Planning is a part of our culture…everyone talks about it from the pre-school and little league team to the largest organizations in the world. It is what we do and it is a proven way to get more control and lower our anxiety. While some are better than others at it, it is a central part of all of our lives. But is it a key part as we get older and start winding down? Most avoid this type of planning because it signals an end when everyone hopes there isn’t going to be one.
When someone retires they usually make some plans of what they are going to be doing next. Maybe it’s going to be more travel or more time with the grandkids or possibly more time with their favorite non-profit…the list is long. But one of the plans that doesn’t seem to be made is the one for their last few years, whenever they might happen. This costs families and loved ones both money and anxiety.
One of the biggest causes of anxiety is “fear of the unknown.” Planning for end of life is probably the biggest unknown we will ever face in our lives…so it’s easy to see why we aren’t anxious to plan for it. But when you do make plans for it, whenever it might happen, you will find the anxiety of both you and your loved ones will decrease significantly.
While this type of planning might be the most uncomfortable one you have ever made, it could be the most valuable one you ever create. Seniors especially need to make plans for their very final years, as the Dothan Eagle discusses in "Seniors need to plan for their final years."
As you can see from the article, there are many different areas that seniors need to plan for in their end of life planning. For example, seniors need to plan for where they would like to live in their final years. This may be one of the biggest plans that are neglected and then something happens that causes less than desirable results for where they are going to live. If the answer is to stay at home, arrangements need to be made to make sure that home is safe. If people would prefer to live in a nursing home, they should see an elder law attorney as soon as possible to discuss how they are going to pay for the nursing home.
If you don’t have an attorney that deals in “elder law” this is a great place to start. They are experienced in these types of issues and can ask all the right questions. They are experienced in a variety of areas relating to planning issues seniors will have as they approach the end of their life. But one thing I can guarantee you is that you will have greater peace of mind and lower anxiety if you have plan in place. And your loved ones will have a roadmap of your wishes and know exactly what you want to have happen when it’s your time.