Regular meetings can help families work together to support an older adult.

Meetings that improve family dynamics often:

• Help family members share information or make decisions or plans together
• Focus on the older adult's needs, wishes and priorities
• Include all family members who help make or carry out decisions
• Are held at times and places convenient for as many people as possible
• Use phone or video conferencing to allow more family members to join
• Have an agenda, or list of specific things to discuss
• Review what was discussed in the last meeting
• Create a shared record of decisions and plans made
• Recognize the contributions of each family member
• Set and follow ground rules

Ground rules for good communication during family meetings may include:

• We will take turns speaking.
• We will listen to and not interrupt each other.
• We will ask questions and try to understand others.
• We will share concerns without blaming or attacking others.
• We can ask to take a break.

Scheduling family meetings, coming up with agendas and taking notes are important tasks that can be rotated between family members or that certain people take on.

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