the necessary decisions on your own about downsizing and the decisions about how you wish to grow older. We should take responsibility and take action to make our own decisions much earlier in our adult lives rather than waiting for a crisis to arise. If older adults don’t take action, they can lose complete control and family members or healthcare professionals have to make decisions on their behalf.

A basic human need is to have human interaction Americans pride themselves on living alone in their own, private home. This works great as long as we’re able to get out to run errands and as long as we have the energy to maintain a home, yard and take care of the general upkeep of a home. If a person becomes less mobile, or if driving becomes dangerous, then isolation can occur. Even people who aren’t wired to be social and outgoing benefit from seeing other people and being acknowledged with a friendly “Hello!” Our society incorrectly equates living alone as being “independent,” when in fact, it is more correct to state that living alone is living a life of “selective isolation.”

Making a move to senior living is maintaining independence, not giving it up. We commonly hear people say that they don’t want to move to senior living because they feel they will be giving up their independence. This belief stems from a fear of growing older, and from an unwillingness to admit that we are all frail beings who have lives that will come to an end. Making a move to senior living is a means of creating safety nets and built-in support systems for our futures. After people make a move to senior living, invariably they come to the realization that they have not given up independence, but rather they have reached a new level in their lives where they have positioned themselves to be in control and to have a plan in place should they need support or help.

In our work, we see people become so attached to physical possessions that it can cause a person to be more focused on their “stuff” than on their own need for having a purpose in life. People derive joy and satisfaction from being of support to other people. Material items do hold or bring back memories, but interactions with other people is what creates new memories and gives purpose and value to our lives.

CHOICE Advisory is a FREE service and provides guidance on senior housing and care options in: Whatcom, Island, Skagit Counties King & Snohomish Counties Pierce, Thurston, Mason & Kitsap Counties Spokane, WA and Coeur d’Alene, ID Clark County (Vancouver, WA) Greater Portland Metro, tri-county area.

Stuff is stuff. If we get attached to material things, it is difficult for us to age with grace. If we no longer have the energy to entertain, do we really need a large dining room table? If we rarely have house guests, isn’t it just as effective to arrange for friends or family to stay overnight in a nearby hotel or bed and breakfast?

Aging with Confidence

Call us for free assistance and support

800-361-0138 Available 7 days a week, 8:30am-8:30pm

choiceadvisory.com fall 2016

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