Chapter 1: Conversations about the future
Tender discussions
Dad was such an independent, private, and proud man – I had no idea how to broach the subject.
At times, being the decision-maker might mean confronting some differences in the ways individuals in the family see things. If you are in this situation, being honest and straightforward is the best way to proceed. Below are some different conversation starters that may help in initiating or having these difficult conversations.
Conversation prompts
I know that you want to be in control of your money as
you have always been, but I am concerned about the ‘what-ifs.’
If you do not make these decisions, I worry that we
won’t know what your wishes are if you can no longer speak for yourself.
If we walk through these decisions now, I will know what you will want me to do if a time comes when you can’t speak for yourself.
Words of wisdom
Telling people what they
should do often leads to resistance. Instead, try speaking for yourself.
For example, you could say
“I am concerned that…” instead of “You need to do this now.”
You could also say something like, “I’m making a care plan for myself in case something happens to me…”
