Elder issues

[bucolic_frolic]

For those nowhere near ready for counseling on elder issues - cognitive, health, mobility. Where do you go for things that fall outside the realm of traditional support issues? I mean things like downsizing, alt financial issues outside the scope of traditional financial planners, boundary issues with siblings, social and logistical support. Downsizing is difficult - large or cumbersome items. These don't fit into senior eldercare. For those of us who live more like 20 something than 50 something.

[lamp_shade]

1. Bookmarking for possible responses.

[WhiteTara]

2. I hire out,

I use our local facebook community needs group and have found help. Sometimes it's just for the day and sometimes it works out that they have skills that can be used in other projects.

[Backseat Driver]

3. At 50 one tends to gain less; lose more; it's good to have friends willing to have serious

discussions - here's hoping you have a few with the longevity gene with which to share; they are more precious than any of those professionals you pay for eldercare answers, traditional or not! Considered adults at 18, most 20 year-olds I run across don't even really know themselves, let alone make solid plans from their solo imaginings about how they'll live 30-80 years later. Best wishes as you or a loved one approaches senior citizen status!

[marybourg]

4. Friends.

[mopinko]

5. i have a friend in the antique biz. she does estate sales.

she is very good at getting hoarders to let go of stuff.
i'm guessing that is not an uncommon skill in the trade.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. Speaking only for myself, I think it's very helpful that

I have moved a number of times in my life. Also, that I didn't get married until I was over 30, and didn't buy my first home until about five years later. Then, after a divorce, I moved about 800 miles away to start a new life.

While I honestly see the appeal of staying in the same place for decades, I tend to see that as a potential mistake. People become absolutely determined to stay in their own home long past the time when they can really do so. I'm 72, so a couple of decades past the time frame you're talking about. I fully expect that somewhere down the road I'll move into independent/assisted living. And it doesn't scare me at all. Meanwhile, I'm beginning to get rid of the some of the stuff I've accumulated since I bought my small home some 12 years ago.

[lillypaddle]

7. I'm still having trouble finding a doc who specializes in geriatrics

No way do my doctors get me or my issues. It is extremely frustrating.

Luckily I live near my son and DIL who help me out with a few things that I can't do, and I try not to take advantage of their kindness. I moved into a small one bedroom apartment 7 years ago, and even though my car is ancient (1994 Toyota), I live within a mile or two of a large Kroger, a liquor store(!), and many fast food joints. I use Amazon a lot, the prime membership monthly fee more than makes it worth its weight in gold when it comes to free delivery; and I often have my groceries delivered. Oh yeah, and there is Doordash. Because I have no debt, I am able to live entirely on Social Security. The $1400 stimulus/recovery payment was a godsend, and I was able to buy a few things I've really wanted.

I guess the above is my advice to you: find a place that requires none of your own upkeep, and is easily accessible to doctors, food, and other necessities.

Good luck to you.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Thank you and thank you all

I am heading the simplicity route. The only important things are the irreplaceable .... photo albums, mementos. The furniture? eh. It is difficult finding a doctor for geriatrics. The world just works such that if there's not enough money in it, or more elsewhere, it goes untended. Hence no downsizing/lifestyle advice, few geriatric doctors.

[lillypaddle]

9. The simplicity route is the right one

I am convinced of it. And if you have any debt, get out from under it if possible. People don't get that you can live better and have more money by not having debt, particularly credit card debt. However, my two new chairs and my new laptop are courtesy of Joe Biden and the Dems. And that makes me very happy, and has definitely spruced up this little one bedroom apartment.

A little trick and tip: Use your credit cards, but pay them off in full each month. Get that cash back! This month alone, after the chairs and computer and a few other things, I got credits applied to my balances for a total of $96. But I charge everything I can including groceries and utility bills to my Discover card, and the Chase card give 5% cash back on Amazon purchases. You'd be surprised what a difference it makes. Free money. BUT, you must pay them in full every month.