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Five Ways to Talk with Your Loved One About End-of-Life Issues
04 November 2011
- Keep it light. Have this talk at a time that is not serious.Try to make it a fun experience; reserve a private dining room in a restaurant or a family sunday lunch.
- Immediate family only. Limiting this type of meeting to immediate family members is often more efficient. The group is smaller; your parent will likely be delighted to spend time with just his or her children and be more open to the discussion.
- Don’t make it an intervention. Think about how you would like to be approached with such matters. Maybe start by sharing a story of another family in a similar situation or produce yourpre-planning checklist and talk about how you are “getting your affairs in order.”
- Make good use of a holiday gathering. This may be when all family members are present and, therefore, a good opportunity to devote some of the time to discussing these details. Perhaps the oldest sibling could initiate the conversation, but no sibling should be left out.
- Limit initial expectations. Even though a talk about end-of life issues may have been on your mind for a while, it might not be top-of-mind for your parent. Allow your parent to process the proposals and maintain as much dignity and independence as possible. It might be easier than you imagine.