“Each situation's as different as it is the same. We all have our unique situations, but the actual process is very similar.”
Caring for an aging parent often comes with many questions. Knowing where to turn for answers can make the journey a little easier for caregivers in all stages of life. For those who are working, that support can also help them navigate caregiving responsibilities while remaining in the workforce.
That’s the idea behind the new Oklahoma City chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents (ACAP), which launched its free monthly educational seminars in September at Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Portland Campus.
ACAP Oklahoma City is the first chapter of the national nonprofit organization in Oklahoma. Spearheaded by Shannon Stiger, the group will meet on the second Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about resources, ask questions, and connect with others who understand the challenges of caring for an aging family member.
“We just need one lunch hour once a month for you to be able to come out and hopefully get some good information and just feel seen and heard,” Stiger said.
Kaycie Craig, a consultant on Francis Tuttle’s Workforce and Economic Development team, said the group addresses “a true workforce problem” as people navigate being caregivers for their parents, sometimes while also caring for children.
“There are people in the workforce who are maybe in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who are not done with their careers, but they’re dealing with children they’re raising, and they’re dealing with older parents and trying to balance it all and not miss too much work,” Craig said.
According to a 2025 AARP study, the average Oklahoma caregiver is 48 years old, and of the more than 800,000 family caregivers in the state, more than half are simultaneously working and caregiving. Nationally, 51 million Americans are caring for someone 50 or older, and 16% have retired early or resigned, while 18% have moved from full-time to part-time roles.
Kirsten Lindsay, Francis Tuttle’s WED director, said those numbers illustrate why supporting caregivers is an important part of addressing Oklahoma’s workforce challenges.
“Our business in WED is training workers to address labor force issues, but not enough is being done to prevent experienced workers from exiting the workforce,” Lindsay said. “The economic cost of the quiet quitting of caregivers is huge. Anything that we can do to connect caregivers to resources has a huge economic impact on the caregivers themselves and the businesses that employ them.”
Behind these statistics are families navigating difficult situations, something Stiger knows firsthand. Nearly 20 years ago, her grandfather became ill and was hospitalized unexpectedly. Stiger’s family found themselves making important decisions while struggling to understand the terminology and processes presented to them.
Through her work as a realtor, Stiger, who is a Certified Senior Housing Professional, has seen more adult children helping their parents through crises, downsizing, and other major life transitions.
After Stiger joined forces with local businesses and organizations as educational partners, ACAP Oklahoma City began taking shape earlier this year. The partners, many of whom have personal experiences as adult children caring for their parents, will attend the seminars to answer questions and provide information, Stiger said.
The partners come from a range of organizations because the goal is to take a holistic approach to aging and caregiving. Partners include Concordia Life Plan Community, Cooper Creek, Edward Jones, Just for Seniors, Senior Care Referral Services, Villages OKC, and Webb Roofing and Construction.
Rather than serving as sales opportunities, Stiger explained the intent is to give participants a chance to meet local professionals and learn about resources they can turn to when they need them.
The topic for September’s seminar was “I Don’t Know Where to Start: Finding Help for Aging Parents.” Upcoming topics include:
- Oct. 8 - Helping Without Taking Over: Legal and Financial Tools for Caregivers
- Nov. 12 - Protecting Parents: Scams, Fraud & Financial Exploitation
- Dec. 10 - Starting Difficult Conversations with Aging Parents
The seminars are free, but participants are encouraged to register so organizers can plan for attendance. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch, and snacks will be provided.
As the chapter grows, Stiger hopes that ACAP Oklahoma City becomes a trusted local resource for people responsible for helping an aging parent — ideally before they are in the middle of a crisis. The goal, Stiger said, is not simply to provide information but also to create a network where people can find both practical resources and reassurance that they are not alone.
“Each situation's as different as it is the same,” Stiger said. “We all have our unique situations, but the actual process is very similar. We want to share that so people know where they can go to ask questions and get information. It's sometimes just nice to know that there are other people going through the same thing, that you just have somebody else who can say, ‘I hear you. I've done that. This is what we did,’ and just a hug and say, ‘You're going to make it through it.’ That's really important to us.”