The largest part of our population in the United States is getting to the age a decision must be made for future living.
If a person is blessed to live along life how will they live? Some people have medical difficulties such as a stroke, broken bones, loss of memory, loss of life skills, loss of support and loss of peers are just some examples. People will best insure their comfort in future years by educating themselves on what is available as far as a life style.
Of course the best life style would be a healthy older person who can independently get around and care for themselves. A great idea for that person maybe to invest in a condo in the sun. Will that person always have the ability to transport themselves? What options are available for people who can not transport themselves? Community transit such as bus systems, taxi, access to acquaintance's who have transportation?
What if a person becomes unable to manipulate items needed to open wrappers, buttons, unscrew jars, turn knobs? The therapy community has developed adaptive items and techniques to free a person of limitations; a person must be a therapy patient to have knowledge or access to these items. Other options may be meals on wheels, living in an apartment complex for the aging that provides needed assistance, a nursing home, a county or state home for the aged.
Recently more and more private homes are opening up that provide a home atmosphere with assistance but not with an institutional feeling. The old time "nursing homes" are not around any more titles like Skilled nursing facility, assisted living, senior living, independent living are more common place.
Because our future is unknown how do we make it known our preferences as we age? I suggest before planning our will, we let our family, life administrator or responsible party know our desire if assistance is needed. Do we want to pay privately for someone to take care of us? Do we have funds for this? Do want to live in an institution with other aging people? What institutions are available? Would we like to live in a specific location? Do we want to ensure we are in constant contact with our children, family, church or association?
