• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10

If you choose not to move near your kids as you age, there are steps you can take to ensure that you keep your independence, despite your disability. Besides keeping your freedom, you'll need to alleviate any fears they may have of you living so far away.

1. Set Up a Support Network
It's normal for people to watch out for aging seniors, especially ones that are alone, as well as their neighbors who have a disability. This is especially true in small communities where everybody knows everyone. This informal "Neighborhood Watch" can help ensure that you're safe and sound. In order to hold onto your independence, you'll also need to set up a support network that will cover your needs.

For example, you may need someone to mow your lawn every week, get you groceries, do odd jobs around your home, etc. Where can you find people to help? You can ask neighborhood kids about doing your yard work for pay. Check with family, friends and neighbors about doing your grocery shopping, as well as helping out with your other needs. You can also place a "Help Wanted" ad in the local newspaper, or on the bulletin board of your church. Don't forget to check at any clubs or organizations that you belong to find people who can make up your Support Network so you can keep your independence.

2. Set Up Daily Communications With Your Kids
No matter how busy your kids may be with their daily lives, keeping communication with you on a regular basis will help ensure your safety. It will also help alleviate their fears about you aging, having a disability, living alone, and not living close to them.

Setting up daily communications with your kids can be as simple as them calling you at a certain time. Or, you can call them to check-in every day. If, by chance, your kids don't get an answer when they call, or you don't call them, they should have a list of neighbors they can contact to look in on you.

Besides enabling you to hold onto your independence, maintaining daily communications with your kids will give you and them a chance to share daily happenings.

3. Set Up An Emergency Response Plan
Part of aging and having a disability is having an emergency response plan set up whenever you need assistance. The help you need may be medically related. Or, it may be needing the services of the local fire department, for example. Besides providing you care in case of a matter of life and death, having an emergency plan will help give your kids who don't live near you peace of mind.

Setting up such a plan can be as easy as subscribing to one of the many companies who provide aging persons, or people with disabilities, wireless devices that have call buttons. These devices are usually worn around your neck during your waking hours. That way, you have constant access to emergency personnel in case you need it.

Having a cell phone you can use to easily call for help with the push of one button is also a good idea for aging people, or for anyone with a disability.

4. Set Up a Long-Distance Financial Arrangement
If you choose not to move closer to your kids, you'll need to set up a long-distance financial arrangement with them in regards to your money. Because you're aging or have a disability, you may not be always be able to pay your bills and handle your affairs. For these occasions, you'll need to set up a long-distance financial arrangement. That way, your kids will be able to access your money and use it to pay your expenses.

The best way to decide how this arrangement will work, is to talk to your banker, as well as to your attorney. Tell them what you need to do, and ask about the available options. You may need to add your kids onto your checking account, for example. Or, you may choose to give your kids a Power of Attorney so they can handle your affairs any time you're unable to.

See Kassidy Emmerson's Profile on Disaboom
See Kassidy Emmerson's Profile on Associated Content