Early Planning for Successful Aging

When to start planning?

It’s never too early, never too late.

Answer these questions:

• Whose plan is it?
• Who can help me make a plan?
• What information should I start to put into a plan?
• Where should I keep the plan?

Keep a checklist of ongoing assessments, reports, and medical check-ups.

Developmental Services Ontario (D S O) – Awareness materials:

• DSO materials to download
• Transitioning from youth to adult services
• Webcasts

CAMH – Portico Network:

• Going to the Hospital – Health Care Handouts
• Virtual Mental Health and Outreach

ConnectABILITY:

• Becoming an adult: Transition planning for youth with a developmental disability

• Transition Planning to Older Adulthood

Hospice UK

• Planning for a funeral – Dying Matters Resources

The Arc

• Center for Future Planning
  The Center provides information and assistance to individuals with I/DD, their family members and friends, professionals who support them and other members of the community in areas such as person-centred planning, decision-making, housing options, and financial planning.

  You can create an account and build a future plan using their template.

  • Aging with a Developmental Disability (PDF): A planning guide for families, personal support networks and other supporters of adults with developmental disabilities who are getting older
    

Because the health of people with developmental disabilities declines at an earlier age, planning should begin early to ensure that supports are in place to allow them to age at home appropriately and to delay entry to long-term care.

Within long-term care settings, supports tailored to the needs of those with developmental disabilities should be available, including the provision of staff with enhanced knowledge and training about developmental disabilities.

See also sections on decision-making, finance, wills, estate planning.