That Conversation With Mom During COVID-19

It’s heartbreaking for families to self-isolate during lockdown. A lot of children have not been able to see their grandparents for several weeks, or even longer if the grandparents are vulnerable individuals. Hopefully, we can expect the covid-19 vaccine rollout will be able to bring us together again without putting anyone at risk. 

But in the meantime, you’ve probably had that awkward conversation with your parents. What if I die before I can see the kids again, they ask. The sort of conversation we never like to have with those we love which leads onto more things we none of us want to discuss. I was reading this and it got me wondering about life insurance, that thing we all need and must consider but the very same topic we all hate to think about!

Damn. This is a terrifying thought. But, for once, we have to be honest. Grandparents are not being overly dramatic. The pandemic can have tragic consequences. Therefore, it’s understandable that your elderly parents worry about what could happen to them. They seek reassurance, but unfortunately, you’ve told them that everything will be fine without being able to lift their minds. There’s a reason for that. They are genuinely afraid of what the future may bring, and the best way you can help them is to take their fears seriously. Will everything be okay? We hope so but nobody can tell for sure. Therefore, the best course of action to put an end to the awkward talk is to suggest a practical approach.

They’re worried about the costs

Everything in life comes at a cost. Dying is expensive. Understandably, your parents worry about how their passing could affect your finances. A lot of seniors have proactively started saving ahead of their funerals under lockdown. Ideally, if you want to reassure them, you should get in touch with an experienced funeral director to address their concerns: 

• How much does a funeral cost for the average family?
• How long does it take to organise?
• Can I already plan and pay for my funeral?

They’re worried about nobody knowing

With everyone stuck at home, grandparents are concerned about falls or more severe issues going unnoticed in the absence of visitors. You can’t promise they nothing will happen to them. But you can suggest adding smart protective systems to their home. The addition of a CCTV camera on the outside could capture images if they happen to fall in the garden, for instance. Similar camera systems are available for indoor use and can inform relatives of any suspicious event or problems. You can even log into the streaming to check on relatives if you’re worried! 

They’re worried about leaving nothing behind

What will happen to my things once I’m gone?

You can swear you’ll dispose of them or keep them for them. But, when things are not officially sorted out, seniors can begin to feel anxious and take drastic decisions as a result. You can suggest ways of managing their decisions and organising what they want to leave behind. Together you can reach out to legal advisors or infrastructures to answer some of their most anxious queries: 

• How much does a will cost to write? 
• How long does it take to make a will online? 
• What can I do to make it official?

The conversation with grandparents is unpleasant, but it is necessary to seize the opportunity to alleviate their fears. There isn’t much we can do against the pandemic anxiety, except for staying safe and waiting for the vaccine rollout. But, everyone can appreciate that stress makes us more vulnerable to illnesses and health complications.

Collaboration.