Once a parent reaches 70, they may begin to need help with maintaining their quality of life. It’s tough to see your parents reach this point, but there are still conversations you’ll need to have. Continue reading to explore some difficult questions you’ll need to ask your aging parents at this time in their lives.
Is It Time for a Nursing Home?
Depending on how old your parents are and their state of health, it may be time to start asking if a nursing home is the right choice for them. If they can still get around and don’t have any debilitating health concerns, they should be OK to remain independent. If that’s not the case, you should ask them questions about where they see themselves in the next few years. Additionally, they may want to consult with doctors to see if their quality of life has room for improvement.
It’s important to ask this question earlier so that you can also find the right nursing home for them. There are also many important questions to ask when looking for a nursing home, such as their staff-to-resident ratio, availability of support services, and if the administration is responsive. These key factors can help you find the right place for your parents.
Can You Still Drive Safely?
Another important question to ask is if they can still drive safely. As people age, something like driving becomes trickier, and this activity could potentially put themselves and other drivers in danger. However, only some older people need to stop getting behind the wheel.
Driving elders may benefit from a disabled parking permit, as it ensures they don’t need to walk as far to reach store entrances. In that case, the question is no longer if they can drive safely but where to get their parking permit. Thankfully, in states like Texas and many others, you can get a disabled parking permit online. A permit like this can help them stay healthy and lower the risk of injuries in parking lots.
Is It Time To Create a Will?
Firstly, you should ask if your parents have a will. They may not be willing to vouchsafe that sort of private information, but you must make sure they have something like this in place and that the document is thorough. When a parent passes away, it should be a time for a family to come together. Unfortunately, it can often be a time of resentment and division when there is no clear delineation of assets, last wishes, or funeral arrangements.
If they don’t have a will, it may be time to help them create one. It can seem like a daunting and morbid undertaking for many people, but it is necessary if you to best represent their wishes when they are gone.
These are some of the most difficult questions you’ll need to ask your aging parents, but they are some of the most important. Time seems to fly by when they hit a certain age, and you may need to ask these questions sooner rather than later.
