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At certain places in our lives, talking about the future can be incredibly exciting. We imagine the adventures we’ll have, the home we’ll live in, the partner we may meet and the kids we might be lucky enough to raise. However, as we get older, thinking about the future can become a little less exciting and a bit more overwhelming for both the individual and their loved ones.
As a loved one or caregiver of an older adult, you may feel many competing emotions when it comes to how to plan for your loved one’s future. Beginning a conversation about their wishes for the future isn’t something most adult children are anxious to do. In fact, it is common for families to put off having these discussions altogether. Many worry that these topics are too sensitive to tackle with their loved one and try to avoid them completely.
Topics like transitioning away from driving, downsizing from a large home, or moving to an assisted living community can be heavy topics that can be difficult for both older adults and their adult children to mention let alone discuss at length. for fear of upsetting the senior.
Anticipating the awkwardness of these talks maybe overwhelming and navigating them may be challenging at first. However, it’s important to remember that as a loved one or caregiver of an older, a solid plan for the future will give both you and your loved one peace of mind and ensure that their needs are met in timely and thoughtful way.
As you consider beginning these conversations or revisiting them with your senior loved one, reference these useful tips for additional guidance and support:
Tips for Tackling Difficult Conversations about your Loved One’s Future