Having the conversation can be intimidating, here are some tips to walk you through it:
- Start with an open-ended question:
- How are you doing?
- What have you been doing for fun lately?
- Is everything alright?
- Frame everything around their goals (e.g., if you let a handyman help you with some repairs, you’ll be able to have your grandchildren over more often). Emphasize that there are services available for older adults that need extra support.
- Hand the older adult a flyer or pull up seniorresourceconnectmi.org on your phone or a computer so you can explore it together.
- If the older adult rejects your help, listen to and validate their concerns. Don’t force anything or argue. Leave information with them so they have it if they change their mind.
