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Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it you’ve got to start young.” That is especially true if you plan to age alone, without the benefit of children or close family. I plan to age alone and I am preplanning. You should too.
Today’s 80 is the new 70 and 70 the new 60. Most of us don’t plan on giving up work, volunteering, or travel until we’re well into our 70s or 80s. I have friends who were volunteers at an annual tennis event for over 20 years — the only reason they quit is because the husband became ill and had to quit. They were both in their eighties.
As we grow older those of us aging alone must make plans while we’re fully functional. We must discern what resources are available to us in whichever community we choose as our ‘last home’. With today’s service industry and technology there is a huge advantage . . . there are healthy meal services (both for profit and non-profit), ride share and, in many neighborhoods, ride-free services.
That makes aging easier, but you need specific documents to ascertain that your wishes are carried out. You need to have a trusted friends or advisors who can be named as your Power of Attorney for Finance and Health. You need to decide now how to disperse your jewelry, money and tangible goods and write it down. You should also plan to stay out of probate court with a Trust. Probate allows your entire financial life to become public.
Passwords should be shared with trusted friends or a disinterested third party like your lawyer. There might be a one-time fee associated with this but it’s a simple business transaction devoid of emotion. You should also think of who is going to manage your health care, both as an advocate and a watchdog. I’ve chosen a nephew and god-daughter, but as I grow older I might add a paid care manager. It will depend on my financial status at the time. I do have Long Term Care and suggest that if you qualify you enroll in it.
To review: If you live alone now or believe that you will age alone without the benefit of family, now is the time to decide where to live, who to trust, who to choose as your beneficiaries and who to have as your Power of Attorney. I strongly advise you consult with an elder care attorney for all the correct documentation and to obtain an advocate (familial or paid) when you can no longer advocate for yourself.
