How to Communicate Effectively with Aging Parents

How to Communicate Effectively with Aging Parents

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Mike Paladino: Alrighty. So welcome to the CareSmartz360 on Air podcast, a home care Podcast. I’m Mike Paladino, a senior account executive here at Caresmartz. And you know, today, we’re really gonna focus on how to communicate effectively with aging parents. And you know, effective communication with elderly really requires patience, empathy, and of course, understanding.

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Mike Paladino: Creating a conducive environment for open dialogue, free of distractions, is also a very important aspect of such topics.

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Mike Paladino: Approach. Conversations with respect, acknowledge wisdom and autonomy, while also being mindful of any hearing and cognitive impairments that might be. Equipping these elderly folks. We’re working with, you know, simplifying your language, speaking clearly and allowing them to, you know, process information and express themselves is really gonna lead to a lot more success and managing this population.

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Mike Paladino: You know further that non verbal queues, like gentle touch or eye contact can enhance connection, especially if verbal communication is no, of course, challenging.

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Mike Paladino: listen actively, validating their feelings and concerns, and avoid interrupting or dismissing their experiences.

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Mike Paladino: So

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Mike Paladino: from there, above all else, be patient and be adaptable. Understand that communication may evolve as their needs change and be ready to adjust your approach accordingly.

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Mike Paladino: Now that said today, we have Isabel on the panel, a senior care planner who helps families navigate the complexities of caregiving by guiding them with effective strategies. Tailored to their unique circumstances, welcome to the CareSmartz360 on our podcast Isabel.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Thank you so much, Mike, for having me today. It’s a great honor being here today.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah, awesome. We’re very excited to chat a bit more about your expertise in the industry more specifically about this topic.

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Mike Paladino: And I know that another audience that’s gonna listen in is certainly gonna learn a thing or 2. Given your extensive knowledge and experience. So I think, W, with that, said Isabel. We’ll kick things off, and we’ll get down to some of the questions. I know the audience is really yearning to learn more about it. So the first one I’m kinda curious about is, can you share some common

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Mike Paladino: communication challenges that now typically arise when you’re interacting with aging parents or patients. And you know, how can we effectively navigate some of those challenges?

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Isabel Melgarejo: One of the most common challenges, I believe, is that as we become the caregivers, we forget that

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Isabel Melgarejo: Our parents are worried, taking care of us before we are taking care of them. So we kind of forget that. And

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Isabel Melgarejo: it is a complete shift of pro perspective. I know that mom or dad, or whoever we’re taking care of like

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Isabel Melgarejo: There, it is hard for them to age, because we don’t regard that as something positive. We’re always like that. Oh, if you’re aging like, cover your wrinkles cover your gray hair like we have all these stigma

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Isabel Melgarejo: surrounding age. So we forget about that, and we forget that with age we start having different perspectives where we become slower, and we forget that we forget that before being caregivers, we were taken care by our parents and
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Isabel Melgarejo: just thinking about that and thinking about putting yourself in that situation. We also never do that. We we never put ourselves into how we would like to be talked to you

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Isabel Melgarejo: when we are 80, 90, when we don’t hear very well, when we forget things, when we

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Isabel Melgarejo: how frustrating it is to not be able to walk. Well, maybe if we have the beginnings of Alzheimer’s, or whatever stage of Alzheimer’s we are kind of like we have this brain fog. So we don’t put ourselves into that situation. So that is very important to consider. When talking to. I think to anybody we need to put ourselves into

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Isabel Melgarejo: into that person’s perspective.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah, absolutely. And you know, I think it’s a lot easier said than done, too, cause we always think you know in practice this is what we should be doing. But until you actually live, those experiences and try to actually embody what that individual is going through, especially with the elderly population. Right? It’s tough. It’s a tough scenario, because a lot of the time it’s hard to see your loved one or any elderly person go through some of those struggles, and a lot of them are unforeseen.

