Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | Page 42

deci sions
DECISIONS, DECISIONS,
We live in an age of instant gratification, media-driven
purchases and spur-of-the-moment decisions. When we’re young and carefree the
thought of life’s tomorrows is distant but, as we age, those tomorrows come closer,
and our decisions around them need to be carefully considered – especially those that
revolve around retirement, both for ourselves and for our ageing parents.
Most of our parents would have planned for their future,
but – with escalating living costs, a higher than expected
inflation rate and a lifespan that, with healthier lifestyles
and medical advancements, has increased by about a
decade – this future might not be as rosy as they hoped.
So, it’s time to step in … and help with the decisions, and
sometimes with financial aid too. nor without the ripple effect of frayed relationships and
the stress that comes with it. Something we can all do
without.
Making these decisions can be both stressful and
emotionally taxing – and I speak from experience,
having moved one set of parents into a retirement
village last year, and my mum into a frail care facility a
few weeks ago. Neither was particularly well planned, None of us likes to feel shoved out of our comfort zones,
perhaps our place of employment on retirement, or our
homes when we are unable to cope anymore – whether
that be physically or financially. And our parents are likely
to appreciate it even less. So early planning is essential,
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So how can we avoid these pitfalls and make the
transition into a relaxed retirement enjoyable for all?
Early planning