Food For Thought - The answers to these questions will be different for every individual...

Planning for Long-Term Care

• How do I know what kind of long-term care I need and what will happen if my care needs change over time?

• What kind of long-term care choices do I have?

• How will I pay for the long-term care services I may need?

• In the future, I may become unable to care for myself and may need help beyond what my family and friends can provide. Do I want to receive services in my home or move to a place in the community where services are provided?

• If I need to move to a residential facility in the community, what features are most important to me?

• Have I talked with my family and friends about helping me when I get older or am unable to do things for myself?

• How do I start a conversation with my family about my / their long-term needs?

• What is available to my family and friends to help care for me? (e.g. savings, transportation, public assistance) Do I have pets that need to be cared for?

Healthy Living

• Am I living a healthy life and making healthy lifestyle choices?

• Do I have health coverage and a health care home or primary care provider?

• Do I know and follow the advice of my support team and health care providers?

• Do I have records of important health care documents that describe major illnesses or hospitalizations?

• Do I exercise, do strength training, and stretch on a daily basis? If not, what prevents me from doing this?

Emotional Well-Being

• Am I satisfied with my retirement lifestyle or could I enjoy myself more?

• How can I make sure I don't become isolated and depressed?

• What are the signs of depression? When should I or a loved one seek help? From whom?

• Do I have family, friends or health care providers who can recognize changes in my emotional or psychological state and provide assistance when needed?

• How important are my spiritual practices?

• What access will I have to religious rites if I’m homebound or living in an Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing facility?

Civic Engagement

• Will my life in my community and with my family be satisfying as I get older?

• How can I get involved and "give back" to my community?

• Have I thought of a part-time job after retirement?

• Have I thought of volunteer work?

• How will I know I make a difference every day?

Financial Planning

• Do I know what my questions are about financial planning and concerns?

• How do I pay for housing and other basic needs on a fixed income or when I run out of savings?

• Do I know what long-term care costs?

• Do I have enough insurance?

• What public programs am I eligible for?

• What is a reverse mortgage and is it right for me?

Legal Questions

• Do I know what my questions are about legal planning?

• Do I have written instructions? Where are they?

• If I cannot make general decisions, who should make decisions for me?

• Have I informed others of these wishes?

• Who do I call if I have questions about scams?

• If I can no longer care for my children with a disability, where do I go for help?

• Where can I get legal advice?

• Have I made funeral plans? Have I communicated my plans to the family? Where are they kept?

Caregiving

• Do I know what my questions are about legal planning?

• Do I have written instructions? Where are they?

• If I cannot make general decisions, who should make decisions for me?

• Have I informed others of these wishes?

• Who do I call if I have questions about scams?

• If I can no longer care for my children with a disability, where do I go for help?

• Where can I get legal advice?

• Have I made funeral plans? Have I communicated my plans to the family? Where are they kept?