How to Say It to Seniors (Part I)

If you’re a middle-aged child of aging parents, you may have concluded, by now, that there is no way to effectively communicate with your parents…particularly if their physical or mental health is starting to fail them.

We live, of course, in a culture that defies youth. Even middle-agers now worship at the altar of eternal youth. And, unconsciously, our aging parents may bother us. Let’s face it – our parents are proof that youth isn’t eternal. And that one day we’re going to be the aging parents.

When it comes to talking with each other, it almost seems like middle-agers are teenagers again, and their parents are back in middle-age. The language and perception divides seem basically un-bridgeable.

For most people, mid-life is a time of independence. You know who and what you are (hopefully!). You can probably handle most obstacles thrown in front of you, through a combination of wisdom and confidence.

Elderly parents, however, are in a totally different stage. They’re giving up responsibilities, and slowing down. As their physical health and their independence begin to decline, they try to hold onto the areas of life they can still control. And while you’re still looking ahead, they’re starting to look behind, to try and understand the significance of their own lives.

If you can somehow cross this communications bridge, though, the rewards can be great…for both children and parents.By understanding what your parents are going through, you’ll have a great chance to narrow – or even close – the communications gap! And we can help.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we practice Elder Law – and only Elder Law. Over the past 34 years, we’ve helped thousands of South Florida families bridge generational communications gaps. And we’ve helped them secure their futures, as well, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid or the VA.

We help bring families together. We provide them with financial security. And we’re just a phone call away.