Alexandra Morbitzer, 23, also keeps secrets from her mother to shield her matriarch from stress. Her parents, who reside in Ohio, have no idea that her maternal grandfather’s health has declined. “He is a retired FDNY firefighter who helped out in the aftermath of 9/11,” Alexandra explains. Whenever Alexandra goes to Long Island to visit, she notices subtle differences in his health. “I don’t tell my mother,” Alexandra admits. “She has a lot on her own plate, and I know that it would cause her additional worry. so instead, I take him to his appointments, make sure his prescriptions are filled and only tell her the need-to-know information.”
