Ages (55+)

Working with Professionals and Systems

Aging Services

Aging Services are available to adults who need support as they get older. In the State of Utah, several services are available to address the needs of these older adults. These services include:

  • Alternatives Program/Home and Community Based Services- Designed for low income aging adults who need individualized in-home services that help them stay in their own home and maintain their independence
  • Caregiver Support- Provides access to resources and services, counseling, caregiver and dementia education, support groups, respite care, and assistive supplies for unpaid caregivers
  • Health, Wellness and Nutrition Programs- Offers healthy meals, social engagement, access to community resources, and promotes healthy lifestyles and behaviors
  • Legal Services- Helps with access to quality and affordable legal assistance
  • Medicare Assistance (SHIP)- Provides local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers
  • Senior Community Service Employment Program- Provides training for and access to employment for low-income, unemployed seniors
  • Transportation Program for Seniors- Assists seniors with getting to and from medical clinics, treatment facilities, pharmacies, legal meetings, etc.

In addition to these services, the State of Utah Aging Services program also offers information and resources on protection as an older adult. Some of the topics include:

  • Adult Protection Services for neglect and abuse
  • Financial Exploitation
  • Long-term Care Ombudsman
  • Medicare Fraud
  • Scams and Consumer Fraud

Eligibility to receive services varies program to program. More information on the different programs offered and information available can be found on the Utah Department of Human Services website for Aging and Adult Services. Additional services and supports may be available through your local Aging Services agency.

Social Security and SSI at Retirement Age

Social Security

The age you’ll be eligible for full government retirement benefits depends on the year you were born. Currently, the law is as follows:

  • Older adults born 1943 – 1954 can start receiving full government benefits for retirement at the age of 66.
  • The retirement age increases gradually for individuals born from 1955 – 1960 until it reaches 67.
  • Older adults born after 1960 can receive full retirement benefits at the age of 67.

Here is a detailed chart that shows the specifics of when you can start receiving social security for retirement.

If you’d like to access your benefits before the ages listed above, you can do so as early as 62. However, benefits are reduced if accessed before the full retirement age. You can also delay when you begin to receive your benefits. In this situation, your benefit will gradually increase as an incentive until you turn 70. If you continue to work after the retirement age, this will also increase your social security benefits. Older adults who haven’t been able to work and pay into the social security program because of a disability that started before the age of 22 are eligible to receive benefits from their parent’s plans.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Some older adults with ASD, especially those with high support needs, may already be receiving SSI payments. The requirements are as follows:

  • Be 65 years or older
  • Be totally or partially blind
  • Have a medical condition that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least one year

At retirement age, these individuals will continue to receive SSI benefits. Additionally, they will have access to government-funded social security for retirement. For individuals who haven’t previously qualified for SSI, they may now be eligible at the age of 65 based on their age and financial situation. The amount given will vary depending on the state, any income and social security benefits received, and spousal income. The U.S. Social Security Agency has more information on SSI benefits.

Geriatric Health Care and Coverage

Providers

The healthcare system will once again change as you start to age. Around the age of 65, you’ll want to think about geriatric care and when a good time to transition might be. Individuals still healthy may choose to continue seeing their primary care provider until they reach their mid 70’s or even 80’s. However, those with functional or cognitive limitations, or chronic medical conditions may want to find a geriatric provider closer to 65. Because geratric providers specialize in older adults, they may be able to better assist with common or more serious health conditions related to this age group. If you need help finding a new health care provider you can ask for a referral from your previous doctor. Once you find a potential provider, you’ll want to reach out to the office to ask some basic questions, such as:

  • Do you accept my insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare?
  • Is the doctor accepting new patients?
  • How long is the wait for an appointment?
  • Does the doctor have any affiliations with the nearby hospitals?
  • Is there any paperwork that needs to be filled out before the first appointment?
  • Should the previous primary care doctor transfer over medical records or will the geratric doctor request them?
  • Are there any fees for missed appointments?

Individuals with high-support needs may need assistance with the process, more preparation for the transition, and additional support during visits with doctors. As they age, they should still be encouraged to advocate for themselves and have some independence with the process in a way that matches with their capabilities.

