Making Adjustments

Knowing one’s options is the first step to making adjustments as we age. Last week, I was asked by a physician to connect with a woman in her late 80s who reported having no needs at this time: “I drive where I need to go, all is well.” When I checked in on her, some of our discussion touched on how she prevents falls, how her living trust includes her advance directive, and what her plans were to address a possible change in her future functioning. She reported, “I haven’t thought much about that.” Perhaps our conversation will spur some percolating on a long-term care plan and generate a future discussion.

On the other end of the “planning continuum,” I recently worked with another client who has decided that the best way to reduce the financial strain of living on a fixed income is to make a big move to Canada. Our care coordination conversations have included thinking about what sorts of supports he will have there such as family or friends and services that are available to him. With dual-citizenship, he will be covered through state-funded health insurance, which has been a part of his planning consideration. We’ve also been able to work through challenges related to downsizing his belongings, arranging for packing and moving, as well as travel plans in accordance with public health requirements.

As you can see, these are two people at very different stages of their journey in determining the amount of change they need and want to make to enhance their quality of life. CRCA works with individuals in all stages of change.

This month, our virtual series “Conversations with CRCA” invites Lorine Stoikowitz with Gentle Transitions to discuss how her company assists with “rightsizing,” as she likes to call it. This one-hour Zoom session meets Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Additionally, our virtual Navigating Dementia series continues with a session on “Technology Tools for Caregivers” on Oct. 19 from 3-4 p.m. Please register by calling (818) 949-4033, or emailing Adria.Navarro@med.usc.edu. You can learn more about CRCA at uscvhh.org/aging-resources.