Getting older is a fact of life, but how and where a person ages should be a matter of choice. That's why it's important to figure out what a person's preferences are, and if have he or she resources to pay for them, in advance. Here are some questions you may want to consider for yourself or your loved one. Answer them openly and honestly. It may start an important discussion about why planning for the future should be a priority today.

1. If I begin to have difficulty with cooking, cleaning and other household responsibilities, I would like to:

__ move to an independent living community
__ move in with family
__ remain in my home with home-based services to help me
__ other (specify _______________________________________)

2. If I become unable to bathe myself or take my own medicine, I want to:
__ move to a residential care facility
__ move in with family
__ remain in my home with home-based services to help me
__ other (specify ____________________________________)

3. To pay for services I might need, I want to:
__ use only the services that my pension, Social Security and other regular income can cover
__ use some of my savings as well as my pension, Social Security and regular income to cover my expenses
__ use my savings to ensure my preferences can be met
__ use my long-term care insurance benefits
__ other (specify ________________________________________)

4. If I need to move out of my home, the place I would most like to move is:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. If I need to move into a residential care facility, the three features that are most
important to me are:

__ a place where I can have a private room
__ a place that is close to my family
__ a place where my friends live
__ a place with good food
__ a place with a good reputation in my community
__ a place with a wide range of activities
__ a place with easy access to the outdoors
__ a place with a friendly staff
__ a place affiliated with my faith tradition
__ other (specify_______________________________)


6. As I age, the person I will depend on for support is:
____________________________________
____________________________________

7. The one thing I want my loved ones to remember about my preferences is:

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Planning for Aging Services: What's Right for You? (downloadable doc)