My City July 2022

MYLIFE

Senior Liv

A Range of Possibilities BY PETER HINTERMAN

It’s inevitable: as we and our parents get older, new challenges and situations arise. Our physical and nancial health may falter, we may lose a partner, and we may need a little more help navigating our day-to-day lives. In the later years, a change in living arrangement or social situation may be in order. ere are a range of possibilities to consider when making any change, especially one that concerns your future welfare or that of your family members. Of course, the goal as we get older is to stay in our homes and be independent as long as we possibly can; however, in time, many of us will begin to experience di culty with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) through

the natural aging process and no fault of our own. In ability to manage ADLs can indicate that help is needed. For example, having di culty with walking, eating, dressing, toileting, bathing and moving around in the home tends to forecast a need for assistance in the near future and a potential change in residence. Trouble with IADLs such as transportation, handling nances, shop ping, cleaning, and managing medications can signal a need for an in-home caregiver or the permanent involve ment of a family member to assist with daily life. Besides experiencing di culty with daily living, more serious signs can show that a person or persons are not capable of getting along without constant attention from a healthcare professional or family member. 

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