Getting Older

Needing a Peace of Mind

We can't stop the aging process.  It's a natural cycle of life.  I don't necessarily feel old myself, although there are some days that my body tells me different.  Ugh...

I'm relatively healthy.  I eat pretty well aside from a random burger or a pile of Mexican food.  I do have an affinity for sausage and eggs after work though.  I'm pretty sure my LDLs and Triglycerides aren't looking too good these days. Gotta stop that habit. 

Working in the healthcare field sure does make ya think, that's for sure.  I sometimes worry who will be my voice as I age.  Who will take care of me when I can no longer care for myself.  And given the current state of affairs of our healthcare system, how will I pay for it? 

More importantly, my parents are approaching 80 years young.  I am thankful that they are both in good health aside from a couple of normal age related issues.  However, some of those issues do bear a close watch.  And being that my father is living in another state far from me, that worries me quite a bit some days.  How will I know he's okay?  How will I manage his healthcare needs from afar?  How many trips will I need to take to handle his needs? 

My mother lives about 45 minutes from me which is quite close.  But I know there are things that she does not tell me which royally pisses me off.  How can I take care of her needs when she doesn't keep me clued in?  And when the time comes, how will I take care of her needs?  I hope I won't need to find placement for her.  Or my father for that matter.  I hate the idea of either one of them living in a nursing home.  That's just no way to live but I do understand that it is completely necessary in certain situations.   What an ugly side of aging.  Wish I had craploads of money so I can build a couple of "granny pods.  That way I can keep them both close and in a home of their own. 

How will I cope?  How will I know what decisions to make?  Will it be a long process?  Or will they both go quickly and painlessly?  God I hope the latter.  And I hope that I will be emotionally prepared as well.  And what really stresses me out is I will most likely be doing this on my own.  I am the surviving child between my parents.  I have no children of my own, no significant other in my life with no prospects of meeting a good man to be my rock.  Not that I truly need one to survive but it sure would be nice to have another shoulder to rest my worries. 

These are things that run through my head from time to time and I feel like it's been a bit more frequent lately.  It can't be ignored that's for sure.  I will admit it makes me a bit fearful.  And I don't like that feeling.  I wish I would have had enough foresight in my younger days to be more prepared both emotionally and financially.  I wish I would have asked more questions and learned more about planning for your parents future.  I still have time but I feel like it's gonna be a crash course.  Maybe that's the way its supposed to be in my corner of the world.  Who knows.  Time will tell.  Until next time...elizinashe

Let the Fire Inside Guide You