Preparing for Your Senior Years

Let’s face it. We all age, you can’t stop it and you can’t do anything about it. I like to think of it not as “aging” per se. I prefer to say I’m “maturing.” Like a good wine. But call it what you want, we are not getting any younger! So what? You might as well enjoy it if it is inevitable!

However, enjoying it does not mean you do not prepare. Yes, you need to prepare for your “mature” years. Ask yourself the following questions.

• What provisions have you made for your medical decisions if you can’t make them? Don’t ever assume that you will always have that capacity. That would be a big mistake.

• What provisions have you made if you can’t handle your finances anymore. Same thing…don’t assume you will always be able to. A trusted advisor is imperative. And get things in writing. A prior “conversation” means absolutely nothing when the time comes.

• Does your family know where YOU want to live out your senior years if you can no longer live in your home? Do you want help in the home so you can stay there? Is your home safe and barrier free? Do you want to live in a retirement community? Which one? Do you have the funds? Do you want to live with one of your children? Do they want you to? Don’t assume they do!

• What kind of savings have you set aside for your senior years? Does a trusted advisor know where it is and how to access it and act on your behalf?

• Where are your important papers kept? Does anyone know? Who knows how to access not only these papers but your passwords, combinations, keys, etc.?

If you cannot answer the above questions, it is time, right now, to do something about your estate.

Yes, you need to prepare for your senior years now!

See the blog titled, “Why Won’t my Parents Listen to Me?” There you will learn just who your parents listen to and why. That is a good place to start. Be sure you not only start but you also finish! You will be so glad you did.

Happy maturing!