Richard Wexler Of APlan2Age: 5 Things Retirees Say They Wish They Were Told Before They Began Retirement
Planning ahead provides stepping stones when you or a family member has a health/life event instead of not knowing what they want and having to research options in a time of crisis.
As a part of my series about the “5 Things Retirees Say They Wish They Were Told Before They Began Retirement” I had the pleasure of interviewing Richard Wexler.
Richard is the CEO and co-founder of APlan2Age, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the aging journey with greater confidence and clarity. An elder care educator and consultant, Richard also hosts a podcast called Caring in America to introduce nationwide senior care resources through interesting conversations. He uses his personal experiences and 40+ years of business skills to educate and empower families and businesses to understand the complexities of aging.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely, and thank you for the opportunity. For 14 years, my wife and I cared for all four of our parents — at one point, three at the same time. On top of that, we were raising two school-age children, balancing homework, after-school activities and sports while also managing our parents’ growing needs. We quickly realized we were not prepared for that stage of life.
As our parents’ health declined, the challenges became overwhelming. Our family had given little thought to how this chapter would unfold, and the reality was far more difficult than any of us ever imagined. We began to recognize that many other families face similar struggles. We thought, what if we could share what we learned and help others avoid the hardships we endured?
That was the start of my company, Points of Life, which has a mission to be a beacon of hope and compass for those through every point of life. The Caring for America podcast followed, and now I’m thrilled to have co-founded APlan2Age. We share free tools, resources and conversation guides to encourage proactive planning and open dialogue across generations about what it means to age in America.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I’m constantly amazed by all the unbelievable people I have met along the way. The daughters taking care of Mom, the grandchildren taking care of grandparents, the disabled son taking care of his father and the blind spouse taking care of her husband. Each situation is unique but has a common thread of families on a caregiving journey together.
Can you share a story with us about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson or take-away did you learn from that?
As I was learning all the data about aging and care, I met a lady at an aging event. We began talking and sharing stories about caring for family, and we also talked about the need to educate millions on these topics. I was three months in and eager; she had been working in the aging field for 25+ years. I had not gotten her name, and I quoted her a remark I had heard, only to find out she was the one who originally said it! That was a little embarrassing, to say the least.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am especially grateful to Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers and co-founder of APlan2Age. His insight and encouragement were instrumental in its creation. We first connected almost two years ago when he appeared on my podcast. We continued our conversation about the urgent need for a national dialogue on aging.
Peter often shares how, when he’s out wearing his Senior Helpers logo, people stop him to ask, “What should I do in my situation?” It’s a constant reminder of just how complex the aging process can be, and how often families wait until a crisis, like a parent’s broken hip, forces them to act. Peter has long questioned why we meticulously plan vacations yet avoid planning for aging, when retirement is our longest vacation of all. His perspective helped shape our vision: to make the aging journey less daunting, to encourage families to be more proactive, and to ensure that when crises do occur, resources and support are readily available.
What advice would you suggest to your colleagues in your industry to thrive and avoid burnout?
Make sure to get daily exercise, both mentally and physically.
What advice would you give to other leaders about how to create a fantastic work culture?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned over my career is to listen. People have great ideas. If you use one of their ideas, give them credit!
Retirement is a dramatic ‘life course transition’ that can impact nearly every aspect of one’s life. Obviously everyone’s experience is different. But In your experience, what are the 5 most common things that people wish someone told them before they retired?
- Planning ahead provides stepping stones when you or a family member has a health/life event instead of not knowing what they want and having to research options in a time of crisis.
- It is important to make sure you are continually reviewing current needs, as well as future wishes, for: housing, care, financial and legal planning.
- We recommend starting a Care Plan in your 30s or earlier, and to encourage those around you to create theirs as well. APlan2Age has a fillable, comprehensive Care Plan that is FREE to download on our website.
- Remember ABC: Act Before Crisis.
- We need to normalize conversations between generations, whether it’s parent to child or child to parent. The more we talk about it, the less we’re caught off guard by that phone call no one ever expects, but so many are now getting.
Let’s zoom in on this a bit. If you had to advise your loved ones about the 3 most important financial issues to keep in mind before they retire, what would you say? Can you give an example or share a story?
Make a financial plan that covers your everyday life, your retirement years, and the possibility of long-term care, which may last weeks or even years. Start early — ideally in your 20s or 30s — or, if you’re later in life or have a more complex situation, work with a financial advisor who understands long-term care planning. Finally, recognize the real costs of aging and care, and don’t wait until a crisis forces decisions. Planning ahead gives you more choices and greater peace of mind.
If you had to advise your loved ones about the 3 most important health issues to keep in mind before they retire, what would you say? Can you give an example or share a story?
I would advise them on the importance of daily exercise as they retire and age. Walks and other physical activity every day should be a priority. Mental exercise is also vital, such as reading and engaging in as much conversation as possible. When driving alone (especially if driving a distance), carry on a conversation about almost anything with yourself. That may sound silly, but anything you can do to keep the brain moving is going to help you stay sharper and fitter for longer.
If you had to advise your loved ones about the 3 most important things to consider before choosing a place to live after they retire, what would you say? Can you give an example or share a story?
First, explore long-term care options — everything from in-home assistance to adult day services, hospice and community living arrangements. Each has different implications for health, independence and quality of life. Second, plan for aging in place. If staying in your home matters, consider modifications to support mobility and safety, helping you maintain independence and comfort as you age. And third, understand the costs and payment options for care so you can make informed decisions and avoid financial strain. Planning ahead in these areas can lead to better health outcomes and a more fulfilling retirement.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m actually starting a movement already, and it’s called The National Conversation on Aging. Every one of us is aging, and with more than 100 million Americans now over the age of 50, the time for this conversation is now. The goal is to give people a clear, conversational-level understanding of the options for care, what those options cost, the importance of legal and financial preparation through wills, trusts, estate plans and savings, and how Medicare and Medicaid fit into the picture.
These conversations are designed to help us stay in control of our lives — living where we want, with the care we want — and to prepare not only for our own journey, but also for that of our loved ones. To make this possible, an Advisory Council of top experts in aging and care is being formed, with quarterly discussions over Zoom where leaders share their knowledge and resources. By engaging in these conversations, we can help people prepare instead of panic. Aging is not an abstract issue; it is our shared reality, and it’s time we wake up to it.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story?
Onward, by Howard Schultz. This was truly a second act for him and Starbucks. I feel that APlan2Age is a second act for me at 72 years old. A second act to change the way we age and prepare for care.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
Since taking care of all four parents and spending 20 years educating people about the complexities of aging and care, this quote is in head every day: “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
We are active almost daily, sharing quick tips and educational information about aging and care on our social sites. Like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn: @aplan2age.
Search for “Caring in America” on your favorite platform (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, etc.) for our weekly podcast episode where we invite experts in the field to share their information and frequently asked questions.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Richard Wexler Of APlan2Age: 5 Things Retirees Say They Wish They Were Told Before They Began… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.