Today’s seniors are most fortunate. Many of us post-war babies have been raised in peace and prosperity.
We are living, by some statistics, 25 more years than our grandparents. Universal health care, improved nutrition, as well as knowledge of healthy living improves the quality of our longer lives. Nonetheless, there comes a time for us all to decide where we will live for our older years.
Considering that in our whole life, we seldom made such huge decisions without examining all of the facts. That information is not available to us as seniors. No one can predict if we will in fact age in great health or even in a state of wealth.
At 65 years of age when many retire, we might have thought we had done a great job of saving for our future years. But costs increase and so do taxes! We might have a spouse. Or we might be alone. Some of us have several children who might or might not live nearby.
And those children might have their own families. Our children then, might be responsible for their own family, plus feel a sense of responsibility for us, their parents. Seniors without a spouse or children have different factors to consider when deciding on where and how they want to live in their older years.
Seniors recognize the many changes in aging: physical and mental health, friendships, energy, and our own priorities. We never forget that we are still the same people. The day might come when we no longer want to garden, shovel snow, or cook.
These changes might be symptoms that we should begin to consider moving. It can be difficult to recognize that we really are that old and face the fear of loss of control and even loss of freedom. Hopefully, along with a sense of trepidation, we will feel some excitement at future changes.
Because of the baby boomer age, many people will be looking at the same residences and options that we are. Even if we choose aging in place, the earlier we start planning, the more prepared we will be to enjoy our later years.
Your home. Do you need now, or will need in the future, to widen doorways to make it wheelchair accessible, install handrails, or an emergency response system, and so on? Is our community ‘age friendly’ — for example, does it have services such as yard care, house maintenance, health care or my church? Do I have family or close friends nearby? Are there community activities I can attend, like perhaps coffee groups?.
Can I afford my home, especially if it is also aging or if my partner requires institutional care? If I am the caregiver for a loved one, is there respite services?
Finally, but most importantly, you need to discuss your decisions and plan with your family. They might have thoughts as to where and how you could or should live in your later years.
For information, contact Mountain View Seniors' Housing at 403-556-2957, Boomer Movers at 403-586-1070, or the Olds Health Unit at 403-556-8441.
- Age-Friendly Committee of Olds Institute.