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Mike Paladino: You can’t predict these things. And I think you know, navigating those challenges and just being more empathetic. That’s kind of the word I always like to say is empathy, you know. Try to just envision what they’re going through, because well, as a caregiver. We might be frustrated with the actions, or if they can’t hear us, or they don’t respond to us or listen right. We also have to recognize that there’s probably a reason why that’s going on right like you mentioned a lot of

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Mike Paladino: things that come up when you get older. Maybe early onset dementia. Alzheimer’s other challenges, like walking or moving or lack of hearing. These things really can have an impact on the level of care that’s provided. So being empathetic and also patient, I think, are 2 of the largest things that we like to see amongst those that are working with the aging population. So it’s really great to see that that largely is your perspective and experience on that as well.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And even for us, like I don’t know if you have any friends. When you talk about parenting, it’s like, Oh, now that I’m a parent. I understand why. Why were my parents the way they were?

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Mike Paladino: Yeah.

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Isabel Melgarejo: So

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Isabel Melgarejo: Eventually, we’re gonna understand why our parents are the way they are 30 years later. So maybe we we need to start educating ourselves on how it is like to

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Isabel Melgarejo: to be older and to not listen very well, or have all these other limitations in our lives.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah, absolutely. And I think the number, the number one thing that I would consider about that is just being reflective of what our parents went through when we were younger, like you said, right? It’s, you know, the journey of life, and not to be philosophical. But you know they always say that a toddler is much like that person that is 90 years old. We have to kinda treat them the same way. They have a similar way of being managed right. And

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Mike Paladino: It’s kind of the circle of life right? Whereas when you’re a baby, you need to be taken care of, everything needs to be done for you, and that’s kind of the same thing that happens with the elderly population. You know. I have a 95 year old grandfather myself, and he’s still very well equipped. But there are just certain things that he’s not able to do anymore. Right? Given his age and some of the challenges he’s had in his life. So just being mindful of that, and recognizing that the challenges that

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Mike Paladino: We see they have, it’s almost equally more frustrating for them, because they used to be able to do these things that they no longer can. So I think that’s another pretty important aspect when you think about that holistic approach to managing those that are aging.

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Isabel Melgarejo: That’s right.

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Mike Paladino: So that’s a great , great perspective. And I really appreciate that insight now, the next question and I know, the listeners are gonna like this one. What strategies or techniques can no listeners employ to foster open and respectful communication with their aging parents, especially when discussing sensitive topics like, you know, healthcare or the financial planning side of it.

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Isabel Melgarejo: So I usually like my first, I focus on 3 main steps. The first one is understanding the other person’s perspective.

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Isabel Melgarejo: What? What is exactly their perspective? Some people are very reluctant and very afraid of dying.

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Isabel Melgarejo: So we need to understand those perspectives, and where are they coming from?

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Isabel Melgarejo: And until we don’t understand what their perspectives are, their perspectives are, we’re not going to be successful. So maybe you want to start with

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Isabel Melgarejo: other topics like, what do you think about

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Isabel Melgarejo: aging? What do you think about retirement, even from a young age? What do you think about retirement? Where would you like to live? What if something happens?

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Isabel Melgarejo: what do you think about your parents, even like

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Isabel Melgarejo: their parents? Decisions like? What do you think about your dad or your mom making these sorts of decisions? So that builds into

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Isabel Melgarejo: the framework that they have, how they think and how they perceive things, and that is step number one, understanding the other person, and being empathetic to what they feel and their own perspectives.

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Isabel Melgarejo: The next part is making sure that you are filling

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Isabel Melgarejo: the right way, that you’re setting that conversation for success. Many times we get very frustrated. We get bad news, and we ha! We want to have that conversation at that precise moment.

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Isabel Melgarejo: That’s not going to work out if you’re mad like, Hey, mom, I told you not to do this, and not to answer

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Isabel Melgarejo: to this person, and you already send money to. Well, if you’re angry and you come like.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Like it’s like who dude. Stop it like, I don’t need this so we need to set ourselves in the right mood. We need to set that conversation. Maybe you want to start delineating and writing down what you want to say and what is really important. If it’s sort of a negotiation like, what do you want to get out of that? And all of all of our conversations are negotiations like, hey? Do you want to come to this podcast

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Isabel Melgarejo: That’s a negotiation like.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah.

