EP123: Financial Caregiving Series: Talking to Parents - Why, When, and How

<p>Money's a taboo topic that no one wants to touch, but when it comes to our aging parents – let’s face it – we all have to tiptoe around the bank account. Ignoring those chatty conversations about financial security with Mom and Dad could put us in an awkward spot down the line if they need assistance managing their money or require help making decisions. </p> <p>If you're looking for the scoop on your parents' finances, pick out a box of icebreakers with extra care! Your intention to gain insight may be sincere, but without a tactful approach, it could quickly come off as greedy or intrusive. Don't break the conversational barrier only to have them freeze up - otherwise, future discussions might suffer from permanent frostbite.</p> <p>Money talk doesn't have to be scary—it can actually become part of your routine. If you're looking for the perfect conversation starter, consider the following tips from the author, speaker and award-winning journalist with 20 years of experience writing about personal finance, Cameron Huddleston</p> <p>Tune in to this episode of <strong>This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World</strong>, and with Cameron Huddleston’s advice, you and your aging parents will feel more secure every time money's brought up.</p> <p>So take a deep breath…and get talking.</p> <p><strong>Key points covered in this episode:</strong></p> <p><strong>✔️ Signs That Parents Need More Help With Finances</strong></p> <p>Cameron Huddleston, author of “Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk”, shared her personal experience of how she had plenty of opportunities to have financial conversations but never realized it was a conversation she needed to have with her mom until she saw that she needed help with her finances.</p> <p>“It was initially pretty easy to ignore the signs that she was experiencing memory loss because she had hearing loss. When she would ask a question, and I would answer her, and she would ask it again, I would tell myself, Oh, it's because she didn't hear my response.” Cameron shared. </p