Planning for the Care Years — Are You Ready?

Blog  |  March 5, 2016

Planning is necessary for all kinds of situations, but it’s especially important for older adults who are entering the “care years.”

Why planning matters

Planning for the care years for seniors, the elderly and the retired.The care years refer to the point in an older adult’s life when they start needing regular assistance with aspects of their daily living. Planning ahead gives individuals a chance to reflect on how they want to be cared for, to share their wishes with family members, and to research various options well before they or their loved ones need to make significant decisions about their care. Doing this early can take stress and pressure away from difficult conversations, and increases the likelihood of successful transitions later in life, when an individual’s health situation becomes more challenging.

As well, with more baby boomers entering their senior years, seniors will account for an increasingly larger proportion of the Canadian population. As the relative age of Canadians rises in the coming decades, planning ahead will become even more important to gain access to the services you need.

What to think about

Planning for the future can feel like an overwhelming task, but you can get started with a few easy steps, whether for yourself or for a loved one.

Organize your personal information. If something unexpected happened to your health, would your loved ones know where to find important documents like your health card, list of prescription medications and health conditions, or insurance papers?

Spend some time creating a folder with all of the relevant details, and tell your family members where to find it. Even if there’s not much in it to start, you can easily add to it whenever something changes.

Consider your long-term care needs. Long term care is a continuum, and can include everything from periodic home-based support to more formalized round-the-clock care. The best option for you will depend on a combination of your medical needs, your family situation, and even your budget. Is your goal to stay at home as long as possible? If so, are there home care services you can tap into for assistance? Are you familiar with the long-term care facilities in your community, and the varying levels of service they provide? Talk with your loved ones about the options you prefer, and add them to your folder.

Depending on your circumstances, you might also want to consult with a financial planner. Government programs to assist Canadians with long-term care needs differ by jurisdiction. The programs are typically based on income, and eligibility criteria vary from province to province.

Put the legal tools in place. Think about who you want to make decisions about your health care and personal affairs if you’re not able to do so yourself. This might be a close family member like a son or daughter, niece or nephew, or perhaps a trusted friend. Talk to them about your wishes for personal care, medical treatment and end-of-life care, and ask them if they would be comfortable carrying out your wishes.

Then, arrange to have the appropriate legal documents drawn up—such as a Power of Attorney, advanced care directives, as well as your will. Place these documents in your folder.

Where to find help

To begin planning for your care years, talk to your health care providers, and open the conversation with your loved ones and connect with our provincial ministry of health web site to find all the resources that are available to you now and in the future.

Contact: blainebell@comfortkeepers.ca or 705-293-5553 for free assessments of at-home care needs.

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