26 | ESSENTIAL PREPARATION
ENVISIONING
THE LIFE AHEAD by Nicole Schaefer
“Living in one’s home as long as possible is merely an aspiration, not a meaningful plan for aging.” Fred Ross, member of Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL), has offered this perspective to friends and family in conversation over the years. With a significant portion of the aging population expressing the desire to stay in their own home or seeing it as their only option, having a meaningful plan to make it possible becomes even more critical. And while finances may be the component that most often comes to the forefront of the conversation, creating a support system to meet evolving needs over time is equally as important.
Over the past decade, varying studies have tallied anywhere from a 25 to 65 percent increase in the number of older adults who report they prefer or plan to stay in their own homes. The pandemic escalated the conversation, and governors in nearly every state announced new investments in senior care to better support their state’s older adults. In February 2021, Governor Tony Evers announced his 2021-2023 budget would include major investments in childcare, caregiving for aging and older adults, and support for individuals with disabilities. Also it would ensure high-quality care for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents with emphasis placed on family
SEPTEMBER 2021–FEBRUARY 2022 JOURNEY OF AGING
caregivers, who are often an integral part of a plan to age in place.
Safety SAIL takes a holistic approach to supporting plans for sustaining active and independent lives at a comfortable level for its members at each stage of their lives. Several years ago, Betty was walking at West Towne Mall with her friend Lois. Betty’s husband passed away a few years earlier, so she and another nearby friend agreed to check in with each other every day. Betty’s friend recently passed, so Lois encouraged her to become a SAIL member to take advantage of the daily automated check-in system, Rise and Shine. If
