I always find it interesting when one of our elder clients says they have never even thought about where they would live if they couldn’t live in their own home anymore. Having been raised in Oklahoma, as students, we were always subjected to the mandatory “tornado drill” exercise to insure we all knew where to go in the case of a Spring storm gone bad. And no doubt school children across country look forward to the day math class is interrupted for the all too familiar fire drill.
The sole purpose of these drills is to be prepared and safe should events outside our control become reality.
Now, as an adult, every time I move into a new house or attend an event during the Spring storm season in Oklahoma, I am scouting the best place to “hunker down” should a tornado drop down out of the sky in my vicinity.
It’s just what we do – it’s smart to plan ahead.
What amazes me is how we spend our entire lives preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, but when it comes to where we will live late in life, people seem to think they will “just wing it!”
Why not prepare for the potential of needing assisted care in our later years?
Certainly I could name several dozen reasons why we don’t (and why we should) prepare for future housing needs, but instead I am going to focus on helping those who embrace the wisdom of pre-planning — those who choose to control their own destinies, even when events may seem outside of their control.
Here 3 things to consider as you get started:
- Should I need a little help or support (so I can be as autonomous and independent as possible for as long as possible), what would that look or feel like to me?
- What are the things and who are the people I want to insure I still have access to in the event I need to move in order to stay independent?
- What types of living options are available to me and what are the differences between independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and continuing care communities?
You see, Step 1 in preparing for where you would live, should you need a little help remaining independent into your later years, means doing some research — exploring both your inner desires and the options available to you.
Having a plan in place — whether you think you will ever need it or not — is an important part of getting older. Your plans will continue to evolve and change, requiring updates and revisions, as your circumstances change and the new options become available.
None of us are ever excited about the potential of having to climb down in a cellar when the tornado whistle blows or make a mad dash for the parking lot in the event of a fire, but we practice the exercise “just in case.” And we are certainly happy we had those plans in place on the day that time comes!
Take control of your life!
While you can’t control everything life throws at you, you can make smart choices that will insure that you are in control of the things within your power.
Create a plan, communicate it with your family and friends, and find peace in the knowledge that should that siren begin to howl, you will know exactly what to expect and how to proceed!
Could you use a little support in making future housing plans? Call or email us – we can help!
405-708-7010 or [email protected]
Nikki Buckelew
Latest posts by Nikki Buckelew (see all)
- Myths and Truths about Trusts, Wills, and Guardianships in Oklahoma Real Estate Sales - February 28, 2019
- How is Pricing a House Like Fishing? - May 23, 2018
- Simplicity. A New American Dream? - December 25, 2017