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Isabel Melgarejo: All the conversations. Well, not all of them. But we’re negotiating all the time, and we need to set what we want to get out of that conversation. If we want them to do something to share something with us, we need to know what we want out of that conversation, especially when those are conversations that are hard for all of us. And the third part is having the conversation.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And one of the things that I always always recommend is to be vulnerable and put the things out there.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Hey? I’m really worried about this. And this just happened like we just received this really bad news about you and this diagnosis. So what do you think about it? I feel really sad. I feel worried. And I feel that I’m not gonna be enough to provide the the curve that you deserve when we put things that from our perspective and from our feelings, and we’re the first ones to be brave enough to show

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Isabel Melgarejo: our vulnerabilities. Conversations go so smoothly because nobody wants to be the vulnerable one who wants to show witness first.

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Mike Paladino: I think that’s such a beautiful perspective, Isabel, because when you really think about it, a lot of no difficulties in communication is just not understanding where the other person is coming from. Right? So I think when you’re honest, when you’re open, and you are, you know, able to express those vulnerabilities you may have as somebody who is aging, or maybe as somebody who’s going to be providing care

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Mike Paladino: for somebody that’s aging or becoming an elder. I think just being on the same page with what the main concerns are allows you to solve those challenges or solve those potential concerns because everybody knows what’s. Now, really, you know, on the top of your mind, and I think that honestly, is the best piece of feedback for those that are listening in. It’s open communication, being honest, being vulnerable, and allowing those that are in a position to help like

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Mike Paladino: no, you and us are right, allowing us to do what we do to suggest what we think based on your concerns is gonna be the best situation for you moving forward.

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Mike Paladino: And I think you know, that’s really the number. One thing is just communication, and also being empathetic and patient, piggy backing off of the last question. These things are all, you know, synonymous with one another, in my opinion, and they really work well together in unison. So I think again, a really great perspective on that. And I think it’s something that is a lot easier said than done most of the time. Right? But

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Isabel Melgarejo: Man.

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Mike Paladino: If we can, if we can know, get some semblance of that. I think we’re always going to be on the right track and get there eventually. So I just love that perspective.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Thank you. Gosh.

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Mike Paladino: The next question I wanted to ask you is, you know, and this is maybe gonna be an obvious one for those listening. But how important is active listening in the context of communicating with aging parents? And what tips can you offer to enhance this skill? Set.

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Isabel Melgarejo: I think it’s very obvious, the answer that’s very important to

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Isabel Melgarejo: to listen what they have to say and what they want to share

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Isabel Melgarejo: And again it’s easier to set them up.

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Mike Paladino: H.

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Isabel Melgarejo: So one of the things is just not talking at all until

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Isabel Melgarejo: they’re done

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Isabel Melgarejo: talking.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And I think I think that.

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Mike Paladino: Sorry, go ahead!

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Isabel Melgarejo: I think that’s just the easiest way, like just letting people express absolutely everything

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Isabel Melgarejo: and letting them dump absolutely everything they’re filling and experiencing, and just

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Isabel Melgarejo: stay quiet, and it is very hard, because we’re like. But but.

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Mike Paladino: You always wanna chime in right? I think you know that it is like you said. It’s kind of an obvious answer. But it’s one of those things that’s a bit harder to put into practice right? And I’ve always been of the mindset of applying a simple strategy. And it’s something that really applies to all walks of life. It can apply to your job. It can apply to your personal com conversations that can apply to really most things, and it’s the concept of active listening.

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Mike Paladino: I’ll never forget when I used to work a job actually, we used to work in risk management many, many years ago, now a long time now. But I got some really good advice as I started my career, and it was from the CEO of this company. And he said, Mike, you have a lot of potential. But the one thing you have to work on is active listening, and the best thing, he said, was that you have 2 ears and one mouth. You have to listen to those that are speaking to you, and really understand what their problems or concerns are, because then you’ll be able to provide the best solutions. And I think

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Mike Paladino: That advice really stuck to me, and it again, it applies to most situations, even this one right? Because if you can actively listen and really hear the concerns, or hear the struggles or hear the pain, that those are. No, that we’re trying to work with or going through.

