Healthcare needs, whether yours or a loved one's, can be a challenging and sensitive topic to discuss. Starting the conversation might seem like the most daunting part, but there are several "traps" or pitfalls that could derail your chat or make it less effective.

You might broach the conversation and discover they simply don't know what their health risks are. Sometimes, people respond with embarrassment or defensiveness, especially if they are concerned about being judged for their decisions. A person may also resist the conversation out of fear of "jinxing" their good health.