Prevention

Regardless of whether you switch providers immediately or stick with your primary care provider, you’ll need to be aware of preventative care as an older adult. Some screenings that should be completed include:

Everyone

  • Cholesterol check every 4-6 years.
  • Annual or bi-annual blood pressure check.
  • Frequent full body skin examination to check for any suspicious moles or skin lesions.
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years until 75 unless there are risk factors that need to be taken into consideration.
  • Regular colorectal screenings until 75.
  • Regular glaucoma checks.

Females

  • At-home or clinic breast examinations to check for lumps.
  • Pelvic exam and pap smear until 65.
  • Annual or bi-annual mammograms until 74. Many doctors will no longer recommend mammograms for women 75 and older. Speak to your doctor for more information.
  • Bone density check at the age of 65 for osteoporosis.

Males

  • Regular at-home or clinical testicular exams.
  • Annual or bi-annual prostate screening until 70.
  • An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening between the ages of 65-75

This information was gathered from the CDC, National Library of Medicine, and the PublicHealth resource center. Recommendations may vary by doctor.

Medicaid VS. Medicare

Older adults will need to think about their health care coverage as they age. After retirement, you will no longer be covered under your employer provided insurance, which means you’ll need to find new coverage. If you retire without meeting the requirements for Medicaid or Medicare, you may need to shop for insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. More information on how to find insurance independently can be found here.

Older adults who are 65 and older will qualify for Medicare and possibly Medicaid as well. Although the programs are both government funded, their requirements and coverage are different. Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to:

  • People 65 and older
  • People under 65 with certain disabilities
  • People of all ages with end-stage renal disease

Medicaid on the other hand is a federal-state program that serves low-income people at every age. To receive Medicaid in the State of Utah you must have Utah residency and be below a certain income level. There is also a disability Medicaid program that provides coverage for individuals with a disability. For more information on Medicaid in Utah, read here. 

For individuals receiving Medicare, there are two parts to the plan. Part A is the hospital insurance and covers things such as:

  • Inpatient care in a hospital
  • Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care)
  • Hospice care Home health care
  • Inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health care institution

Medicare Part B is the medical insurance and helps cover medical necessities such as:

  • Doctor’s services
  • Outpatient care
  • Home health services
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Mental health services, and other medical services.

In the situation that an individual has both government coverages, Medicare will pay for services first, followed by Medicaid. Medicaid may be able to help pay your Medicare out-of-pocket costs, like premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Resources

  • MedlinePlus – Health Screenings for Women Age 65 and Older
  • MedlinePlus – Health Screenings for Men Age 65 and Older
  • Public Health – Senior 65 and Older Health Guide
  • CDC – Getting Your Cholesterol Checked

End-of-Life and Funeral Planning

As a human being, death is inevitable. Some people do not want to think about their wishes for a funeral or for medical care towards the end of their life, but not wanting to make decisions means that someone else will make these decisions for them. If you want to express your wishes, you can tell someone you trust to carry out your wishes, but it is always best to put them in writing. In some cases, you will want to have your wishes legally noted, either by a notary or by having an attorney create the necessary documents. This section will discuss some of the decisions you can make and how to make them known.

One thing you can do is create your end-of-life planning documents. These are documents that specify any medical or healthcare wishes you may have, create a will, etc. You can use whichever documents work for your situation. Some common documents include:

  • Advance Directives – Specifies your wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of your life and designates someone to see that your wishes are honored if you no longer can speak for yourself. This is also known as a living will, healthcare power of attorney, or healthcare proxy. There are many templates online for advance directives, including this one.
  • Last Will and Testament – Outlines the distribution of your property. There is no need to wait until you are no longer living to give away items to specific people. Otherwise, put in writing who you want your possessions to go to if you have strong feelings about it. If you have significant possessions or assets, you will want to consult with an attorney or create a legal document that won’t be contested by others after your death. You can also name someone as executor who will disperse assets according to your wishes. There are templates available online. The Utah Courts website may answer some questions.
  • Power of Attorney – We have mentioned these in earlier age groups as an alternative to guardianship. This allows you to appoint someone to make legal decisions on your behalf in a defined scope of healthcare or finances. This document must be signed in front of a notary.
  • Organ/Tissue Donation – You can designate whether or not you want to donate your organs and/or tissue after death. In Utah, you can do it when you renew your driver’s license or obtain a state ID. You can also go to the Yes Utah website to learn more and can sign up there.

