The twilight years should be a time to celebrate life’s journey. They should be a time for family, friendship, love, gratitude and peace.
But all too often, acute health issues, financial limitations, and family concerns cloud the picture. Life-altering decisions may need to be made at a moment’s notice, leaving both older individuals and their adult children feeling anxious and overwhelmed. And, sometimes even testing the bonds that hold families together.
Even in advanced planning situations, whether to “age in place” or transition to an independent living, assisted living, memory care, or CCRC community is one of the most difficult decisions in one’s life. Navigating this complex and nuanced world can seem impossible, and making the wrong choice can fundamentally and negatively alter the trajectory of a senior’s life.
If this sounds all-too-familiar, know that you are not alone. As a Registered Nurse with over 30 years experience helping to create desirable outcomes for seniors, and as someone who has gone through this process with my own parents, I can help. One Life is a boutique consultancy that specializes in helping seniors and their families make sense of the complex world of late-life care. We always do so with the diligence and empathy required to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Armed with the right knowledge and decision making, the twilight years CAN be everything you thought they’d be. Together, we can make it happen!
Ellen Donovan, BSN, RN
