Chapter 1: Understanding the Challenges of Aging

In a recent podcast about life planning, I heard the question, “What do you envision for yourself in five years?” To be honest, my foremost hope is simply to still be alive. As we age, particularly around seventy or seventy-five, this becomes a more pressing concern—sometimes even earlier, depending on one's health.

As I discussed in my book, a key indicator of old age is the inability to foresee your life a decade ahead. At forty, you feel confident about maintaining your lifestyle into your fifties. By fifty, as long as you stay active and healthy, you’re likely to continue on that path.

However, things become more uncertain at sixty. Picture yourself at sixty-eight: many individuals over seventy-five undergo significant life changes. After eighty, it becomes even more unpredictable. Personally, I feel that after reaching eighty, significant improvements to your health become increasingly difficult, aside from minor variations.

While a nutritious diet and preventive medications might not yield substantial benefits, regular exercise can have noticeable effects—if performed consistently. Yet, even the fittest individuals can face severe health issues like cancer or heart disease. Research often categorizes everyone over sixty-five simply as “elderly,” which overlooks individual variances.

How then do we approach planning? How can we create a fulfilling life when the duration of our abilities is uncertain? The reality is many of us are aware of the slim chances we have for living another three, five, or even ten years.

One strategy is to disregard the concept of planning entirely, which is basically my approach. I’m currently writing books set to release soon, as writing is a passion of mine. Yet, a lingering thought might be, “Why invest so much time into this project if I may not see it completed?”

Another approach could be to abandon anything resembling “work” and focus on living in the moment. This means engaging in daily activities without the intention of long-term outcomes. For instance, when planning vacations, opting for refundable options feels prudent.

Despite this mindset, you might catch yourself thinking, “My cat, who’s eight, will likely outlive me,” or “If I buy new clothes now, will I even have the chance to wear them out?”

Planning horizons become quite limited, as many pursuits are long-term endeavors. Starting a blog or podcast can take an eternity before seeing any returns. The question of deferred gratification becomes more poignant: how long can you postpone that satisfaction?

This also brings to mind the career-choice dilemma: “What would you do if you had only six months to live?” Because, in some ways, you might be faced with that reality. You make your choices and live with the consequences.

If you found this somewhat somber reflection interesting, don’t worry—my book offers a lighthearted perspective that will surely entertain! You can find it available in both paperback and Kindle formats.

Chapter 2: Embracing Long-Term Care Planning

This video discusses how to effectively plan for long-term care as you age, emphasizing the importance of proactive strategies and financial preparedness.

In this video, the importance of not letting long-term plans stagnate is highlighted, encouraging viewers to actively pursue their long-term goals despite uncertainties.