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Profile picture for azdesertgirl @azdesertgirl

I’m in the same boat as you are. I’m only 65, but I have too many chronic health conditions to mention, They all stem from complex post traumatic stress disorder. Having this condition prematurely ends one’s life by up to 20 years.
I’ve already pre-need planned my cremation and burial arrangements. I’ll be buried alongside my mother.
I have been searching for a private fiduciary to be secured to be on standby, meaning when I become incapacitated. I’m in the process of changing my legal documents over, but I’m searching for continuing care for my three wonderful cat companions. I have no close friends or anyone who would care for them together, for the rest of their life.
This has become a hiccup as I don’t have unlimited financial resources.
I can hire a geriatric case manager for my current major medical needs, to be my emergency contact. But they are very expensive; $200/hour.
I have a phone app, called Snug, that sends me a notification once a day, to check in with me. If I don’t or can’t hit the button on my phone, they will reach out to me. If I don’t respond, they will call the first responders to come do a welfare check.
I have a posted medical record and medication listing by my front door, hanging in a plastic file envelope for first responders. I need to update it though, when I update my legal documents. It’s posted through my states health registry. Sorry that I can’t recall the name. The first responders can gain access to it anywhere in case one is in a vehicle accident or emergency at home. You must have it notarized first, scanned, and uploaded to their website.

I’ve worked tirelessly to get this far, but I still work hard to plan for the inevitable. It sucks to be alone! I’m a good person, but it’s hard to make friends these days. Good friends that are still around for a lifetime. I would be a good friend for someone else, as I value meaningful friendships. I’m very loyal, mostly now to myself these days. I’ve shared a great deal of my efforts here to help someone else in my similar situation. I’m working to declutter my house now but it’s more difficult than I had thought.
Take one step at a time each day to handle these important tasks now. It brings special peace of mind.

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Replies to "I’m in the same boat as you are. I’m only 65, but I have too many..."

@azdesertgirl I’m sorry to hear of your ill health from PTSD and your worry for your 3 cats.

So many helpful and varied things in your post including decluttering, collating your medical information and making it easily accessible, having an automated phone check in etc.

I am alone with my 2 dogs and while I do have family and friends there are limits to what you can ask/expect - especially with those also getting older themselves and also with their own health and fitness challenges.

So important to do as you’re doing and planning ahead as much as you can.

I am lucky that I have financial resources behind me which does make it easier to engage help. I do need to think more about what I need to get organised for when my cancer comes back