“Mom is eighty-three years old. She’s in good health, has lots of friends, and just started a neighborhood gardening club. I know we need to talk about what she would want if ever she got sick and couldn’t speak for herself. But it seems wrong to bring it up when she’s so healthy and active. What should I do?”

“Dad broke his hip a few months ago, and his health has since deteriorated. He refuses to discuss treatment options, much less fill out a healthcare directive. How do I get him to talk about his treatment preferences before our next trip to the emergency room?”

“Dad recently learned that he has cancer. His prognosis isn’t good. I know we need to talk about hospice care, but I’m afraid that if I bring it up, he’ll lose all hope.”