With mom's challenges with having stage 4 lung cancer, it has made me take a look at my own end of life or old age as part of my prepping. It has changed how I am going to design & build my next home. Things like only one floor with a wheel chair ramp to the basement, shelving that is accessible in a chair, a bathroom that is wheel chair friendly, making sure no debts, and the list goes on.
Has anyone else taken aging or end of life into account as part of prepping?
Aging , and decline of health might be the very things people should be prepping for the most . More people die due to complications of losing their health and the world is so toxic that I think that is what should be first and foremost , our health . Safety railings in the shower/bath enclosure and the difficulty many people have with a bathtub as they age , adequate hand railings on stairs , cupboards and storage that can reached, but beyond the physical , organizing so you know what is where and it is accessible becomes more important as you age and perhaps to have some forethought out protocals for responses to things that are written down so in a moment of distraction that a senior version of ourselves has a reminder of the procedure or materials needed in the situation . As silly as that sounds I feel that is needed for myself as I age , more organization to keep me on track .
The thing that my Mutti finds impossible with, is getting into a car,unless the seat is very near the door, so she can sort of slide in. The older model cars seem to be better in this respect, but she is really housebound because of it, There is a Health Shuttle to take people to Medical appointments, but when it rolled up with the wheelchair hoist not working, that rather defeated the purpose!
I look forward to end of life...praying always that nothing too horrible happens to society in my lifetime...I agree that It is very important to plan for a future that includes aging and all that comes with it.
Not looking forward to cleaning out mom's house. For months I have been trying to get rid of those things I don't HAVE to have and giving away those things I know others would like.
The nurses have said I can keep all the medical stuff but not sure how to store it.
A few other things would be: new everything before I retire like roof, windows, doors,car and have them paid off. Having little or no real income something like a new roof could really hit a person hard.
Outside things like no grass, raised beds, greenhouse.
Any other ideas?
Oldschool, very wise thoughts, you might then keep in mind making those raised beds and greenhouse wide enough access for wheelchair access too . I am not sure I would want a new car so much as a reliable car and a very accessible car. We have a senior in our family who has knee issues and cannot get into 95% of vehicles which has radically changed her enjoyment of life and now is residing in a care facility due to her lack of mobility as she cannot go to doctors appointments .
I know I am more concerned with maintaining heath now with diet and exercise and my idea of exercise has evolved , I was punishing on my joints with sport and fitness when I was younger now I am really looking hard at what we should be doing to maintain our fitness and agility and well being through movement and diet.