Them bones, them bones, them aging bone. There’s nothing wrong with your senior bones.

The rest of you however…

If you’re reading this, then you’ve likely come to terms with the end-game. Your spouse on the other hand is probably not as ready as you are. So how do you help them?

Nobody Wants To Leave Their Spouse Alone.

There’s only so many things you can change.

You can’t change the weather, no matter how much you talk about it. You can’t change your health, even if you could change the weather. Worst of all, you can’t keep your spouse from crying when you’re gone.

While this is heavy, maybe a little overwhelming for you at this time, there are some things you can do.

First: Make a plan.

The last thing you want is for your spouse to have to deal with your death, a funeral, figuring out your finances, and mowing the lawn at the same time. Hopefully you have already done this. If not, get busy, except for the lawn. Pay the next door kid to do that for you.

Second: Consider moving.

This may seem a little shocking, but it could be the most important part. I say this not only because I’m a builder, but because I’ve seen it happen and said, “Wow, that makes too much sense.”

Why would moving make too much sense?

Unless you live in a senior friendly home, with plenty of neighbors your same age, your spouse might have a hard time getting by without you.

Perhaps you were the one who took care of the yard or handled the home upkeep chores that comes with home ownership. Even as much as setting the thermostat can be challenging for someone who’s never played with a programmable thermostat.

Maybe you were just the main social link to your partner’s sanity. When you die, you need to think about how your spouse will take care of the home and their mental health.

If your spouse is still healthy enough to be active, then maybe you should consider moving to an active adult community for seniors. These 55+ communities are often built to be senior friendly.

Not only are many of the homes ADA adaptable, this comes in handy if you have a wheelchair, but they are also places for living life. Your spouse will enjoy a sense of community with others that are at their stage of life.

These communities are also made, like I said, with active adults in mind. From clubhouses to pools, walking paths to neighborhood activities, your spouse will have fun with friends here, and with the grandchildren that come to visit.

While the end can be sad, it can be the start of something new.

If you’ve stuck it out with your spouse this long, chances are that their happiness has been the source of your joy. They will grieve your passing. This is good and healthy. But they will likely have many more years to come.

Give them the gift of life after death.

To learn more, see why a 55+ community Lifestyle is the right choice for your partner.