Essential Conversations on Aging & Caregiving with Dr. Amy D’Aprix
5 min read + 33:02 min video
Chartwell is proud to have partnered with renowned gerontological social worker Dr. Amy D’Aprix on her Essential Conversations video series. This series goes beyond the basics to help you and your family assess your retirement and care options, understand the complex family dynamics involved in caregiving, and take proactive steps toward aging with confidence. Whether you’re exploring retirement living, preparing for a life transition, or supporting an aging loved one, Dr. Amy’s expert guidance offers meaningful insights to empower your decisions and ease the journey ahead.
Table of Contents
- Essential Conversations for Older Adults
- Planning for How You Want to Live
- Assessing Whether Your Lifestyle is Healthy and Enjoyable
- Advantages of Aging in a Retirement Residence
- Giving Yourself Permission to Live Comfortably in Your Later Years
- The Benefits of Choosing Retirement Living Together with Your Spouse
- What Is Blocking You from Making a Lifestyle Change for the Better?
- Moving Beyond Assumptions
- Maintaining Emotional Balance During a Life Transition
- How Old Do You Feel?
- Embracing What Will Trigger a Change in Your Life
- Adjusting to Life Transitions
- Essential Conversations for Caregivers
- Providing Care for a Spouse
- Talking to Your Parents About Staying Socially Active in Retirement
- Talking to Your Parents About Their Finances
- Communicating with Your Siblings About Your Parents’ Care Needs
- Getting on the Same Page as Your Siblings
- Family Solidarity Before a Move to a Retirement Residence
- Understanding the Perspective of a Parent
- Are We Ever Too Old to Date?
- Understanding a Parent’s Difficult Reactions to a Big Life Transition
- How to Support and Celebrate Your Mother Around Mother’s Day
Essential Conversations for Older Adults
Whether you’re navigating change or considering your next steps, these videos provide expert guidance to help seniors make proactive decisions that support their health, happiness, and independence.
Planning for How You Want to Live
Have you started planning how you want to live during your retirement years—or considered what kind of support you’d prefer if your needs were to change? Discover practical ways to maximize your chances of staying independent later in life.
Planning for How You Want to Live (01:32)
Assessing Whether Your Lifestyle is Healthy and Enjoyable
When was the last time you assessed whether your lifestyle is healthy and enjoyable? Learn key self-assessment questions and practical tips to help you ensure your lifestyle remains both enjoyable and beneficial for your well-being.
Assessing Whether Your Lifestyle is Healthy and Enjoyable (01:36)
Advantages of Aging in a Retirement Residence
Explore the many advantages of choosing to age in a retirement residence, as well as how the lifestyle can bring you or a loved one a renewed sense of freedom and independence to lead your retirement years exactly how you want to—and with the right level of support.
Advantages of Aging in a Retirement Residence (01:26)
Giving Yourself Permission to Live Comfortably in Your Later Years
Have you planned and saved for retirement but find it difficult to shift from saving to spending—especially when it comes to putting the right support in place? This video offers guidance for those hesitant to use their hard-earned money on their own comfort and peace of mind in later years.
Giving Yourself Permission to Live Comfortably in Your Later Years (01:35)
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Are you preparing to move into your new retirement community? Learn practical ways to navigate change with confidence, ease worries, and embrace new opportunities so you can not only adjust, but truly thrive.
Adjusting to Life Transitions(01:31)
The Benefits of Choosing Retirement Living Together with Your Spouse
Discover the key benefits aging couples experience when moving into a retirement residence together, including shared support, easier transitions, improved well-being, and greater peace of mind as they plan their future.
The Benefits of Choosing Retirement Living Together with Your Spouse (01:31)
What Is Blocking You from Making a Lifestyle Change for the Better?
Ready for a lifestyle change but unsure what’s holding you back? Learn about common barriers to making the move to retirement living and gain practical insight to help you take the next step.
What Is Blocking You from Making a Lifestyle Change for the Better? (01:35)
Moving Beyond Assumptions
Making decisions for aging parents starts with understanding what truly matters to them. Learn how to move past assumptions and approach essential conversations with confidence, empathy, and purpose.