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Mike Paladino: Then we can recommend what we think the best course of action is, and really make them feel comfortable with the idea of having a caregiver right? Cause, I think that’s another topic. Probably a separate topic is those, you know, thinking, oh, I don’t need a caregiver. I’m okay on my own right? It’s the idea that maybe it is okay to ask for help and ask for or be supported by others, family or outside entities, too. Right? So I think.

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Mike Paladino: Probably a separate conversation for that topic. But I think it is all something that goes hand in hand as well.

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Isabel Melgarejo: I’m talking about risk management and I’m pretty sure that you’ve experienced this in the past going through the 5 wise.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And I’m pretty sure you use that method thousands of times.

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Mike Paladino: So, yeah.

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Isabel Melgarejo: It’s like just asking questions. So why are you so afraid of asking for help?

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Mike Paladino: Hmm.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And just

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Isabel Melgarejo: stay quiet. You just put it out there, stay quiet. Let your loved ones go through that question.

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Isabel Melgarejo: and the theme really thinks those are deep questions you’re not just asking. Do you want to? Which pastry do you want from the store? You’re asking questions that require a lot of introspection and thinking about what

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Isabel Melgarejo: the why. But once you do it and you let them speak instead of filling that silence with words. Then you’re gonna get into the real world. Why, stuff.

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Mike Paladino: The root cause. Yeah, exactly. That’s it. It’s such a difficult concept. It’s one that I’m still trying to master. It’s you know, typically, in a sense of being quiet, you actually learn much more by not saying anything, because some people, you know, generally don’t like that awkward silence. Right. So if you’re sitting there and you’re just letting them speak. And you don’t respond. They’ll just keep talking, cause it’s just something that people naturally wanna do.

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Mike Paladino: And that’s generally in, in my perspective, whether it’s, you know, work wise or just in a conversational setting. Generally, that’s when you’re given. The most information is when you just sit there and you actively listen, and you seem interested at the same time. But you don’t say too much, and I think

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Mike Paladino: that can definitely be applied to the concept of working with the elderly, whether they’re our parents or just as caregivers working with the elders, I think

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Mike Paladino: You know. Let them let us know what they need right? And they have a lot of experience they likely would be able to share if they’re able to write. So I think that’s a beautiful concept. And as you can tell, this is a a topic that to me is is is really important, that we that we have these kinds of conversations because

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Mike Paladino: I saw a Stat, I’m probably gonna know butcher the Stat. But it’s something like every day there’s like 66,000 baby boomers that retire, or something like that. And it’s a crazy number, and that just lets us know that the more time goes on, we’re getting really close to that baby boomer population wanting to age in place or needing extra care, because that’s the cycle of life, right? But I think we’re really gonna see

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Mike Paladino: a pretty high rise in these kinds of things, and a lot more of a need for providers like us, and more specifically, individuals like you, too, right that have such knowledge and expertise.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And I think it’s important to acknowledge that, for maybe for many of the baby boomers, they didn’t experience what they will experience. Some of them were caregivers for aging parents, but many of them didn’t. Life expectancy has grown so much that it is very scary. There is not enough infrastructure. That is not enough of anything.

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Isabel Melgarejo: and

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Isabel Melgarejo: it is scary facing that reality when we were never prepared to

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Isabel Melgarejo: to

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Isabel Melgarejo: care for the elderly.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah, I think that’s such an important concept, right? Is the lack of preparation. We don’t know what we don’t know. We’re always kind of learning on the fly. And I think that’s why circling back to the earlier points we’ve had. It’s open communication asking questions being vulnerable, because if we try to pretend like we know everything that’s largely, we’re gonna run into some issues of compatibility, or, maybe not providing the best care, and then having positive care outcomes. That’s ultimately.

00:19:51.690 –> 00:20:07.219
Mike Paladino: Ultimately the goal is to give us ourselves a chance to have a positive care outcome right? Whether it’s medical or non medical in our case. So I think you know, it’s always gonna come back to that same idea of communication is everything and everything else kind of trickles in along the way. So

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Mike Paladino: Again, it’s such a valuable way to think about it.

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Mike Paladino: Is about 2 more questions for you. The second to last question is, how can adult children strike a balance between respecting their aging parents, autonomy and offering the necessary support or guidance in that decision making process for them.

