If you expect to be older one day, and know of others with similar intentions, then you need to read this book! Grand Plans: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Steps is the real-talk guide to Golden Year-greatness every aging human being needs to read now – as in super stat, before we heedlessly drive more unsuspecting generations to the far edges of their sanity. Like many of the 41.8 million Americans providing unpaid care to an adult over the age of 50, I came through a difficult eldercare management situation several years ago an emotional wreck. From the trenches in South Central Florida, I saw firsthand how devastating it can be when older loved ones refuse to plan for, much less discuss, the naturally occurring phenomenon of becoming elderly. Sometimes known as the third act or the sunset stroll, this phase of life is everyone’s – literally EVERY ONE’s – fate, yet it usually comes as a total surprise and almost always results in extreme crisis. It doesn’t have to be this way. With even the smallest bit of thought, anticipation and expectation, we can all approach our Golden Years with grace. Grand Plans: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Stepsis the guide we need to get there. Grand Plans: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Stepsguarantees reduced stress for the loved ones who will one day be our caregivers, or pieces-picker-uppers or life managers. Take even one step of this Grand Plan and the future looks brighter. Take 10 steps and you are golden years golden. According to multiple conversations, interviews and research, I believe the fundamental ingredients, or steps, to a workable Grand Plan are to take the following concrete and soft steps:
Concrete Steps – the “Musts”
- Make lists of everything important, create a ‘death binder’.
- Pen your own obituary and plan your own funeral objectives.
- Hire an attorney to get legit about your affairs.
- Get your financial house and plan in order.
- Write your own prescription for health, hope and hospital issues and consider your medical thresholds.
- Educate yourself on the cost, scope and reality of the geri-life you envision – particularly your residence.
- Minimize the hell out of yourself and your stuff.
- Consider pet acquisitions carefully.
- Relinquish the keys and be ready – eager even! – to be a passenger.
Soft Steps – the “Shoulds”
- Embrace your age, appearance and role.
- Focus on your mind, body and soul.
- Communicate with your people, early and honestly and often.
- Trust the people who love you.
- Establish, build and stay connected to a reliable, loving, accessible community – pick “your person or people.”
- Be relevant and keep up with key technology.
- Invest resources in younger generations, service, others.
- Play the “what if” game constantly, get mentally prepared.
- Play “Ask Yourself, Honestly,” plan authentically for your future.
- Be realistic, open and flexible.
- Design a legacy that you’ll be proud of, practice empathy, humility and gratitude.
The book is organized in two parts and 20 chapters that follow this 20-step guide. Each step includes a relatable quote, a definition of the problem, a solution to the problem IMHO and, when appropriate, a list of resources that may help the reader better approach, understand and manage the problem. Welcome to Grand Plans!
