Talking with your aging parents about getting help at home, or possibly moving, can feel impossible. How do you bring it up without overstepping, causing conflict, or stripping them of their independence?

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Lynn Morrissey, founder of Silver Savvy, to discuss how families can successfully navigate aging, home safety, assisted living, and long-term care decisions.

We explore how to start the conversation before crisis hits, identify the family “influencer,” and make informed decisions about everything from home modifications to long-term care insurance. Whether your parents are fiercely independent or already need support, this episode will help you plan for what’s next, without losing your sanity or your family harmony. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Start early and start small. Don’t wait for a crisis. The best time to talk about preferences is when things are calm and you have options. Conversations about preferences (“Would you want to live on the first floor someday if the stairs get difficult?”) go much smoother than conversations about problems (“You can’t climb those stairs anymore.”).

2. Find the “family influencer.” Every family has one, the person your parents will actually listen to. That might be a child, sibling, or close friend. Identify who that person is, and use them to open the door to difficult topics with empathy, not pressure.

3. Keep dignity front and center. Avoid “you should” or “you need to” language. Instead, focus on independence, safety, and comfort. The goal is to empower, not to control.

4. Make the home safer now. From grab bars and stair rails to lighting and rugs modifications, small home updates can make a huge difference. Laura Lynn offers a free Home Safety Checklist to help you assess risks before an accident happens.

5. Understand what “home care” really means. A qualified, accredited home care company should provide both companionship and legitimate health support, and should be fully insured. Vet your options carefully and don’t assume all caregivers are alike.

6. Assisted living isn’t a last-minute solution. Most high-quality assisted living communities now have 2–3 year waitlists. If you or your parents might consider one down the road, get on the list early, even if you’re not ready to move yet.

7. “Medically stable” is not the same as “functionally able.” Hospitals discharge patients sooner than ever, often before they’re physically ready. Families need to plan ahead for a safe “hospital-to-home” transition, with equipment and support in place.

8. Long-term care insurance isn’t automatic. Up to 25% of initial claims are denied, often because of incomplete paperwork or miscommunication with doctors. Laura Lynn explains how to properly document claims, what to expect from assessments, and how to appeal denials effectively.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a care consultant, fiduciary, or neutral third party, bringing in an expert can defuse family tension and help everyone move from worry to action.

Resources & Links

• Home Safety Checklist, Hospital-to-Home Checklist, Life Care Plan Smart Start Kit, Expert Tips to Secure Your Benefits: https://www.deathreadiness.com/silver-savvy-resources

Connect with Laura Lynn Morrissey:

• Website: https://silversavvy.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Find Laura Lynn on LinkedIn!

Connect with Jill:

• Website: DeathReadiness.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Learn more about Jill’s services
• Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch!
• Submit a question for Tuesday Triage

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This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.

Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.

Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.