The importance of thinking about how you want to age

As the years fly by, it’s easy to see how people can turn around and suddenly find themselves rapidly approaching retirement having given little thought to what they would like to do or how they want to age. However, putting some thought into it now can really pay off later.

Between now and 2040, the New Zealand population will grow by 12%, but the number of people aged over 65 will jump by 44% and the number of over-85’s will double to nearly 200,000[1].

How do you imagine growing older? Making a few key decisions now can smooth the road ahead and help ensure you age the way you want to.

From a financial perspective, it is important to keep your Will updated and set up an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) to specify and safeguard your wishes if you can no longer make decisions.

Creating an Advanced Care Plan is also a good idea because it helps you clarify what you want in your later years including for instance, what you want or would not want at the end of life.

The next question is where do you want to be? Do you plan to stay in your own home for as long as you can, could you move in with family or would you prefer to go into aged residential care facility (e.g. rest home)?

If you’d prefer to stay in the community, you may be able to stay at home longer than you think. There are wonderful personalised services like Enliven that offer up to 30 hours per week personal care and household management services to support you with this.

Other key questions to consider are:

·      Is where you live now going to be suitable as you grow older?

·      Are your living and bedroom spaces all on one level to make it easier to get around?

·      Are your bathrooms accessible if you need to use a walker at some point? Is your house too big?

·      Are you living close to your GP, hospital services, and public transport?

All these things can contribute to your quality of life.

Staying connected to friends and family and keeping up with your interests is important as you age and has proven health benefits. What’s good for your heart is good for your mind, keep active and remember the power of a good laugh.

Enliven also has day services based in community settings throughout the country, which are designed to support people make the most of their independence during the day. A personalised programme is developed with each person to provide opportunities for social interaction and engagement in the local community.

Enliven services are free and can be accessed through your GP who will then refer you to a Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination agency (NASC). A NASC assessor will meet with you to discuss your needs and your choice of the service you’d like to use.

Don’t leave asking for help for too long, if you need help, talk to your GP.

You don’t have to go into an aged residential care facility (rest home). You can stay in your own home for as long as you are able.

- by Wendy Hoskin, PSN GM Health and Disability.

Enliven is a values-based health and disability service that is part of Presbyterian Support Northern.