Navigating Aging Parents: Where to Begin, What Matters Most, and How to Prepare

Most families don’t know where to start when it comes to aging parents — and waiting for a crisis makes everything harder. This candid, practical conversation brings together an eldercare advisor, an estate planning attorney, and a guide to help midlife women take meaningful action before it’s urgent.

Together, we’ll explore how to start the conversation early, understand care options and legal essentials, and — in a more soulful turn — how to write a “forever letter” to a parent: a deeply personal document that captures what you want them to know while there’s still time to say it.

The evening will cover:

• How to start difficult conversations about care, independence, and wishes — before a health event forces the issue
• The care pathways families should understand: aging in place, assisted living, memory care, and when to seek professional guidance
• The must-have legal documents every family needs (and what happens when you don’t have them)
• How to write a “forever letter” to a parent — a heartfelt legacy document that says what matters most, in your own words
• A simple action checklist: first steps you can take this month

OUR SPEAKERS:

Wendy Daly

Wendy Daly is the owner of Dwell Senior Advisors, where she guides families through the complex landscape of senior living options. With deep expertise in eldercare planning, Wendy helps families understand care pathways, assess needs, and navigate the transition to the right level of support — before a crisis forces the decision.

Alessandra M. Messineo Long

Alessandra M. Messineo Long is an attorney focused on estate planning, helping families put the essential legal and financial structures in place to protect their loved ones. She advises clients on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and the critical documents that ensure wishes are honored and families are protected.

Lindsay Hurty

Lindsay Hurty is the founder of Foreverletterwriting.com, a practice devoted to helping people capture what matters most in writing. Lindsay guides families in crafting meaningful “forever letters” — heartfelt, legacy documents written to aging parents (or by them) that express love, values, and unspoken truths before time runs out.