How To Start Conversations With Your Elderly Parents

In my last blog post I shared some ideas on How To Improve Communications With An Elderly Parent. But sometimes it’s difficult to have a conversation, because it’s not always easy to find something to talk about.

So I thought I would give you an idea for one of the best conversation starters there is for getting things rolling with your loved one….

Take walks down memory lane…

How well do you know your mom or dad? (it doesn’t have to be a parent, it could be a senior friend you are visiting with), You may think you know them, but their life has been full, and there is a lot they can and would love to share. As you get them talking about their life, 5 things will be accomplished:

1. They will love reminiscing and sharing.
2. It’s therapeutic and can improve their self-esteem, give them great satisfaction and reduce symptoms of depression.
3. You will learn who your parents really are. You’ll be amazed at all you didn’t know.
4. You will build a deeper bond and stronger relationship with your mom or dad.
5. You can preserve your family history and gain an appreciation for your parents lives.

Getting to know your aging loved one…

Enter into your visit with a plan to help get them reminiscing, you can be prepared to talk about music or tv shows of their time, bring scrapbooks or photo albums, or maybe a special memento or piece of jewelry.

You can use some of these questions to start your conversations:

• Do you think I’m like you? Why or why not?
• Tell me about your childhood.
• What did you like to do?
• What would you have liked to do, but never did?
• What do you think is your greatest achievement?
• What is one of your earliest memories?
• What did you enjoy doing the most?
• Did you like sports? What was your favorite?
• Were you active in school activities? Which ones?
• What were the hairstyles and clothing styles of your day?
• Did you have a special boy or girlfriend?
• What were some of the big world events?
• Did you have an allowance or did you have to earn your money?
• Were you in the military?
• What would you like to do that you have never been able to?
• What’s the biggest lesson you have learned in life?
• Did you have a good relationship with your parents and your siblings?
• What are some of the funny things you used to do?
• What kind of games did you play, television shows you watched, or your favorite music?
• Did you ever have a celebrity crush?

These are just a few questions to get you started…enjoy your time together, and learn as much as you can from your loved one.

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