Page 7 - Valley Life & Health

THE MORNING CALL SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2019 7

There are always unknowns as we face the future — more so as we
grow older. It’s impossible to predict when challenges to our health and
well-being will appear. So any plan for our senior years has to be flexible. It
has to take into account the potential of change or of increasing disability.
However, especially if you begin early, you have a good chance to put in
place the outline of a life that has meaning for you, that allows you to pursue
your interests and reflects your priorities.
It All Begins with Planning
As you look to the future, what is most important to you? What are
the conditions that are most essential to your quality of life? Does being
close to family make it to the top of the list? Or putting aside resources
that will allow you to travel? As you look at where you want to live, is it
important to you to have a garden, a workshop, a good kitchen, or to
be located near a variety of cultural events? It’s time to make a plan! The
questions that help you create your plan should include:

• Where do I want to live?
• Where do I want to be geographically?
• With whom and near whom do I want to live?
• What size and configuration of home makes the most sense—long-time family
home, one-story condominium, mobile home, seasonal residence? you learn about resources for seniors in your area or the area in which you
• What activities or interests should my home allow—cooking, gardening, wish to live. All these sources might nudge you to think in ways you would
woodworking, exercise equipment, space for children and grandchildren to visit? not have considered by yourself.
• How would my proposed home function if I were to become ill or disabled? Once you’ve done all this background investigation, you can truly
• Will a move almost surely eventually be necessary, or can my home environment evaluate your initial strategy. If you now see that your plan is not going to
be adapted to new life circumstances? work, figure out how it might be changed, then check through the feasibility
• What do I want to do? again. Keep at it until you think you have a plan that works for you and is
• What long-time interests do I want to continue? realistic. Congratulations! Abundant research shows those who plan for
• What have I always wanted to do, but didn’t have time for? retirement and later life enjoy their life more and make better choices. You
• Do I want to work for pay, full or part time? have just joined their number.
• What volunteer opportunities would I like to pursue? Source: IlluminAge AgeWise
• What do I want to do for myself?
• What do I want to do for my family?
• What do I want to do for my community?
• How do I envision the rest of my life?
• Do I want to live in one place forever? What are the trade-offs in that strategy?
• Do I want to make a plan for the present and assume I will move to a different
home or care setting when I get older? What will trigger the decision to make
that move?
• What are my priorities to accomplish now, when I am at my
most healthy and active?
• When I slow down a bit, what activities will continue to be important?
• Do I have a spouse, sibling, parent or other relative for whom I will probably
need to provide care at some point? How does that impact my life plan?

Bring Others Into the Planning Process
As you can see, answering the questions above involves a lot of thought.
It is best to begin thinking about many of these issues early. It’s also helpful
to do your initial thinking with the help of others. If you are married or in
a committed relationship, obviously your partner needs to be part of your
conversation.
If you have children, it’s good to let them know what you are thinking.
Their assumptions about your retirement might be quite different from your
own! It’s probably best to have all family members working on the same
assumptions.
Once you think you know what you want to do, then you need to
gauge honestly and realistically the feasibility of your plan. You might talk to a
financial advisor or eldercare attorney at this point. What are your financial
resources and how do they impact your choices? Do you already have
health considerations to take into account as you plan your future? Discuss
them with your healthcare provider.
Along with these conversations, remember that there are a variety of
resources available. Your local library will have books on the topic, from
purely philosophical reflections on later life to how-to workbooks for
retirees. Planning seminars and workshops are offered by your local aging
services department and community colleges. Online retirement planners
are available. Aging life care professionals (geriatric care managers) can help