Cocoon is a 1985 science fiction film directed by Ron Howard. It tells the story of a group of elderly residents at a Florida retirement home who discover a "fountain of youth" in an abandoned holiday home. Unbeknownst to them, aliens are using the holiday home's swimming pool to store their cocooned brethren, and the water has a rejuvenating quality. Key elements of the movie include the plot, which involves the elderly residents regaining youth and facing a choice from the aliens about their future. The film explores themes such as aging and mortality. Don Ameche won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie.
Source: Amazon.com
The movie is now 40 years old. If you have never seen this movie or it has been many years since you last did, the official trailer from YouTube is included below for your enjoyment and inspiration.
🎥 COCOON (1985) | Trailer | Full HD | 1080p
Over the last several years, there has been considerable discussion and concern about how advances in medical technology may potentially delay the aging process. Significant strides have been made in the area of biomedical engineering, stem cell treatments, genomic sciences, and AI-assisted drug development. There are well-known physicians, such as Dr. Mike Roizen from the Cleveland Clinic, who have discussed the “fountain of middle age,” where individuals in their 70s and 80s can still maintain healthy and active lifestyles similar to those they had in their 40s or 50s.
I am excited about what this means for my future, and even more importantly, the future of my children, and potentially grandchildren. However, until these advancements are realized, we must still address the current problems associated with aging and declining health. Some of these issues came to light recently when Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson passed away. You see, in May 2024, a Los Angeles judge approved a conservatorship for him following a petition from Wilson's family, which cited a major neurocognitive disorder and his need for assistance. It seems that after the passing of his wife, Melinda, who had previously handled his personal affairs, there was nobody to take care of his legal, financial, or health care decisions.
While celebrity stories like this make headlines and bring light to the issues surrounding end-of-life care, this is a much larger and more common problem than most people realize. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported that approximately 70% of people over the age of 65 will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime. This care can be provided by caregivers in a primary residence, an assisted living or memory care unit, or a full-scale nursing facility.
While actuaries can examine a room of 1,000 people all aged 65 and estimate the percentage of them who may need long-term care, they cannot predict who will require it. This may be one of the reasons why there is such a large gap between those who will need some form of care and those who have completed an advanced directive, such as a durable power of attorney, living will, or healthcare power of attorney. An extensive review of studies from 2011 to 2016 found that only around 37% of U.S. adults have completed any advance directive, such as a living will or health care power of attorney.
Source: Free Forms
The CFPs of Impel Wealth encourage our clients to start planning well in advance of any potential needs, so they can be in control of their affairs and appoint the individuals they trust to make decisions on their behalf in the future. The primary purpose of this process is to help clients maintain their independence, dignity, and safety, all while protecting their legacy for future generations. This process includes an assessment of resources available for any future long-term care needs, as well as making sure that titling and beneficiary designations are coordinated with a client's estate planning wishes and documents.
In addition, clients have the option to sign a “trusted contact form”, allowing them to designate someone for us to contact if signs of incapacitation become apparent. Common scenarios that we have seen over the years may include a client changing their spending habits, to whom they gift money, or altering the risk profile of their investment portfolio beyond what they have historically felt comfortable with. This allows us to involve a trusted friend or loved one before any potential damage is done. Please reach out to your advisor if you would like to explore this option during your next meeting.
Source: Wikipedia
As Brian Wilson might say, “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” if we didn’t have to worry about aging like the characters in Cocoon. Maybe someday, all of these advancements in medical technology will come to pass and we won’t have to worry about the current issues of aging. Until that day arrives, the CFPs of Impel Wealth Management will do our best to help you manage and protect your hard-earned assets. We believe this is an important message and reminder as we continue “Moving Life Forward.”
© 2025 Jesse Hurst
Senior Wealth Manager
Related Content
The views stated are not necessarily the opinion of Cetera and should not be construed directly or indirectly as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Neither Cetera Advisors LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
Investors cannot directly invest in indices.
Featured Blog Image Source: iStock.com/Eda Hoyman