Q&A: ‘Talking about tomorrow today’

Everyone wants to live a comfortable life, even as they get older. That is why we are talking in Apeldoorn today about the future. This is necessary, because the Netherlands’ population is ageing and healthcare is changing. How are we, as a society, going to organise care for older people? And what can we do for ourselves and for one another?

Start discussing topics such as care, housing and staying fit in good time. Consider, for example, your living situation, how to stay young at heart, how to stay fit, how to maintain a social life, and think about the neighbourhood where you live or would like to live. Also discuss what you can do for one another if care is needed later on.

By talking about tomorrow now, you’ll be able to keep doing the things that matter to you later on. That way, for example, you’ll know who can step in if you need care later on. We’re all getting older. It’s good to talk about this. Just as you used to talk about choosing a school or course, a job or a new home. People who are already talking to others about the future say they find it helpful. It gives a sense of security, and these conversations bring peace of mind.

Below are a few tips on how to discuss your future with others:

• Invite someone to talk about it later (for example, your partner, a family member, a friend or a neighbour).
• We can talk about tomorrow anywhere – at your home or whilst out for a walk.
• Think in advance about which topics are important to you. Such as your living situation, your health or your social life.

Many people would rather not ask for help. Nevertheless, it is important to discuss now how you can support one another should care be needed in the future. This way, you remain in control of your own care. And you and those around you will know where you stand in the future.

Here are a few questions that might help you during the interview:

• How do you intend to keep in touch with people once you’ve stopped working?
• What would you like to do for others when you grow up?
• Who can do your shopping or run errands if you’re no longer able to do them yourself?
• Who can take you to see your GP if you’ve been ill for a long time?
• Who could you be there for right now? Helping others is also very rewarding.

The ideal living situation is different for everyone. Most people would like to continue living independently at home for as long as possible. Perhaps this is possible in your current home, or perhaps there is another type of home that suits you better. For example, somewhere where you can easily meet other people or closer to key amenities. Thinking now about how you’d like to live in the future can give you peace of mind. Here are a few questions that might help you during the discussion:

• Would you like to continue living where you live now?
• If you start having trouble getting about, will the house still be a pleasant place to live?
• What options are available for adapting your home?
• Would you like to live closer to family or friends in the future?
• Are there any important amenities nearby, such as a supermarket, a chemist’s or places to meet people?

Are you aged 55 or over and would you like to move to a smaller or more suitable home? If so, why not arrange a meeting with a relocation coach?.

If you take your time and consider other properties at your leisure, you’ll have more choice than if you’re in a rush. At every (new) stage of life, people may prioritise different things when it comes to a home. The house may become too big, someone may have difficulty getting about, or maintaining the garden may become too much of a burden. Fewer rooms mean less cleaning and lower energy bills. Moving house can also mean a more comfortable life – living in a new place with different neighbours and, for example, shops closer by.

Depending on your wishes and needs, the relocation coaches offer personalised advice and support. The relocation coaches have no influence over the available housing stock or any priority schemes. Please contact verhuiscoach@gelderland.nl for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can find more information at the website of the Province of Gelderland.

How do you make sure you stay fit? To feel good about yourself, your body and your brain need a challenge. Things like exercise and healthy eating. And doing things you enjoy and that make you feel good. It doesn’t have to be difficult: you can achieve a lot simply by adopting small daily habits. View Apeldoorn’s walking routes here.

Here are a few questions that might help you during the interview:

• How do you keep active? What activities can you do with someone else?
• How do you keep challenging yourself, for example with new technology?

56 % is already making the most of life, and this is how they envisage their lives in 10 years’ time. This is revealed by a survey of 1,000 people aged 60 and over.

Most people who say they are already talking about their future prefer to do so with their partner and/or their children. They also often discuss it with friends, a brother or sister, or neighbours.

There is an extensive network in the municipality of Apeldoorn that focuses on this issue. The following organisations in Apeldoorn are taking part in ‘Talk about tomorrow today’: Talking about tomorrow today | Apeldoorn City Council