Heidi Garvis, a specialist in Elder Care planning with Caring Considerations, made a presentation (see her PDF) at our May 2018 meeting.
PN is mostly an Over-50 condition. 50 is not “old” but PN speeds the aging process for many. Besides, some of us really ARE old (at least physically). Heidi’s presentation was heavy on ways to add maturity to age.
Some Key points
- Getting old when facing disability can get complicated. Disability & PN go together.
- There are people who can help you figure this out
- Options for getting care: (1) home care delivered to your home (2) live in a senior community (3) care by family members
- Home Care options (1) use an agency (2) find private help on your own
- Things that make living at home better
- Lock box or cypher lock so emergency folk can enter without breaking down the door
- File of Life form to tell emergency folks about med conditions and medicines
- Wearable devices to detect falls and call emergency help
- Local mutual help networks (there are many in DC)
- Home modifications such as grab bars, wheelchair ramps, portable showers, bed lifts
- Costs: retirement vs independent living vs assisted vs nursing vs memory care (see PDF)
- Some housing options have minimum health requirements – earlier the better.
- Living at home with a LOT of home care be more expensive than assisted living.
- You and your spouse may not be able to care for each other.
- Wills are needed but should be reviewed. Witnesses can be hard to find for an old will.
- Power of Attorney and Advanced directives are not universally accepted – check with agencies and organizations. And keep them current.
Heidi’s profile can be found here.