In general, my parents are both still there. But they're both past-retirement, and last night my dad had a very, very alarming gaffe (and this isn't his first). His mother had dementia as she got older. He still works part-time though, and tries to keep mentally healthy. My mom doesn't do much and doesn't have a ton of gaffes, but isn't very healthy overall, so I need to keep that in mind.
But, they've always been private, independent, and relatively stubborn individuals. I don't have anyone else in the family, or my own spouse or kids to point out when they're having problems. I worry that as they get older, it's going to become a "me vs. them" thing when addressing issues, or asking for more transparency with their doctors. In addition, being an only child I can't provide them with care, take them to doctor appointments… I've gotta work and live my own life.
But I do feel like the conversation needs to happen sooner rather than later and set up a gameplan, so when they're not all there, we have a plan laid out they've already agreed to.
They're not 70 yet… but closing in. Should I wait until after they turn that age at least, or try to have the convo now?