Another thing you can consider is pre-planning your funeral. You should not have to pay to pre-plan your funeral. As with the documents discussed previously, there are templates and forms online that can help you walk through the process, like this one. A funeral home or mortuary can also assist you. They often have booklets or online packets to help you think about your wishes after you die. They may also, however, attempt to sell you their funeral services. You are under no obligation to purchase anything unless you want to. The most important thing is to share your wishes with others. If you write them down, make sure those closest to you know where they are, or leave instructions as to where to find your important papers upon your death.

It is also possible to make arrangements for your own funeral and/or burial while you are living. The Resources section includes a link to a list of participants in Utah who provide Funeral Pre-Planning. You can select your type of burial, a casket or urn, any services you want, flowers, and more. You can purchase all or part of the package with the rest to be paid with your assets after you die. There are also payment options. Talk to a funeral home or mortuary for more information.

The more you make your own end-of-life and funeral wishes known, the easier it is for those who care about you to know what you want and to honor you as you wish. They don’t have to wonder what you would prefer in these important situations. It can give you and them peace of mind.

Resources:

Home and Community

Housing Options

As older adults get closer to retirement age they may begin to think about available living arrangements that can support their needs. Several options are listed below. More detailed information on each option can be found here.

  • Living Independently
  • Living with Family
  • Supported/Assisted living
  • Supervised Living Arrangements
  • Residential Care Facility
  • Family Life Home/Adult Foster Care
  • Intermediate Care Facility/Nursing Home (senior-specific)

Older adults who own a home may want to continue living there. If additional services are required as you age, in-home nursing services are available to help with care. There are also programs available through Aging Services that can assist. More information on the Alternatives Program/Home and Community Based Services offered by Aging Services is available here.

Some individuals may decide to change their current living arrangements and move into a group living facility organized for adults 55+. These facilities, also known as retirement homes, offer similar independence to living in your own home but provide some assistance with day-to-day tasks, such as doing laundry, preparing meals, arranging activities, etc. In general, they do not provide the high levels of care that a nursing home would offer to older adults. Group living may be a great option for older adults with low support needs who enjoy living amongst peers.

It is also possible to live in a 55+ community designed for older adults. These may be homes, duplexes, or apartments for private residences but in a community organized similar to a homeowners association. The community takes care of landscaping, snow, and trash removal, and usually has a community center for social gatherings and activities, but each person/family lives in their own space. These communities generally do not offer supports for activities of daily living but can provide a social outlet while removing some of the responsibilities of home ownership, like yard care.

As older adults reach retirement age, some individuals may struggle to afford their mortgage or rent. A reverse mortgage may be an option for older adults 62 years and up who have equity in their home and want to supplement their income. More detailed information about reverse mortgages insured by the U.S. Federal Government can be found on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.

There are also federal housing programs that assist older individuals with housing. Information on different options is available here. You can also talk with your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) for more assistance. PHA contact information for each state is available here.

Older adults may be curious about who decides where you live once you age. Family members may provide recommendations on whether you should stay home or move to a retirement home or nursing facility. However, no one can force an older adult to move unless they have guardianship over the individual. Therefore, the decision is ultimately yours to make.

Resources

  • HUD – Home Equity Conversion Mortgages For Seniors
  • HUD – Hecm Program

Personal Health and Safety Supports

Older adults will need to start thinking more about health and safety for themselves and within the community as they age. Planning ahead can be helpful to better prepare for any challenges or risks that come with getting older. You can think about what kind of help you might need in the future and have a plan for how to address it. Geriatric support, exercise, and finances will be particularly important to pay attention to during this period of life to help maintain your overall health and safety.

