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How do you talk to an older parent about sensitive issues such as whether they’re able to continue to drive, live independently or manage their finances? And how do you know when it’s time to begin such a discussion?

According to a new public education campaign launched by Home Instead Senior Care, if you’re 40 and your parent is 70, it’s time to talk. The campaign, called the 40-70 Rule, also provides online resources for beginning those discussions with older parents.

Nearly one-third of adults in the United States have a major communication obstacle with their parents because they’re stuck in the role of a child with their aging loved one. The program is based on research that included telephone surveys of 1,000 U.S. households and 500 Canadian households.

“Because of this obstacle, adult children may wait until an emergency or crisis happens before talking to parents,” said Paul Storbeck, owner of Home Instead’s West Des Moines care center. “Our goal with the ’40-70′ campaign is to provide practical ways for adult children to talk to their parents now. We’ve seen lack of communication lead to misuse of medications, self-neglect and accidents.”

At the center of the campaign is a guide for conversation-starters, compiled with the assistance of Jake Harwood, a University of Arizona professor of gerontology and author of “Understanding Communication and Aging” (2007, Sage Publications).

To access the online resources, which includes a quiz to rate your own communication skills with an elderly parent, visit www.4070talk.com.