Hebrew SeniorLife spoke with Ellen Goodman on Friday, September 14 about her involvement in our upcoming College of Retirement Living event “You & Your Aging Parents:  A Lifelong Approach to Health, Wellness & Care” and her co-sponsorship with Hebrew SeniorLife of The Conversation Project.  She shared her thoughts with us on these projects and topics below:

"It’s always too soon until it’s too late.  This describes the circumstances too many of us find ourselves in when it comes to realizing the major transitions we face with our parents as they age. That’s why I’m dedicated to helping parents and their adult children begin a dialogue today to help them plan as a family for life’s major transitions and decisions.

"My experiences thinking and working through elder care issues with my own mother fueled my desire to educate others about the aging process.  Forums such as Hebrew SeniorLife’s College of Retirement Living series  “You & Your Aging Parents,” and The Conversation Project, a program I cofounded this fall with Hebrew SeniorLife, bring attention to the importance of starting these profound conversations now and set the stage for rewriting the script on our parents’ and all of our aging experiences.

"More often than not, these conversations do not happen because while both generations have thought about what will happen next, no one acts on it. It’s truly a conspiracy of silence. By sitting down at the table, the aging parent and child have the opportunity to evaluate options, ask the right questions and decide on a plan together. This reassures the adult that they will be taken care of as they age, and provides comfort to the child as they now know what their parents’ wishes and values are as they age.  These two programs are designed to help educate us on talking and being present as we walk with our parents on their aging journey.

"Please join me and experts from Hebrew SeniorLife in a panel discussion about the aging process and how it affects the lives of our parents, family members and loved ones."

The session, “You & Your Aging Parents: A Family Approach to Lifelong Health, Wellness & Care,” will be held on Sunday, October 14, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at NewBridge on the Charles, 5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham. Tickets can be purchased through the following link, and anyone who purchases a ticket can bring a family member or loved one at no additional charge. Purchase tickets here.