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Elder Law Prof Blog
Katherine C. Pearson, Editor, and a Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network on LexBlog.com

New book from AARP and McGraw Hill: “The Other Talk”

By Kim Dayton

Here’s the publisher’s review: 

It’s a rite of passage for parents to have “The Talk” with their kids about the beginning of life (a.k.a. the birds and the bees).  As parents get older, they need to have another important talk with their children about the later years of life.  AARP’s The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life (McGraw-Hill Professional; September; Original paperback and eBook formats: $15) helps parents and their children create a partnership to plan for the years to come, guiding them through important conversations and decisions about finances, medical care, and day-to-day living—before a crisis happens.

Author Tim Prosch wrote the book after extensive research and multiple focus groups and from personal experience about conversations that most families don’t have until it’s too late.  Prosch wants to help parents take the initiative to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues and decisions that their family will confront in the later years of the parents’ lives.  The Other Talk places the responsibility for taking action with the parents and encourages them to take the proactive approach of initiating discussions and preparing their children emotionally and psychologically. The Other Talk helps parents take control of their lives so when the time comes, their kids can make informed decisions based on their parents’ wants and needs.

“On the surface, The Other Talk sounds like it is about being a great parent, about preparing your kids for one of life’s great challenges.  And it is,” said Prosch.  “But it also carries with it the added benefit of freeing you and your family to focus on getting the most out of the years ahead.”
The Other Talk gives straightforward advice on how to discuss issues including:

  • Who will manage the parent’s finances and how does one budget for unknown needs?
  • Where can the children find important documents?
  • Where will the parent live if he or she needs assistance?
  • What types of medical treatment does the parent want—and not want—and who will advocate for his or her needs?

The Other Talk is an essential resource that will help families begin an open dialogue about the future, make better-informed decisions, and focus on getting the most out of the rest of their time together.

The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life (McGraw-Hill Professional; September; Original paperback and eBook formats: $15 ($9.00 via Amazon))