Preparing for a Long Life Starts Today

Most of us think about preparing for retirement in terms of saving enough. But with people on average living into their 80s, it’s important to think more broadly. Living well as we age also means staying connected, maintaining a sense of purpose, preparing for future caregiving needs, and thinking ahead about where and how we want to live.  

Read on to learn about how you can take small steps now to ensure that you can thrive in the future – and how AARP can help.  

The suggestions below, inspired by the MIT AgeLab's Longevity Preparedness Index, offer ideas for what it takes to live longer, better. 
 

AARP Family Caregiving Maine-specific Resources: Caregiving affects the whole family and it can be hard to juggle work, caring for a loved and taking time for yourself. It’s a lot to take on. Visit the AARP Maine Family Caregiver Hub at aarp.org/mecares for guides, tips and support for caregivers and their families.
 

Caregiving: Have You Planned for Support?

Planning ahead for caregiving needs can reduce stress for both you and your loved ones. Conversations about what to do when someone’s capacity diminishes are uncomfortable, but they need to happen.   

• Assemble information about your medical providers, medication, financial information, housing payments, and other accounts. 
• Explore options for transportation if or when it’s no longer safe to drive. 
• Ensure that you’ve created legal documents such as wills, advance directives, health care proxies, and powers of attorney. 

Visit www.aarp.org/caregiving today for more information, tools and resources.
 

Social Connection

Strong social connections and meaningful activities are key ingredients for healthy aging.  How can you build and maintain them? 

• Develop relationships outside of immediate family. 
• Foster relationships outside of the workplace. 
• Make friends who are younger than you are. 
• Find activities outside the home. 

Explore local AARP events and AARP Maine ongoing events, join AARP Virtual Community Groups, consider volunteering, and learn how to build meaningful connections that can strengthen your support network and enrich daily life. 
 

Activities: How will you fill your days?  

If work has been structuring your life, you could end up feeling lost when you transition to retirement. It’s important to give shape and meaning to your life. 

• Ask people for advice about how to make the transition. 
• Identify your core values and anchor each day in what matters most to you. 
• Maintain a structured schedule. 
• Learn something new. 

Check out AARP’s Virtual Community Center for fun, educational, and engaging activities, see what you can learn and do from Senior Planet, take a class, pursue a hobby, volunteer, or find other ways to keep yourself busy.   

We hope you find these resources and ideas to be helpful. If you have any questions or if there is anything you need, please send us an email at me@aarp.org anytime.