No matter our age, we must be willing to share our fears, our stories and our values with those who care for us — a National Healthcare Decisions Day blog.

By 2025, every member of the baby boomer generation will be at least 65 years old. Many see this as a milestone for retirement, for travel or other lifestyle changes, but it also holds implications for the Gen X and millennial generations. These groups are also hitting a new phase in their lives, perhaps becoming caregivers or care advocates for the first time. They will also soon be the workforce majority, with even more responsibility and decision-making power in their personal and professional lives. We are entering a pivotal time in our history, as these societal transitions call for a deeper understanding between generations and difficult conversations about what comes next.

Over the last 10 years, a movement around death acceptance has grown in the U.S., and many of its leaders are found among Gen Xers and millennials. Despite this, their perspectives on end-of-life care have not been researched or documented as clearly as the perspectives of their elders. Studies do show that only one in three adults have filled out an advance directive, which suggests that many people in their 30s to 50s are having a lot of conversations but are not likely to have their wishes formally documented.

A lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we have witnessed death in our families and communities on an unprecedented scale. This public health crisis has illuminated the urgency of conversations about what would happen if you or a loved one suddenly fell ill. It also showcases one of the biggest struggles when it comes to talking about death: The vulnerability must be reciprocal. No matter our age, we must be willing to share our fears, our stories and our values with those who care for us.

Take Cecilia Vasquez-Vigil, an advocate from Katy, Texas. After contracting COVID-19, the fear of dying alone without an advance directive weighed heavily on Cecillia. A few months later, when her own mother died from COVID-19 without an advance directive, Cecilia made it her mission to not only make her wishes known, but encourage others to plan for the end of life.

Younger generations will soon be the majority of nurses, doctors, social workers and other death workers. This means we have a responsibility not only to our elders, but to coming generations, to become knowledgeable and comfortable with conversations about death. Younger generations can support a culture that recognizes the inevitability of death and embraces planning and preparing for each other at these pivotal moments.

Compassion & Choices is dedicated to offering support and education to people in every phase of their lives. We are determined to show that end-of-life options are an intergenerational issue.

• Start with yourself – If you were critically ill and someone asked your loved one what you want, what would they know right now? What have you had a chance to tell them? Are there things you need to discuss?

• Have the conversation with others – Once you’ve considered these questions for yourself, engage in these conversations with the people in your life who matter most, including older adults. Be curious, ask open ended questions, and listen.

• Practice your advocacy – Every appointment with a healthcare professional is an opportunity to practice advocating for yourself and others in that setting. It’s important to be able to ask questions, seek clarity on treatment options and voice what kind of care you want.

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