Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | April 12, 2021 | wbjournal.com T he coronavirus pandemic brought nothing but surprises. Even in economic boom times, it is always good to plan for an eventual down- turn or negative event at some point in the future, but – as COVID-19 has proved true – it is all but impossible to predict for an event that shut down the economy, killed 2.7 million people worldwide, and brought many lives to a standstill. Although impossible to predict, the pandemic showed the importance of minimizing risk and being well informed. is is what Worcester Business Jour- nal's inaugural Senior Planning Guide is all about. Being prepared for the future. As people enter into their retirement lives and senior years, there is much to consid- er: financial wellbeing, estate planning, healthcare coverage, immediate living needs, and long-term care. e Senior Planning Guide seeks to provide advice and resources on those topics and more, so you and your loved ones can venture into this season of life with the best possible information and preparedness. In 2020, the pace of Baby Boomer retirements increased at nearly double the number of the year before, with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic playing a role. As of September, 40% of all Baby Boomers are now retired, and that percentage is seemingly only going to rise at a quicker rate in the coming years. Clearly, planning for your or your loved ones' senior years is something nearly every- one should be thinking about now. e past year has been a scary one in multiple ways, but with proper information and planning, you can be more confident about the future. – Brad Kane, editor Table of Contents 11 The gift of a difficult conversation 12 Estate planning for your senior years 13 Resources for independent living 14 Tap into services to help you stay at home 15 List: Largest senior care communities 17 SPONSORED CONTENT: What to do when your loved one resists help 18 SPONSORED CONTENT: When is the right time to see a urologist? 20 Learning to relax is a life skill 21 Medicare 101 22 Transitioning to a long-term care 23 List: Largest skilled nursing facilities S E N I O R P L A N N I N G G U I D E FOCUS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/ADOBE STOCK

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