| senior citizens freely admit that they fear growing | | | | misunderstandings about such critical issues as your |
| older more than they fear death. The prospect of | | | | wishes on heroic measures to sustain your life, and |
| becoming increasingly frail and dependent in a society | | | | the final disposition of your assets. You’ll |
| which worships strength and self-reliance, and of | | | | experience much more peace knowing that these |
| losing family and lifetime friends can understandably | | | | topics have been discussed and understood, and that |
| make the specter of old age a frightening one. | | | | your wishes concerning them will be honored. |
| Does senior living have to be a time of physical failing | | | | There are many aspects of senior living which will |
| and emotional loss? Of course aging brings physical | | | | require input from your family; where you will live; |
| deterioration, and time brings the loss of loved ones, | | | | who will manage you finances should you become |
| but senior living can still bring growth and new | | | | unable to; and who will be responsible for seeing that |
| awareness. Those who are emotionally, financially, | | | | you get proper medical care an transportation if you |
| and socially ready to take on the challenges of aging | | | | need it. If you are going to live with on child, clarify |
| are the ones for whom senior living can actually bring | | | | what you expect of the other children so that there |
| happiness. | | | | is no resentment from the child with whom you live, |
| Involving YOur Family | | | | who may feel overwhelmed. For more info see on |
| Many persons, especially parents, find that their own | | | | Senior Living Centers |
| families are in denial about the fact that they are | | | | The quality of your senior living will depend to a very |
| growing older. This denial is counterproductive, and if | | | | great degree on the communicating you do with your |
| you are in that situation, you have the right to | | | | family ahead of time. Making sure in advance that |
| confront your loved ones with the fact that you | | | | your housing, finances, medical, and social needs will |
| need to make plans for your later years. They may | | | | be met will not only relieve you of a tremendous |
| resist you at first, so try to make as many | | | | burden; it will bring you and your family closer |
| preparations as you can with the assistance of your | | | | together so that your years of senior living will be as |
| local AARP chapter or community services for the | | | | carefree and rewarding for both you and you family |
| aging. Your family will eventually come around. | | | | as you can possibly hope. |
| When they do, you’ll be glad for the | | | | An honest, loving conversation with your family |
| companionship and support they can add during your | | | | about your fears on growing older will be the first |
| senior living experience. By keeping your lines of | | | | step to providing you with the great senior living you |
| communication with them open, you’ll avoid | | | | deserve! |