The "40-70" Rule®

40-70 Rule® programs and emotional support services are offered to develop open discussions between families relating to providing care to parents and other various senior topics. Bridging the communication gap between adult children and their senior loved ones. Rate your communication skills by taking this assessment.

Time to Start Talking

The issues of aging often leave family caregivers speechless. That's because all sorts of potentially difficult situations arise as adults age. What does a grown daughter say to her dad when he's hit a light pole with the car? How does an adult son ask his mom if she's taking her medications like she should? And how do siblings approach their parents about needing more help at home? These issues can challenge even the family where communication is free and open. And when that happens, it's easier not to talk at all, which can lead to unresolved issues.

Talking sooner is better than waiting until a crisis has occurred. That's what the "40-70 Rule®" is all about. This advice is designed to help adult children and their aging parents deal with those sensitive topics that often make conversations difficult. The idea is that if you're 40, or your parents are 70, it's time to start talking - at least about certain senior topics.

The "40-70 Rule®" is based on original research conducted by Home Instead Senior Care, which discovered that nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have a major communication obstacle with their parents that stems from continuation of the parent-child role. The fact that many seniors may still be dealing with their grown sons or daughters as if they're children rather than adults makes these conversations particularly difficult. If you're a Baby Boomer with aging parents, this informative CaregiverStress Featured Program is designed to help you start even the most difficult conversations with your senior loved ones, before a crisis has occurred and even after one already has happened.

Need help getting these important conversations off the ground, visit our Conversations Starters page or Communications Tips for more information.

Download the full "40/70" Booklet (PDF 800K)

Tags: communication gap, communication skills, Communications Tips, conversations difficult, Conversations Starters, important conversations, original research, parent-child role, questions, sensitive topics, speechless, talking

1. June 17, 2011 at 9:06 pm | Posted by Most Baby Boomers are Unprepared to Care For Aging Parents | The Intentional Caregiver

   [...] suggests adopting the 40-70 Rule® which is a program to help bridge the communication gap between adult children and their senior [...]

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