As a supportive son or daughter, you are probably concerned for the well-being of your parents as they reach their golden years. It’s important to plan for the future by talking to your parents about the kind of help they’ll need in order to be comfortable in their own homes. Here are a few important considerations that could make the conversation easy and effective:

Take a positive approach to the topic. Try bringing up the subject of their future needs when things are going well in your parents’ life, rather than at a time of stress. Allow your parents to make their own informed decisions, and resist the temptation to force decisions on critical issues upon them unless their health or safety is in immediate jeopardy.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask your mother or father to help you understand what’s important to them, and what kind of assistance they think they would need to help them stay in their home as long as possible.

Make it easier for your parents to accept assistance. Discuss with your parents about your experience in asking for help, or the experience of a friend or relative, when they asked for help. Show some understanding about how hard it is for anyone used to being independent and/or self reliant to ask for assistance from others.

Concentrate on your parents’ specific needs, desires, and concerns about their present and future quality of life. You may want to inquire about any possible safety issues in their home, or about any modifications (hand rails, ramps, etc.) that can be made to make their home more comfortable to be in.

Ask about their day to day activities. What would your parents need assistance with the most? Is it the meal preparation? House cleaning? Gardening or yard work? Mobility? Ask them if there is anything about their current lifestyle that has an adverse affect on their enjoyment of daily activities.

Always know their health status. Ask your parents about any health problems they have, and find out if they have the means to manage their daily healthcare needs. Documenting a short list or schedule of their medical requirements would aid in analyzing their ability to maintain their medical needs. Listing things such as when are the prescriptions refilled, what medication is taken at what hour or on what day, how much the prescriptions should cost, and more can help understand their medical needs and monitor their management of them.

Make sure they can meet their financial obligations. It may be a little awkward or difficult to inquire about your parents’ finances, but it’s very important to know if they can afford to pay their bills, maintain well balanced diets, and take some time to enjoy some of the things that bring joy into their lives.

Familiarize yourself with how your parents get around. Do they drive, or do they take advantage of the local public transportation systems? Do they get rides with friends, or are they walking to their destinations? Familiarizing yourself with how your parents travel can aid in finding the best ways to get to their destinations efficiently and safely.

Research community services and resources available specifically for the elderly. Local public transportation, meals on wheels, shopping services, or other home care services that are immediately available to the general public make it possible for your parents to remain independent.

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