As we grow older, our perceptions of what is being said to us...can change. Gary Powell of the Caregiver Foundation has talked about this extensively with seniors.

"Working with them, I began to realize that the language that we use may not be the language that is understood. Because the seniors develop into their golden years, sometimes what they hear is not what we said," said Gary Powell, Caregiver Foundation.

There has been a traditional feeling that the child becomes parent to the parent and talks to the senior that way. There could be a breakdown in communication because of that.

"I am now your parent. I'm reminding you what to do, I'm telling you what to do. That automatically sets up - 'I don't want to hear that...' a barrier right away in the true parent's mind," said Powell.

It's not a matter of who's right and who's wrong.

"Well the seniors tell me, my kid doesn't know what I'm trying to say. When I talk to their kids, their kids just go well, I'm trying to be concerned and be a good child," said Powell.

It's not difficult to change this dynamic, according to Powell.

"You have to listen. Any relationship coach will tell you that listening is the main thing to do in a partnership. But it goes also into how we say things," said Powell.

He offers a good example - talking to your mom about taking her medicine. Ask her how she feels about having to do that.

"Let her tell you. You may find the conversation comes back, well, you know, I really hate to have to do that. But if I don't take the medicine then I can't do this or I can't do that or I'm going to get sick - so, can you get me a glass of water," said Powell.