Today’s edition of Cleveland.com has a great article from The Plain Dealer’s Ellen Kleinerman on how to talk with your aging parents about their future.
Here’s a brief excerpt from the article:
Getting started: Few people think twice about getting life insurance, so consider preparations for growing old as your family’s insurance for the future, experts advise.
“Hope for the best, but plan for the worst,” (Kathleen) Parrino said.
Adult children with parents who just don’t want to talk about an aging plan should look for opportunities within conversations, (Ross) Wilkoff said. If a parent talks about a friend’s circumstances, ask the parent what he thinks. What would he like or not like if he were in that situation?
Ask how a visit to the doctor went, and if there are any changes or concerns. If there are mobility issues, ask parents if they want to rearrange the house, remove obstacles, install handrails or improve lighting.
“Always treat the parent like an adult and help them think things through,” he said.
These conversations aren’t always easy, but choosing to have them lets your loved one know you care and gives you the opportunity to help them live the way they want to for as long as possible.