As we grow older and as our loved ones grow older we are finding ourselves dealing more and more with the question of whether someone needs some sort of assistance in their daily living and what type of assistance do they need.  This is a much more basic and difficult question than how to pay for what is needed.  After having spent a lifetime responsible for yourself and in control of our own life and its daily activities, it is very difficult and emotionally trying to have to face the need for assistance in our daily living.

In the essay entitled Life’s Most Difficult Decisions that is contained in the Envision But Don’t Accelerate topic section I contend that we need to envision all the alternatives that might confront us as we age particularly as it relates to our care and housing.  Not only do we need to envision it but we need to make plans as to how we want to proceed as our need for care and assistance increases over time.  This requires that we make ourselves familiar with all of the care and housing options that might be available to us as we age.  It seemed obvious to me that I better do it for myself if; especially if; I am going to have any creditability behind my admonitions to you.  So I did so.

Be Prepared to Move On 

The whole premise of this topic section, “Envision but Don’t Accelerate”, is that we need to think about and plan for the circumstances of our lives as we age.  If it sneaks up on us someone else might have to make life changing decisions for us.  But we don’t want to “move on” too soon.  We want to make a Goldilocks decision; one that is just right as to its timing and specific actions taken.  So the question is, how do we do that?