Starting the conversation early about where to best age in place could be advantageous. "When it comes to talking about living options, it is best practice to start early," noted Home Instead® Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate Lakelyn Hogan, Ph.D. "Talk to your adult children when you're in your 50s and 60s, rather than when the need arises," she said. And, if you’re an adult child, initiating these conversations could bring peace of mind to the entire family.
Adult children, consider these conversation starters:
“Dad, I have a special birthday gift for you. I’d like to hire someone to do a few things for you around the house, like vacuuming and cleaning the bathrooms. It would be such an honor for me to give you a gift like this.”
“Mom, I wanted to show you this great article about all the gadgets that are available to help us in our homes. I’d like to try one out. Will you help too?”
If you’re a senior, here are some ideas to help get the conversation going:
“I think there are some ways I can keep living here that will make you comfortable with the situation. Let’s work on that, OK?”
“Susan, I like living here and it’s very important to me to stay independent. Nevertheless, I have been having problems with two things: paying my bills and keeping my medications straight. Will you help me figure this out?”
For more suggestions on communicating difficult subjects, visit www.4070talk.com.
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