My daughter recently announced to me, “Mom, we need to have The Talk sometime.”
“You mean the one about sex?” I glibly said.
“No,” she said. “We had that one when I was 13 years old. I mean the one about what to do with you when you are old.”
“Oh, I guess I’m glad you don’t think I’m old enough to have that Talk yet,” I said laughing. “But when do you think we should have that talk?”
“Before you actually get old.”
“When do you think that would be?”
Her answer was pretty consistent with the June 29, 2009 Pew Research Center published findings on “Growing Old In America: Expectations vs. Reality”. A large percentage of her age group, 19 - 29 year olds sited the following as markers of Old Age;
* Frequently forgets familiar names.
* Has bladder control problems.
* Is no longer sexually active.
* Retires.
* Has grandchildren.
Needless to say, my age group, 50 - 64 years old, does not list any of these markers with the same enthusiasm as the young.
However, a few potential markers - an inability to live independently, an inability to drive safely, failing health and difficulty with stairs, along with turning 75 were named by a large proportion of respondents, regardless of age group.
What do you think? When should you have "The Talk"?
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