| Dear Carolyn: Once they retired, my parents moved to their hometown — a city I have never lived in that is not close. They have been very generous financially with cousins and family members. They can afford this and have never been taken advantage of. Now, as they age and need a little help themselves, I see them afraid to ask for help from their nieces and nephews, and no one is offering. I fly in for big things, but sometimes they just need help with an errand or moving an item in their home. My parents will just do without or overextend themselves. I assume my cousins have never thought to offer and my parents have been too reserved to ask. How do I suggest to my cousins that they could offer to help sometimes? Then my parents might call when they need a hand. — Long-Distance Family | 
