Planning for the future can be stressful, and when you have an illness or condition that makes daily living difficult, it’s important to make sure you’re taking every precaution possible in order to stay healthy and vital. This is why it’s so important to make sure that your future planning is done well; start slowly and ask for help when you need it to ensure that your stress levels don’t skyrocket. There are many factors to consider, from the financial side of things to how to help your loved ones should you need long-term care.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to ensure that your future needs are planned for and thought out, and Dickmann Reason Bogigian & White can help you in more ways than one. Think about your current needs and health factors. Are you in good shape? Do you have health issues that could become more serious five or 10 years from now? If so, is your home a safe place that will accommodate you in the future? Make a list of questions you have and goals you want to accomplish, and talk to your family members about getting started.
Thinking Ahead
You’ll need to take a look at your current health needs to begin planning for the future, so consider what changes could be made to your lifestyle to prevent illness or injury. For instance, if you’re a smoker, overweight, have lots of clutter around your home, or don’t get daily exercise, think about ways to make significant changes that can have a big impact on your health, both now and down the road.
Also, your home is a major factor when it comes to aging safely; Good Housekeeping notes if there is clutter lying around that could cause a fall. If your home has stairs or a large space that is getting harder for you to clean up and stay mobile in, it’s important to think about what kinds of modifications you can make to ensure your safety. If it’s a one-story home, you can declutter, remove trip hazards such as throw rugs, add grab bars in the bathroom, and replace doorknobs with easy-to-grasp handles.
If your home is too big, or if modifications will be too expensive for your budget, it may be time to consider downsizing. This is a great way to save money and ensure your continued safety at the same time, especially if you have mobility issues or are at risk for them in the future. Do some research into homes in your area to get a feel for pricing and what will be included. To illustrate, a home in the highly competitive Greenfield market currently sells for a quarter of a million dollars, which is 32.6% more than last year!
Plan for the Financial Side
The financial burden of long-term care often falls on the shoulders of family members and loved ones when an individual doesn’t have insurance or a good plan, so ensure you’ll be able to pay for your future needs. Whether it’s a stay in the hospital or residency at a nursing facility, you’ll need to know the details of what your insurance will cover. Medicare will pay for some things, but in many cases, it will only cover so many days at an assisted living facility.
If you are on a limited income, Huffington Post points out that you may qualify for assistance with paying for certain types of care. Look online and do a little research to find out what you’re eligible for.
Planning for your long-term care can be a stressful undertaking, so it’s important to remember to take care of yourself during this time and ask for help when you need it. Because excess stress and anxiety can lead to health issues, reducing those feelings is imperative for seniors. With a good plan, you can prepare for the future and whatever it brings. Let Dickmann Reason Bogigian & White be your advisors and advocates. Get in touch for a consultation. 317-462-1401