| Guest Columnist |
|
Successful
Aging at Home |
Start
Now! Be Proactive! |
| Bill and Margie are healthy and mentally sharp. NOW is the time for them to make modifications to their home, plan for transportation needs, communicate their desires to their children, and assess their financial resources. Bill and Margie need to make choices now, because they can! Otherwise, others may have to step in later to make choices for them when they can't. Who wants that?! Bill and Margie certainly don't! The remedy is to be PROactive! |
| Bill
and Margie's Home |
| Remember, Bill and Margie need to be PROactive. They may not need home modifications right now. But why wait until Bill or Margie falls and breaks a hip?! Why not prevent injuries in the first place? Isn't that a happier, healthier way to live? Click here to see a list of things Bill and Margie can do to make their home easier and safer to live in for a long time!. (What could YOU do in your own home?) |
| Bill
and Margie's Transportation |
| Oh, yes! Staying at home also means being able to get to and from home! How difficult is it to get to the grocery, the doctor, the pharmacy, place of worship, and friends' homes? Right now Bill and Margie can drive. But they must plan ahead to the day when they can't drive. If Bill and Margie investigate their choices now while they are healthy, and can have fun doing so, then a different transportation method won't be "foreign" when they can't drive. Bill and Margie stay in charge. So what are their choices? (What are YOUR transportation choices?) |
| Bill
and Margie's Children |
| Children, even very loving children, are not psychic. Bill and Margie need to discuss their desires with their children. Sometimes adult children can be very childish...but Bill and Margie need to remember they are still the parents and still in charge of their own wishes and desires. Bill and Margie would do well to investigate what legal tools are available to them to be sure their desires are carried out such as: living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, advanced medical directives, durable medical powers of attorney. (What tools do YOU need in order to convey YOUR wishes?) |
| Bill
and Margie's Finances |
| Bill and Margie thought having kids was expensive! Aging is expensive! If Bill and Margie truly do decide to remain in their home regardless of their health, they will most likely have in-home care at some point which is extremely expensive. Nursing Home care is approximately $35,000 a year and that doesn't include medications. In-home care is more expensive. Bill and Margie need to do some major long-term care planning (if they haven't already!). Long-term care insurance is one planning choice. Depending on Bill and Margie's financial resources, they may have other planning options available to them. (What are YOUR long-term care financial options?) |
| Most likely, you do
know Bill and Margie. Most likely you would encourage them to be proactive
so they can be happier and safe in their own home? How will YOU be proactive?
|
| For further information about Successful Aging, please contact Kay Paggi at kpaggi@sbcglobal.net or visit her website at www.kaypaggi.com. |