7 Tips for Making a Life Plan for Seniors

#1: Assess Your Lifestyle and Health

Assessing where you’re at and want to be when it comes to your health will guide your planning process. Consider the following questions:

• How am I managing current medical conditions?
• Do I feel comfortable and safe living at home?
• Am I able to tend to medical needs and activities of daily living?
• Have I communicated my healthcare preferences to my loved ones?
• Have I experienced any recent changes in vision, mobility or memory that could affect me in the future?
• Am I prepared for emergency scenarios?

#2: Define Your Goals and Priorities

Think about how you want to spend your time and what you hope to achieve during your later years or retirement. What are your hobbies and interests, and do you want to maintain those as you age? Defining your priorities lays the foundation for setting goals. If you’re uncertain of where to begin, consult your loved ones. Family and friends can provide perspectives you might not have considered when it comes to maintaining your lifestyle.

#3: Plan for Long-Term Health and Wellness

Your current lifestyle and abilities can change, so it’s important to evaluate how those shifts may affect your well-being in the future.

Take stock of your health needs by:

• Reviewing medical history
• Monitoring any chronic conditions
• Tracking medications and treatment
• Assessing physical and sensory abilities
• Evaluating diet, activity and sleep patterns

Preventative care is essential to optimizing your health as you age, so schedule regular checkups with your primary physician and specialists. They can help you manage your wellness as you get older, especially if you have a condition like diabetes or heart disease.

#4: Take Stock of Your Finances

It’s essential to compare your daily expenses against future financial costs when making an aging plan. While you need to budget for your current needs, you’ll also need to account for potential medical issues, emergencies and long-term care. If you have savings, investments or pensions, will they cover the cost of living if your needs change? Creating a will and establishing power of attorney now allows you to make your healthcare and financial wishes known if you’re unable to in the future.

#5: Assess Your Living Arrangements

It’s crucial to decide what you want to do if the time comes when it’s no longer safe or financially feasible for you to live independently. Aging in place may require in-home health services, home modifications and personal support. Consider the types of care you might need in the future if you wish to move to a facility.

There are several options:

Skilled nursing: If you need consistent medical care, personal support and rehabilitative services, moving into a skilled nursing facility is an option.

Assisted living: This type of care is intended for seniors who need help with daily activities and provides a safe living space and social activities.

Independent living: Also known as retirement communities, this housing is intended for those who lead active lifestyles and want to reside in a safe, senior-centric environment.

#6: Address Legal Matters

Will: This legal document outlines how you want your financial and physical assets to be dispersed after your death. It provides direction for your loved ones and prevents complicated court proceedings.

Power of attorney: Whether due to physical or mental incapacity, power of attorney documents allow a designated person to make decisions on your behalf. You can choose a financial and medical POA to see to your affairs.

Living trust: You can transfer ownership of your assets into a living trust while you’re alive. You or a trustee can disperse them directly to beneficiaries.

Funeral arrangements: Outlining and pre-paying for funeral arrangements ensures your preferences are followed. Doing so can also reduce the emotional and financial stress on your loved ones in the future.

#7: Review Your Plan Regularly

An aging plan isn’t a static document. The unexpected may require you to make changes, which is why it’s important to stay flexible and review your plan regularly. A yearly review is effective for a general assessment of your health, finances and lifestyle. You should also reevaluate your plan if you experience health, financial and housing changes.

Wellness Assistance from Embassy Healthcare

Addressing life changes can be overwhelming, but you and your loved ones don’t have to face the process alone. Embassy Healthcare works closely with community resources and partners to provide you with the resources you need to make informed decisions. Contact us to learn more about our services.