Where Do We Go From Here? Jim Shulman November 20, 2014

We Start With The Basic Facts!

There are more and more of us that are aging. The older age categories are the fastest growing in the State of Tennessee and in the nation. Most people want to age in place—in their homes.

Most people do not want to be a burden to their kids. Most people are not necessarily scared of death but they are more scared of not having lived. Most people do not understand Medicare.

Most people are not sure if they saved enough money to last them through their retirement. There are way too many scams out there targeting our vulnerable adults.

There are not enough resources to go around to help everyone. Most people don’t have all their “stuff” together in case something were to happen.

So where do we go from here? We don’t know what may happen to us, health-wise or otherwise. Are we going to end up in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, at home? Or, by being in charge, start directing the type of resources that we want to utilize as we age?

Want to improve your odds so that you actually have a say in your future? Do you want to take as much risk out of the equation so that you feel a bit more confident as you head into the unknown future?

And do you want to take the steps necessary now so that you don’t have to rely on someone or something else (like the Government) to figure out how to provide assistance to you?

We really do not know what is going to happen to us in the next hour, the next day, the next week. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t plan ahead!

The Other Bucket List

What is it? & What goes in it?

You probably know what most people refer to when they talk about a bucket list?

But to do all those fun things… AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THINGS… AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THINGS… AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THINGS…

You need to have another bucket and another bucket list!

Although not as attractive or as much fun as the original bucket list, there are things that all of us should do right now so that we can live our lives a lot more worry-free and enjoy the things we want to do.

1. Get your financial and insurance and legal “stuff” all together and in a way that someone else can understand it.

Tennessee for a Lifetime Put it together in one place Make a list of those items Make sure that someone you trust knows where it all is Make sure that your family knows who to call in case something were to happen Don’t forget safety deposit boxes, insurance forms, your car keys

Tennessee for a Lifetime A nd your passwords!

Tennessee for a Lifetime For additional resources, call: AARP at or (TTY) Or link to the following: Records.shtml Records.shtml

Tennessee for a Lifetime 2. If you don’t have a will or a living will or other documents that detail what you want, think about getting them.

For more information, talk to your doctor, lawyer or local hospice or call your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability at Or go to the following:

3. “Have that conversation!” Talk to your kids or to the people that need to know. Tell them what you want as you get older. Don’t wait! Take the decisions/pressure off of them!

For more information, contact your local Hospice or call your Area Agency on Aging and Disability Or link to the following: difficult-conversation difficult-conversation

4. Put together a list of emergency numbers. Include your doctor’s information The person to contact in case of emergency Any other relevant health information that someone should know And put it in a place that is obvious.

For further information, go to : http :// lifestyle. howstuffworks. com / family / parent ing / parenting-tips / who-should-be-on-emergency- contact-list. htm Or Call the American Red Cross at RED-CROSS

Tennessee for a Lifetime 5. Plan ahead for your financial future.

Talk to someone you trust (like your bank) about your finances. Understand your insurance options. (Medicare, Medicaid) Even if you don’t have a lot of resources, make sure that they are protected for you to be able to use them. Carefully understand and talk to unbiased people before you sign up for something that “sounds too good to be true”

For additional information, call: SHIP (for Medicare) at TennCare (Medicaid) at AARP at Or go to: retirement-plan.html

6. Plan For Your Future Living Situation.

Most people want to age in place: you want to stay in your home. Make your home more “livable” (eliminate the clutter, bathing- accessible, bedroom on the bottom floor). Understand your transportation options. (Are you close to a bus line, do you have dependable options?) Have a back-up plan.

For more information, see: on-1-for-a-secure-retirement-age-in-place/

7. Talk to your doctor. Get your regular check-ups. Take steps to stay active. Exercise. Use your brain!

8. Avoid Pitfalls

1. Avoid scams 2. Be safe 3. Interact 4. Be careful

For more information, contact AARP or, in case of scams, contact your local Department of Human Services,your local bank or the Area Agency on Aging and Disability. Also, go to:

9. Review Your Plans To Make Sure They Are Up-to-date With You.

Follow the Five D’s in terms of reviewing your overall plans: (1) Every new Decade of your life (2) After the Death of a loved one (3) After a Divorce (4) After any significant Diagnosis (5) After any significant Decline in functioning From: “Six Keys Steps for Advance Care Planning,” by Charlie Sabatino, Executive Director, American Bar Association, Commission on Law and Aging

10. Live An “Awesome” Life