Mark Twain said “The secret to getting ahead is by getting started” and getting started means to stop avoiding. This is especially true when it comes to knowing how you want to live WHEN you need a little more help. (Notice we didn’t say “if” you need help, but WHEN.)
Most (85% – 90%) of us are going to need some kind of assistance before we die. Why? Because most of us are going to die as a result of an acute or chronic medical condition or a non-lethal accident such as a fall. However, we tend to live in the “I am not there yet” fantasy, or the “I’ll deal with it when something happens” veil. Unfortunately, waiting until something happens diminishes our options. Reacting to a crisis is not as effective as identifying your naturally occurring weaknesses as they arise. You wouldn’t read without wearing glasses if you couldn’t see, or walk without a walker if your core is weak. Why live in a town house full of stairs or have a bathroom with a step-in tub?
Even the tiniest hint of a plan will do wonders for your psyche. Avoidance is an enormous stressor for you and for your loved ones. Stress can be the worst trigger of all. As soon as you find yourself thinking twice about the stairs to the basement it is time to look at your lifestyle. It doesn’t get easier later.
Planning should include considering where you would like to live next. Perhaps a one storey condo would suit. A 2 bedroom suite in a retirement home might work too (no more cooking and an in-built community). Even co-housing with some friends where you can bring in services and share those costs will work. When you plan ahead, you have many options.
You might prefer to create a sustainable lifestyle plan by incorporating third party services. Consider hiring snow removal services, gardening, a driving service, a stair lift, prepared meals, in home-personal care, etc. to your existing home. The important thing is to think about it – and start planning.
We will all need to spend money to support ourselves.
We were recently at an industry network event and a few of the representatives from some very good local retirement homes in and around the GTA are at 95% – 97% capacity. That is great for them but not so great for anyone who is not planning ahead. To be clear: there is very little publicly funded support for those of us who are living above the poverty line. Additionally, there is a significant waiting list for the newer more desirable long term care facilities. It’s just the way things are now – and with baby boomers beginning to need assistance – it will only get harder to access those services. We will need to spend money to support ourselves. There is no getting around it.
So, what can we do now?
Start looking at different retirement homes, take tours, scout neighbourhoods. Inquire about waitlists and average wait times and put your name down. Discerning Seniors can help narrow down the list and give you a short hand of what the places feel like and what kind of support they provide. We can also help source third party services that can alleviate chores. Call us. We have a huge list of people that we trust and recommend. We understand it can be a challenge to know who to trust.
You can even call us if you don’t know where to start. If you are an adult child and are worried about speaking to your parents about these things or anything else, we can help. Our initial consultation is free.
As we always say, aging is not something that happens to you. It’s something you do. So, get started.
