Apple Magazine - Healthy Seniors

Questions worth answering Start the conversation with family, friends and caregivers by asking and answering these questions.

•;Where;do;I;want;to;live;as;I;age?

•;If;I;need;help;looking;after;my house or with the cooking and cleaning, where will I get it?

•;If;I;am;no;longer;able;to;drive,;how will I get around?

•;How;do;I;want;to;be;cared;for;if;I get sick?

•;If;something;happens;to;me,;who do I want to make decisions about my medical care?

•;Who;do;I;want;to;make;financial decisions for me?

•;Where;and;how;would;I;like;to spend my final days?

You don’t want to wait for
a crisis to try and muddle
through these issues

Asking questions and preparing for the future has positive payoffs, Mann says. When people understand your wishes, they can work together to meet them. This is particularly important if something happens and you can’t explain what you want.

Mann and Robertson agree that
the timing of such talks is critical.
“The further away aging and [health]
challenges seem, the easier it can be
to have those discussions,” Mann
says. “You don’t want to wait for a
crisis to try and muddle through
these issues.”
Robertson emphasizes the need to
start talking “now,” but recommends
holding conversations “when all
concerned are ready for discussions
that may be sensitive or difficult.
Opening up the discussion and
allowing time for reflection is vital.”

Opening up the conversation
on health

You may be feeling just fine right now, but planning for the day when you might be very ill is a good idea. It’s also a good idea to plan for the end of your life.

Alberta Health Services’ Advance Care Planning: Conversations Matter gives individuals and families step-by-step resources for thinking about, talking about and writing down health-care wishes.

It can be hard to think and talk
about these issues. But planning for
the future can help you:
• Learn your options for care
• Save your loved ones the stress
of making hard decisions for you
• Make sure your wishes are
respected when the time comes.

You’ll find all the Conversations
Matter resources at MyHealth.
Alberta.ca (search for advance care
planning).

The delicate matter of driving Illness can affect your ability to drive and put you and others on the road in danger. Driving with certain medical conditions, at any age, can be risky, especially if they impair your driving, explains Dr. Bonnie Dobbs, a University of Alberta professor in the Department of Family Medicine and director of the Medically At-Risk Driver Centre.

As people live longer with illness
or chronic conditions, more drivers
will be at-risk or impaired, she
says. You may need to move to the
passenger seat if:
• Your driving record starts to slip
• Illness or injury affects your
ability to drive
• If you become anxious or
uncertain when behind the
wheel.

Discussing such changes or concerns with a family member, friend or health-care provider before they become serious or you have an accident is far better than after.

If you’re worried about a family member’s driving abilities, Dobbs says you can open up a conversation by saying: “Mom, I’m concerned about your safety and that someone might get hurt,” or “Dad, we have both seen things that show you are having some problems driving.”