Geriatric Support

Getting older may require some additional support to get around the community. Older adults may have more trouble walking or driving which can make living life independently difficult. Getting a walker, electric chair, or scooter can be a great solution for older adults wanting to ease the process of getting around by foot. Individuals who are no longer able to drive can look into public transportation or ride-share options available in the community. Friends or family may also be willing to help with driving. If finding support is difficult, Aging Services are available to provide assistance. Individuals in services with DSPD may also receive transportation assistance if needed.

More information on types of transportation available can be found here.

More information on Aging Services can be found here.

As an older adult, it’s also important to know who to contact and how to contact someone in case of an emergency. Having a cell phone is a great option to be able to get in contact with someone during an emergency situation. A personal emergency alert system may also be something worth looking into for older adults. You typically only need to push a button for someone to be notified.These types of emergency alert systems can be used if you fall and need assistance or if you are experiencing something medically urgent and can’t get to a phone. As an older adult, you should also look into a housing alarm system. Unfortunately, being older makes you more vulnerable to crime, so having an alarm system set up can make living independently while aging much safer.

Exercise

Exercise may not be something many people think about as they age but it’s so important for keeping the body healthy. Benefits from exercise can include increased mobility, strength, and more energy to do day to day tasks. It can be especially important for those who are starting to struggle with walking or other physical activities. The type of exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous. For example, many older adults enjoy activities such as gardening to keep their bodies moving. Reeling back the intensity with age and choosing to do less rigorous exercise is a great way to prevent injury. It also provides similar health benefits to more physically demanding activities.

Fraud

As an older adult, you’ll also need to pay close attention to your finances and financial safety. As adults age, they become more at risk for fraud, so it’s important to recognize what information needs to be safeguarded. Information such as your Social Security number, credit or debit card number, and banking information should never be given out unless the request is made from a secure and trusted source. Scammers may try to contact you via phone or email and often impersonate professionals, banks, or government agencies. If you are contacted by phone or email it may be fraud, so you should always verify the source of your contact before releasing any information. In situations that are scam, you can always make a report with the following:

  • National Elder Fraud Hotline 833-FRAUD-11 (372-8311)
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
  • Utah Department of Consumer Protection (Consumer Fraud): 801-530-6601
  • Utah Department of Securities (Investments): 801-530-6600
  • Utah Insurance Department (Insurance Fraud): 801-538-3800

Community-Based Access and Supports

Many of the relationships and resources you have relied on to this point in your life will likely still be available to you as you age. It may also be true that some family members or friends have died or are no longer in a position to provide you with the types and amount of support they may have done previously. If you have planned ahead, you may have created contingency plans for navigating life without them. If not, this is a good time to reflect on the supports you have in your life currently, and what you may need in the future. Even if you have already done some planning, it is good to review those plans regularly.

Charting the LifeCourse has two tools that can help you think about the supports you currently have in your life and consider the types of things you may need down the road.

The first tool is the Integrated Supports Star. This tool invites you to look at the possible supports you have in five different areas:

  • Personal Strengths and Assets – This is where you would list the things you can do on your own or any assets you have that can support you as you age. This could be a home, car, savings, or retirement accounts. It could be your good health, expansive knowledge, or ability to problem-solve or fix things.
  • Relationships – This area is where you would list those close, personal relationships that provide support in some way. It could be family, friends, your faith community, co-workers, or those at your day program.
  • Eligibility-Specific Supports – These are the supports that you must qualify for to access, such as Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD), etc. It could be a community senior center, “meals on wheels” program, or an age-based living option like a retirement community or senior group home. The Department of Adult and Aging Services (DAAS) has information about supports that might be applicable to you as you age. In Utah, these services are provided by location. Click here to find the location that serves your area.
  • Community Resources – Community resources are places or organizations that anyone can access. This could be a library or recreation center, local business, public transportation, or church. If places in the community are important to you, these can also provide you with some support.
  • Technology – Technology could include personal technology, like a computer, tablet, or phone. It also includes environmental technology like personal assistant devices, remote lighting, as well as assistive technology to help with communication or day-to-day tasks.

One way to use the Integrated Supports Star is to write down all of the supports you currently have in your life in each of the five categories. Some of the categories may have lists with only a few items while others may have long lists. This exercise can help you see areas where you may need additional support to help you live your life as independently as possible. Then you can work with your close family, friends, or other supporters to find ways to fill in those gaps.

