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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories City plans event for TAP line Signups underway for classes for older adults Airport, historic commissioners named; vacancies remain on other panels Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Ashland makes nationwide 'Great Places' list Education Signups underway for classes for older adults They're back (and they've brought friends) Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Schneider Children's Center branches out Getting a 'Fresh Start' Environment OR-7's pups true wolves Mt. Ashland Hill Climb Agency says hatcheries OK on Columbia Do you think foods containing GMOs should say so on the label? SOU sells energy credits to Chevy Business Loving the leather Family Massage center leaving busy corner for homier site Oregon Trail Card users can shop at farmers markets 1-800 Flowers.com to buy Harry & David Happy Labor Day Politics and elections Airport, historic commissioners named; vacancies remain on other panels Two races set for council positions Library district won't take maximum tax rate Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Taking an independent stand State News Nation - World Obituaries Dr. Stephen Edward Drabik Martha M. Ekwall Steven J. Borich Dr. Barry Rheault Janie Sparks Sports Latest Stories (No heading) No. 22 Southern Oregon, No. 2 Carroll set for early-season showdown Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Mt. Ashland Hill Climb Grizzlies off on the right foot High school Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Grizzlies off on the right foot Grizzlies' sights set on another playoff run Southern Oregon University No. 22 Southern Oregon, No. 2 Carroll set for early-season showdown Grizzlies off on the right foot Toiling on the field SOU-Carroll is NAIA game of week SOU's Dodge honored Opinion Latest Stories Granlund cartoon: Joan Rivers tribute Granlund cartoon: High-density housing Meeting in the middle Matthew T. Mangino: Facial recognition technology a law enforcement tool Granlund cartoon: Home Depot data breach Editorial Meeting in the middle One small carbon footprint ... Not out of the woods yet Our View: Taking small steps to confront climate change Now's the time to taste the bounty Letters Letters to the Editor, Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 30 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 29 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 28 Guest opinions Two seemingly disparate moments in history Rauch replies: Frustrating, yes — yet there is method in't The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Hamas supporters spread anti-Semitism around the world Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Sheila Bender and Jonah Bornstein 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre CultureFest at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Community blog: Poet Willa Schneberg at Bloomsbury Books Community blog:Ashland Book and Author Festival Coming Soon Theater 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre Wise cracks and hot licks make for super show OSF adds 'Wrinkle in Time' Family Night Daedalus Project 2014 Music The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South 'On the Fly' Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: Sept. 5-11 Movie listings: Aug. 27-Sept. 4 'Calvary' is about darkness and dialogue Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 22-26 'What If' hits the sweet spot Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Lifestyle Latest Stories Mt. 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COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR: AGING HAPPENS Getting your papers in order now can save trouble later It's a pesky task, but isn't all that much bother and pays off in the long run By Ellen Waldman For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ellen Waldman For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 @ 9:35 am By Ellen Waldman For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 @ 9:35 am » Social News Mary and Bob (they will be our universal couple who act as stand-ins for real people) bought a two-story home in Ashland several years ago. Bob retired from a great professional job and Mary was going to keep working for a few more years. Bob recently got a diagnosis of heart disease and it made them both wonder, "what’s next?" Could they stay in the house they bought, thinking this was their retirement home? What happens if Bob cannot walk up the steps to the bedroom? Although they were both quite well-versed in their careers, they just entered the territory of don’t-know-land. Fortunately, they had a good friend who pointed them to a professional who could begin to help them sort through their options, now and into the future. They just had no idea that the future would be here so soon. “It’s never too soon and it’s not too late.” What I’m referring to is planning for life’s changes as you age. So many people tell me it’s just too soon for them to start planning for this. They feel like they are still too young (even in their 50s and up) and have plenty of time. Our entire culture supports this view, so they are not alone in thinking this way. This does not jump out as a fun topic for most people. Still, we like to have what we want, and there are ways to make that more possible. At the risk of sounding bossy, I’ll tell you that it’s not too soon to think about and put into place your important legal, financial and medical documents. I know, it seems burdensome and boring, and actually it often is. But having everything in place is how we take care of ourselves and those we care about most. It’s not that difficult and you will actually feel relieved, once you dive in. Getting the outcome you desire is a simple matter of implementing some basic good planning. Most of us have done this all our lives anyway. This is just the next step. Here are the main items that get addressed. In later columns, I’ll go into more detail about each one. Legal documents: This is what lawyers usually call estate planning; including a will or a trust, and often a power of attorney. I have worked with folks who have moved here from another state, and often it’s suggested that they review their documents with an Oregon attorney. I had a client who had a big book of legal documents. After she saw a local attorney, she was left with just a handful of pages that served her quite well. Medical documents: In Oregon, we use the Advance Directive, which includes appointing your health care representative, and making a decision on your care if you cannot speak for yourself. We also have a "POLST" form (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) which is filled out by a physician and only needed at certain points in your life. Financial documents: This might include having an appointed signer on your bank accounts and working with your financial planner and tax person to be current with your life and expenses. You will need to know what various options might cost you and how long your money will last. Housing options: This is always a big one. Most everyone wants to age-in-place in their current home and this may or may not be possible. Consider your options ahead of time. You can sometimes make your current home more accessible for aging, move to a different home, or look at options for community living and local facilities. This is an area where a lot of people get very confused. One last word: you can’t go wrong by being ahead of the curve in planning for the future. And Mary and Bob decided to sell their house and move into one that is a better fit for this stage of life.   Ellen Waldman is a certified geriatric care manager. "Aging Happens" appears weekly in the Daily Tidings. Email questions about aging and Ashland-area aging resources to her attention via [email protected]. By Ellen Waldman For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ellen Waldman For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 2, 2014 @ 9:35 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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