planning to age in place

When Planning to Age in Place

Trying to plan may be hard since you never know exactly what your needs will be. But thinking of what may happen and those what ifs are great places to start. Consider your family medical history and your personal medical history. Think of your living situation, too. Have you lived alone or close by to family your entire life? Do you and your spouse both have long life expectancies?

Begin by talking with your doctor about your family and personal medical history and see how specific diseases and disorders may affect your mobility, mentality, and daily living. Read up on and discuss with other retirees their experiences, too.

Another great aspect in planning to age at home is the accessibility to help and care. Though it will sometimes come at a cost for services, there usually are many local and states offices that offer help to elders. Care options you may want to consider and plan for:

Personal care – Such as bathing, hairstyling, and even dressing, a family member or a trained aide could come in for your morning routine if you need.

Household care – Grocery shopping, lawncare, and even cleaning. Many groceries stores will do over the phone or online orders and deliver them to your home post-pandemic. Hiring help for housework and lawncare will be easier since these services are always available through various companies, large and small. If you already know someone who has a lawncare specialist or housekeeper, you may be able to hire them, too.

Cooking and meals – Meals are a good time to stay social. Perhaps each week host some friends or family and have a little potluck. Not only will there be leftovers for yourself and the others, but you can spend time catching up with family or friends. Eating out may even be an option. There are meal delivery programs that are low-cost or even free.

Financial care – The biggest worry for retirees is money management. Ranging from paying bills on time to medical bills and health insurance, depending on where you live, there are resources you have access to. Having a conversation with a trusted family member like a child or niece or nephew about your finances is an excellent first step. If you are able, hire a financial advisor to make sure everything looks good. Paying bills online and setting up autopay will ensure that utility bills and monthly premiums are paid on time. Some banks even offer financial services for seniors for free if you have been banking with them for a while.

The trick with financial care in retirement, especially as you age, is to make sure you do not fall victim to scams. Never give sensitive information like your Social Security number or banking information to someone unless you placed the call. Regularly check (or have someone do so) bills to make sure there are not unusual charges.

Health care – Often a tricky category, making sure you are covered here ranges from taking your medicine on time to hospital stays and aftercare. For medicines, there are special pill boxes that allow you to set out an entire week’s worth of medicine at once. If you have recently had a hospital stay and need to arrange aftercare such as temporary assisted living or rehabilitation, if your family is unable to, discharge planners at most hospitals can plan with you. Some insurance, even Medicare plans, may cover all or a portion of a home health aide. And lastly, if you need the doctor’s recommendations and directions written, your doctor or nurse can make sure those are in the summary for you. Or a family member or friend can help with those during your stay.

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nursing homes are not your only option

Your Options for Facility-Based Care in Retirement

Nursing homes are not your only option for care in retirement. Some facilities offer only housing and housekeeping, but many do provide a more personal care and even medical services. Oftentimes, with medical care there are specialized units for memory care or specific disabilities/illnesses.

Nursing Homes

With a wide range of health and personal care, nursing homes offer more than just assisted living. There is 24-hour supervision and care, meals, personal care, and assistance with everyday living. Part of why they are the most common facility for the elderly is also rehabilitation services (physical, speech, occupational) and extra curriculars that build and maintain community.

Another reason nursing homes are so popular is because they offer long-term and short-term stays especially those who only need short supervision and rehabilitation.

Board and Care Homes

Known as residential care facilities or group homes, board and care homes are smaller facilities with 20 or less residents. Rooms are either private or shared, but staff is available around the clock for personal care and meals. Medical care is off-site.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is for retirees who need daily care, but as much help as someone in a nursing home. These types of facilities typically offer their residents levels of care, where specific levels are more costly. In comparison to nursing homes, assisted living facilities do have fewer residents.

The residents typically stay in apartments or rooms and then shared space is the common areas. With access to daily meals and personal care assistance, certain levels of care offer different services such as medical or housekeeping care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

Referred to as life care communities, CCRCs offer independent living arrangements, but also have assisted living, or skilled nursing care on the same campus. Recreational and healthcare services are also provided onsite.

The biggest plus to a CCRC is you are permitted to live and transfer depending on your needs. Someone who is looking to live somewhere that might offer long-term care services if they need it may want to live here even if they are fully able to live independently now.

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