If you are already a Friends Life Care member, you have a plan in place for your retirement years.  For other older adults who may be thinking about and preparing for living independently at home as they age, there are many important things to consider.

Priorities Shift as We Get Older

As we journey through life, our needs and priorities evolve. The majority of older adults desire to age in place — remaining in the comfort and familiarity of their own home rather than moving to a facility.

According to a 2023 and 2024 U.S. News & World Report survey, 93% of U.S. adults ages 55 and older view aging in place as an important goal.  However, to make this dream a reality, it’s essential to have a well-thought-out plan with the t’s crossed and i’s dotted. Many people have gaps in their plans for aging in place and covering long-term care needs.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why planning for your retirement years is crucial for people who are not yet members of Friends Life Care.  And we’ll include an offer for a free aging-in-place kit to help them achieve this goal.

Why You Need a Plan for Your Retirement Years

1. Home Safety and Accessibility: As we age, our physical abilities may change. This can make it necessary to adapt our living spaces to ensure safety and accessibility. A well-planned home can prevent accidents, reduce fall risk, and make daily activities more manageable. This may include home adaptations, as well as useful technologies now commonly known as age tech.
2. Independence and Care Management Support: Having a professional care coordinator by your side to serve as an advocate and health care navigator is a good way to help you maintain your well-being and continue living life independently. With the right support and care, you can stay more in control of your daily routine and enjoy the freedom that comes with it.
3. Comfort, Familiarity, and Care: There’s no place like home. Aging in place means you stay in the environment you know and love. You’ll be surrounded by cherished memories, your favorite hobbies, space to entertain loved ones, and even your pet (if you have one). If and when you may need care, the goal is for you to receive it in your own home. This continuity can have a positive impact on your well-being.

Planning ahead and taking action when you are younger can give you more options and perhaps save you money. By making choices now, you help avoid higher costs and dramatic life changes of moving to an assisted living facility apartment or nursing home.

1. Financial Peace of Mind: Having a plan in place with a financial benefit included can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. Knowing that you are protecting your savings should you require long-term care can alleviate stress. And it can allow you to focus on enjoying your retirement years.

How to Get a Free Aging in Place Kit

To help you get started on your journey to aging in place, we’re offering a free aging-in-place kit to those who are not yet members of Friends Life Care. With over three decades of experience in helping older adults successfully age in place, we were able to develop a variety of materials for this kit. It includes information, resources, and guides we believe will be useful.

Getting your free aging-in-place kit is easy!

Click this link to fill out the request form. The kit is available digitally or delivered to your mailbox.  And, if you like, as a follow-up, we welcome the chance to provide you with a free consultation to answer your questions about planning for a safe, comfortable, and independent future in the place you call home.

In Summary

Aging in place is a wonderful goal that allows older adults to enjoy their retirement years in the comfort of their own homes. By planning when you have more choices and options, you can ensure that you are better prepared. The goal is to fill both short- and long-term needs and wants.

If you are not yet a Friends Life Care member, don’t wait. Take the first step towards a secure and fulfilling future by requesting your free aging-in-place kit today.  If you are a member, reach out to your care coordinator with any questions.

Remember, the best time to plan for the future is now. Embrace the years with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

 

 

 

Friends Life Care hosts the eMeetinghouse blog. It is one more way to share information on topics important to aging adults.  Friends Life Care is a Quaker value-based nonprofit. Friends Life Care‘s mission is to help seniors thrive at home as they age.  If you are not yet a Friends Life Care member, contact us to learn about joining.  

Membership is open to people aged 40 – 85, in reasonably good health who are residents of southeastern Pennsylvania or Delaware.