News & Events

4/19/2010
Making the Retirement Community Decision: A Resident's Perspective

By Greg Hadley
Courtesy of www.aasha.org

I am writing this with a bias. My wife and I moved into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) two years ago when we were in our early seventies. Since selling our home and going through the downsizing required, we have had many conversations with friends and relatives who still live independently in their own homes and apartments. Frankly, a large portion of these people think we were foolish to move. Their arguments come at us from many directions.

• "You two are both so young and healthy!"
• "Why would you want to live with a bunch of old people on canes, walkers and scooters?"
• "What did you do with all the lovely things you had in your home?"
• "You've given up your shop in the garage, your garden and so much freedom."
• "Geez—it costs so much money; how can you afford to live there?"
• "Aren't you giving up a lot of privacy?"
• "Where you live, death is just around every corner."
• "I don't want to interact with my neighbors every day."
• "I can count on my kids to help me out when that may be required."
• "You're going to cut yourself off from all your old friends and neighbors."
• "Eating institutional food every day—I would hate that."

And then the last, and most dismissive, comment always is:

• "Well, it might be a good idea for you; perhaps we will start to give it some thought in the next few years."

A classic definition of old age: "Ten years older than you are today." Sometime between retirement from daily working for a living and the onset of chronic illnesses that often occur in old age, most people develop a serious "blind spot." They say to themselves: My spouse and I are getting along pretty well. Sure, we have some aches and pains, but most people do in their late sixties or early seventies. We have planned our retirement income so that we can lead a comfortable life style. We are still enjoying travel. Our home is comfortable and a perfect place to display all the wonderful things we have accumulated in our lives. We enjoy the freedom and opportunities for fun and relaxation that are presented to us. Yes, things are pretty good and we expect them to continue that way for the foreseeable future. In other words, why should we change now when things are going so well?

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