Serving Our Seniors Magazine Oct-Dec 2023

That is why he can do the type of home repair work, that he does at their home. He is really good at doing tedious things.” Mike’s advice to his son (and any other young / middle- aged adult) is this, “Plan for retirement.” He believes it is important to have a financial plan to afford living out your years in later life. I asked Jared if he had any wisdom for his father. He said, “Be willing to keep planning ahead, so you can make your own decisions for yourself.” As a hospital Chaplain, he is involved in assisting people with living wills and health care power of attorneys. “It’s an empowering process. It is letting you be the one to make decisions about your future.” The same is true if the day should come to downsize. “My mother has always said, ‘I want to be the first one to make that decision.’ And she’s right. To not make that decision, yourself, would be very disempowering.” We hope Mike and Jared’s story has given you pause and motivation to act in thought and in deed, so you can live your best later life, today and in the future. As an agency that advocates for Erie County’s residents, age 60+, Serving Our Seniors wants to make Erie County the best place to live for growing older, well. To achieve this end, Serving Our Senior has established two charitable donation funds - Serving Our Seniors Fund for The Future and Serving Our Seniors Fund for Today. The Fund for the Future is accepting donations to position Serving Our Seniors to be ready for the unforeseen needs that will take place in the future, i.e., when Jared and his peers earn the distinction of being an older adult. The Fund for Today is for accepting donations for emerging needs we see today, yet are beyond the scope of our operating budget. Specifically, the need for geriatric medicine expertise in Erie County; the need for modest, affordable rental housing for retirees; and forensic expertise to prevent and address all forms of elder abuse, especially financial elder abuse. Now that you have read this story, it is your turn to reflect on the meaning you give to the words “old / older” and your feelings about “aging.” Please share your ideas to make Erie County the best place to live for growing older successfully. Send your comments to Mail@ServingOurSeniors.org or Serving Our Seniors, 310 E. Boalt Street, Sandusky, OH 44870. Photography by Little Button Photo Studio 11