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Isabel Melgarejo: We’re going back to communications.

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Mike Paladino: Yeah, seems like the hot topic today.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Yeah, I think.

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Isabel Melgarejo: I don’t even know why, but we’re never really taught about building boundaries.

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Isabel Melgarejo: especially as women we it’s just like whatever you need, all I’m doing. And a lot of caregivers are women. So

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Isabel Melgarejo: you see, these kind of like,

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Isabel Melgarejo: We were never taught how to like, okay, this is what I’m doing. And this is what I’m not. And that goes the other way. I’m just gonna do this because I think that’s what you need.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And maybe it’s not what you need. Maybe it’s what you think they need.

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Isabel Melgarejo: So first of all, is having this conversation like, Hey, is it okay that I help you with this? Is that okay, that?

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Isabel Melgarejo: And I do this for you? Is it okay?

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Isabel Melgarejo: And how? Listening to what they need and what they think, and maybe and then it’s taking baby steps into that direction I was. I don’t even remember who I was talking with, probably a client that

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Isabel Melgarejo: their parent, their dad he had decided to give away his car keys because

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Isabel Melgarejo: He had learned of someone who in their eighties had

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Isabel Melgarejo: killed someone else, because the reflexes were not as good as they were when they were younger, and when he reached that age of the eighties he decided to give his keys away because of that. But if if he hadn’t leave that experience it would have been very tough for him to

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Isabel Melgarejo: to give away

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Isabel Melgarejo: his liberty of driving. So it’s just taking baby steps into and trying to explain to them why it is important, and putting these examples and

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Isabel Melgarejo: just getting baby steps into. Okay.

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Isabel Melgarejo: Maybe you need to give away your keys. But what if we start? Why, why don’t you start asking for help when you’re driving far away.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And maybe it’s okay. Going to the store. Maybe it’s okay driving a few miles. But if you’re driving 60 miles, maybe

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Isabel Melgarejo: ask for help.

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Isabel Melgarejo: And it is these kinds of circumstances of it, making baby steps and paying attention to how the family feels, because also what? When.

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Isabel Melgarejo: when parents start relying more on us. That means, and that we have more things to do, and

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Isabel Melgarejo: that is also not good for any caregiver cause. Then their lives start shrinking instead of when you, when you say yes to something you say no to something else. So what are you saying? No to. So if I’m driving. If I’m driving Dad everywhere, then I might not be spending time on

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Isabel Melgarejo: taking care of my kids.

00:23:45.350 –> 00:24:07.830
Isabel Melgarejo: or maybe I will. I will start neglecting myself. Care so what are you saying? No to you? And are these conversations that are so important? And as a family that you need to figure out what you’re doing and who is part of that equation? And as I, when I work with my clients, I like it. I’m always telling them like, hey?

00:24:08.210 –> 00:24:31.701
Isabel Melgarejo: Who else are you inviting in your team? Who else is part of this curve giving journey? Because it shouldn’t just be you. And the more people you invite over, even if it’s just friends going over and having a cup of coffee with your loved one, then that is time that you have to spend doing something else.

00:24:32.910 –> 00:24:45.561
Mike Paladino: Yeah, you know what I think. It’s such a difficult conversation to have. It’s the idea that when you know that’s a beautiful story with regards to the client or the person that you referenced about giving the keys up.

00:24:45.890 –> 00:25:03.809
Mike Paladino: That, historically, has been a very challenging topic, because that’s almost at the same time admitting that you’re getting older. And that’s a very, very difficult topic that many that are aging go through. And my, I’ll just use personal experience. My grandfather, when he turned 85, which is now

00:25:03.810 –> 00:25:29.319
Mike Paladino: Looking back about 10 years ago, I was very reluctant to stop driving, and we’ve all seen the stories of the elderly behind the wheel. Reaction. Times are lower, and they either cause an accident or they don’t have the best vision or not just something. It just goes wrong. And it really can be a danger to somebody that is no elder not to say they can’t drive. But there is just those inherent risks with that, and

00:25:29.320 –> 00:25:53.370
Mike Paladino: the idea that somebody was self aware enough to give up their keys and recognize I don’t wanna be a harm to somebody else is, I think, very, very important, and something that we, we hope, can be communicated to those in in a productive way, because at the same time, you don’t want them to take that in a negative sense, to make them feel incapable to right cause. That’s another way to really rustle some feathers if you will, but I think it’s you know.

