Communication between
Aging Parents and Adult Children:
How a Life Coach Can Help
Valerie Kay, Psy.D.
Life Coach
Communication between aging parents and their adult children is at no time
more important or more delicate than when we confront major life transitions
in a parent’s life. Too often, communication difficulties between generations
bring up feelings of frustration and hopelessness that lead to miscommunication,
hurt feelings and an inability to address and resolve the fundamental realities
of life’s changes. But times of transition in an older parent’s life can
give an opportunity to improve communication and enhance the quality-of-life
and relationships of the whole family.
An area of specialization in my coaching practice is facilitating effective
and respectful communication between generations at this critical time of
change in the life of older parents. If your family is facing such a time
and could use assistance in this process, I hope you will consider using
my services as a coach. A coach helps guide clients through specific life
challenges by clarifying goals, maintaining focus, and strategizing how to
achieve the best outcome. A coach fosters open, yet respectful, communication.
I have found that helping to facilitate inter-generational communication
is one of the most powerful aspects of all my coaching work.
The following outlines some of the ways we might work if you choose me as your coach to facilitate this delicate dialogue at a time of change:
Whether you are the parent or a family member affected by these changes, our work together will speak to your particular concerns, which might include the following issues:
- Final wishes, which parents may have not communicated to their adult
children
- Independent living situations, which affect both parents and their supportive
children
- Designated legacy requests, which either have not been addressed through legal documentation, or have not been communicated to family members
Through our meetings, we will strategize to achieve respectful interactions, which will address these communication issues.
We will focus on goals, which will shift feelings of being overwhelmed to feelings of empowerment.
By establishing trusted communication, I will guide you through the delicate inter-generational concerns.
Clarifying these concerns and issues will help identify the most appropriate approaches to gain understanding and resolve.
My objective is to construct realistic action plans that will promote dignity,
respect, and confidence while dealing with emotional and fiscal issues facing
the family.
I would be pleased to help you and your family through this important journey.
(To learn more about me, click here
to see my profile page.)
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” — Carl Bard
Please note: I am a Life Coach and do not provide psychotherapy or practice as a psychologist or therapist. I use my experience to assist my clients maximize their potential, especially when they might feel stuck and during times of transition.
I.P.A. Services:
Psychotherapy
Couples Therapy
Life Coaching
Biofeedback
Telephone Dr. Kay:
(415) 789-8244
My Offices:
2859 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Additional E. Bay Offices in: Walnut Creek and Oakland, CA
See other articles by
Dr. Kay:
When Grief Overwhelms: Do You Feel Understood?
The Mother's Dilemma: Mothers,
Weddings and Emotions
Integrated Psychology Associates (I.P.A.) Offices
Main Office: 2859 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
(Please use this address for general correspondence.)
Main Telephone and Facsimile: (415) 331-5433
(See phone numbers for individual Associates on their pages. Use number above for general questions and for faxes.)
Other Offices:
405 Clement St., Suite 2, San Francisco, CA 94118
45 Camino Alto, Suite 203, Mill Valley, CA 94941
2424 Dwight Way, Suite 7, Berkeley, CA 94704
(Additional East Bay offices in Walnut Creek and Oakland, CA)