Having the Conversation About Care Needs
Having the Conversation About Care Needs
Major life transitions can be difficult, especially when those changes involve an aging loved one. Many caregivers struggle with the best way to discuss sensitive topics with an aging parent and other family members. These conversations with an aging loved one can include the loss of driving privileges, relocating to a new residence, home safety, and increasing care needs or finances, to name a few.
How to begin the conversation is just as important as the actual decisions that need to be made. A good plan and approach will help make the conversations easier and more productive for everyone.
Click to listen to this episode:
Tune in for insights and resources from Certified Senior Advisor® Laura Cooley.
About Laura:
Laura Cooley is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and has worked for nearly a decade as a Senior Care Advisor for CarePatrol of Colorado Springs - Pueblo. She has advised hundreds of families who need advice and guidance when it comes to understanding senior care, care options, and how to navigate it all to make the best decision. Prior to that, she worked in the medical devices and pharmaceutical sales industries.
Laura is passionate about supporting seniors and their loved ones in her community. She knows that knowledge is power and is passionate about ensuring her families have what they need. She enjoys being outdoors, backpacking, diving, and traveling - all with her husband.
Show Notes:
- Understanding the signs that your parent/family member or older adult may need extra support to accomplish activities of daily living
- Tips for caregivers to start the conversation about support to meet care needs
- Tips for communicating concerns with a parent, family member or older adult about the support needed
- Available support for older adults to help “lighten the caregiving load” (e.g., home care, meal delivery, transportation, etc.)
- Additional resources to support caregivers and older adults
Episode Resources:
- 20 Signs Your Loved One Needs More Help [CarePatrol to Upload File]
- Long Distance Caregiving - Twenty Questions and Answers (National Institute on Aging)
- When It’s Time to Leave Home (National Institute on Aging)
- Eight Tips for Talking to Your Aging Parents About Important Issues (Mentalhelp.net)
