40/70 Rule

BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

The problems of aging often leave family caregivers and their senior parents speechless. What does an adult daughter say to her dad when he’s hit a light pole with the car? How does a grown son ask his mom if she’s taking her medications like she should? How does a widow explain to her children that she needs help around the house without losing more of her independence?

Many of us have faced such questions. Sensitive issues like these prompted Home Instead Senior Care to launch a public-education campaign designed to help family caregivers and seniors bridge the communication gap when it comes to discussing sensitive subjects.

The campaign is based on original research conducted in the U.S. and Canada by Home Instead Senior Care. Surprisingly, this research revealed that nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have a major communication obstacle with their parents that stems from continuation of the parent-child role.* In other words, it can be difficult to get the conversation going because seniors are still treating their adult offspring like children.

More generally, this Home Instead Senior Care survey found that Boomers have the most difficulty talking with their parents about independence issues, such as continuing to live in their own homes. Their parents’ desire to remain independent makes it challenging to address such sensitive issues as health (28 percent) and money (21 percent).

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