Difficult Conversations - Bellarmine University.ppt

Difficult ConversationsBaby Boomers & Aging Parents
Gail Henson, Ph. D.
Hospice Institute
Bellarmine University
Goals
What are stressors for the baby boomers?
What are the difficult conversations?
Why are they difficult? Barriers, issues, roles
How can we have them? Models
Facts about baby boomers
Born 1945-1964
2000 Census Figure: 61,952,636
US percentage= 22%
Kentucky: 45-64= 23%;
Baby Boomer issues
Have not had same kinds of hardships as did parents
Did not fight in World War II, Korea
Did not live through Depression
We expect a high standard of living
Paying for children’s education
Saving for retirement
We have big mortgages, debt
We’re overweight
We like to eat out
We like to travel
We’re really tired
So here you are--
The baby boom generation’s latest, and in some ways most agonizing, life crisis
What to do what the parents who once took care of you can no longer take care of themselves.
What hats do you wear? Name them!
What are the difficult conversations?
When do they arise?
Why are they so difficult to have?
What can help us have effective family conversations about difficult topics?
Difficult Conversations
Exercise 1
Individual surveys
Group discussion & activity
Difficult conversations: health
Use of pain medication
Advanced directives (living will, use of CPR, artificial feeding, breathing, hydration)
Power of attorney
True status of own/loved one’s/parent’s health
Where to die
Safety
Driving
House
Food
Memory
Conversations about personal conduct
Hygiene
Exercise
Finances
Care of home