Blog > How Can You Make Talking about Aging Easier?

How Can You Make Talking about Aging Easier?

No one likes big changes and that’s often what aging adults are faced with suddenly. Talking about what is happening before it does happen can be immensely helpful, even if it is difficult. What you can do is to prepare yourself and your words as carefully as you can beforehand. Things are likely to go a lot better, and that’s important for both you and your elderly family member.

Organize Your Own Thoughts First

Take some time to write out what you’re thinking and feeling. This might feel like a step you don’t need, but it gives you clarity about what you want to make sure you mention to your senior. You can use your notes to create a more cohesive outline that flows the way you want it to flow. You may find that there are additional issues that you hadn’t realized were important to you.

Set Some Ground Rules

It’s also important that you set some ground rules for yourself and for the conversation. You’re not trying to create “perfect” answers or situations, so it’s more about keeping your own mind open and talking to your senior about what she needs most. Remember to be as respectful of your senior’s situation as you can be. Listen to what she is sharing with you.

Get Another Opinion if You Need It

Before the conversation, you might want to get a second or even third opinion of what you’re planning to talk about. This might be a friend or another family member, but it needs to be someone who doesn’t have a vested interest in the outcome. That way you know that they’re going to share their honest opinion with you.

Look for Ways to Start the Talk Gently

How you start this conversation matters a lot. If you jump in with both feet insisting that she let senior care providers help her, she might just dig in her own heels. Waiting for a good opportunity to bring up the topic gently gives you a chance to ease her into what you want to talk about. And you might just find that she’s a lot more open to what you’re concerned about when you handle things more delicately.

There may never be an absolutely perfect time to have this type of conversation. But what you can do is do the best that you can with the opportunities that you have.