Avoid “Crisis Management”
My public speaking engagements have presented many audiences of varying backgrounds and ages. The one subject that is on my mind when I speak to these groups is that of procrastination, avoidance, and in the end, falling into a crisis mode. We plan our lives in so many areas so that we avoid pitfalls and stress, but for some reason, when it comes to one of the most important aspects of our lives, where we live, we wait for signs to tell us where to go with our next step. Unfortunately, that sign can be an immediate health change or financial burden.
Who are the victims of this lack of planning? In many cases, the entire family and friends of the older adult who has stayed in an unsafe or unworkable environment, where the surroundings did not meet health needs, and/or the financial demands accumulated over time. Without proper planning, a stressful move can be right around the corner, with the bulk of the stress falling on the children of the older adult. None of us want our children to suffer from our lack of foresight!
I have been involved with many families who have suffered through the trauma of finding senior housing, removing all of the accumulated “stuff”, selling the home, paying medical bills, dealing with estate attorneys, finding a mover, looking for legal documents, creating wills and powers of attorney, all in the time frame of one or two months! Add to that, one sibling is usually the “responsible” one designated by proximity or reputation as a problem solver, and you have the recipe for sibling unrest and hurt feelings! Many times, the main contact person develops health problems from this incredible demand on their time and resources. As you can see, this is a situation having far reaching effects. None of us wish this upon our families!
Therefore, proper planning, advice from those we trust, and professionals educated in assessing our situations can avoid so many unfortunate situations. We are in control of what we do with our lives. Our planning for the future is incumbent on all of us so that we and our families enjoy the fruits of our labors and years of saving over the years. Take the first step today by consulting your financial managers and health care professionals so that you know where you are today and where you will most likely be a few years from now. Don’t wait for “signs” to decide when you will make your move!