Seniors: How Needs Change Over Time

As we age our needs change. For seniors their needs continue to change as they grow older and start to face various challenges.

A scenario you may be familiar with:  a lovely couple in their 80’s living in their two-story home for 50  years+.  His health (or her health) is failing and fortunately there have been no serious injuries to date but…. THEY need help to maintain their life and lifestyle together and determine where that life may be (they want to be together). Can they get help to maintain their home, life standards and be safe or is it time to consider relocating to something more manageable in either an independent apartment, condo or within a seniors residence.

What care options exist for a couple who have lived autonomously together all these years and now need help due to failing health, dexterity and safety concerns? How do we help ensure seniors safety? With two healthy minds, the shift in caregiving  and both of them accepting their new roles as part of a couple, there are challenges and they both know there are more to come for both the person with failing health and the acting caregiver.

To move from home means that family members will want and need to review retirement options.  Below I borrow from Audrey Miller who writes for All About Estates and likes to use ” 3 C’s” with families to help us both better understand and identify their needs as follows:

The first ‘C’:
-CARE This includes a discussion on what amount and type of care does the person require?
-What is the medical condition and is it chronic, temporary, progressive or palliative?
-How is the condition being treated medically and what course of treatment and outcome can be expected?
-Will the care needs increase over time?

My second ‘C’: COST
-What is the cost of hiring care?
-What will be the total monthly cost?
-Do you know all of your current monthly costs? Remember that food and lodging are usually included in the retirement residence cost while care is often available on an incremental cost basis.
-What is the cost of the care component by itself? Consider costs for nursing, the services of a personal support worker, other therapies, medication monitoring and administration, and any special equipment that may be needed.

My third ‘C’: CHOICE
-Is there a preferred geographic location?
-How important is it to be close to family, friends, religious organization, doctors?
-How important is it to be close to public transportation?
-Are pets welcome?
-Are there other personal preferences that should be considered, such as special diets or a sense of religious or cultural community?
-What amenities are available?

Aging is a process over time. As time moves on, seniors needs will vary and eventually include professional guidance and resources. At some point they (and possibly you as their adult child) will need some help  to research and facilitate various aspects associated with SECURITY – financial, health, wealth and home. While we may be “button-down” in earlier years, we may not be great at planning for life changes and put things off while we’re living for today.  It’s not easy to think about life in your late 70’s and 80’s when you’re 40-something.  Whether through longer-term planning or immediate needs, there are lots of ways the professionals I work diligently with at TOUCHINGBASE for Boomers & Seniors are individually and collectively trained and coordinated to help you and your family through transitions in the Austin Area.