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Some facts about aging…. 10,000+ of us turn 65 every single day We’re the biggest, most diverse cohort of “old people” our country has ever seen. More facts…. Only about 5% of us live in facilities that serve older adults
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Some facts about aging… • 10,000+ of us turn 65 every single day • We’re the biggest, most diverse cohort of “old people” our country has ever seen
More facts… • Only about 5% of us live in facilities that serve older adults • Increase in life expectancy has flattened a bit – in the US, our average life expectancy is 78.7 years. • The longer you live, the longer you’re likely to live
And some myths • Old people have old ways of thinking • Genetic health conditions can’t be avoided as people age • People lose their memory as they age • Elderly people are less adaptable to change • Old people are crabby and depressed • Old people are incompetent
Your current home How does your home size up in terms of • Accessibility • Affordability • Ease of maintenance • Geography – access to errands, friends, family • Features that support aging in place
Housing Options • Stay put – no change needed • Invest in changes/upgrades to stay put • Downsize and move locally • Move to be closer to family • Explore facility-based living
Community-Based Living • Independent Living Facilities • Multi-level Campus • Continuing Care Retirement Community • Assisted living – 2 levels available • Nursing home
How do you choose? • Health • Mobility • Other support needs • Resources • Preferences
Minding Your Health • Lifestyle matters well into advanced age • Managing chronic illness has positive benefits • Relationship with medical team helps • Some problems are challenging to diagnose and treat • When the waters get rough, get help with navigation early
Minding Your Resources PAYING FOR CARE • Medicare – pays for things with beginning and end – SNF, limited home care, hospice • Medicaid – pays for care for low income/asset level individuals • VA – limited benefits for qualifying vets • Long Term Care Insurance • Private Resources – savings and investments
Minding Your Resources MEDICARE • Medicare A • Medicare B • Medicare Supplement (medigap) • Medicare D (prescription drug coverage) • Managed Care Options – MC Advantage
Minding Your Resources MEDICAID • Designed as program for poor moms and kids • About 20% of its national budget now pays for long term care • Financial eligibility • Clinical Eligibility
Minding Your Resources VETERANS BENEFITS • Aid and Attendance Program • VA Disability • VA Health Care System
Minding Your Resources LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE • Elimination period • Daily benefit • Maximum benefit (time or $$)
Minding Your Resources HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?? • Home Care – private agency - $30/hour • Assisted Living - $5,500-7,500/month • AL – Memory Care - $6,500-9,000/month • Nursing Home - $11,000-13,000/month
Minding Your Resources YIKES! • Get advice when sizing up your options • Understand contract details – what’s included and what’s not • Bed availability tends to be tight for better quality facilities
Minding Your Resources TALKING ABOUT YOUR MONEY • Are you planning for one or two people? • What is monthly income from all sources? What are the sources? • How much of your current living expenses are covered by income? How much do you need to pull from savings?
Minding Your Resources TALKING ABOUT YOUR ASSETS • What is the value of your real estate, savings, investments and other property? • How are the assets titled? • How are these organized in your estate plan for use later?
Minding Your Resources TALKING ABOUT MONEY IS HARD • If you’re asking for financial assistance, every person who tries to help will help • Planning to answer the questions ahead of time decreases a lot of stress
Other Resources FAMILY AND FRIENDS • For practical support • To work on your behalf if you can’t – using your DPOA designations • Advocacy • Personal care and supervision
What complicates planning? • Planning for “unevenly aging” couples • Planning with blended families • Ongoing responsibility for an impaired adult child, grandchild or other person • Family conflict
What can you do? • Discuss your vision and wishes with your partner and/or trusted advisors to sketch out a plan • Once you feel confident, share the plan with other family members and advisors • Keep the plan up to date as things in your life change
MOST IMPORTANT • You are more likely to stay in charge if you take charge • Time is your friend – few decisions need to be made on the spot • Don’t make big changes or commitments before reviewing with someone you trust • Keep your advance planning documents safe and accessible – share as appropriate
But also hopeful… YOU STARTED TODAY! • Review your notes from today and discuss with your partner and/or advisor • Ask questions, brainstorm – don’t think small • Draft a useful, clear plan • Repeat this process as needed
For more information Nancy Euchner – AgeQuest, LLC 195 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 255 Portsmouth, NH 03801 nancy@agequest.com