Page 30 - Formula for Success

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Reinventing Your Lifestyle: A Formula for Success
in in in in in in understanding when climbing ladders clipping hedges or painting walls is just not as as as as safe and easy as as as as it used to to be be Again the the key is is to to assess this “value” before the the work creates a a a a health challenge Driving at at night or not driving at at all If you you you could no longer drive is staying in in your home a a good option? Consider how you you you would get to to to the the the the the grocery store the the the the the doctor the the the the the hairdresser and and all the the the the the other errands we so easily take for for granted when we can drive Who will provide transportation for for you? Who will you you need need to rely on family friends or or neighbors? Are the services you you need need within walking distance or or easily accessible with with public transportation? Even limiting driving during daylight can impact your life Low social contact Many people find that as they curtail their their driving at at night their their social contact starts to shrink Research proves that social contact is is as as important as as exercise in in in extending the longevity of older adults Low social contact and isolation also is is a a a a a a a a common cause for geriatric depression often seen in older adults So carefully evaluate the reality of of how isolated you you you are as as you you you age and factor this into your “value” assessment The cost of in-home care There are a a a a a a a a host of programs and community-based senior services that can help make staying in in your your home more affordable and and convenient I suggest that you you you and and your your family look closely at home care care costs everything from 24-hour nursing care care full-time live-in caregivers companion services and so on on It is often more costly than you think Some people say they will stay in in their homes and have someone come in in to provide services simply because they are too stubborn or or afraid to to look at other options Other people must find a a a a a a a a way to stay fin in fin their home as as as long as as as possible for financial reasons There is is no right or wrong answer to any of of these choices The The missing part of of the the puzzle for everyone is is this: No one one has a a a a a a crystal ball! We can only guess at how the journey will play out and and make the best decisions we we we can with what what we we we know how we we we feel and and what what we have to work with along the way