20. Having "The Talk" with Your Elder Loved One

My guest today is Cynthia Perthuis who leads and owns the Senior Care Authority offices in New York City and Southwest Florida. Cynthia has a passion for helping others and advocating for those that do not have the ability to speak for themselves. Her own personal experience with her parents and her entrepreneurial background has helped so many family members with the stress of helping and caring for aging loved ones.

I thought today we could chat about “The Talk”. The Talk is having a discussion with a loved one about being alone in their home is no longer an option, it isn’t safe.

Are you trying to help someone who needs more care to make the decision to move out of their home?

Helping an older person choose to move from their home to assisted living is never easy. She answers:

What are the steps to having The Talk

What are the ways to have The Talk

Who should have The Talk

What are some things to watch out for

Cynthia is an advocate, providing guidance on elders staying at home, or seeking assisted living options, here are some of her suggestions:

• The talk with a parent/parents may require more than one conversation
• Baggage regarding the conversation- might be fear, other factors
• Begin the talk with pen and paper; record what you’re thinking
• Identify the players, before the talk- may include siblings, Attorney- they all need to be on the same page with the person impacted by the decision to move or stay in place
• Identify any challenges- financial, misinformation
• Teachable moments- 911 calls, for example
• Selfless phrases- it is about the person and not whoever begins the discussions
• Choose the correct time for the talk
• In-person tours of locations/virtual tours, and stipulate what is offered- trips, activities, food on offer

Favorite ice cream: Halo Top mint chocolate chip

The song that reminds you of your youth: Boys of Summer

Leisure time activity: Cynthia has recently discovered pickleball, yoga

Connect to Cynthia at www.scanyfl.com [email protected]

You can connect with me at [email protected] or listen to the Magnificent Aging Podcast.

Thank you for listening I appreciate you.