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January 10, 2012 at 11:30 AM

By Samantha Banark

“In 2030, it is estimated that 22% of the population will be over the age of 65,” according to projections from the United States Census Bureau.  Many Beatitudes Campus residents and home care clients have expressed they “never planned to live ‘this’ long.” Today, not only are older adults are living longer than ever before, but our nation’s population is more saturated with citizens living beyond the age of 65 than our nation has ever experienced. 

According to the findings from a 2003 U.S. Census Bureau report, “life expectancy at birth for the total population has reached an all-time American high level, 77.5 years, up from 49.2 years at the turn of the 20^th century. Record-high life expectancies were found for white females (80.5 years) and black females (76.1 years), as well as for white males (75.3 years) and black males (69.0 years).”

Preparing for the unknown may seem like a daunting task, though one is more likely to prevail, if “planning to age” is approached tactfully. Below, I have assembled a list of suggestions you and your family may consider as you begin brainstorming how to best plan for your future lifestyle. If I were assisting a family member through this planning process, I would advise them to take each of the below areas on at a time in order to avoid overload:

1)      Delegate Responsibilities

1. Decide who will act on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions at any given point in time. Make a list.
2. Are these individuals reliable? Are they friends or family members? What does your current relationship with each person look like?
3. Ask yourself: Do I have the proper forms filled out which will enable others to make decisions on my behalf?  Do I understand what forms I may need for future planning?
4. Important forms many older adults do not have ready and completed include: Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Advanced Directives, and Living Will forms.
5. If you have an attorney, contact them and discuss your questions/concerns.

2)      Research Community & State Resources

1. Research state-funded financial aid.

• Veteran’s Administration Aide & Attendance pension for vets or surviving spouses.
• Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) program for Assisted Living costs, in-home care service fees, and skilled nursing care.
• Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System AHCCCS which offers health insurance for 65+ who do not require the levels of living listed in item above.

1. Visit your local Area Agency on Aging which offers an endless amount of information, contacts, resources, courses on Medicare & Medicaid, etc.
2. Discover your state’s aging resources.
3. Explore Living Environment Possibilities.

• Remaining at home with assistance.
• Moving to a community for older adults.
• Residing at a continuing care retirement community (like Beatitudes Campus!)
• Relocating to an assisted living apartment.
• Utilizing the nursing services of a skilled nursing residence.

3)      Preserve Independence

1. Visit your primary care doctor regularly.
2. Forgetting to take your medication? Consider some easy options:

• Organize your pills in to a weekly pill set and leave in the kitchen or bathroom, each pill taking time should have its own slot (e.g. AM, lunch, PM, bedtime).

1. Research fall detection help buttons which will contact emergency services automatically.
2. Continue to stay physically, intellectually, socially, spiritually, vocationally, financially and emotionally active!

As you embark on your aging resource discovery and planning, it will prove beneficial to seek the assistance of others. If you or a loved one is nearing or has already reached beyond the age of retirement, seek assistance from aging services professionals who practice in your local community, including staff at Beatitudes Campus. Researching and compiling the above information and resources may seem daunting at first, but being proactive will always provide the best results – and peace of mind!

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