However, persuading the active senior to move closer to her family in North Jersey would mean forcing her to forgo lunch with friends, her part-time job, and church activities, all vital to her identity. According to a survey released last week by the Ameri can Association of Retired Persons, three of four adult children think about their parents' ability to live independently, yet nearly a third say they do not talk with their parents about it.
Senior citizens are also concerned.
Nearly 70 percent of parents wonder about their ability to live alone, yet only one in three actually shares views on assisted living, nursing homes, and other issues with children, according to the report, based on a national telephone survey conducted in February and March. There are huge denial factors that provide us with easy reasons not to talk about these important issues. Children should also know the names of their parents' accountant, lawyer, and financial adviser. Seniors should give a child or someone else they trust a durable power of attorney to handle financial affairs if the older person becomes incapacitated. For families who find the direct approach too emotional, AARP advises discussing similar issues friends are facing.