Test Yourself—Are
you ready for your care-years?
1. I know that my retirement years consist of 2 parts—the
well-deserved, relaxing, independent years and the changing health,
increased dependency care-yearsand I have an understanding of
the needs of ‘both’ stages (yes/no)
2. I have a good grasp of my financial, leg. al, and insurance
affairs—I feel confident that all my necessary documents
are up-to-date and in order(yes/no)
3. I have made my end-of-life wishes known (eg. written a will
and discussed services with a family member) (yes/no)
4. I feel confident that I have a good retirement plan in place—because
it takes into consideration the financial impact from my changing
health needs (yes/no)
5. I know at least one government agency in my community with
the responsibility for seniors’ health needs and I am aware
of one of the programs offered through that department (yes/no)
6. I know what to look for and how to elder-safe my home (inside
and out) in order to reduce potential accidents (yes/no)
7. I understand the medications I am taking and I have asked about
many of the possible side-effects related to those medications
and the signs to watch for (yes/no)
8. I know what to do during health emergencies and I am familiar
with some of our local hospital’s special resources for
seniors (yes/no)
9. I am aware of some of the subtle signs of dementia to watch
for in my family members (eg. the need for routines) (yes/no)
10. I am aware of the various care-programs in my community (eg.
at-home services, live-in careg. ivers, rehabilitation services,
adult daycare options, carehome living, assisted living complexes)
and know how to request these (yes/no)
11. I understand many of the costs associated with the care-years
(eg. carehome fees, live-in careg. iver salaries, therapy costs,
medications, cleaning services, special equipment) and realize
that there is now a special insurance policy available to help
me cover certain care costs when needed (yes/no)
12. I am confident that there will be ‘few surprises’
for my family to contend with during my senior years because my
‘house is in order’ (yes/no)
If you have two or more ‘no’ answers, organize a
seminar for your community!
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 Though no one can go
back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and
make a brand new ending"
(Anonymous)
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