For many elderly people, discussing and planning for end-of-life situations may be very difficult. However, if you are a child of a parent that has not yet discussed his or her wishes for end-of-life care, you may be able to ease them into the process. Here are some tips to remember:
Prepare yourself for the discussion.
Try not to overwhelm your parents with too much information. With that being said, bring up the most important end-of-life documents, such as advanced directives.
Have the conversation in the right setting.
Do not discuss end-of-life planning in a setting with too many people. It should be an intimate and serious conversation in a place where they feel most comfortable.
Be positive.
While some may feel that this type of conversation may be morbid, let your parents know that it is about protecting them, their assets, and adhering to their wishes. In addition, try not to lecture them. Instead, ask them a series of questions regarding their concerns for end-of-life. Furthermore, suggest speaking to an attorney. Remind them that it is just a conversation and that they are not obligated to execute anything right away. They can take the time they need to reflect.
Follow up with your parents.
After the conversation has concluded, it is important to give them sometime before re-addressing what you have discussed. Once some time has passed, it is important to have another discussion if your parents have not done anything to start planning. In addition, it may be helpful to have other members of the family be part of the next discussion.
If you are seeking to discuss end-of-life planning with a parent, it may be beneficial to have the input of an experienced elder law attorney that may guide your parents through the process. The experienced elder law and estate planning lawyers at the Law Offices of Hunziker, Jones, & Sweeney help seniors and their loved ones handle all aspects of elder law and estate planning. Our New Jersey estate planning lawyers can answer your questions about planning for your future. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our New Jersey estate planning lawyers at (973) 256-0456.