00:25:53.370 –> 00:26:04.170
Mike Paladino: It’s one of those things that’s tough to navigate. But again, I think, having open communication again, is the best way to reason with the individual in that particular situation.

00:26:05.790 –> 00:26:11.643
Mike Paladino: Alright. So, Isabel. I have one final question for you, and then I will let you get back on with your day.

00:26:12.630 –> 00:26:27.370
Mike Paladino: The last one is, could you provide any insights into the role of technology and communication with aging parents, and how the listeners today can leverage it to effectively maintain connection and support with their older loved ones.

00:26:28.550 –> 00:26:32.052
Isabel Melgarejo: It is funny that you mentioned that because.

00:26:34.625 –> 00:26:40.070
Isabel Melgarejo: I have my own podcast. And

00:26:42.550 –> 00:26:44.410
Isabel Melgarejo: And what’s its name?

00:26:45.600 –> 00:26:53.908
Isabel Melgarejo: And I was recording a podcast this morning about technology and the importance of technology this morning. So

00:26:54.520 –> 00:27:03.519
Isabel Melgarejo: And I just find it funny cause the name of this business is my Carolink, 360. So.

00:27:03.520 –> 00:27:03.920
Mike Paladino: Wow!

00:27:03.920 –> 00:27:10.420
Isabel Melgarejo: It is. Yeah, it is just hilarious. I’m laughing at this like today. I had this conversation in the morning.

00:27:10.420 –> 00:27:11.326
Mike Paladino: I mean.

00:27:11.780 –> 00:27:15.721
Isabel Melgarejo: Kara Samard and Carol Link 360, both of them.

00:27:16.110 –> 00:27:20.419
Isabel Melgarejo: So I find it very, very interesting. So

00:27:21.258 –> 00:27:27.681
Isabel Melgarejo: I think technology is amazing today, and how we can connect with each other.

00:27:28.300 –> 00:27:48.951
Isabel Melgarejo: many of us have moved and relocated to other states, other countries. And we just live far away from our loved ones. And I think technology brings us together again. There are tons of technology out there. I just mentioned one.

00:27:50.921 –> 00:27:54.014
Isabel Melgarejo: You can go check it out.

00:27:55.190 –> 00:28:20.780
Isabel Melgarejo: But there are like many companies out there making sure that elders are able to communicate in an easy way, and there is a huge shock in terms of technology that, like the younger generations, are getting used to smartphones and like Jen, see? Like they were born with a phone in their.

00:28:20.780 –> 00:28:23.649
Mike Paladino: Yeah, literally, so.

00:28:23.650 –> 00:28:35.649
Isabel Melgarejo: So it’s easier for them to go through these processes and like talking with my mom. She wasn’t. She was not even allowed to touch whatever.

00:28:36.550 –> 00:28:44.079
Isabel Melgarejo: Whatever music instrument, well, not the music instrument, the music device that they had because it was so expensive.

00:28:44.080 –> 00:28:44.750
Mike Paladino: Yeah.

00:28:45.700 –> 00:28:50.771
Isabel Melgarejo: So she she tells this story that she, as a kid, was not allowed to

00:28:51.160 –> 00:29:02.215
Isabel Melgarejo: play music. She would have to ask her mom or her dad to put whatever music that she wanted to listen to. And obviously there was just one device for the whole family.

00:29:02.550 –> 00:29:31.099
Mike Paladino: Yeah. Crazy times. So different, right? And I think that’s an interesting perspective, too, because that that alludes to the same Co topic of conversation, of just how things are different now, and how there really wasn’t a way that we could have prepared for the situation and and the current times at which no, the aging population is generally, I wouldn’t even say they’re adverse to technology. They just aren’t as well equipped with understanding it, because even you know our generation. The millennials know the Gen. Zers

00:29:31.100 –> 00:29:55.530
Mike Paladino: specifically have. They grew up with phones in their hands like you said. But I had my first cell phone, probably when I was like 15 or 16, and that was many years ago now. Obviously. But I feel like we kind of have that transitional period where we went from not having these crazy technologies to then seeing the initial start of them to then understanding the growth of technology, right? I’m Britt, a pretty big tech guy now. So I really do try to understand all the different notes.

