Avoiding controversy for the time being...I thought I would post about all of these senior living communities for 55+ popping up all over the United States. At my new job, we have three completely different senior living communities that we have done work for. Some communities are houses, some are apartments and some are condos -- all offering specialty features like resort-style dining, fitness centers, theatres and business centers. It sounds like a blast, but many still have high costs.
Although we are a few decades away from this decision, what do you think. Would you want to live in a senior living community with all of your grey-haired homies? Or would you rather live out your days in your lovely house you've had for 60 years? It also depends on the level of care you need, where your family is and how much money you have.
I think I would love to start an "Old Bears Out to Pasture" community where we can have all of our fun Baylor friends and family come. We can hop on buses for Homecoming, sing the "The Good Ol' Baylor Line" each evening, and just enjoy good fellowship again.
What do you think?
10 comments:
I'm not sure I would like a community center dedicated to Baylor. I know some 50-something Baylor fans, and they're kind of scary!
On the other hand, I think it would be fun to have friends closeby, with activities just for us...but I'm not sure I couldn't do that somewhere else. I think, if my life goes the way it has up til now, I'll be busy with church things, and won't need any other activities.
I'm not sure what I'd like to do. I do know I'd like the atmosphere of a community like that--we all know each other, we can get to each other's houses via golf cart, and if we go through some medical thing or something, it's likely that someone else is going through it, too.
But it brings up the question of what our "senior life" is intended for. Many people in communities like that are of the "eat, drink and be merry" mindset. They've served their time in the workforce, and it's time to have some fun. But I think it's also a time for renewed energy towards missions and ministries I couldn't do when I was working.
I think I'd like just one good friend (ahem...) next door--someone I can garden with, exchange recipes with, and enjoy life with. Yep. That's what I'd like. And we can even take a bus to homecoming if you want. :)
I am so excited that you posted again, but I don't really know how to comment on this one. To be honest, I don't want to grow old. All I ever hear about my loved ones who are old is how much they hurt and how cranky they are and hard to deal with. I don't want to be that way, but I know that when I'm in pain, I'm not in the best of moods.
So, yes, I would love to have a happy retirement spent with friends doing fun things. I just hope that I'll feel up to it!
Yeah, I think senior living communities are to try to avoid the growing old part.
I bet nothing like it exists in other parts of the world, because it's expected that the elderly will live with their children. Our society believes in an empty nest and make the most of it 'til the nursing home! :)
I don't know what my kids will be like, but maybe I'll live near them as I get older. Who knows?
What I want to know is what is the controversy you're avoiding, Leanna??
Dearest Lydia,
Please refer to earlier post with Karen's comments!
Ah! I see now. Yeah, it's probably best to avoid that subject. :)
Well, I still want to hear about it even if it's too risky to blog about it. Yay! I get to see you soon...
I think Americans like the idea of senior communities because they like independence. In the rest of the world, communities are more inter-connected generationally so I think the elderly are more inclined to let their children take care of them.
I also believe that this "boom" in senior housing simply reflects the fact that "boomers" like me are at retirement age now. We have always been an economic factor (and marketing target) and that has only increased as our incomes have risen with age.
I would love to spend my retirement working with people (teaching, ministries), enjoying my children and grandchildren, traveling with my husband, reading, and staying in touch with the world via the web.
Hey ... that's what I do now! :0
I was reading about this new community model called "Green houses" for senior living. It is kind of like a college dorm you would see on TV.
They are individual houses with a kitchen and common living room with individual sleeping rooms and bathrooms off the main room.
You have a caretaker called a raven or something in indian instead of sullen nurses aids. Meals are made by the bunch so you don't just get wheeled down at your appropriate feeding time. Children are invited over to hang out on the front porch or for care.
One story even said that a lady that wasn't even able to feed her self now does, has a renewed passion for life and will chat your ear off.
This is more of an eldery care facility than just a retirement place, but I thought the concept was great. It creates a community for those in the house, provides them stimulation with meals, interaction, gardening in the lawn and so on.
A much better view than some of the nursing homes we see. I hope this idea takes off more...we need to get back to a sense of community.
Yay! Only one month until the wedding! Hopefully that makes you feel excited and not stressed. I am looking forward to it!
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