Planning for Old Age

Older Women Discuss Planning for Future Care Needs

“…Individuals whose narratives fit these last categories described a present that did not include completed actions to prepare for future needs. In light of likely trepidation concerning planning among many in the older adult population (AARP, 2006;Kemp et al, 2005;Sorensen & Pinquart, 2000;Street & Desai, 2011), and prior qualitative literature suggesting that older adults are not necessarily prepared for periods of dependency prior to EOL (Carrese et al, 2002;Malcomson & Bisbee, 2009), it is surprising that our thematic analysis indicates that a majority of the older women in the sample have prepared for potential care needs (Planners for Autonomous Care and Externally Reliant, n = 126). Nonetheless, the highest degree of planning, Planners for Autonomous Care (n = 62), which included LTC strategies recommended by experts, was not achieved by a majority of the overall sample and showed a difference by race.…”

“…Although preparing for health care needs is advocated by experts and supports well-being in such planners, many factors can impede the planning process (Kemper et al, 2005;Pinquart & Sorensen, 2002b;Stone & Weiner, 2001). Preparing for any aspect of later life may be constrained by aging's devalued status in our culture (Street & Desai, 2011), as well as the practical barriers faced by disadvantaged individuals, whose limited resources constrain some recommended planning steps despite personal preferences (e.g., buying LTC insurance, building retirement savings; Kemp, Rosenthal, & Denton, 2005;Sorensen & Pinquart, 2000). Some researchers suggest that widespread misunderstanding of program provisions (e.g., believing that health insurance, medi-gap insurance, or Medicare cover LTC) prompts many to forgo planning for future care (AARP, 2006).…”

Preparation for old age in France: The roles of preferences and expectations

“…A stream of initiatives to promote "aging well" has emerged as a response to this evolution --see for instance the French "Plan National "Bien Vieillir," 2007Vieillir," -2009 These initiatives involve actions of local and national authorities, but also entail individual responsibility, to address the risks of later life such as low income, social isolation, poor health, and disability (Street and Desai, 2011). At the individual level, response to a longer longevity requires preparation for old age in several domains (finances, housing, interpersonal relationships, health…).…”

The Social Stratification of Older Adults’ Preparations for End-of-Life Health Care

“…. other important aspects of planning for later life” (Street and Desai 2011:380). However, this “hyper-focus” may be adopted only by those who own homes and other valuable assets that may be disbursed to their spouse, children, or other beneficiaries after one’s death (Keister and Moller 2000).…”