Author: Hiland D
Most of us have made resolutions to welcome the New Year all our lives. There is nothing like wiping the slate clean, considering what we learned and strategizing about how to improve the next year. When I was younger, my resolutions were about my relationships and careers. Sound familiar? Resolutions may still cover those core considerations but chances are good that in 2017 senior resolutions will focus on three things: health, wealth and happiness.
Health – Let’s resolve to pay attention to our health; take our medications as prescribed, attend all our medical appointments, schedule regular checkups, attend planned therapy sessions and be a responsible patient. With a new administration coming to Washington, it is more important than ever that we pay close attention to our health insurance (including Medicare), understand our risks, our coverage and costs completely.
We share the same goals; to live longer and healthier in 2017. The health insurance we choose can ensure we receive “no surprises,” receive the seamless care that we might need in an emergency and can better manage normal health challenges related to aging.
Change is coming! Our goal is to be informed and knowledgeable about our options and about our coverage. Then, we must use our health insurance to make sure we are treated by competent healthcare professionals. We all want to avoid surprises during our hour of need. Resolution #1 is that 2017 will be our healthiest, best insured senior year.
Wealth – Most of us want to preserve our wealth and make sure we are using our assets to the greatest advantage. More seniors are choosing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) than ever before because a CCRC comes with the independence, protection and care we need now and in the future. We do not want to burden our children and grandchildren with the cost of retirement. We know they have their own lives to live.
At the beginning of 2017 and every year henceforth, let’s commit to visiting our asset portfolio and see if we have planned sufficiently for assisted living or memory care. Let’s look closely at our life insurance and our annuities and see if they are performing at their highest and best use. And, don’t forget about senior discounts and other ways to stretch your dollars (Link to Chris e-mail per Adrian).
If you are unfamiliar with Life Care Funding, this is the time to do your LTC research and plan for the future. Remember, it is never too early or too late to plan for retirement living. Costs are high but Life Care Funding can help reduce out-of-pocket costs and put those sleepy assets to work as funding mechanisms. You will feel better, more secure and safer when you understand the advantages of Life Care Funding.
Happiness – The point of our three resolutions is to live happily without stress in 2017. As seniors, we must dedicate 2017 to being the year we found happiness through a healthy fitness regimen, such as walking every day, and working on cognitive health. Let’s engage in healthy exercise, smart dietary habits and more active levels of sociability. If we make a concerted effort to enjoy life this way, we will feel better, stronger and more alert. Being mobile and being social are two blessings we must embrace. If you are reading this post, you have the ability to commit to these healthy, happy disciplines. What are you waiting for?
The bottom line is that for our 2017 New Year’s resolutions to matter, we must take charge of our health, wealth and happiness. We have done well to reach retirement. Now, our mission must be to live it with the same vigor that got us this far.
Here is your chance to clean the slate and begin again. It is never too late to control your destiny. The experts at Life Care Funding help you answer questions and make financial decisions for the future of senior loved ones!