It feels like yesterday when I helped my parents with their elder care needs, while working a full-time job. Today, I’m the one who has grown older and occasionally need help, but unlike my parents, I don’t have adult children or a partner to call on.
I continue to work but my former caregiving responsibilities have turned to self-care instead. How did this happen so quickly? And more importantly, where do I turn for help? We can age better when there's a plan As a whole, society is reactive. Especially when dealing with life events like medical emergencies, or if one needs care at home, or the body develops a chronic condition. But we lack planning. No one wakes up in the morning, thinking, “Today I’m going to put a plan together just in case I need help.” No, it just happens. Living alone during later life is gaining prevalence throughout the world, though its relevance has grown in recent decades on a global level. Aging Alone and the Importance of Self-Care Get health adviceWhere do you go when you want clarification about an illness, a diagnosis, or non-emergency health issue? For some on a Medicare Advantage Plan, we may have access to an on-demand doctor visit without leaving the house. The visit takes place using a smart phone, tablet, or computer 24 hours a day. The only problem, it costs $30 out-of-pocket per visit. And $75 if the health care plan doesn't offer the service. A Health Resource at Your Fingers A lower cost option -- That Medicare Advantage Plan on-demand doctor visit that I mentioned, it's too pricey for me. But you can get answers from Physicians, Attorneys, Counselors, Dietitians and more! That's why I subscribe to the low-cost Family Caregiver Benefit Plan, and now an affiliate. I have enjoyed the features and what it helps me accomplish -- to get quick access for second opinion from a physician. I've enjoyed it so much that I've decided to sell the plan. I've also completed the necessary legal docs like Advance Care planning, choosing a health care agent and had a simple Will - done. At NO charge from the attorney. All through the plan. We all face care needsWhether it’s self-care or giving care to another, it happens to all of us. Both affect us sooner or later. Even now, when I need to see a doctor, I have to make an appointment, drive to the office, sit in the waiting room, then the examination room, and then talk to a nurse only to have to explain it all over again to my doctor when she comes in. Some medical conditions may not necessitate that much trouble. And believe me, at my age today, I have a lot more health related questions than ever before. How can I get a doctor to answer my questions quickly and easily? Here's what I use to get my medical questions answered. The Plan. (I'm an affiliate.) Users ask whatever they want, whenever they want, and are guaranteed personal responses from professionals in the know.
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AuthorCarol Marak, the go-to authority on topics of solo aging! Archives
March 2022
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