Another way to use the Star is to divide each section in half. On one side, write down all of the supports that you currently have in your life. On the other, write down the supports that you will need in the future. Then you can use the Star as you plan ahead with trusted family and friends for your future needs.

A second tool from Charting the LifeCourse is the Mapping Relationships tool. [link tools mapping relationships PDF and insert thumbnail or picture for reference here] This tool will help you identify the different people and ways that they support you. Some of the people in your life might fulfill a lot of different roles while others might have only one significant role. It can help you have conversations about the future and who may fill those roles when others are no longer able to. This tool comes with its own tip sheet [link to mapping relationships tip sheet .pdf] to help you think about the important relationships in your life, those who care FOR you as well as those who care ABOUT you. It is possible to hire people to do things to care for you, but just as important is having people in your life who care about you, who know your favorite things, your traditions, the things that are important to you. While paid staff may know those things about you, it is often close friends and family that fill that role. You will want to think about who will be able to help you fill that role throughout the rest of your life.

You can find out more ways to use the Integrated Supports Star and Mapping Relationships tools as well as the other Charting the LifeCourse tools here and here.

More about connecting to aging services can be found in Working with Professionals and Systems. 

Many of the relationships and resources you have relied on to this point in your life will likely still be available to you as you age. It may also be true that some family members or friends have died or are no longer in a position to provide you with the types and amount of support they may have done previously. If you have planned ahead, you may have created contingency plans for navigating life without them. If not, this is a good time to reflect on the supports you have in your life currently, and what you may need in the future. Even if you have already done some planning, it is good to review those plans regularly.

Charting the LifeCourse has two tools that can help you think about the supports you currently have in your life and consider the types of things you may need down the road.

The first tool is the Integrated Supports Star [link to CtLC integrated supports star PDF – include a thumbnail or picture for reference if possible]. This tool invites you to look at the possible supports you have in five different areas:

  • Personal Strengths and Assets – This is where you would list the things you can do on your own or any assets you have that can support you as you age. This could be a home, car, savings, or retirement accounts. It could be your good health, expansive knowledge, or ability to problem-solve or fix things.
  • Relationships – This area is where you would list those close, personal relationships that provide support in some way. It could be family, friends, your faith community, co-workers, or those at your day program.
  • Eligibility-Specific Supports – These are the supports that you must qualify for to access, such as Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD), etc. It could be a community senior center, “meals on wheels” program, or an age-based living option like a retirement community or senior group home. The Department of Adult and Aging Services (DAAS) has information about supports that might be applicable to you as you age. In Utah, these services are provided by location. Click here to find the location that serves your area.
  • Community Resources – Community resources are places or organizations that anyone can access. This could be a library or recreation center, local business, public transportation, or church. If places in the community are important to you, these can also provide you with some support.
  • Technology – Technology could include personal technology, like a computer, tablet, or phone. It also includes environmental technology like personal assistant devices, remote lighting, as well as assistive technology to help with communication or day-to-day tasks.

One way to use the Integrated Supports Star is to write down all of the supports you currently have in your life in each of the five categories. Some of the categories may have lists with only a few items while others may have long lists. This exercise can help you see areas where you may need additional support to help you live your life as independently as possible. Then you can work with your close family, friends, or other supporters to find ways to fill in those gaps.

Another way to use the Star is to divide each section in half. On one side, write down all of the supports that you currently have in your life. On the other, write down the supports that you will need in the future. Then you can use the Star as you plan ahead with trusted family and friends for your future needs.

A second tool from Charting the LifeCourse is the Mapping Relationships tool. [link tools mapping relationships PDF and insert thumbnail or picture for reference here] This tool will help you identify the different people and ways that they support you. Some of the people in your life might fulfill a lot of different roles while others might have only one significant role. It can help you have conversations about the future and who may fill those roles when others are no longer able to. This tool comes with its own tip sheet [link to mapping relationships tip sheet .pdf] to help you think about the important relationships in your life, those who care FOR you as well as those who care ABOUT you. It is possible to hire people to do things to care for you, but just as important is having people in your life who care about you, who know your favorite things, your traditions, the things that are important to you. While paid staff may know those things about you, it is often close friends and family that fill that role. You will want to think about who will be able to help you fill that role throughout the rest of your life.

