In my practice, I often counsel families about the realities of aging—how to plan, how to prepare, and how to protect loved ones. But even as an elder law attorney, I face the same challenges many of you do with my own parents.
Like many older adults, my parents want to age in place. Their home is familiar and comfortable, and the idea of leaving it behind is difficult. But the reality is more complicated. Their house is not well-suited for long-term living—it has stairs, narrow doorways, and other features that make it challenging as mobility changes. On top of that, they live more than an hour away from the rest of the family, which makes regular support and quick responses to emergencies difficult.
Another common challenge is focus. Instead of prioritizing safety-related updates, my parents sometimes focus on less essential projects. Add to that occasional risky behaviors, such as riding on ATVs or driving when it may not be safe, and it becomes clear how difficult these conversations can be, even for someone in my profession.
These experiences remind me—and hopefully reassure you—that navigating the aging process with loved ones is rarely easy. It requires patience, open communication, and often, professional guidance. Families everywhere are grappling with the balance between honoring a parent’s wishes and ensuring their safety.
If you find yourself in a similar position, know that you’re not alone. Even those of us who work in elder law professionally face the same tough choices. Families everywhere are grappling with the balance between honoring a parent’s wishes and ensuring their safety. If you find yourself facing these same challenges, you don’t have to do it alone. The Woods Law Office, PLLC, is here to help guide you through the process of planning for aging safely and with dignity. Call us today at 586-532-8970 to learn how we can support you and your family. What matters most is approaching the conversation with empathy, being realistic about risks, and planning to support both independence and safety.
