1. The document discusses five ways for families to start planning for elder care needs without causing anxiety. It suggests reflecting on personal preferences, values, strengths, location of family/friends, and enjoyable activities to help determine future care arrangements. 2. Common themes across elder care clients are that they did not properly plan and many do not consider these types of issues until needs arise. Reflecting on the five points early allows for more educated decisions later in life. 3. The document provides the considerations as questions families can work through themselves and share with loved ones to facilitate planning for potential future care needs.

1. 5 Easy Ways to Plan for Elder Care Today

2. If you go to any of our locations and ask them to share client stories,
they will undoubtedly have many, different tales to tell. But there may
be a few similarities across the board. One thing that never changes is
that those who come to us for home care, whether it's basic respite
care and sitter services or highly skilled nursing care and physical
therapy, didn't plan for it.
People don't typically think about these types of considerations for the
future and, even if they do, often times, it's not in much detail.

3. But one thing that is certain is that, no matter who you are, as soon as
you're born, you are aging. And once we or our loved ones get to an age
when additional assistance may be needed, it's good to have at least
thought through a few things.

5. That's why we've come up with five ways families can start thinking
about the future (without having an anxiety attack) by engaging in
some self-reflection that can help your decision-making later in life.
Go through these considerations yourself and then pass them along to
a loved one:

6. 1
1 When you need help, do you prefer to solve problems yourself or
do you like working in a team? Do you know know your limits
and when to ask for help? Do you enjoy making new friends? Are
you a social butterfly, or more of an introvert? Be sure to
consider these things, as they may help your family to determine a
living arrangement everyone can feel good about down the road.

7. 2
2 First, think about what you value most in the people you work with:
work ethic? A team player? Do you like to be left alone? Now, think
about what you value most in the people you spend recreational
time with: humor? A good cook? Someone who calls often, or not
at all? Are they spiritual? One day when you or a loved one needs a
caregiver, compatibility will be imperative, so it's important to
identify characteristics you like and others not so much.

8. 3
3 What are your strengths and weaknesses? Think both physically
and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a
fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you
age. Another example: if you're 35 and your eyesight is already
poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively
worsens. Or maybe you've got an existing medical condition that
you manage - talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you
age.

9. 4
4 Where do your close family and friends reside? Are they far away or
right next door, and do you see that changing in the future? How
important is it to you that you are within driving distance to those
who mean the most? Do you have a career that requires that you
or your partner/spouse to remain in a certain geographic area? Be
realistic with yourself about what is most important to you.

10. 5
5 And finally, what do you enjoy doing? What gives your life meaning
and purpose? Exercise? Cooking? Going to the movies? Gardening?
Sports? Fishing? Whatever it is, hold on to these things, and make
sure that, no matter where you are in life or whatever your abilities
are, you are able to keep them up as long as you can. Even if you
need assistance someday, be sure to find a provider that will help
you to see this through.

12. Being prepared doesn't need to be a daunting task, but rather a journey
of truly understanding yourself and your loved ones so as to make the
best, most educated decisions possible.
And for those who are already facing the challenge of finding homecare
for a loved one, we've developed a free Homecare Prep Kit to provide
additional guidance and empower families with helpful, tactical tips.

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