5 tips for tackling tough topics with aging parents

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Communication and caring.

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As your parents get older, it’s likely they’ll need more help across the board—from handling health problems to managing money, never mind trickier questions of where (and how) they want to live out their last years. But that’s not the hard part.

The real challenge comes when you have to talk to your mom and dad about all of the above. Throw your siblings into the mix, and you’ll definitely want a few pro tips on navigating tough conversations with aging parents.

Dad’s memory is slipping. Mom is unsteady on her feet. Your parents may have good days and bad days, but as people approach their 80s, aging is typically accompanied by a steady loss of physical and mental faculties. But people don’t age at the same pace or in the same ways.

For some, the toll of aging is more cognitive. For others, aging manifests as a series of medical conditions. These changes can be hard to spot and harder to admit—for everyone, including your folks.

When possible, spend a day or two with your parents to look for signs they may be slowing down. Get in the habit of checking in on a laundry list of concerns so you can spot patterns, name the hurdles, and start talking through solutions.

And speaking of talking …

All too often, families wait until there’s an actual crisis before starting the conversation. But the last thing you want is to field urgent questions about health care proxies or selecting a nursing home from a hospital waiting room.

It’s better to address tough topics sooner so you can take a more gradual approach. That way, the picture of your parents’ estate plans—or where they want to live, and how much insurance they have—can take shape over time.

Did your first attempt at discussion land with a thud? It happens … a lot. Be patient. Give it a few tries. Ease into the discussion by mentioning a related story affecting a friend, or a similar situation in a book or movie. Don’t try to get your way; instead, try to build rapport.

Plus, by having frequent check-ins—with your siblings, parents, and other relatives—you’re more likely to catch patterns (e.g., an unpaid bill) before they become big problems (e.g., a drawer full of unpaid bills).

Whatever you do, avoid acting like a parent to your elderly mom and dad. That’s a sure way to stoke your parents’ resentment. Unless a parent is cognitively impaired, it’s best to try a collaborative, sympathetic approach.

Sure, you probably have clear ideas and strong opinions about what steps to take in a given situation. Just remember that no one likes being pushed around. Instead, get your parents’ input—on everything. You can start with: “What would you like your lasting legacy to be?” Or: “What are your thoughts on assisted living versus in-home care?”

Then, step back a little and listen. You might be surprised. It might take your folks a few conversations to articulate their ideas, but taking things step by step can help you arrive at a solution (or compromise) that feels right for everyone.

You and your siblings each have a different relationship with your parents. As you approach sensitive topics, identify the best person for a certain task or conversation. Maybe you take the lead on financial issues, while your sibling handles some estate planning work. Ideally, no one gets overburdened (more on that in #5).

If you’re dealing with your parents one-on-one, and/or your parents don’t have advisors they trust, this might be the time to seek outside help. Although a financial advisor or elder care lawyer might come to mind, these days there are many resources for adult kids with older parental units. Geriatric care managers, for example, may be able to handle certain benefits or entitlements—and all the associated paperwork—so you don’t have to.

Helping your older parents, even under the best circumstances, takes time, energy—and (often) money. In a perfect world, everyone would pitch in and do their part, but life doesn’t always work that way. One sibling may live in the neighborhood, while another lives 2,000 miles away.

A crucial part of having productive talks with your folks is also having candid conversations with your siblings and other loved ones. It can be uncomfortable to ask a family member for help or support, especially when there is disagreement on a particular issue. But by keeping the channels of communication open, you’ll have a better shot at achieving the main goal—the well-being of Mom and Dad.

Think of family conversations around elderly parents as a specialized skill you haven’t had to learn until now. Rather than trying to power through these big issues, recognize that the topics that come up when your parents get older are emotional, complex, and deserve extra time and a thoughtful exchange. You may end up learning more than you expected. And that’s a legacy you can lean on when your adult children try to raise these matters with you someday.