The 40/70 Rule: Intergenerational Conversations

I want to share an
article that one of our Board Members, Carolyn Lucz, wrote for us that I
thought would be helpful for those of you taking on the role of caretaker for
your parents.  I hope it is helpful for
you.

“There comes a time
when children may need to take on the role of a parent.  It can be prompted by a crisis in the family
due to a death of one parent, or simply by the realization that a parent’s
health is declining.  It can be as minor
as considering extra help in the home, or as life changing as selling the
family home and looking for an assisted living facility.

Often, the time to
broach touchy subjects seems to come suddenly; however, upon reflection, often
there have been signs that should have prompted a discussion. Maybe you’ve
noticed that your 78-year-old mother finds it hard to remember the names of her
grandchildren, or forgets to feed her beloved pet.  Perhaps she has been leaving the television
and radio on night and day, and subscribes to the daily newspaper but can’t
read it because of failing eyesight.

Fearing the loss of
independence, a parent may reject any assistance out of hand.  How do you talk with your mom and dad about
driving, dating and financial matters?
Here’s where the 40/70 Rule can open communication between baby boomers
and their parents.

Dr. Jake Harwood,
professor of communications at the University of Arizona, has developed a guide
outlining seven tips to communication.
The following suggestions can pave the way for better intergenerational
communication and more fulfilling relationships.

 Seven Tips to Help Boomer Children Communicate With Their
Aging Parents

 1.
GET
STARTED. If you’re 40 or your parents are 70, it’s time to start observing and
gathering information carefully and thoughtfully. Don’t reach a conclusion from
a single observation and decide on the best solution until you have gathered
information with an open mind and talked to your parents. 

2.
TALK
IT OUT. Approach your parents with conversation. Discuss what you’ve observed
and ask your parents what they think is going on. If your parents acknowledge
the situation, ask what they think would be good solutions. If your parents
don’t recognize the problem, use concrete examples to support your case.

3.
SOONER
IS BETTER. Talk sooner rather than later when a crisis has occurred. If you
know your loved one has poor eyesight or has trouble driving at night, begin to
address those issues before a problem arises.

4.
FORGET
THE BABY TALK. Remember you are talking to an adult, not a child. Patronizing
speech or baby talk will put older adults on the defensive and convey a lack of
respect for them. Put yourself in your parents’ shoes and think of how you
would want to be addressed in the situation.

5.
MAXIMIZE
INDEPENDENCE. Always try to move toward solutions that provide the maximum
amount of independence for the older person. Look for answers that optimize
strengths and compensate for problems. For instance, if your loved one needs
help at home, look for tools that can help them maintain their strengths.
Professional caregiving services provide assistance in a number of areas
including meal preparation, light housekeeping or medication reminders. Or find
friends that can help.

6.
BE
AWARE OF THE WHOLE SITUATION. If your dad dies and soon afterward your mom’s
house seems to be in disarray, it’s probably not because she suddenly became
ill. It’s much more likely to stem from a lack of social support and the loss
of a life-long relationship. Make sure that your mom has friends and a social
life.

7.
ASK
FOR HELP. Many of the issues of aging can be solved by providing parents with
the support they need to continue to maintain their independence. Resources
such as Area Agencies on Aging and local senior centers can help provide those
solutions.   If you are dealing with
Alzheimer’s Disease, they can help with many resources.