Being over 65 has its challenges and perks. While some seniors may feel they lose control of their rights, others thrive in the independence they were raised with.
Advocating for ourselves strikes a balance between autonomy and trust in others.
We were born into an era when we learned to take responsibility for ourselves.
This means we do not let others do for us when we can do for ourselves.
But are we eventually going to need help?
So where’s the balance?
It’s in letting those who want to know, trust, and respect your decisions. Let’s look at your options.
For more details, see this FREE Super-Ager’s Starter Guide, It covers everything from healthcare to law and money. In the meantime, here's a quick summar.
- Healthcare Decisions: As we age, we may encounter various health challenges. Advocating for oneself ensures that healthcare providers understand personal preferences, concerns, and goals. It helps in making informed decisions about medical treatments and care plans.
It's about making sure your doctor gets you – your preferences, your concerns. You're not just a patient; you're the one steering the ship when it comes to your health decisions.
- Financial Security: Seniors often manage their finances, including pensions, savings, and investments. Advocating for oneself involves staying informed about financial matters, making sound financial decisions, and safeguarding against potential exploitation or fraud, especially from your own family.
Let’s face it, money matters, especially in the golden years. Being your own advocate means keeping an eye on your finances, making savvy choices, and avoiding any financial storms that might come your way, and the #1 fear we all have is those horribly high medical bills not covered by our insurance.
- Legal and Estate Planning: Legal stuff can be like navigating through uncharted waters. Advocating for yourself involves making sure your wishes are known and respected, whether it's about who gets the family treasure chest or who steers the ship if you can't.
Seniors must address legal matters such as wills, power of attorney, and other estate planning issues. When you put all this in writing, everyone understands your wishes.
- Social and Emotional Well-being: Social life is even more important than your health, but it isn't a luxury cruise; it's a vital part of staying happy and connected. Being your own advocate means saying yes to the things that make you smile and waving goodbye to anything that feels like rough seas. Are you as a senior surrounding yourself with those you like? When you go to a family outing, do you find those who you want to be around versus those who annoy you. Let’s admit this…we can’t pick our families, can we?
- Housing and Living Arrangements: Where you live is a big decision. Aging in place or finding a new harbor – you call the shots. Advocating for yourself means ensuring you're in a place that feels like home, no matter where that is.
Seniors will face decisions about where to live, whether to age in place or move to assisted living. Advocating for oneself involves actively participating in these decisions to ensure a living arrangement that suits individual needs and preferences. And that’s not all. We have to discuss timing. When the good places are filling up so fast, shouldn’t we be acutely aware of our options?
- Navigating Social Services: Understanding and accessing available social services and support networks is essential for seniors. In the Senior Freedom Club, you’ve got these resources, And you’ve got a referral network to help you find the resources. See those webinars where our experts tell you what to look for. We always have a better quality of life and can relax because our services and professionals have our backs.
- Maintaining Dignity and Autonomy: Advocating for oneself is about maintaining dignity and autonomy in decision-making. It ensures that seniors continue to have a voice in matters that directly affect their lives.
Ultimately, advocating for yourself is about holding onto the wheel. It's about dignity, independence, and making sure you're the one shaping your own journey.
But more importantly, setting those boundaries, keeping your independence, making your choices, and letting your family know what they are means they do not have to worry about you. They know you’ve got this!
In essence, advocating for oneself empowers us to stay actively engaged in decisions that will affect our future.
