Conversation Starters for Family Members of Seniors

It takes two people to have a truly intriguing conversation. So how do you pick a topic that will inspire your senior loved one to engage with you in a rewarding discussion?

The best way to start a chat with people of any age is to find a subject that is appealing to them. If you let them lead the way, hopefully you can learn things about your loved one you may not have known before. Read on for conversation starters for seniors and family members!

Great topics to discuss with seniors:

Their Lives. Hearing from someone you can relate to about what life was like 50 — or maybe even 75 — years ago is like opening a window to the past. It will be easy to keep the conversation going, because you’re bound to have lots of follow-up questions. Some examples — How has life improved over the years? What do they miss most from when they were growing up? Was life better then or now?

Their Accomplishments. What better conversation starters for seniors than to ask them about themselves? Not only can you ask about what they did to make their mark on the world, but you can discuss why those things were important to them and how they felt about themselves during the different stages of their life.

Their Hobbies. According to the old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” With that in mind, it could be a lot of fun to compare and contrast pastimes through the ages. What was life like before the internet when young people had to find creative ways to entertain themselves and create their own games? Did they play baseball or basketball as a kid? If so, how did the game then stack up to the way it’s played now? Have any of their favorite games or interests phased out over time? What were they and what made them memorable?

Their Backstory. What was their first job, car, pet, or notable life experience? It’s fun and informative to hear their backstory – learning where it all began and how things were different back then. Do they remember how much their first paycheck was, or how much they paid for their first car? If they could go back and do it all over again, would they?

What did they learn? A topic that could be valuable to both sides is to ask your senior conversation partner what great life lessons they’ve learned. If they had one bit of advice to give to people, what would it be? After all, what good is wisdom if it isn’t passed on?

What was their favorite time in their life? Was it being a worry-free teenager? When they got married and started a family? When they bought their first home? Regardless of what their choice is, questions about their favorite times are great conversation starters for seniors and a way to cruise down memory lane. It may be difficult for them to choose a favorite memory, but it will make them happy to reminisce and you’ll get a chance to learn a lot of fun things about someone you care about.

Create the right atmosphere:

It’s not all about what you have to say. Sometimes it’s about where and how you say it. Choose a place to talk where there aren’t a lot of interruptions and distractions. The conversation will flow more freely when the participants don’t find their train of thought sidetracked. Creating the right atmosphere for your talk is key to helping the words flow freely and making sure you can both enjoy the moment.

If you make the conversation truly rewarding, it’s more likely to become a regular occurrence.

Remember, when seniors feel disconnected from their loved ones, it can make them feel depressed and lonely. There is no better way to keep them feeling engaged and connected than talking in person, on the phone, or through video chat with the people they love. Jogging their memory by talking to them about their past can help keep their cognitive skills sharp and strong. Making a point of giving them your time not only benefits your loved one, but it might also help you grow your relationship and you may even learn a thing or two!

For more tips on creating rewarding relationships, visit Bethesda’s Caregiver Tips blog.