“The process of maturing is an art to be learned, an effort to be sustained,” according to Myra Mannes. But how proactive are you in the planning process for yourself or your loved one?
Are you planning to have a safe and healthy last third of your life, or will it take a crisis to prompt a life change? If you’re caring for someone with a debilitating disease, do you realize the stress could be shortening your own life?
We often hear seniors say, “I won’t leave my home” or “You’ll carry me out in a wooden box!” But what happens when their laundry is in the basement, their bedroom is upstairs, and they’re now sleeping in a recliner in their living room, barely eating or cleaning because it’s too difficult? Did you know that one in three people over 50 die of a broken hip within the first 12 months? (Harvard Medical School, 2018).
Even worse, when a crisis happens, the senior often can’t make their own decisions, and their family members must make decisions for them. Is this what you want?
Being proactive in the aging process means being educated about your options and making your own decisions. The reality of a crisis is that seniors usually can’t make their own decisions, and their family members must make them instead. There are many options, no matter what stage of life you’re in, from independent living in a senior community because you don’t want to care for the house anymore to assisted living, memory care, and long-term care.
Knowing what each stage entails can help you make an informed decision. It’s critical to make sure your affairs are in order, regardless of how much money you have.
Do you have a will, a Power of Attorney, a Power of Health, and your digital passwords written down where someone can access them? Do you have a funeral planned, or at least someone who knows your wishes? Being proactive and educated means you’re in control of your own future.
The art of aging well can be learned and sustained, especially when we’re prepared for it. LivWell Seniors is a free service that helps seniors and their families navigate senior living communities and services.
The Quad Cities service offers a free seminar called “Aging 101: Being Proactive in Your Decisions.” To register or bring it to your workplace, call the LivWell Seniors office at (563) 265-1577.
(Gwen Tombergs is a senior resource specialist with LivWell Seniors, serving the Quad Cities, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids markets. She can be reached at gwen@livwellseniors.com.)
