This article assumes that you are over 65 and live in your own house. At some point things begin to change in your life. Backs and knees ache or you can’t remember things as well as you used to. If you add to that losing your spouse, a move to a senior residence may be just the right thing to do.
Why you might ask.
Well for one thing, cooking for one and eating alone is not fun. Even though you may have housekeepers, gardeners, arborists, etc., it is up to you to manage them. And, who is going to come to entertain or exercise with you?
Senior residences are not what they used to be. They are not God’s waiting rooms nor are units tiny cells. A lot of changes have taken place in the variety of places available so that you can consider your needs, wants, and finances, such as:
- Do you need some caregiving?
- Do you want activities and to be social?
- Can you afford to purchase or rent?
It’s a tough decision to make to uproot yourself and go through downsizing, but the benefits of senior residences now days are many even though not all will have this panoply of them.
- Large units some with kitchens and laundry facilities and spare bedrooms.
- Common areas where speakers and musicians come in to entertain.
- Fitness centers equipment and some places offer fitness classes.
- Some have swimming pools and water aerobics.
- All have some level of meals from just dinner to 3 meals a day.
- You will have housekeepers to do the usual, facilities personnel who keep things working everywhere, and gardeners who maintain gardens.
- Caregivers and medical help are available for various needs at many.
If you are lucky, you will be able to find the perfect place for you that is even near where you have always lived. You can maintain outside friendships, doctors, dentists, and hairstylists and not turn your life upside down. Good luck charting the right course for yourself. There is a future life out there for you.
