You may not think about your later life until you are about to retire. The midlife review helps you to think about your later life earlier. It can help you to make changes now that can prepare you for your future.
Many people are living for longer and there is greater need to plan and prepare for the future.
Some people prepare in midlife for later life. They will be looking forward to a good active retirement. Some may not be ready for later life, and this may be for many reasons. One main reason may be that they have not planned ahead. For example, they may not have saved enough money to do the things they want; they don’t want to plan their life out; or it seems too far off. The evidence shows that many people do not plan for their later life.
Planning ahead could make it more likely that we achieve a good later life. Plans you could make are, but not limited to:
- Saving for retirement
- Taking actions to maintain and improve health
- Checking homes are suitable for later life
- Caring responsibilities (for yourself and others)
- Staying in work or getting back into work
- Other major life changes, e.g. empty nest syndrome
A mid-life review could provide people with timely information and advice to prepare for later life.
Midlife MOT
The Government has an online MidLife MOT. There are three main areas to review – work, health and money. Midlife MOT’s are a process and not a one-off event. You will need to re-visit it as your priorities may change.
Locally Dudley Public Health has developed a Midlife review resource. It helps signpost you to national and local support. It asks you questions to help you focus on what you need to plan ahead for.
Planning for retirement and after
- What plans do I already have in place?
- What do I expect to happen when I retire?
- What can I do to avoid a ‘cliff edge’ retirement? (retire and then what)
- How much money will I have when I retire? How can I ensure that I will have enough money?
Having a pension is key to choices in later life. Get financial advice on pensions and retirement
Find out if you will be entitled to pension credit
Private pension contributions may have been made. If you are taking it early, forward plan as there could be lots of retirement years.
Dudley Citizens Advice could also give you advice.
Staying connected and leading a healthy lifestyle
You will need to consider what you want to do to stay connected with people and stay healthy:
- How do I plan to keep in touch with people?
- Where do I want to go and what do I want to do?
- What ways can I stay socially connected with people? e.g. groups, volunteering?
- How am I planning for a healthy retirement
Find out what is going on locally in Dudley so you stay connected with people and continue to get out and about.
Volunteering is a great way of keeping active, staying connected with people and giving to the community. There are many volunteering opportunities across the borough and there is the local Dudley Community and Voluntary Sector
Lead a more healthy lifestyle. There is lots of local health and wellbeing information, plus the NHS has health living advice
Retirement can be a major life change for relationships. Get some relationship support
Dudley Talking Therapy is a service to support people with their mental wellbeing
Travel West Midlands – free travel options for those who are at retirement age
Staying in work
- Consider things that may stop you from working or staying in your job
- What things can you do that you could use for work, such a a hobby?
The Government has help and support for older workers. Age UK also has information to support you become your own boss.
You could work past retirement age. If you are disabled or have a health condition you may need help at work.
Getting back into work
You may find yourself wanting to get back into work due to a change in circumstance. The job centre has 50+champions that offer help
Government toolkit to support people returning to work
Local advice from Dudley Council and local temporary jobs via Connect2Dudley
Help with starting your own business
Other life changes
There are lots of changes in life that we can and can’t plan for, and all will be quite specific for you. One example is the possibility of your child/ren leaving home – empty nest syndrome.
- How can I prepare for my children leaving home?
- What can I do after all my children have left home?
Ways you can prepare:
- Plan ahead and stay positive
- Accept – focus on what you can do to help
- Recognise that you will miss them
- Keep in touch
- Seek support – share your feelings and if you need to consult your GP
- Reconnect with your partner, family and friends and take part in things you enjoy doing
Bereavement
Talk about your wishes and plans for end of life with your family. Consider finances, connections and practical things. When one of you dies then everything will be in place.
- Where are important documents kept? e.g. wills, pension
- How do I do things? e.g. learn skills from partner
- What are mine/my family’s wishes? e.g. funeral plans
- How do I keep my social connections and make new ones?
Age UK has lots of support and information. Visit the site and search for “Talking death”, “bereavement guide”, “making a will”.
Healthy Dudley has some local information and support on bereavement
Caring: planning own care and for others
- Who will care for me if I need caring for in later life?
- How can I prepare for the possibility I may need care?
- What care options are there?
Consider:
Talk to your family, who will care for me? What are the care options in Dudley – domiciliary care, residential and nursing homes, extra-care housing, sheltered accommodation. Planning ahead avoids ‘cliff edge’ caring.
Save ahead whilst in employment to support care costs.
Making changes to your home – plan ahead, e.g. no steps, wider doors. Local advice on care and health.
Make an Advanced Directive (otherwise known as a Living Will) and an Advanced Statement to
make your wishes about your health care known.
Make a Lasting Power of Attorney. Choose who you want to make your decisions for you if, in the
future, you become unable to make them for yourself.
People in mid-life can find themselves as carers. This can be demanding when trying to work and carry on family life. There is a lot of support and information for carers in Dudley.
Ageing without children – It is important to have in-depth conversations about plans for later life, but many people may not have children or close family or friends to rely on. This could be conversations on financial help, support during crises, care needs or simply companionship. Ensuring people ageing without children are supported to live an independent and fulfilling later life is important. You can start by planning for tomorrow while living for today. Consider:
- Housing – ensure it meets your needs; consider affordability; transport links; adaptations; location; proximity to friends
- Future health and care – what are the options available to me? Who can I ask for help?
- Financial – choose a trusted person for managing affairs if you are unable to (e.g. lasting power of attorney)
A mid-life review is an ongoing process and can be re-visited at any time, as different aspects of your life take more precedence. You can prioritise each area and set yourself an action. For example, actions could be:
- I am going to review my pension to ensure it is suitable for my retirement plans
- I will write a will and set up a power of attorney
- I am having a new bathroom and will put in a walk-in shower
- I am joining a new group now so I am not lonely when my children leave home
All of this mid-life review information is also available as a resource which can be downloaded as a midlife review pdf or you can download an editable pdf of the resource.
Healthy Ageing Team on 01384 816437 or email healthyageing@dudley.gov.uk