It has been said that we start aging the minute we are born. We go through many different stages in life. Life stages are often associated with ages such as the toddler stage, teenager, mid-life, and so forth. Those stages continue as we age past the empty-nesting into retirement and further into older age.
While our earlier life stages can be more tightly tied to actual age-related time frames in our lives, as we reach our older ages, its harder to define. We all age differently. Age related changes such as loss of hair color (or loss of hair in general) and the development of cataracts to name a few, can happen at different points of time in our adult life. However, its less clear as to when some aging effects may take place or whether they take place at all.
For those of us who find ourselves in the mid-life stage and beyond, there are some areas of our lives we can contemplate now that will help us age and also lighten the burden for our loved ones.
I, Barbara Stockebrand, Southwind Extension District Family and Consumer Sciences agent, will be presenting a lesson on Planning Ahead as We Age on Dec. 18, as a Knowledge at Noon program. The program will be held at the Yates Center Ambulance meeting room located at 114 North Main, beginning at noon. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch and eat while we meet.
Join us as we visit the topics of Advance Directives, downsizing, and thinking ahead about funeral arrangements. Its not always easy to address some of these topics. However, if we take the steps to address them now, we are allowed to have input on those things that matter most to us. The family conversations that may take place can help our families know where we stand as we continue our aging journey.
Everyone is welcome! Coffee and tea will be provided. For additional information, contact the Southwind Extension District office in Yates Center at 620-625-8620.
