Dear Abby: Family’s harmless teasing quickly turns to mean-spirited remarks
By Abigail Van Buren
Published on April 7, 2026.
A woman whose family's harmless teasing quickly turns into mean-spirited remarks about her hearing or mental alertness is being targeted by her own sister, also in her early 80s, who is showing mental decline and memory problems. The comments were so offensive that I had to leave the house and began to observe the family's behavior. I am ashamed for not speaking out at the time. If these comments are true, consider telling the individuals responsible for their comments that their behavior is hurtful.
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