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In the last decades of their life cycle the individual is confronted with biographical transitions that are a potential source of psychological fragility, demotivation, and withdrawal. When ageing individuals have experienced or are dealing with such situations, many caregivers, especially those who work in geriatric care or in residential institutions, are often perplexed, and have difficulty finding the right response, knowing how to listen and what to say in a way that can help the elderly people in their care. After an overview and a commentary on the listening practices currently used in institutions, this article presents the characteristics of a different person-centered approach, which aims to help older people understand and cope with the events they face during this period of their lives.