Research carried out by ComRes for Independent Age suggests that almost two thirds of those aged 65 and over have never had a conversation with their family about key issues including preferences for end of life care, where they would like to live if they can no longer live at home and who will care for them.
And more than a quarter of those aged 65 or over said they are not planning to discuss these issues in the future.
The charity has warned that by putting off difficult conversations about ageing, families risk making rushed decisions about care, health, housing and financial matters at times of crisis.
To help families who want to talk to relatives about these sensitive subjects, Independent Age has published a new online guide.
It lists the top five conversations the charity believes all families need to have (including planning for end of life) and information and tips on how to start a conversation.
Janet Morrison, the charity’s chief executive, said: “For many families, having these conversations will never be easy. For older people, it can mean facing the prospect of losing independence. For their relatives, it can mean facing the thought of losing a loved one or feeling overwhelmed by a sense of responsibility.
“But these are issues that only get more pressing with time. It is vital that families start talking about these issues now, so they’re not left making important decisions at times of crisis or suddenly struggling to cope with significant caring responsibilities.”
Independent Age also says that families should not just be left alone to deal with these difficult and often complex issues. A range of key agencies – from information and advice providers, to local authorities and to the NHS – must improve the accessibility of information on care, to help people have meaningful, informed conversations.
The new online guidance on difficult conversation is freely available on the Independent Age website.
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