End-of-Life Concerns and Practical Tips for Aging Well

Old age often includes a multitude of changes and uncertainties that can lead to increased stress and anxiety as you grapple with end-of-life concerns such as physical and cognitive issues, age-based discrimination, loss of independence, and financial insecurity. It can be a challenging, sometimes scary, stage of life, but it does not have to be disheartening. In most cases, you are not entirely powerless over whether you age well.

Studies show that although some decline in health and function is inevitable, many elderly people maintain good physical health and cognitive abilities as they age, and continue to interact with others in meaningful ways.

The Most Common End-of-Life Concerns

Physical And Mental Health Issues

• Declining health
• Chronic and/or terminal illness
• Physical limitations and loss of mobility
• Balance problems
• Not being able to look after yourself
• Falling or getting injured
• Loss of vision and/or hearing
• Becoming frail and unable to walk without assistance
• Decline in cognitive functioning
• Memory loss
• Getting dementia or Alzheimer’s

Becoming a Burden

• Increased need to rely on others for care and assistance
• Not wanting to ask for help or become a hindrance to loved ones
• Feeling inadequate for needing help

Loss Of Independence

• Not being able to manage daily tasks of living on your own
• No longer being able to drive and get out and about
• Becoming housebound
• Having to depend on others to take you places you need to go
• No longer being able to do things you enjoy
• Loss of dignity should you need assistance with bathing and other personal care needs
• Being cared for by strangers
• Being at the mercy of your caregivers

Age-based discrimination and elder abuse

• Age-based discrimination in the workplace
• Disrespect from the younger generation
• Being abused or taken advantage of
• Loss of purpose.
• Feeling useless and no longer needed

Financial insecurity

• Not having enough money saved for retirement
• Outliving your savings
• Not being able to afford the same lifestyle you were used to
• Not having money for emergencies
• Dealing with constantly increasing costs of living on a fixed income
• Not being able to support yourself
• High costs of health care, prescriptions, and services not covered by Medicare
• Identity theft
• Being scammed
• Inability to pay off debts
• Increased debt due to sudden and unexpected bills you can’t pay

Housing

• Safety and security concerns
• Not being able to age in place and having to give up your home
• Having to change living arrangements

Bereavement, Social Isolation, and/or Loneliness

• Death of your spouse
• Outliving friends and loved ones and being left alone
• Shrinking social circle and support system
• Isolation due to financial restrictions and/or inability to get out and about

Practical Tips for Aging Well

The following are some practical steps you can take to help decrease or eliminate some of the end-of-life concerns you may have and make this a fulfilling time in your life.

• Let your family know your wishes and preferences as to how you want your affairs handled should you become incapacitated and appoint a healthcare proxy to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.
• Keep your medical records, will, and estate planning documents up to date, as well as who you want your beneficiaries and power of attorney person to be.
• Know when to ask for help, and don’t be too proud to do it.
• Reduce your risk of injury by doing exercises to improve your strength and balance, as well as by removing tripping hazards, and installing handrails or grab bars in your shower and toilet areas.
• Protect yourself from financial scams by never giving out personal information and hiring a lawyer to review all contracts before signing anything.
• As much as possible, stay both physically and mentally active.
• Incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation into your daily routine to reduce stress and relieve tension.
• Stimulate your mind with brain games such as Sudoku, crosswords, or jigsaw puzzles, as well as by reading, joining a book club or discussion group, learning new skills, and/or finding new ways of doing routine things.
• Don’t let physical limitations keep you from engaging in activities you enjoy.
• Find ways to adapt to losses, such as writing things down if your short-term memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, wearing hearing aids if you have trouble hearing, or doing chair aerobics if you have mobility issues.
• Stay socially connected with friends and family either in person, by phone, or through technology such as Zoom, social media, or e-mails.
• Join a senior center or a club to stay active and make new friends.
• Consider getting a pet.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Practice small acts of random kindness and look for ways to encourage others and build them up.
• Prioritize self-care by doing some form of regular exercise every day; eating a balanced, nutritious diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and dark leafy greens; staying hydrated; and getting adequate sleep.
• Get out in the fresh air and sunshine and spend time outdoors every day.
• Volunteer to serve in a soup kitchen, become involved in your church, read stories to kids, knit scarves for the homeless, or use your talents and abilities to contribute to your community by teaching a class or mentoring a young person.

What The Bible Says About Aging

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you, I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4, NIV

God promises to be with us, to care for us, and sustain us throughout our entire lifetime.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. –Psalm 73:26, NIV

Scripture reminds us that even if our body grows weak or our spirit is crushed, God will forever be our comfort and strength.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. – Proverbs 16:31, NIV

The gray hair of a godly person should be praised and seen as the reward of a long and fruitful life.

The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. – Proverbs 20:29, NIV

The benefit of youth is strength, but gray hair represents wisdom and experience.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will still stay fresh and green, — Psalm 92:12-14, NIV

A godly man or woman will continue to flourish in old age.

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? – Job 12:12, NIV

Elderly people are blessed with insight and a perspective on life that the young do not have. There is value in seeking their expertise.

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the LORD. –Leviticus 19:32, NIV

The Bible teaches us to honor and respect our elders.

If you are struggling with end-of-life concerns and feel you need more help than what this article could provide, consider counseling. A trained mental health professional can help you process your feelings, gain a healthier perspective, work through specific challenges, and learn how to effectively manage stress and anxiety.

Give us a call if you would like to set up an appointment regarding end-of-life concerns or other issues. One of the faith-based counselors in our online directory would be happy to meet with you.