Most major events in life require
planning. We plan for the birth of a child.
We plan a wedding. We plan our business ventures. We even plan our
vacations or how we are going to spend our time off. Why is it then, that we do
not plan for the inevitable needs of our aging loved ones?
We know that it is
human nature to avoid the issues that are too complicated, or seemingly
unpleasant. We know that change is
inevitable and wrought with life-altering experiences. Yet, we avoid “having the talk”, discussing the concerns that most of our aging parents have about the next chapter of their lives.
Many people
avoid “having the talk”, because they feel it’s too personal, or because they think that it’s too
sensitive to speak to their parents about, and the parents feel that it’s a
burden on their family.The real
burden is expecting the family to make difficult decisions in a difficult time,
in crisis mode.
By putting a plan in place, it allows our parents to take control of their own quality of life and independence. It allows them to make informed decisions about their own life and it opens the line of communication with family members about their needs and concerns. Being proactive and planning ahead makes the process much easier for everyone involved.
By planning ahead, we not only make the inevitable LIFE TRANSITIONS smoother, but we offer our loved ones the opportunity to share in
the decision making with dignity and respect.
1 comment:
It's kind of like pre-need funeral arrangements or drawing up a will. These are two ultra-important items to draft, yet who wants to take them on? Good post Chris, thank you for sharing!
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