Proactive Childless Couple Preparing for Aging

Preparing for aging means planning ahead. A caregiver writes about her neighbors and their proactive approach to aging.

The neighbors across the street and down one house are both 83 now, both with multiple health issues. They are elderly and frail — but they still try to look out for their neighbors. Yesterday, we had a new freezer delivered; she called us when she saw the truck, because she thought we were still out of town, to make sure we weren’t being robbed. So sweet!

He used to love to garden, and always has nice flower beds. We still see him outside almost every day, puttering around in the yard, picking up twigs and weeds. (Amazingly, though, for someone who likes to do yard work as much as he does, he has a really weedy lawn; he waters too often and at the wrong time of day, so the weeds grow faster than the St. Augustine.) She has confessed to me that she hates cooking any more, and worries about him falling in the yard.

While we were on the phone yesterday, she told me that they have put a deposit down on an apartment in the assisted living facility just a couple of miles away. It will be a while before the apartment will be available, but in the meantime, they have the time to plan for it, decide what to take with them and what to do with the stuff they are not taking, and get used to the idea.

She sounded a bit excited about the prospect of moving into the apartment. They will have others their age around them, staff to cook and clean for them, they already know several residents there and she’ll be able to stay in the local Women’s club; she said they have already eaten there several times and the food is uniformly excellent!

I wanted to kiss her! They have no children, so if anything happens to them, it will be up to nieces and nephews to clear out and take care of them. I’ve been there, done that, with my uncles, and it is NOT fun! I’m still doing that to a certain extent, with my aunt who lives so far away – and again, it’s quite a tricky path to follow.

My sweet neighbors are being proactive for themselves, and making plans for their own care, for their own futures. They have always been very independent – and by planning ahead like this, are taking steps to remain independent as long as possible. They are also considering their family members, and trying to make things easier on everyone – including themselves. I could not be happier for them – or for the rest of us. Everyone else living around our cul-de-sac is always on the watch for them, worried about their welfare, trying to help out any way we can. Now we can be assured that they have everything they need – including security and safety. Wish more seniors would be this proactive!

What Childless Couples Can Do to Plan For Aging in Place

My sweet neighbors are being proactive for themselves, and making plans for their own care, for their own futures. They have always been very independent – and by planning ahead like this, are taking steps to remain independent as long as possible. They are also considering their family members, and trying to make things easier on everyone – including themselves. I could not be happier for them – or for the rest of us. Everyone else living around our cul-de-sac is always on the watch for them, worried about their welfare, trying to help out any way we can. Now we can be assured that they have everything they need – including security and safety. Wish more seniors would be this proactive.

Start planning early

Advanced planning is key for childless couples age in place. When thinking about housing options, medical care, and finances, it's important to start making decisions as early as possible so that no sudden changes are necessary down the road.

Consider home modifications

Making some physical changes to your home can help make age in place easier. Simple changes like widening doorways or installing handrails can help create a better living environment for you and increase safety.

Research local resources

Knowing what services and social supports are available in your area will allow you to take advantage of them when needed - such as assistance with transportation, grocery shopping, housekeeping services, etc.

Stay connected to family and friends

Staying socially active is important for both physical and mental wellbeing. Check in with family members regularly, participate in activities with other seniors, or join local clubs - all of which can help provide companionship and support.

Have a plan for emergencies

It’s essential to have plans in place in case you need additional care due to an illness or injury. Make sure you know who will be the main point of contact if something happens, as well as what resources are available such as home health aides or assisted living facilities.

By following these steps, childless couples can age in place successfully while remaining independent and secure. Advanced planning will ensure that needs are met both now and in the future. It's reassuring to see that my neighbors have taken the initiative to age in place - and I'm confident they will be able to do so comfortably and confidently.

My sweet neighbors are setting a great example by being proactive about taking care of themselves - I'm glad they've made this decision so I can rest assured knowing they'll age in place safely!

How to overcome the looming caregiver crisis

As the population of seniors age in place grows, so does the demand for caregivers. This can lead to a caregiver crisis where there simply aren’t enough trained and qualified individuals to provide the necessary care. Childless couples planning to age in place must be aware of this issue and take steps to ensure they have access to reliable care when needed.

One way childless couples can prepare for the caregiver crisis is by researching local resources ahead of time. Knowing what services are available in your area, including home health aides or assisted living facilities, can make it easier if additional care is ever required. Additionally, family members should be involved early on in order to provide support and assistance with daily tasks or medical needs as necessary.

Develop a Care Team Partner Group

Another way to prepare for the caregiver crisis is by creating a network of reliable individuals who you can call upon in an emergency. This could include family members, neighbors, health care providers, caregivers, or other professionals. Having a few trusted contacts on hand will make it easier to access help should the need arise.

Finally, it’s important to stay up-to-date on changes in legislation that may affect your ability to age in place. Knowing what incentives or programs are available and how they might benefit you can give you peace of mind when planning for the future.

By taking these steps, childless couples age in place safely and confidently - despite the looming caregiver crisis. Advanced planning can go a long way in making sure needs are met now and in the future. The right resources, support network, and legislative knowledge can make all the difference. I’m so glad my neighbors have taken steps to age in place comfortably - they are setting a great example!

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