Sound View Wealth Advisors along with Coastal Care Partners hosted their second “Aging Well at Home: A Strategic Approach to Health & Wealth” community conversation this past week. The discussion focused on helping individuals and families prepare for and strategize about growing older comfortably: physically and financially. 

Some key recommendations from the conversations include these 10 “To-Do’s”: 

Financial: 

1. Simplify Your Financial Life 

Consolidate accounts, streamline investments, and reduce unnecessary complexity. 

2. Build a Reliable Income Plan 

Align withdrawals with your lifestyle and coordinate key decisions like Social Security. 

3. Protect Against Fraud & Mistakes 

Set up alerts, add a trusted contact, and pause before urgent financial decisions. 

4. Keep Your Estate Plan Updated 

Regularly review wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiaries. 

5. Plan for Healthcare & Long-Term Care 

Understand Medicare, evaluate care options, and define how you want to age. 

Health: 

1. Know Your Baseline 

Get a comprehensive nursing assessment of vitals, function, and overall health to capture where you stand today. 

2. Make Your Home Safer 

Complete a professional fall hazard and home safety analysis before a fall forces the conversation. 

3. Review Every Medication 

Have a concierge physician reconcile your prescriptions, OTCs, and supplements to cut duplicates and reduce risk. 

4. Build Your Care Team Before You Need It 

Identify a primary caregiver, coordinate nursing support, and name a point person for medical decisions. 

5. Document Your Care Wishes 

Complete advance directives, designate a healthcare proxy, and share your preferences with the people who matter.