Conversations we need to have with our parents as they get older

Hello everyone!

The topic of our parents getting older is something that can give a lot of adults a lot of anxiety. Seeing their stage of life change, and understanding the implications that can come with that, including changes in how vital and independent we see them, can take a period of adjustment. But it’s important to make sure that we don’t avoid the necessary conversations that can come with that change. Here, we’re going to look at some of the conversations we should be having with our ageing parents.

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Who is going to help them take care of their needs?

As your parents get older, it’s likely that, at some point, their independence might come into question. Whether due to changes related to age, illness, or disability, they might not be able to take care of all of their own needs, anymore, and you might be concerned after they have suffered an injury in their home. Talking about the prospect of professional care for your parents can help ensure that they are able to safely meet all of their needs while living as independently as possible.

Where will they live?

With those questions of independence will come the follow-up question: where will your parents live? If they can have a live-in carer, that might be one solution, but it’s not affordable for every family. Some adult children can take in their ageing parents, but that’s not always particularly feasible, either. Taking the time to look at care homes and other nearby options together can help you ensure your parent gets the safe and comfortable lodging they deserve. Selecting the right assisted living facility could even help to improve their social life, integrating them into a new community.

How they are going to manage their health from now on

A lot of people start to experience some trouble with managing visits to the doctor alone as they get older, and this is another respect in which you could start to help theme. For instance, you could start to attend doctor’s appointments with them, provided you have their permission, to take down notes and to ask questions that they might not think to, in the moment. You can also set up things like reminders for any medication or appointments they might have to factor into their life.

The far future

No one wants to get too morbid with their parents but, there may come a time that the conversation will come up of what happens after they are gone. It might be on their mind, or having a peer die may bring the topic into focus. Talking to your parent about establishing a will can offer them some peace of mind to ensure that any final wishes they might have will be honoured and that any assets they have can be divided precisely how they want it with the help of a lawyer.

No matter what your parents are, it’s important to treat them with the respect that they deserve, and to come to them from a place of compassion, understanding, and a desire to help. 

Thank you for reading, and until next time, take care.