Ageing with plans and support in place
10 Oct 2017
It’s never too soon to start planning
COTA NT receives numerous enquiries from Territorians every week – and not just from seniors – on how best to plan for ageing. Issues such as guardianship, advance personal planning, power of attorney and financial planning are at the forefront of these enquiries.
We were recently contacted by adult children whose parents have been diagnosed with dementia, or who were facing caring for a partner who had become critically ill as they aged. Making a plan which helps us manage the more difficult aspects of aging may help dealing with circumstances like these feel less traumatic and slightly easier to cope with.
Often facing our own mortality is something we refuse to do. But isn’t it a better idea to be organised and have some sort of control over our later years? This can help assist our families in ensuring that our wishes are taken into account too, and lifts the burden of decision-making from family members. You are never too young to plan ahead!
Other concerns shared with us recently focussed on Territory seniors’ safety at home and keeping up with basic maintenance, both indoors and outdoors – gardening especially for frailer seniors can be quite hazardous. We urge seniors, and anyone arranging assistance for them around the home and garden, to get maintenance tasks attended to, but also to ensure they are using suitably qualified maintenance providers and handymen.
COTA NT’s provides comprehensive online resources on ageing (COTA’s website INFO pages) listing resources around on active ageing, health, accommodation, retirement living, financial support, legal services and more topics.
We also host a number of workshops throughout the year and the info powwow, SENIORS EXPO in June. Upcoming diary dates include: Cyclone Season Information Session, Thursday 26 October 10-11am (Spillett House). Financial Planning Information Session coming up in November (date to be confirmed on the Territory Seniors Calendar, COTA Facebook page and via COTA’s email).
Sue Shearer, CEO, Council on the Ageing (NT)
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Tags: Seniors Voice
