Planning Ahead: A Senior's Guide To Independent Living

Brittany Stimson is a social worker and certified dementia practitioner with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. She began her career in post-acute rehabilitation, developing a passion for quality of care. She then transitioned to hospice and palliative care, focusing on education, before moving into home care. Brittany is dedicated to helping seniors maintain independence at home and is passionate about providing the right level of care at the right time. She is the Director of Business Development for Uncity at Eldercare Homecare.

Through this article, Brittany Stimson emphasizes the importance of proactive care planning, covering everything from financial preparation and exploring care options to discussing end-of-life wishes and ensuring clear communication with loved ones.

We’re always planning and saving. College, careers, weddings, houses, kids, retirement—we’ve got it covered. But how many of us plan for getting sick and needing care? What about a loved one needing help or juggling care for multiple generations in one household? Probably not enough. And even if you’ve saved money, do you know where to turn when care is needed?

I work in this world every day. People need care, but most haven’t planned for it. They don’t know what to do. My phone rings in emergencies—after hours, on weekends, when things have fallen apart. Rarely does someone call and say, “Let’s plan for care now before something happens.” There’s still this stigma about getting help at home. People see it as losing independence, not realizing it can extend their independence.

I work with estate planners, too. They’re great at helping people plan their wealth. But long-term care? It’s often missing. They forget to talk about long-term care insurance. They don’t factor care costs into retirement plans. And people are left wondering, “Where do I even go for help?”

As a trusted voice in the senior community, I tell people: plan! Understand your options before an accident or illness. Waiting until it’sa full-blown emergency? That’s just extra stress for everyone. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode to look at care. By then, it might be too late to make good choices.

Talk to your family. Even if you’re okay now, have the conversation: tour rehab places and long-term care facilities. Get familiar with what’s out there. Research senior living communities and home care agencies. They’re not all the same. Know what they offer and what kind of care they provide.

At Unicity by Eldercare Homecare, we’re CAHC accredited. That means our policies and licenses are up-todate. We have liability insurance, so you’re protected if an aide gets hurt at your house. Our services can be used for Medicaid spend-down later on if needed. We also work with LongTerm Care insurance—no headachesfor you.

If you don’t have a long-term care policy, start saving. You don’t want your family stuck with those substantial care costs. If you do have a policy, pay for that elimination period. Cover a month or two of care upfront, so you’re covered when needed.

Know what your insurance covers. Medicare? They’ve cut back a lot. It doesn’t cover what it used to. People think it’ll cover home health care after the hospital. Usually, it doesn’t. Medicare’s home health is limited. You’ll probably have out-of-pocket costs, especially for long-term care.

At Unicity Homecare by Eldercare, we do private duty, hourly, livein care. We help seniors stay independent at home. We fill in the gaps when insurance, even Medicare, doesn’t cover enough. We also go into senior living places and provide extra aides and nursing care—because sometimes those places can’t handle everything, significantly when someone’s health worsens. We help with hospice and palliative care, too. Medicare’s hospice benefits have been great for over a year—aides, nurses, social workers, chaplains, meds, equipment, and even bereavement support.

We’re experienced with critical cases and 24/7 care—when it matters most.

One more thing: your living will. It’s not your last will. It’s about your medical wishes—what youwant if you can’t speak for yourself. Resuscitation, intubation, feeding tubes—that kind of thing. Review it every year or whenever your health changes. A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is essential, too, especially if you have a serious diagnosis. It’s a doctor’s order, legally binding.

Power of attorney: Make sure it covers both health and finances. Sometimes, people have different POAs, and they don’t agree, which causes delays. Make sure your POA knows what you want.

Planning is for everyone. Even if you’re over 75, even if you’re not well, tell your family and your POA what you want. Don’t wait for a crisis. Start now. Home care, assisted living— whatever’s right for you. Early planning keeps you more independent for longer.

Please review your options, talk to your family, and ensure they know what you want. Keep your documents—a living will and POLST— somewhere easy to find. Look at them regularly.

And remember, Unicity by Eldercare Homecare is here. We can help you stay independent at home, wherever home is. Plan. Don’t wait for an emergency. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.