Navigating Life's Transitions
Aging and Future Planning
Whether you have a disability or provide support to a loved one with a disability, it’s essential to plan for the future. Aging can be challenging to discuss, but having open conversations can help you prepare for smooth transitions.
You can begin your planning by considering the three primary factors below. While each of these factors will impact the others, the one you start with will be specific to your family.
Learn more about these guides, including how they’re organized and how to get the most out of each guide, on the Transition Guide Home Page.
Finances
It’s important to consider your long-term financial situation, including how you will save, spend, and earn money as you age. What do your finances look like now, and how will that change over the years? What steps should you take now to ensure your finances will support your goals as you age?
Consider any benefits you receive now and how those will be impacted by future life changes, including retirement or the loss of a parent or caregiver. If you or your family member get benefits from Social Security, but aren’t sure which ones you get, order a free Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) at your local Social Security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can learn more about SSI from the Disability Benefits 101 website.
STABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save and plan for the future without losing eligibility for public benefits programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Learn more about STABLE Accounts here. On our Aging resources page, you can also find several recorded webinars about STABLE Accounts and other topics.
As a person ages, they might need support to make important decisions about their life. Learn more about options, including supported decision-making or guardianship, with this toolkit from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).
Housing
How will aging impact your housing over the years? Will your current housing work as you get older? Will changes in your health or your finances, or the loss of a loved one require a different housing option?
The Housing Options Guide was created by volunteers, including parents and other stakeholders. People with disabilities and their families have many things to consider when planning for housing that aligns with their vision of a good life and meets the family’s unique needs and interests. This guide provides information and resources so families can begin their housing planning journey. Find the guide here.
Tennille Raines, the HCDDS Housing Coordinator, can help as you navigate housing decisions. For a referral to the housing coordinator, contact your SSA or Support Navigator.
Building a Supportive Community
Building a supportive community beyond parents and paid caregivers can help ease transitions as a person ages. Parents may have provided much of this support over a person’s life, so it’s important to develop additional community and prepare for a time when parents can no longer provide that support.
The HCDDS Advocacy team is committed to empowering people with disabilities as they create a vision and develop communities that can help them achieve their best life. Members of this team also host a virtual connection hour and other community-building events. Learn more and connect with this team here.
Siblings often play an essential role in this process, but it’s important to have early and open conversations with the entire family. You can find resources and connect with other local families through Ohio SIBS.
This small, local organization helps people with disabilities and their loved ones build lasting connections and friendships. Learn more on their website.
HCDDS has a team of Community Navigators to help people find and create community connections. Contact your SSA for a referral to a Community Navigator.
HCDDS Community Navigators have assembled a resource list of local activities where people can get involved and form connections with others who have similar interests. You can find the Activity Resources page here.
Other Considerations
Other important things to consider when you’re planning for aging and the future might include:
To support families and caregivers as they age, HCDDS hosts Future is Now Family Sessions. This multi-part series is designed to help older caregivers and their family members plan for the future. Learn more here.
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati offers a Healthy Aging Toolkit to help families have difficult conversations and plan for aging. You can find more information and request the toolkit at no charge here.
If you or a loved one is over age 60 and need help living safely and independently at home, you may be eligible for Council on Aging Services. Learn more at help4seniors.org or call (513) 721-1025.
Technology and remote support can help you increase your independence in housing, transportation, and daily routines. Contact your SSA to learn more about available technology options. You can also find an extensive list of supportive technology resources from the Ohio DD Council.
More Info
If you have questions or are looking for guidance during this stage, contact Sean Bostic, Family Engagement Coordinator, at sean.bostic@hamiltondds.org or (513) 559-6863. Contact our Introduction and Eligibility team if you are not yet receiving services from HCDDS.
If you’d like to dig deeper, the following links provide additional resources.
- Charting the Life Course is a framework and a set of tools to help you organize your ideas, vision, and goals. It can also help you problem-solve, navigate, and advocate for support. Learn more about these free tools on their website.
- The Global Down Syndrome Foundation has created a Medical Care Guidelines document for families and caregivers. While specific to Down syndrome, the guide includes information on medical care that may be helpful to many families with different diagnoses.
- Learn more about the services HCDDS provides across the lifespan.
