Let’s talk about aging and living well

Having candid conversations on aging can help us plan for future needs and help ensure we age and live well. Taking time to discuss with family and friends our hopes and dreams for the future can make the process easier. It may seem challenging to talk with family members and friends about aging, but it’s important.

There are many things to look forward to as we grow older and older adults bring so much to their communities by:

• Helping family and friends and volunteering.

• Sharing knowledge and expertise developed over the years.

• Learning new things and demonstrating the value of lifelong learning.

• Mentoring and acting as a bridge between generations.

Many older adults are busy pursuing their passions and might not consider sharing their aging-related preferences with their loved ones. But having these conversations is essential in planning ahead and preparing for issues that may arise. These discussions also provide everyone involved with the opportunity to calmly discuss their preferences and identify any barriers.

Texas Health and Human Services created the Texas Talks campaign to help people discuss aging and the needs that may arise with an older family member or friend. The campaign releases four new topics every fall, with the 2023 Texas Talks topics focusing on caregiving in Texas, long-distance caregiving, staying connected and seeking support and legal considerations and caregiving.

The Texas Talks webpage presents these topics and a worksheet for families and friends to use as a guide for conversations. To learn more, visit texashhs.org/texastalks.