.   I also agree with Janet that I would like to be able to count my mother as a dependent on my taxes but that is not possible since her income, although much lower than $22,000 is still to high to qualify.

Hi Maria-
Do you actually read these comments?  Thank you for your report on your parents, I was especially interested in hearing about your father with type I diabetes. Your story further intrigued me when you mentioned that once your father went onto the insulin pump, he no longer gets severe insulin reactions.  Is that really true?  I'd love to know the name of his endocrinologist.  My husband has been on the insulin pump since 2001 and he been in the hospital a few times with severe insulin reactions.  Finding a good endocrinologist who can regulate people with insulin pumps is like finding water in the desert.

All of the trading places stories have been interesting and touching - if a little out of the typical American family reality.  It's still helpful to know how many people are facing the same issues and how they solve them.  The story tonight on Ann Curry's dad was very sad and sweet.  Reminds me of my own dad and how much I cherish every day with him.  Thanks to everyone for telling their personal stories.  

I find the "Trading Places" series nothing but hype and fluff.
Also quite self-serving, with self-adulation on the part of
Brian Williams, Marie menounos, Ann Curry, and Nancy Snyderman
by profiling stories about themselves and their parents.
These people are certainly affluent enough that they should
rightfully provide/help with their ailing/dying parents. Not self promoting themselves for admiration/recognition for doing so.

There are many, many other such stories to be told of
ordinary people who have to struggle/sacrifice much more
to do the same for their own parents.
Those are the stories that should make news.

I find the "Trading Places" series nothing but hype and fluff.
Also quite self-serving, with self-adulation on the part of
Brian Williams, Marie menounos, Ann Curry, and Nancy Snyderman
by profiling stories about themselves and their parents.
These people are certainly affluent enough that they should
rightfully provide/help with their ailing/dying parents. Not self promoting themselves for admiration/recognition for doing so.

There are many, many other such stories to be told of
ordinary people who have to struggle/sacrifice much more
to do the same for their own parents.
Those are the stories that should make news.

I find the Series of "Changing Places" to be nothing more than
a sentimental fluff piece of tabloid journalism.  It is merely Self-Serving
with Self-Adulation on  the parts of Brian Williams, Maria Menounous, Ann Curry and Nancy Snyderman in profiling themselves and their
ailing/dying parents.

All of these 'Celebrities' are certainly more affluent than most, and
financially well off to be able to help/provide for their parents.  Yet
they all seek special recognition/admiration for what they rightfully
and ethically should be doing.

Wy not do a series on 'real people' who are less fortunate, and yet
in a very similar circumstance, and have to struggle/sacrifice much
harder to provide that same love/care for their family?

I find the above criticisms of this series on "Trading Places" to be extremely sad and cynical. By choosing to watch a particular network on a regular basis, we invite these reporters into our homes to report the news of the day. Do any of you stop and think about who they are and how they handle the issues each of us faces on a universal level.
    Having lost my mother in the last year, I found myself extremely moved by Ann Curry's piece on the life, death, and legacy of her own father. This was not hype, fluff, or self-promotion; this was a very touching piece about the connection of our parents to us as they get older and how w never should stop learning from them at any step of the way.
    Seems to me in this era of 24 hour access to news on wars, politics, and matters of great importance, we should take a little time out every once in a while to recognize what we all have in common...no matter what our financial status is.

What bright one thought this piece would somehow touch our lives..I found it a slap in the face and an insult. Go to some caregiver forums and read how the majority of americans are dealing with aging parents. Read them well..mind you they are not discussing which architect to hire for the new wing...Families are torn taking care of children and parents, grandchildren taking care of grandparents so parents can work. Re-think what you have portrayed...just isnt real.
Have not watched nightly news since that broadcast..and probably never will

The idea of doing a piece on aging parents of children who have the resources to take care of them is ludicrous.  Why not show children who are taking care of aging parents on less than 50k a year?

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