Talking about long term care:
We know some things are harder to talk about with your aging parents or loved ones. But it’s important to talk with them about long term care and what they want for themselves in the future, so you can help them live the life they want. And it’s best to have that talk as soon as you can. Here are some suggestions that can help you open up the topic.
Sometimes it’s just best to come right out and tell your loved ones what’s on your mind. It’s something most people think about as they age, and it might be a relief to bring it out into the open for everyone.
Bring it up when you are talking about someone else’s situation. Chances are you know someone who is already dealing with these issues, and you can use it as a springboard to talk about what your loved one wants for herself.
You can give them an article or direct them to a website that has information about long term care, and use this to launch a discussion.
Whenever you see an opening in the conversation about someone who is in long term care or a related topic, take the opportunity to ask your loved one what their desires are, and if they have a plan in place yet.
You can enlist the help of another family member or friend to talk with you and your loved one. It’s possible that they may be more open to talk to someone who is not so close to the situation. Don’t feel that you have to do it alone. It’s okay to ask for help.
Remember that seventy percent of Americans will need some kind of long term care some time in their life. Those are pretty big odds. It’s always best to be well-prepared, so choose one of these suggestions and have that talk.