In decades past, the idea of aging gracefully centered more on accepting physical limitations and adjusting activities accordingly. Today, that notion is outdated, as a growing number of seniors are recognizing the benefits of staying active for as long as possible.

Most people picture retirement as a finish line, a moment when the saving finally stops and the living begins. That’s not reality. Retirement works more like a second career. It demands its own strategy, its own math and its own hard conversations. Financial experts say the biggest gaps come from underestimating costs, delaying decisions and skipping paperwork.

The need for senior care is greater than ever before thanks to both the increase in the average life expectancy and aging baby boomers.