Building Your Personal Safety Net: A Guide for Seniors

Life is full of surprises. Some surprises, especially those affecting health or money, can really throw regular day-to-day life into a tailspin. Luckily, there are proven ways to stay ahead of the curve while positioning your resources toward a positive outcome.

A Personal Safety Net, or PSN, is one popular way to cultivate a safe and secure future. The authors of  Personal Safety Nets: The Book recognize common pitfalls and developed a strategic approach that aligns plans, resources and people toward fostering support, safety and security in the face of hardship.

Senior life transitions, in particular, necessitate the safety of a PSN. Knowledge of needs and resources protects us and our loved ones from any potential blindsides that life’s many stages and transitions can throw at us.

In short, a well thought out PSN is an added layer of security in an insecure world. If you’re wondering how to build a personal safety net, read on!

Why Personal Safety Nets Matter for Seniors

Whether or not we like to admit it, growing older creates vulnerability in areas of life that may have previously seemed secure, including financially, physically, and mentally. 

The authors of  Personal Safety Nets: The Book defined Eight Pillars of Resilience to help identify and tackle any areas of life that could use an additional buffer in terms of support and resources.

Building Your Personal Safety Net

Here are some simple steps you can begin today to construct your own personal safety net. These eight easy pillars, when combined, offer coverage in all areas of life, and enhance all aspects of senior preparedness. 

The Eight Pillars of Resilience-

• • • Belief System: Looking honestly into what keeps you hope-filled and positive while on life’s journey. Included are activities and people that help center an awareness of compassion and abundance. Examples include gratitude journals or time spent outside with animals or in nature. Personal advocates can be found through friends, neighbors at retirement communities, church, therapy, or even through yoga and meditation classes.

• • • Career and retirement: Knowing what retirement benefits you may have incurred during your time as a working professional can help in assessing available personal resources. One way to learn more is through social services, human resources departments or even the helpful staff at an Era Living senior living community, if you are living in one.

• • • Community resources: Understanding your requirements and identifying the areas where professional assistance is essential are initial strides towards crafting a comprehensive plan. Are you in search of a therapist or an accountant? Whom do you trust for reliable referrals or assistance in various aspects of your life? At Era Living, the team is composed of knowledgeable and empathetic staff, including caregivers and nurses, who are trusted resources.
    • Family and friends: As the authors say, “There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to family and friends.” The level and nature of support individuals receive from their social circle can greatly differ. Maintaining awareness of your network and their respective strengths can be invaluable when seeking additional assistance or advice. Connecting with close family members is a great avenue to establish trust, especially for difficult moments that could arise in the future. At Era Living we understand the importance of cultivating lasting friendships as you age and prioritize an ever-evolving social environment within our senior living communities. 
    • Finances and legalities: As we grow older, managing finances becomes crucial. Beyond mere transactions, maintaining meticulous records of our finances encompasses a broad spectrum, including bank accounts, legal documentation, insurance policies, and wills. Being adept at accessing and organizing this wealth of information proves invaluable, particularly in times of unforeseen emergencies. Whether faced with a sudden crisis or navigating through life’s transitions, the ability to swiftly retrieve and comprehend financial details empowers individuals to make informed decisions and weather unexpected challenges with confidence and stability. Tune in to our recent podcast with Answers for Elders for more information on this popular topic 
    • Health and wellness: Maintaining wellness and recovering from illness becomes increasingly significant as we progress into later stages of life. Understanding the available resources for managing health and well-being is crucial, particularly during the senior years. Era Living communities address this necessity by offering convenient health and wellness facilities staffed with dedicated care providers to support residents’ needs. Listen to our recent podcast with our Regional Director of Health and Wellness, for more information on how we prioritize the well-being of our residents.

• • • Intellect: Continuing to utilize and challenge the brain is a life’s effort but especially important in senior living. Whether taking classes or learning a new skill, any sort of active contribution toward mental health will have a positive outcome. Era Living senior living retirement communities offer an extended selection of community events, readings and wellness talks so residents can expand their knowledge while networking with others that share similar interests. To see a calendar of upcoming events, visit  here.
    • Possessions: Knowing how to maintain and utilize possessions is an often overlooked aspect of the puzzle. What do you do when your car breaks down? Who can help with home repairs? These little details can sneak up on us, but having a known inventory of possessions and how to best manage them will decrease any stress involved with our favorite things.

Leveraging Teamwork and Community Support

Era Living has the knowledge and resources to support senior residents when they need it. Their retirement communities are structured with built-in safety nets, including accessible community health and wellness resources complemented by a skilled team of professionals and registered nurses.

Most people don’t know this but each Era Living retirement community typically staffs about 100 professionals, each of which supports specific aspects of the PSN. Era Living support staff includes housekeepers, life enrichment teams, dining services teams, executive directors and maintenance.

While outsiders might see them as a bunch of smiling faces, don’t forget these skilled professionals care greatly about the well being of every senior in the vicinity. Don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support.

Resources for Further Exploration

The value of having an established support system during the trials and tribulations of life is unmatched. Unexpected events can put us in a lurch, but we all know how much easier it is with the safety and security of a personal safety net at our disposal.

If you’re wondering how to construct your own personal safety net, don’t hesitate to reach out to any Era Living senior living expert. Each community has team members on hand to listen and guide you towards resources and next steps while supporting a healthy and meaningful lifestyle.