Page 54 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2019

neck of the woods | retirement

But that’s only part of a successful plan for retirement. What will you “Most often,” points out Mandell, “we have those first discussions years
do if your health changes? What resources will you have access to as you before they are ready.” Knowing your options puts time on your side.
age? “Your plan should also include life’s ‘what ifs’,” reminds Mandell.
INVOLVE OTHERS
“It’s so important to have a plan before you need a plan,” she says. “You
either have the conversations proactively, or someone is having them While you naturally want to be the person deciding your own future,
on your behalf.” Too many people, unfortunately, hope for the best there is benefit in consulting others when putting your plan together.
but don’t think about what that will involve. “Hope is not a great life Retirement can mean a big change, and that brings emotional, financial,
strategy,” cautions Mandell, especially when family ends up carrying and relational realities with it. “Those horrible conversations need to
the burden of managing a crisis or a long-term care situation. happen,” says Mandell.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS The best place to start is usually with your family. “Having a frank
discussion about your wishes, about how you want to spend your
“Southern Oregon has a lot of options,” says Mandell. Ask around and later years is a huge benefit,” says Mandell. These conversations can be
evaluate the benefits of different locations or tour the facility itself. uncomfortable, but they can also be a time to dream ahead or of setting
What opportunities do you have to be involved in the retirement expectations together. At the very least, communicate your plan so
community, and in the community at large? At the Rogue Valley Manor, they can know your wishes and any arrangements you have in place.
for example, there are 110 interest groups on their campus, and they
maintain a partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute It’s also wise to involve an estate attorney or financial planner. What
(OLLI) in Ashland. What level of independence do you want or need? resources will best make your retirement plan possible? What will
Are there limits to the level of care they can provide? The advantage of Medicare/Medicaid cover? Are any of the incurred costs tax deductible?
a continuing care community like the Manor is that they are equipped Those practical realities will help make the transitions of retirement go
(and designed), to help you transition through any changes in health as smoothly as possible.
or care requirements as you age. How are the financial requirements
structured? AND THEN …

52 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2019