Interview Questions

1.  You’ve coined the term, “Aging Deliberately.” What do you mean by that?

2.  How does aging deliberately differ from how most people are aging today?

3.  What are some of the things we can do to age deliberately?

4.  What role does fear of aging and fear of death play in aging deliberately?

5.  We are looking at a huge aging population, with many of the nearly 80 million Baby Boomers entering their sixties. What needs to change in order to  accommodate such a large number of aging citizens?

6.  Since the fastest growing age group is 85 and older, will the services we have now be available in 20 to 30 years?

7.  What do we need to do in our 40s to prepare for our 70s?

8.  When you are speaking to groups and counseling families, what are the major concerns they bring to your attention?

9.  Are we doing better in the aging field today than in the past? What most disturbs you?



1.  What should we do when our parents become unable to take good care of themselves, but adamantly refuse to hire help in their home or move into a retirement community?

2.  How can we best communicate with our aging parents about their wishes?

3.  How important is it to have an honest discussion with our parents about what they expect from us, as they grow old?  How should we open up this conversation? When should we start?

4.  When should we anticipate how much care we could offer our parents should they become unable to care for themselves?

5.  Many women care for their own parents as they age, then for their husband’s even though both work full time, leading to intense disagreement. How can couples and family members resolve these differences?

6.  What happens when you want your parents to move in with you and your and your spouse is unwilling?

7.  What do our parents need to do to prepare to live on their own until they die?

8.  Many older people want to live at home as long as they can before they die. What are the pros and cons?

9.  If my mom has a stroke or other health catastrophe, and needs immediate nursing home care, how do we find the best option – since we might have only a day to choose?

10. Who pays for nursing home care?

11. I know you consult with families when arrangements need to be made for aging parents? How does that work? Why is it necessary for some families?

12. What do aging parents need to do to protect themselves and their family members from family strife?



1.  When should we begin to think about and plan for growing old?

2.  At what age should we have Advanced Directives, such as a Living Will and Durable Powers of Attorney for health and finances?

3.  What are the advantages for remaining at home rather than living in a retirement community? What are the disadvantages?

4. What are the advantages of choosing a retirement community before we need to make a move?

5.  As we age, should we think about moving closer to other family members?

6.  Do you think there are better models for growing old rather than assisted living and nursing homes?

7.  How should we select someone to oversee our business and personal interests as we age? Do you favor family members or trustees?

8.  We’ve all heard the horror stories about parents being betrayed by those they have selected to advocate for them. What can we do to protect ourselves?

9.  How widespread is elder abuse and what can we do to protect ourselves?



1.  What is a Durable Power of Attorney for finances?

2.  What is a Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare?

3.  What is a Living Will, also called a Directive to Physician?

4.  Is it best to have a lawyer draw up these documents or can you do it yourself?

5.  Since the current life expectancy for Americans is 78 and rising each year, we’re probably going to need more and more care, as we get older. How are we going to pay for it?

6.  What is a Reverse Mortgage and what are the pros and cons?

7.  Regardless of our personal financial future, what are the most significant issues we need to address, individually, and as a society, as we get older?



1.  What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and dementia?

2.  What health concerns raise the most questions with the families you counsel and the audiences where you speak?

3.  In terms of medical issues, what is your greatest concern about the aging population?



1.  If you could pass along your wisdom to those who are 50-plus, what would you list as the top 5 priorities to begin taking care of immediately?