As a young, healthy man I imagine my sense of security is much different my parents’, and theirs is that much different than their parents’. As long as I keep my job, can pay my rent, and put food in my stomach every once in a while my life is secure. As I age that list will become more complex.
If I start a family will I have to worry about their security? Will my financial needs grow? Will my health always be reliable?
Our sense of security may diminish as we age. As Elders, some of us may feel unsafe or insecure in our environment, causing anxiety. Others may feel their health and the care they receive is unstable. Many of us may worry about money and financial security.
As we grow older, even the healthiest, most active person may find herself needing to rely on other people more often. This is natural, but more so, it is delicate. Entering into care partnerships is not done without a certain amount of trust. We must trust that our care partners will help us feel stable and free from fear, while also balancing safety with autonomy and our freedom to choose.
The closer we get to retirement, the more important it will be to feel financially stable. This is a piece of the puzzle that’s often overlooked. Without a healthy retirement fund, security becomes less stable, and thus well-being becomes more and more difficult to achieve. Take a second and ask yourself these questions.
- How does long-term financial stability impact my well-being?
- How is it currently impacting my loved ones?
- How can we initiate empowering conversations earlier, rather than later about securing our financial security?
student says
March 16, 2014 at 8:04 pmI am an AGNG 200 student at the Erickson School of Aging. I agree that some adults may fee insecure as they age because they are not financially stable and or they do not feel completely comfortable with their health care. To avoid this it is important for people to start preparing for their retirement early so that they do not have this issue. There have also been many improvements to health care to provide the elderly with assistance if they need to help the feel more secure.
Student says
March 16, 2014 at 7:41 pmI am a student of UMBC’s Erickson School of Aging. I agree that maintaining autonomy and freedom in old age is integral to achieving a high quality of life. Financial stability will become increasingly important as benefits from government programs continue to decrease. After my parents retire, I will make sure that they feel secure financially and feel secure with their health care or assisted living provider.
JudyK says
February 22, 2014 at 7:34 pmI live in a continuing care retirement community in the Pacific NW and I am yearning for these kinds of conversations within my community. thanks to a much younger man for starting the conversation.