Dr. Meg,

Recently, my sister, her husband and their 2 young teenage children moved closer to my parents’ home. (They used to live out of state.) While my sister has always struggled financially, I have never been concerned with how she raised my niece and nephew. They always had what they needed and seemed happy.  Since she has moved back ‘home’, I am worried about my sister. Her health appears bad, her financial struggles seem more intense than ever, and I feel like my niece and nephew aren’t being cared for. Some of her actions lead me to believe that she’s abusing prescription drugs and that she may even have gone far enough to steal money from my parents. I am very worried–obviously about her but also about my niece and nephew. I want to approach her and get her help but don’t know how to do it in a way that she will not resent me or cut me off. Do you have any insight?

-Worried Sister

Dear Worried Sister,

The best way to confront someone who is spiraling downward is in a loving manner. Your sister will easily become defensive so your first goal is to keep communication open…