Future Help with Cognitive Decline

ShinyStarlight1

I found AgeUK to be absolutely invaluable when my dad could no longer manage many of his daily life tasks. You can choose which services you want and the cost is reasonable. 

My dad could not see well so he bought an hour a week of admin time, which helped him keep on top of mail, bank accounts etc. The person helping him was very professional but personable too. They alerted me (by agreement with dad) if something was of concern.

You can also buy the services of someone to make you a meal etc.

I know this doesn’t really answer your important question about what to do if living tasks at a great old age becomes impossible. I don’t know the answer to that. Having seen the deep vulnerability that being very elderly brings, it is a worry. I wish, as a society, we looked after our very aged better.

itsthelittlethings

I eat tinned fish as I think at one point it was thought this protects against brain damage.

Regularly using your brain such as doing crosswords, reading or sudokus can help. I think social contact helps protect against dementia so guard your friends carefully.

Last but not least, sadly smoking and drinking alcohol over the recommended limits is linked with developing cognitive decline.

Worried_and_alone

I share you worries, as I am in a very similar boat. I wonder if developments in AI may make things easier in the future, at least in terms of the practicalities of managing money if you are unable to yourself. In terms of living arrangements, I have my eye on a retirement village which is a continuous care community. This means there are different levels of care which you can transition through as your needs change. It is very expensive though. I also hope to cultivate a circle of close friends (I have already started this). I am in my late 30s and already worrying though, so I absolutely understand your concerns. 

bownyboy

Me and my wife also share your concerns. We are (for now) healthy active in our early 50s / early 60s. No kids and no family nearby. We both have POA for health and finances. 
But we are both now thinking ahead and one of the questions is, do we sell our cottage by a cut off date of say when my wife is 70 and move into some sort of Gen X living / older people type place which has a community and wardens on site etc. Or do we stay in a house and try to adapt it to the inevitable issues older people face?

Having just spent a huge amount of time clearing my wifes parents house of 50 years of accumulated stuff; I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

Also where we live we have a great sense of community. But, its all pub based and lunches. Not popping round and checking if bob has taken his meds or is alive...

Food for thought and we don't have a clear answer yet. 

thriftytracey

bownyboy said:

Me and my wife also share your concerns. We are (for now) healthy active in our early 50s / early 60s. No kids and no family nearby. We both have POA for health and finances. 
But we are both now thinking ahead and one of the questions is, do we sell our cottage by a cut off date of say when my wife is 70 and move into some sort of Gen X living / older people type place which has a community and wardens on site etc. Or do we stay in a house and try to adapt it to the inevitable issues older people face?

Having just spent a huge amount of time clearing my wifes parents house of 50 years of accumulated stuff; I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

Also where we live we have a great sense of community. But, its all pub based and lunches. Not popping round and checking if bob has taken his meds or is alive...

Food for thought and we don't have a clear answer yet. 

We are in a similar situation to you. Aged 65 & 70. Live in a village with 2 pubs, surgery and shop, lots of clubs etc.  We live in a 3 bed detached house - we did try a few years ago to move to a bungalow but had to give up as they were all more expensive than our large house!  Since then we have had 18 solar panels and a battery so loathe to leave them.  I am not in favour of the sheltered accommodation route - I still want a garden and the service charges are horrendous.  We will just have a stair lift fitted - make adaptations when the time comes!  When one of us goes will use a solicitor for POA.

Unless you are in poor health 70 too young to move into sheltered accommodation - most residents will be far older than you.