RETIREMENT IS SOMETHING to which most of us look forward and are hoping will be a long period of many active and healthy years.

As the boomers age, they are being faced with two issues. The first is assisting their elderly parents and then figuring out their own plans for retirement. Fortunately, there are resources available to assist them.

One major issue facing many is where to live. Many seniors prefer to stay in their homes for as many years as possible. Fortunately with the many services that are now available, seniors can live out a safe and secure retirement for many years, even beyond what previous generations enjoyed without having to move to a nursing home or other medical facility.

Oct. 13-19 is National Aging in Place Week. You may be wondering what National Aging in Place Week is, or why you should even care.

The National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) is a non-profit group of professionals from all over the country with a specific emphasis toward educating and assisting senior citizens with resources to live active and healthy in their retirement years.

During National Aging in Place week, a number of events are planned in communities all over the country to bring attention to the needs of seniors and to publicize the resources this organization offers.

In conjunction with the activities planned for this week NAIPC has released “Act III: Your Plan for Aging in Place.” This is a comprehensive tool that is designed to assist folks in planning for retirement.

The guide walks you through five essential elements of retirement: Housing, Healthcare, Finances, Transportation and Social Interaction/Entertainment. You can access it on the web at www.ageinplace.org at no charge.

The guide is walks you through the key elements of retirement, such as how happy and comfortable you are in your present home and whether relocating to a smaller home or another community might be a better choice.

The health needs assessment allows the participant to plan for health care needs including the all-important medical insurance issue.

The section on personal finance actually has a budget that can be used to itemize income, assets and expenses in order to provide a realistic look at how affordable and practical your retirement plan may be.

Transportation needs are addressed by looking at where the retiree lives and all transportation needs for the retiree. Seniors that remain active live longer healthier lives so any planning tool for retirement should have a section dedicated to planning for social and community activities. This plan addresses these needs as well.

At the end of each section, the participant lists a summary of needs. A full summary of needs is listed on the last page.

You also can provide the NAIPC with your information and any specific aging in place needs you have through its website. The organization can assist you in finding resources to help with any needs uncovered in your assessment.

The survey and report is more than 20 pages long. The NAIPC estimates it takes the average person slightly more than an hour to complete. The time spent is well worth it, as it allows to the participant to think and plan for the best retirement possible.

Guy Benjamin (CAL BRE License #01014834, NMLS 887909) writes a weekly column for The Herald, offering general information on real estate matters. As it is impossible to address all possibilities and variations, he will try to answer individual questions by readers who contact him at 707-246-0949 or guyb@fairwaymc.com.

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