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Blog Post by Mike Brunt
Your dad is 82 years old and is very determined to continue driving. He lives alone in the home he and your mom lived in together for 40 years. Driving is his lifeline to independence, and he did not responded positively when you questioned the safety of his driving. You just showed up at his house to bring him dinner and noticed a couple of new dents on the rear bumper of his car. What should you say? What can you do? He may be endangering himslef and others on the road. If he ends up hurting someone, how will you feel if you didn’t take a stand?
Communicating with your senior loved ones on the topics of driving, money, health, memory issues, family dynamics, and even romance can be very challenging. As a child, you may not be in the habit of questioning your parents on these issues, and they may not feel a need to be accountable to you in this way. But, as the aging process continues, there is a greater need to communicate with your parents as peers and even advisors.
The “40-70 Rule” means that if you are 40, or your parents are 70, it’s time to start talking about certain senior topics.
Find out more by clicking on the link below:
A Guide to Conversation Starters for Boomers and Their Senior Loved Ones
Lynnae
/ March 15, 2010This is such an important topic. We see so many family situations that need this guidance. Thanks Mike!
Karen
/ April 12, 2010It is so important to have a conversation with your parents sooner than later, especially before a crisis has occurred. 40-70 is a good “rule of thumb” to begin the process of talking to your loved ones. Then everyone has a chance to voice their opinions, look at all the options available, and plan for the future. Good advice!
Kelly
/ April 13, 2010Preparing for the future can be such a difficult topic to bring up. The “40/70 Rule” is a good guide on how to approach different subject that would be beneficial to our loved ones. Thank you for sharing this!
Tina
/ April 16, 2010The “40/70 Rule” encourages families to approach this conversation with intention. It can help open the lines of communication and thought, putting families in a better situation down the road, when the time comes to make difficult decisions. Sometimes it just takes finding the right conversation starter….the “40/70 Rule” is a great resource to apply!