Growing older is something everyone hopes to do, but preparing for later life should start long before retirement, explains Ulricka Beukman, manager of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre.

International Day of Older Persons, celebrated on October 1, provides an opportunity to recognise the contributions of older people, consider the challenges of ageing populations and reflect on how society can better protect their rights.

It is also an opportunity for individuals to consider what they can do to build a healthy, happy and secure later life. “Do not let ‘I am too old for that’ become your identity,” said Ulricka.

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“In my view, the best preparation for later life is not simply financial planning; it is planning for independence, purpose, relationships and dignity,” she said.

But planning for later life should protect your future without sacrificing your present happiness, she cautions.

“Do not postpone living until retirement.

“Travel, spend time with people you love, celebrate occasions and enjoy good food and experiences now.”

The key is to plan while you still have the freedom to make your own choices.
She recommends considering the following:
Protect your health and mobility
• Don’t wait until you are frail to start thinking about ageing well.
• Maintain muscle strength, balance and flexibility.
• Keep your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
• Have regular dental, hearing and eyesight checks.
• Deal with chronic health problems early.
• Keep moving – strength training becomes especially important as you age.
The goal is not necessarily to live to 100, she said, but to have as many healthy, independent years as possible.

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Get your finances organised
Know exactly:
• What income you will have when you stop working
• What you own and what you owe
• Your monthly living costs
• How much you can afford for healthcare and possible frail care
• What would happen financially if one spouse dies first
Ulricka advised not leaving important financial decisions to your children.
Decide where and how you want to live and consider:
• Will I stay in my current home?
• Will I be able to manage the stairs, garden and maintenance when I am 80?
• Would I prefer a retirement village?
• Do I want independent living with care available nearby?
• What happens if I eventually need frail care?

“Ideally, these decisions should be made while you are still healthy enough to choose, rather than after a crisis,” she said.

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Put your legal affairs in order and have a plan for:
• A valid will
• Beneficiaries on investments and policies
• Power of attorney or mandates where appropriate
• Medical wishes and who should make decisions if you cannot
• Important documents and passwords being accessible to the right person
Your family should know where important documents are, without necessarily having access to everything.
Invest in relationships
Strong relationships can be one of the most important foundations for a happy later life. “Do not allow your world to shrink to your spouse and children,” she said.
Build relationships with:
• Friends
• Neighbours
• Family
• Community groups
• People of different generations
Loneliness can become a serious health problem in later life, Ulricka said.
Retirement can be wonderful, but simply stopping work does not automatically create a fulfilling life.
Before retirement, develop things that provide:
• Purpose
• Structure
• Something to look forward to
• A sense of contribution
This could include spending time with grandchildren, volunteering, travelling, gardening, caring for animals, sport, learning, mentoring or pursuing a project you have always wanted to undertake,” says Ulricka.

Learn how to ask for help

This can be surprisingly difficult for people who have always been independent. Ageing well also means accepting that you may eventually need help with:
• Transport
• Technology
• Shopping
• Household tasks
• Healthcare
• Personal care
Needing help does not mean losing your dignity, said Ulricka.
Talk openly with your children; do not only talk about what you want them to inherit.
Discuss:
• Where you want to live
• What kind of care you would accept
• Who should help you make decisions
• What you would not want
• Your wishes around end-of-life care
• How involved you want them to be
“Open conversations can help prevent serious conflict later.”
Keep learning and adapting
People who age well tend to remain curious, Ulricka said.
• Learn new technology
• Travel
• Read
• Meet younger people
• Try things you are not good at
Prepare emotionally for ageing.
The hardest part of preparing for later life is accepting that change is inevitable.
People will eventually have to face:
• Changes to their bodies
• The deaths of friends
• Children becoming independent
• The loss of some abilities
• Changes to their lifestyle
“The aim is not to pretend these things will not happen, but to develop the resilience to recognise that life can remain meaningful, enjoyable and worthwhile even as circumstances change,” she said..
Five priorities for later life
If all this advice were reduced to five things, Ulricka says the priorities would be:
• Relationships – build a strong circle of people.
• Health – protect your strength, mobility and brain.
• Money – make sure you can support yourself.
• Housing – decide where you want to age before circumstances decide for you.
• Purpose – have something that makes life worth getting up for.