THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024 Page 17 Making Early Decisions CPRS, CDP, CSA By Michelle Woodbrey, W hy do you wear a seatbelt? Is it your intention to crash your car? No. You hope it never happens but if you do get into an accident, the seatbelt will minimize the impact. Having a plan for needing support as you get older is just like that. You hope you never need support but if you do, having a plan will minimize the impact. Do any of us drive anywhere and not put on a seatbelt? No. Aside from our car’s incessant beeping, we know that we are, after all, someone’s parent or grandparent and the most loved person. Even if you don’t want to plan for needing care, maybe do it for the people who love you. Truthfully, everyone needs a Michelle Woodbrey is the cofounder of 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors and a contributing expert for the website Excellent Care, Decency, and Optimal Living (ECDOL). She has been working in the fi eld of senior living for over 20 years. and care needs. If we want to stay home, we can identify ahead of time what we would need to make that successful. If I were going on a road trip across the country, for example, I would not start driving without some sense of what my route might look like. I would also consider the number of miles and how much gas I need as well as the price of gas. If I don’t do these things, the chances are that I might never actually make it across the country. I could end up stuck somewhere in the middle (no off ense, Kansas). If I do complete the journey, I will have spent a lot of time and resources going in the wrong direction with the best of intentions. Make a plan, put on a seatbelt and do your best to enjoy the ride. plan. That unexpected things happen in life is a guarantee. There are things we can all do now to minimize the impact on our loved ones if something unexpected does happen. In honor of Grandparent’s Day, let’s take a minute to consider what you may need. If something were to happen, we can save our family from the additional overwhelm of fi guring out our passwords, fi nding bank account information and determining what we want to happen if we are ever incapacitated. Given the chance, most of us would spare our loved ones from the agony of making such impossible life-changing decisions. Well, you have the chance now. Here are some of the things you will need. Start with the important documents. This includes fi nancial power of attorney, health care proxy, DNR if chosen, long-term care and life insurance information, Medicare card, living will, social security card, as well as discharge papers if you were in the military. You can plan ways to communicate your end-of-life wishes, down to the fi nest of details if you want. If we think about what would be needed for a loved one to do and how we can make things easier for them, we can spare them the frustration of fi guring out all of our usernames and passwords, fi nding our account numbers, locations of keys, etc. Just like we pray that we never need a seatbelt, we can put a plan in place for our care with a similar prayer. Important considerations include our living arrangements August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day N ational Senior Citizens Day is upon us. Since it was signed off on by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, August 21 has been known nationally as Senior Citizens Day. This annual event, now in its 36th year, has raised awareness of so many of the small and large challenges and achievements of our nations’ seniors. According to a recent census, 47 million seniors live in the United States. By 2060, that number will nearly double. Their wealth of knowledge, skill and experience offer so much to the next generation. Additionally, our senior citizens are pioneers of science, medicine, psychology, civil rights and so much more. Their valuable contributions to our communities create better places to live. They deserve the respect and dignity their achievements earn them. How to celebrate Senior Citizens Day? Spend time with the senior citizens you know. Let them know Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 Humane Removal Service COMMONWEALTH WILDLIFE CONTROL ANIMAL & BIRD REMOVAL INCLUDING RODENTS CALL 617-285-0023 Call today and r FREE SHOWER PLUS $1600 OFF 1-844-609-1066 With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 * Crack Repairing * Pot Hole Filling * Striping Handicapped Spaces * Free Estimates Tom’s Seal Coating Call Gary: 978-210-4012 they are appreciated and loved. It might also be a good day to volunteer at a retirement home. Share your smile with those who might not otherwise get a visitor on that day. Other suggestions from AARP include helping with chores and errands or just doing something fun together while sharing stories and memories. • Host a party: Invite friends and family to celebrate a loved one with their favorite food, music and cake. • Spend time together: Let seniors know they are appreciated and loved. • Volunteer: Volunteer at a retirement home. • Listen: Ask what they want or need and follow through. • Help out: Off er to assist with housework, yard work, errands or transportation. • Teach: Share computer and internet skills. • Participate: Take part in an intergenerational service project. ~ School Bus Drivers Wanted ~ 7D Licensed School Bus Drivers Malden Trans is looking for reliable drivers for the new school year. We provide ongoing training and support for licensing requirements. Applicant preferably lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part-time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours....15-30 hours per week. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! If interested, please call David @ 781-322-9401. CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WANTED Compensation: $28/hour Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE School bus transportation company seeking active CDL drivers who live LOCALLY (Malden, Everett, Chelsea and immediate surrounding communities). - Applicant MUST have BOTH S and P endorsements Good driver history from Registry a MUST! - Part-time hours, BUT GUARANTEED 20-35 HOURS PER WEEK depending on experience. Contact David @ 781-322-9401. SPECIAL OFFER
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