October 9 is Ageism Awareness Day. Prejudice against older adults is so widespread we often inflict it upon ourselves without even thinking about it. See what you can do to counteract this way of thinking.
Posts Categorized: Aging Well Blog
Estate planning for blended families
September 16 is National Stepfamily Day. This month we look at the issues of blended families when you consider how to divide up the estate fairly between the “new” spouse, first-union children, and any subsequent children born from the new marriage.
Writing a memoir, with a twist
If you are thinking of writing a memoir, consider a different approach, one that recounts how you came to hold the values you believe are important in life. Rather than a chronological recounting, it provides a view of you through the lens of the wisdom you have gathered and the lessons learned.
Key screening tests covered by Medicare
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Next after that is early detection! Learn about key screening tests that Medicare covers to help you catch problems before they go into full bloom.
Do you have “helicopter kids”?
Much as your kids mean well, do you worry they are going to step in and start making decisions about your life? You’re not alone! Rather than distance yourself from them, consider strategies to address their concerns while also maintaining your independence.
Disclosing a dementia or MCI diagnosis
Once you have come to terms with your diagnosis, it’s a big step to let others know. You can’t control their reactions, but you can help them learn more about your condition and how best to support you.
Choosing a health care agent
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. To honor the importance of advance planning, we present issues to consider when you appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for you should you become unable to voice your own wishes (a coma, dementia, under anesthesia during surgery). This person is known as your “health care agent.”
What is a “life plan community” (aka “CCRC”)?
If you want to make one last move to where you can receive all the levels of care you might need all in the same place, you may want to consider a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). From independent living with high-end amenities to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, it’s all available on a single campus.
Living apart together
If you don’t wish to remarry or live together, there is a growing trend of older adult couples keeping their respective homes while enjoying a romantically exclusive and intimate relationship. They are freed from expectations of domestic chores and eventual caregiving, yet enjoy more emotional support and companionship than if they were simply dating.
Medicare: Wellness and prevention
Medicare provides a yearly opportunity to address prevention and wellness with your doctor. These visits are 100 percent paid for by Medicare. But they are NOT the “annual physical” you were accustomed to in younger years. It’s wise to understand the difference.