If there was a broader subject for seniors, I don't know what it could be. Perhaps the number one factor for anyone over the age of 50 for social and financial planning. While any discussion of the subject could go off in hundreds of directions, THIS might be a good place to start.
Personal genes and family history -- Oldest... Youngest Health-- past, current... outlook. Pyhysical -- muscle, weight, agility Mental health-- outlook Finances... new worth, insurance Care-- Doctors, spouses, friends and relatives Living facilities Lifestyle Medication ......................................................................................... Personal stories, theories, plans, advice, history, thoughts. It's something that will affect us all.
My family history is mixed... Dad @ 56, Mom @74.... jeanie's dad, brother and cousin @exactly 50... mom 80's. LTC policy taken in 1984... pays $100 day for 3 years (both of us) Think we have enough for three or four years of $70K yr. nursing home care. Feel reasonably financially safe. Mixed health... 2 near death problems for me, two for her... a few days for me, a few moments for her. Retired early @53... me, cancer.. no recurrance Current life expectancy chart for me, 91... she??? Lifestyle ... active to age 73... partying . Now... one 4P.M. 1 1/2 oz martini. Bike ride... short distances a few miles/day Twice a week 3/4 hr, workouts at AJ's. fitness center. Not looking for your personal history... just some of the things to look at and maybe to prepare for. Some don't like to think about the future. My experience with friends and neighbors, for the most part is that they don't think too much about the subject, and it seems to work, as most are happy to live day to day. Widows and widowers seem even less concerned about their personal future. We've just learned to live with the what if's" of life, and feel more at peace with some planning. YMMV....
I wish I had something to add. I really don't give my life expectancy a lot of thought. I don't want to be decrepit and not be able to care for myself. Other than that, whenever I die, I figure I'll never know the difference anyway. Plus, I choose to believe in expectations of heaven. If that doesn't happen, I won't know the difference about that either. It's all good.
Most people are born unprepared for life....get caught up in life.....become addicted to life.....and when they die, are unprepared for death. Every day, most of us expect to live out the day. My boss used to say "when you put your boots on in the morning, you never know who will take them off". We should live each day, free from the fear of tomorrow...and free from the guilt of the past.
I was stillborn along with my twin.. 2 months prem... My twin didn't make it.. Every year for me since has been a gift !!