I have a running list of the tenets and personal goals I hope Geri-Me will honor. They also are the starting point for the book I am planning to write when I can get out of notes- and data-collection mode with this project. What else should be on this list? I welcome your thoughts and comments:

Tenets:

1. Have a financial plan for your geri-future

2. Be realistic about the challenges of getting older

3. Be realistic about housing options and don’t hold yourself above the norm; know how much each option costs and be realistic about what you can afford vs what you want. Find a happy middle ground plan that doesn’t create a financial burden on others.

4. Put yourself on a retirement community/assisted living facility list or two

5. Understand the processes and options

6. Know you are old

7. Get your legal documents in order

8. Make specific plans for living will, DNR, hospice care, how much medical treatment you wish to receive and communicate that clearly to others who love you.

9. Be willing to share your plans and ideas with your family openly and honestly

10. Listen to and trust your family

11. Pare back, get rid of stuff, homes, extra everything

12. Have empathy and understanding that your family, or whoever is with you on this last chapter of your life, could be giving up greatly for your contentment, comfort and health. Be fully aware your needs and choices impact others in life-changing ways and express gratitude for them.

13. Be always grateful

14. Think of others constantly, do for others – growing older is a time of grace and shedding ego. Thinking of others takes the focus off yourself.

Personal Goals:

1. Embrace your role as grandparent or older adult and play the part

2. Keep up with technology and communication tools

3. Keep up with current events, trends and pop culture…be relevant

4. Keep your ego out and your grace on full display, always.

5. Be present for and interested in others

6. Be the kind of older person who helps and inspires and teaches someone younger than you.

7. Remember birthdays

8. Write letters

9. Remember stories and share them

10. Connect with younger people

11. Be mindful of your age and how you impact others

12. Keep your family close

13. Be a friend someone can depend on

14. If the situation suits, decide to live near your family

15. Live simply

16. Write down everything someone would need to know about your finances, your contractors, your medical professionals, your insurance, your everything long before you think you’ll need to explain that to someone.

17. Write your obituary, or at least write down all the high points and dates from your life that will be worth noting when someone else has to write your obituary for you.

18. Think less of yourself and more of others.

19. Get your medical directives and legal documents in order

20. Be on top of your health but release any obsession about your looks. #grandplans