How to Manage a Disability Later in Life

​Nobody expects to face a disability later in life. One day you're keeping up with your grandkids or planning your next vacation for your retirement, and the next you're navigating doctor's appointments, mobility changes, only medications. It's a lot, and it's a lot of information. But the good news is that you're not alone, and there are real and manageable ways that you can make your life easier.

One of the first steps that you can take is to work with a life care planning company. These are professionals that help to create a long term strategy for managing your health, your financial needs and your care options. It's like having a road map when suddenly you're driving down a very unfamiliar road. Whether you're adjusting to the new diagnosis or you're learning to live with limitations that have slowly developed over time, there are some simple ways to manage a disability later in life, and we've got some help for you below.

1. Start with a plan that works for you. When you're dealing with unexpected changes like a disability late in life, life can feel a bit out of control. Having a personalized care plan makes all the difference because it can feel like you are anchored somewhere. A life care planning company can help you to create a plan that covers everything that you need. It's all about finding those solutions that give you more confidence rather than.
   
2. Put your focus on what you can do. It's so easy to get caught up on limitations and feel grief for the limitations now placed upon you. Having a disability later in life is never easy to deal with when you've had your body one way for so long. Try flipping the script, however. What can you do? What are you still able to do? Maybe you can't take long walks like you're used to, but maybe you can still enjoy being in the garden or joining a chair over class. You can still reconnect with old friends over a phone call, and you can still get yourself an amazingly high tech wheelchair that can move on its own. There's always a solution and an adaptability, you just have to be willing to find it.
   
3. Upgrade your house. Your home should support your lifestyle, not the other way around. So if you're finding the stairs tricky or the bathroom stressful, small changes can make the big impact you're looking for. Grab bars, better lighting, and even rearranging furniture for easier movement can make your space feel safe.
   
4. Build a support system. Being told you have a disability or a progressive illness late in life can be difficult, but if you build yourself a circle of support, you won't have to feel isolated. Reach out to friends and join community programs for your specific needs. You can even explore local groups or those managing health conditions similar to yours. With a support network, you can feel like you can tackle anything. ​