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Have You Had the Talk?

by Will Armstrong

alking about potential aging needs and issues with “As a former family caregiver for two grandmothers, I
family members is important, yet many families experienced a lack of preparation in multiple ways,” Frost
T never have conversations about aging because it can said. “Families need to know their loved one’s preferences
be overwhelming and uncomfortable. for care, living arrangements and health needs, and creating
regular opportunities to talk with your family can give
insight and understanding on important, personal choices.
Building a solid foundation for your family member’s
continuum of care helps the entire family navigate each
issue that comes up.”
Organizations can choose to participate in the Texas Talks
campaign with their employees by going to the HHSC
website, hhs.texas.gov, and searching for “Texas Talks.”
Select “Request the Texas Talks Toolkit” link to receive
a free toolkit that includes template emails and articles
which organizations can send to their employees this
fall. In 2018, over 150 organizations participated in the
Texas Talks challenge by requesting the HHSC toolkit and
sending out the campaign materials to their employees,
encouraging them to proactively think and talk about aging
issues with their family members and friends.
To learn more, email AgeWellLiveWell@hhsc.state.tx.us
or call 800-889-8595.•
Texas Talks is an annual fall campaign from Texas Health
and Human Services that encourages families to talk about
aging needs and issues with their loved ones. The campaign
provides tools, resources and easy-to-digest guides for
families to use as a stepping stone to begin discussions
answering important questions such as:
• What type of Medicare does mom or your spouse have?
• Have they met the deductible for the year?
• Who is the legal guardian should anything happen, and
is it written down?
• Is a will written?
• How do they feel about assisted living, or is home
health their preference?
• Can they afford home health?
• Do they have long-term care insurance?
“I think many of us are culturally uncomfortable with
growing old,” said Camden Frost, a former caregiver. “I
hope we continue to work toward changing these negative
attitudes and perceptions about aging.”
Conversations about aging normalizes aging and empowers
families to quickly respond to age-related needs and issues
when they arise. Most families don’t talk about potential
aging needs, challenges and preference until after a health
care emergency. This sets up a dynamic where a family
member must figure out how to respond to the immediate
health care emergency and everything else from finances
and perhaps even caregiving expectations and capacity. It
can be an overwhelming and seemingly never-ending task.

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