For much of your life, your efforts to plan for the future were probably focused on your finances.
Knowing you wanted to retire one day meant making sure you’d have enough money to maintain your lifestyle and not worry about normal and unexpected expenses or becoming a burden your family. So you saved, invested, and created a nest egg. The good news is that your diligence has paid off and it’s time to reap the benefits of all that hard work.
Now there’s another conversation to be had about planning for the future. And it isn’t just about money.
Create a Best-Case Scenario for Your Retirement
One of the biggest reasons to plan for life’s uncertainties and all the dreaded worst-case scenarios is so you can spend more time enjoying your retirement and living exactly the way you want to. Planning ahead in this way gives you the peace of mind and the day-to-day flexibility to spend your best days exactly how you choose.
Planning for Your Retirement Health Care, Living Situation, and Final Wishes
While these may not be the kind of discussions you really want to have, or the decisions you’d like to make right now, the reality is that the time to do it is now, while you’re healthy, active, and know exactly what you want. It will ensure that you get what you need and what you want, and it takes the burden off family members trying to figure things out when there are more pressing, stressful matters in front of them. So what’s there to plan for?
Your Health: One day you might need help with things like filling prescriptions, talking to doctors, or making medical decisions. Who do you want to help you with that? Consider signing a health care power of attorney, and make sure the person you choose is aware of your wishes and either has copies of important forms and insurance information or knows where they are. Speak to your doctor about what else you may need to do or file so that you can be assured your health care wishes are respected as you age.
Your Estate and Legacy: Wills and trusts are a good place to start. You may have them already, but have you looked at them recently? Review these documents to make sure they reflect your current wishes and that they provide enough specificity and cover all your current assets. Is there a cause or organization you want to support with some of your estate? If you haven’t already, speak to them now about ways to do so and document your plans.
Your Living Arrangement: It pays to be specific about where and how you want to live for the rest of your life. If you want to hold on to your independence and protect your family from having to step in, consider proactive decisions like living in a community where you’ll have access to a continuum of care, should you ever need it. A continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) like Acacia Creek offers multiple levels of care, meaning you or your partner won’t have to move away to receive assisted-living, skilled-nursing care, or memory care should you ever need it. Choosing to make the decision today keeps your family from having to guess at it in the future.
Your Final Wishes: From the many aspects of end-of-life care to all the decisions around funerals, burials, or cremation, the more you can decide, document, and communicate today, the easier you will make life for your family when that time comes. Be sure that your wishes are clear and the people you care about know them. Remember, you are not burdening them by having this conversation. By taking away the guesswork and worry of wondering what you might want, you are giving them an incredible gift.
Documentation is a key part of all this planning. Be sure you have what you need, that it’s all signed, organized, and easily accessible to the people who will need it. Then review it annually to make sure you still feel good about your decisions.
To Plan for Your Retirement, Get Organized Now
- Gather important documents related to your wishes and plans
- Have all the necessary parties, including professionals like physicians or lawyers, sign where required
- Choose a safe place to keep your documents
- Give copies of relevant documents to everyone who needs them
- Let your family know about your decisions and any responsibilities you’ve entrusted to them
- Create a single document outlining your instructions and where to find what they need
ACACIA CREEK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY inspires residents to live an active, meaningful life. Our mission as a senior community is to enrich the independence, well-being, and security of our residents through exceptional services and care based on Masonic values.
To learn more about Acacia Creek or our senior housing opportunities, contact us at WWW.ACACIACREEK.ORG/CONTACT