00:29:55.620 –> 00:30:16.340
Mike Paladino: But I feel like the new generation that’s coming up again. They’re gonna have an even more advanced understanding of different technologies that by the time we’re at the stage of no aging in place, if you will. Who knows what it’s gonna look like. It might even be something we have never even seen before. Can’t even grasp the concept of right? So that’s you know, the difficulties that we see
00:30:16.410 –> 00:30:44.799
Mike Paladino: by generation of how technological advancements will hopefully and generally make things easier. But it’s the learning curve of how do we use this thing to make it more easy for those that are older or elderly, staying at home or needing care right? Because hopefully, technology gets even better to make it even easier for us to do our jobs. But I think that it’s that whole idea of what we don’t know what we don’t know right, and that is largely related to technology and the advancements that come with it.

00:30:45.070 –> 00:30:58.780
Isabel Melgarejo: And it is important to know that the growing population is getting more isolated as they grow older. So maybe you can remember when you were a teenager, you had like this huge amount of

00:30:59.340 –> 00:31:22.760
Isabel Melgarejo: friends, and you wouldn’t go out, and you had a full baseball team to play with just out of friends. And as we grow older with those friends started like moving away and going somewhere else, or we just lose track of them over time, and especially after Covid and after being

00:31:22.760 –> 00:31:34.860
Isabel Melgarejo: isolated for a year. Now we have to go out, and it’s been really really tough for for the older generations cause they just went into

00:31:35.550 –> 00:31:53.639
Isabel Melgarejo: an isolating mode. And now going out is really hard for them. So we need to understand that. And technology is a great way, because they don’t have to do absolutely anything. If you get a really good device designed for elders in which they don’t have to

00:31:53.640 –> 00:32:16.539
Isabel Melgarejo: figure out how to turn on a phone and how to use it when they’re like 300. And in a tiny screen you can have a huge screen and just go through it, and then stay connected with the people that they love. So it is very, very important that we offer them. The right tools and the right tools

00:32:16.540 –> 00:32:36.830
Isabel Melgarejo: are not the same that you and I, or someone else needs. They are the right tools for them, the tools that they understand. And I think a lot of people get really frustrated because they buy the ipad, the computer, the phone. And you’re giving that technology. But if they don’t understand how to use it, then what’s the purpose of it?

00:32:36.830 –> 00:33:02.200
Mike Paladino: Yeah, well, exactly. And I think that that is definitely a challenge we’re gonna start to see is almost, you know, it’s the idea of having too much technology at their disposal. There’s so many fancy devices now, a day which one’s the best for me and which one works for me. What like you said, what works for me, and you may not work for somebody else. So it’s really again going back to the main point of what we’ve been talking about is that open communication.

00:33:02.200 –> 00:33:18.639
Mike Paladino: and just listening to them and saying, What do you need? What makes you feel comfortable? What can I do better? And I think those questions, if you can feel comfortable enough to ask them. I think that’s again where we see a lot of those more positive care outcomes that we’re all, you know, striving for.

00:33:19.330 –> 00:33:20.190
Isabel Melgarejo: Of course.

00:33:20.410 –> 00:33:45.219
Mike Paladino: Yeah. Well, Isabel, I think your insights have been fantastic, and I wanna thank you for sharing these great insights. I’m really, you know. Sure the audience got to learn some deep insights here about communicating effectively with aging parents. And you know, my wonderful audience. Thank you for tuning in until the next episode. This is Mike assigning off for the day, and again thank you to Isabel greatly

00:33:45.220 –> 00:33:50.869
Mike Paladino: for your time, your attention, and for hopefully peaking some interest of those that are tuning in.

00:33:51.550 –> 00:33:53.109
Isabel Melgarejo: Thank you so much, Mike.