I know this post may offend a few folks out there..... so be it, I didn't start this business to tell everyone it's all sunshine and rainbows. One of the major struggles for our aging population is frankly stubbornness. I know everyone wants to remain at home and be "independent" living the life of your choosing, right? You've lived a long life and "I'm not changing now". Well, you most certainly are changing and have been for some time. Facing these changes with an honest and factual approach is difficult. I recognize I can't do what I once could do physically - I don't like it and I don't readily want to accept it. Acceptance of changes that occur in us physically and mentally is certainly not easy, we don't like change. Change is scary and makes us face decisions about our life that maybe we didn't plan on having to make.
Changing our environment, changing our routine, changing the way we live are all difficult. Making changes proactively and willingly to prevent a loss of autonomy about where and how you live is one of the best things that you can do for yourself and those that care about you.
As an example, if you are no longer safe to be behind the wheel of a car due to visual impairment or a lack of muscle control or coordination, then you should not be driving as you put others at risk. Why is this a difficult decision to make for most people? Everyone is different but often it's the representation of the car, which really is a symbol for freedom and independence for most adults. For many the ability to drive and having access to a vehicle has been defining who we are since we were teens. The same for the home, it's been a vital part of the American dream for generations, and the statement "I didn't work my whole life and build this home to give it up!" plays a big part of that too. The perception of losing "independence" is why older adults fight so hard to hang on to the symbols of independence. True Independence and autonomy are when you make decisions that get all of your needs met and won't unexpectedly have to include others to help when you can't get your needs met.
Taking an honest look at your medical conditions and their prognosis, including how they impact your ability to drive, cook, clean, maintain a yard and home, and then add the car and all aspects of vehicle safety and maintenance. Do you have the resources to pay others to take care of all of those things if you live at home? What resources will it take for me to live safely at home, to get to the grocery store, to cook and to pay the bills if necessary. What about social connections and hobbies? I know, there's lots of things to address and plan for as we get older. Change is hard but will be necessary for most of us as we age. Sometimes change will be nothing more than the occasional proactive modifications as we get older. Those changes would be to reduce risks and improve the likely hood of aging successfully living exactly where you want to live. Sometimes those changes may be more involved if you can't get your needs successfully met where you're at.
Need a plan? I'm here to help.
Mike