You can find out more ways to use the Integrated Supports Star and Mapping Relationships tools as well as the other Charting the LifeCourse tools here and here.

More about connecting to aging services can be found in Working with Professionals and Systems. [link to working with professionals and systems 55+ “aging services”]

Resources

Financial Planning and Retirement Timeline

As retirement age nears, you may want to start thinking about your financial situation. Many older adults will have already prepared by setting up a plan. For those who haven’t or for those who simply want to review different plans, below are three options to help with managing your finances for retirement:

  • Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) – Retirement accounts owned by individuals with the income they have earned through employment
  • 401 (k) Plans – Employer-sponsored plans funded by an employee’s salary and sometimes an employer’s contribution.
  • 403 (b) Plans – Similar to 401 (k); however, this plan is administered to employers working at educational institutions, hospitals, and municipalities.

It’s important to note that these programs can sometimes be treated as available assets or monthly income, which can reduce or disqualify an individual for government assistance including SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicaid, food stamps, etc. Many older adults with ASD rely on this assistance, which can make creating a retirement plan more difficult. If you are in this situation, you may be able to list another name as the direct beneficiary of the retirement plan so that government assistance isn’t affected. In this situation, the named beneficiary on the account would be the special needs trust.

For adults with high-support needs unable to work, the idea of retirement may be worrisome to think about for parents or caregivers. In this situation, older adults with a disability that predated their 22nd birthday are able to receive retirement benefits from their parent’s plans. They are also able to continue receiving government assistance, such as SSI and Medicaid, as long as they meet the qualifications. More information on SSI and Medicaid can be found here (Add link).

Once you turn 59 ½, you’ll be able to start withdrawing from these retirement accounts penalty-free. If you are still working at this age, you may want to speak with your HR department to see whether you still have the capability of withdrawing from these funds. You can continue working without withdrawing until you reach the age of 72, after which you will typically be required to make withdrawals. You are also able to access your retirement fund before the age of 59 ½; however, you may incur a penalty. There is an exception for those who leave their jobs at the age of 55 or later. These individuals can access their retirement accounts without the additional penalty.

Early Intervention services are to be provided in as natural a setting as possible and parents may be trained by the professionals to work on objectives at home to achieve the desired outcomes.

Education and Employment

Employment and Lifelong Learning

Finding and maintaining employment as an individual with a disability can be challenging. This is especially true for older adults or individuals with high-support needs. As you age, it might start to seem like there are fewer job prospects than before. Although many individuals will be able to stop working at retirement age, some older adults may need to continue working. This might also involve finding new work, which can be a challenging process for older individuals to navigate. If you are a low-income adult 55 or older and need assistance with finding work and work training, aging services offer resources that can help through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. More information on this program can be found here.

Older adults already working and nearing retirement age may begin thinking about leaving their job and what that process entails. Depending on the company and the work you do, you may want to announce your retirement as early as 6 months before leaving. This gives you and your company time to wrap up any work still in progress and prepare for someone else to take over the position. Once you leave your job, you may be eligible to start receiving your retirement benefits. Here is more detailed information on personal retirement funds and social security. If you’ve been with a company for a long time, you may be able to receive additional benefits after leaving for retirement. You should speak with the HR department for more information on whether your employer provides retirement benefits for long-time employees and any qualifications.

Retiring from your job doesn’t mean that you’ll never be able to work or learn within the community again. There are plenty of opportunities for older adults to continue doing work they enjoy. Some individuals may be ready to leave their full-time employment but want to fill their spare time with something meaningful and interesting. Volunteering, freelance work, and part-time employment are all great options for older adults wanting to work for pleasure after retirement. Paid work may affect any retirement or support benefits received, so you’ll want to look into this further before committing to a position. Regardless of which avenue you take, they all offer an opportunity to continue to learn and grow as you age. For older adults with high-support needs, accommodations are available to provide support throughout this endeavor. More information on potential accommodations can be found on the Job Accommodation Network.

Resources: