Old age is the greatest risk factor for acquiring terminal diseases and disabilities, which is why it’s so important to develop a smart healthy aging plan in advance that prepares and supports loved ones to experience the best care and home environment when unexpected and serious health issues might arise. By doing so, you can help them maintain a valuable sense of control over their life.
A healthy aging plan helps ensure a person’s ability to age safely and comfortably in the proper environment—especially as their needs change over time—which may include medical and physical care, mindful and social opportunities, engaging activities and a price suitable to their budget. It’s important to build this plan early and before there’s an urgent need to find assisted living care. Family members, caregivers and other responsible parties need to take time to plan for the future with their loved one, engaging them specifically in creating the plan.
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Consider Personal Wishes
First things first: Does your loved one want to move to any type of senior living residence? If not, try not to force the issue—even if it’s likely in their best interest. To preserve the mental health and autonomy of the aging person, the decision should ultimately fall to them. “If your loved ones are mentally competent, they’re allowed to make mistakes,” says Dr. Quaning. “There’s only so much you can do.”
If your loved one is open to the idea of senior living, schedule tours of several facilities. “When exploring moving to a senior living community, most people are looking for a place that feels like home,” says Elliott. “[On these tours], engage with people who already live in the communities to get a sense of neighborliness with the residents, and engage with the care staff to gain a full understanding of the supportive care offered.”
List Health Conditions
The challenges of aging tend to grow over time, so it’s important to choose a setting where your loved one believes they can live well as these needs evolve. If your loved one is relatively healthy, a 55+ community may be suitable for quite some time. However, if they already have a complex medical condition, a nursing home may be a more appropriate choice.
Assess Physical Abilities
If your loved one is still able to navigate activities of daily living, such as feeding themselves and using the bathroom on their own, but they need support in other areas like taking medication as directed, house cleaning or preparing meals, an assisted living environment is likely the best fit. Their next housing option should be equipped to meet their current needs, as well as the next likely progression in their needs.
Plan in Advance
As previously mentioned, a healthy aging plan starts early. “If your loved one is independent and in good health by an advanced age, they probably chose a certain lifestyle that put them in a position to continue to be healthy,” says Dr. Quaning. Encourage them to maintain those behaviors in their later years, as well as adopt new ones that both motivate them and promote well-being.
When considering the inclusion of a senior living residence in your healthy aging plan, make sure to evaluate your finances as well. Room and board in such comprehensive care facilities are rarely covered by insurance (including Medicare), and only long-term nursing home care is covered by Medicaid for people who can’t otherwise afford it. Most older adults must tap into savings to pay for costs associated with senior assisted care living.
If your loved one is still working and generally healthy, consider discussing the benefits of long-term care insurance with them so they can enjoy even more senior living options later in life. “My wife and I are in our early 50s and we already started paying for long-term care insurance because we see what goes on with our patients,” says Dr. Quaning.
At the end of the day, it’s never too late to prepare a healthy aging plan. And the earlier you start, the better your quality of life will be when you do need assisted living care.
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