Introduction: As an adult, talking and connecting with older adults can be an incredibly rewarding experience. To get the ball rolling, here are 20 conversation starters for older adults:
1. What’s the most interesting piece of advice you’ve ever been given? – It’s always special to get a look into someone’s life and hear words of wisdom that have been passed down to them over the years.
2. What hobbies do you enjoy? – Talking about what they like to do outside of work can help you find commonalities and build a bond.
3. What was the world like when you were my age? – Getting insight into the life of someone who lived through different decades is fascinating and you get an appreciation to where you are today.
4. What’s the biggest change that you have seen in your lifetime? – This question can lead to reflections on their life and plenty of interesting conversations.
5. What kind of TV shows/movies do you like? – Since entertainment was different in the past, you can compare and contrast the different media that the older adult follows compared to you.
6. What do you think about the current state of the world? – This question can lead to more serious conversations and can help you get to know the older adult’s values and philosophy on life.
7. What are your thoughts on technology? – As technology is constantly changing and advancing, hearing the older adult’s perspective on these recent changes can be an interesting conversation.
8. How did you and your spouse meet? -Asking this can create fun memories and allow you to get to know the older adult better.
9. What job did you have before you retired? – This is an interesting way to learn about their younger life and the different choices they made.
10. How did you keep your life in balance? – Asking questions about their approach to life can lead to great advice and tips on how to live with purpose.
11. Tell me a funny story that happened in your life – Lighthearted conversations are important during conversation with an older adult and this question can create laughter and a fun atmosphere.
12. What did you think of your first day at school? – Learning about their childhood can create a bond and common understanding.
13. What was the most difficult thing you ever had to overcome? – This question can create powerful conversations about the struggles the older adult faced in the past.
14. What advice would you give your younger self? – This gives perspective on the older adult’s mistakes and allows them to pass down knowledge to you.
15. What did you do for fun when you were a kid? – It can be fun to compare and contrast the hobbies both generations had growing up.
16. What made you choose the career you had? – It’s important to understand the different choices that led someone to where they are today.
17. Tell me about your favorite travel destination – With this question, you can capture a vision of the older adult’s destination and you can compare it to your own future travel plans.
18. What has kept you happy throughout your life? – This question helps you understand the simple things that create happiness for the older adult in their life.
19. What has been the best decision of your life? – This can lead to stories about the best and worst decisions someone has made and stories of their life.
20. What have you learned from past experiences? – Asking the older adult to reflect on the meaning of their experiences can create a positive conversation and learning experience.