Moving Beyond Assumptions (01:38)
Maintaining Emotional Balance During a Life Transition
Life transitions can be emotionally complex. Learn how to manage the range of feelings that may arise as you prepare for a move to a retirement community and approach the change with greater calm and assurance.
Maintaining Emotional Balance During a Life Transition (01:32)
How Old Do You Feel?
Our sense of age doesn’t always match the calendar. Discover how feeling younger than you are can impact planning for later life, and how to take a more proactive approach to future decisions.
How Old Do You Feel? (01:36)
Embracing What Will Trigger a Change in Your Life
What would you do differently if your health or mobility changed? Explore how thinking ahead can help you maintain choice, control, and independence throughout your retirement years.
Embracing What Will Trigger a Change in Your Life (01:40)
Essential Conversations for Caregivers
If you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one, these videos offer compassionate guidance to navigate challenging conversations and work toward shared solutions.
Providing Care for a Spouse
For many, it’s an honour being able to support a spouse as you age together; however, research shows that caring for a spouse can take a real physical and emotional toll. Dr. Amy explores why it’s so important to have open, honest conversations about what each of you may need to enjoy a healthy, happy retirement—and marriage—together.
Providing Care for a Spouse (01:14)
Talking to Your Parents About Staying Socially Active in Retirement
Have you noticed that your aging parent may not be as socializing or getting out as much as they used to? Learn how to approach the topic with empathy and explore practical strategies for helping your loved one maintain meaningful social connections that boost their overall health.
Talking to Your Parents About Staying Socially Active in Retirement(01:17)
Talking to Your Parents About Their Finances
Do you feel your parent or aging loved one may need help managing their finances? Learn how to raise the topic respectfully and explore ways to support their financial security, so they can enjoy a comfortable and well-supported retirement.
Talking to Your Parents About Their Finances (01:21)
Communicating with Your Siblings About Your Parents' Care Needs
Are you the primary caregiver for a parent or loved one and feel your family doesn’t fully understand their situation or the need for extra support? Discover communication tips to help everyone get on the same page, so you can work together to ensure your parent receives the care they need—and the support they want.
Communicating with Your Siblings About Your Parents' Care Needs (01:28)
Getting on the Same Page as Your Siblings
Do you want to talk with your siblings about your parents’ need for more daily support and social connection to ensure they live comfortably and safely? Learn practical tips to help your family get on the same page and work together in supporting your loved one’s well-being.
Getting on the Same Page as Your Siblings (01:25)
Family Solidarity Before a Move to a Retirement Residence
Are you helping an aging loved one transition to a retirement community and noticing they feel overwhelmed? Discover why family solidarity matters during this time, and how engaging siblings and relatives can make the move easier for your loved one.
Family Solidarity Before a Move to a Retirement Residence (01:15)
Understanding the Perspective of a Parent
Are you helping an aging loved one move into a retirement residence? Gain insight into what they may be feeling during this time of change, along with advice on offering emotional support while managing the practical aspects of the move.
Understanding the Perspective of a Parent (01:29)
Are We Ever Too Old to Date?
When an aging parent starts dating again, it can bring up unexpected emotions. Dr. Amy speaks directly to adult children, offering understanding, reassurance, and thoughtful advice for navigating this emotional journey.
Are We Ever Too Old to Date? (01:39)
Understanding a Parent’s Difficult Reactions to a Big Life Transition
When an aging parent is facing a major life transition, emotional reactions can feel challenging to manage. Get helpful guidance on understanding those responses and supporting your loved one through changes like senior living with empathy and confidence.
Understanding a Parent’s Difficult Reactions to a Big Life Transition (01:50)
How to Support and Celebrate Your Mother Around Mother’s Day
When distance keeps families apart, finding ways to stay connected matters more than ever. Explore thoughtful suggestions for supporting and celebrating your mother around Mother’s Day, even when you can’t be together.
How to Support and Celebrate Your Mother Around Mother’s Day (02:46)
