1. < Aging Well
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director
Moderator

Where do you want to grow old?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 7, 2023

People have many options for living arrangements as an older adult, like living in a house with a group of friends (think Golden Girls), going to a 55+ community, or staying in your own house.

What are your plans? Where do you want to grow old?
or
What choice did you make? What are the the pros and cons of your arrangement?

What advice do you have for others?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Profile picture for shmbrd
shmbrd | @shmbrd | Mar 25 2:00pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "I’m seriously thinking about getting myself into an Independent Living Program. It’s going to cost almost..." + (show)
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael @SusanEllen66

I’m seriously thinking about getting myself into an Independent Living Program. It’s going to cost almost double what I pay now.
I am 76, live alone, and have a movement disorder so I’m a fall risk.
My concern is what can I do with all my furniture, paintings, kitchen stuff, more importantly old pictures.
Selling most of my collections may be easy to do but, at the same time emotionally draining.

Going from a 1450 sq. ft, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage house, to an apartment of 650 sq ft is going to be tricky. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

However, it’s for my safety and good health. I’ve chosen a really beautiful place.

Jump to this post

@SusanEllen66 You may already know this, but there are services for helping seniors down-size. You could Google something like "senior move managers" or "professional organizers"

REPLY
Profile picture for larryg333
larryg333 | @larryg333 | Mar 26 12:22pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "I’m seriously thinking about getting myself into an Independent Living Program. It’s going to cost almost..." + (show)
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael @SusanEllen66

I’m seriously thinking about getting myself into an Independent Living Program. It’s going to cost almost double what I pay now.
I am 76, live alone, and have a movement disorder so I’m a fall risk.
My concern is what can I do with all my furniture, paintings, kitchen stuff, more importantly old pictures.
Selling most of my collections may be easy to do but, at the same time emotionally draining.

Going from a 1450 sq. ft, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage house, to an apartment of 650 sq ft is going to be tricky. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

However, it’s for my safety and good health. I’ve chosen a really beautiful place.

Jump to this post

@SusanEllen66

Best of luck with your move, Susan. I'm sure they'll be some challenges / adjustments to be made. But also some potentially excellent opportunities / advantages. Please keep us here posted.

All the best!

/LarryG

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for kjoed53
kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | Mar 27 8:38am

The choice of where to live in retirement is dependent on personal preferences, family situation, health conditions, financial ability, economic conditions and the options available where you choose to live. I don't care to follow a predetermined set of rules so 55+ communities don't appeal to me. I don't need assisted living plus I still value my independence. I'm looking to transition from a two story to a ranch home before I have to eliminate stairs, but I think I'll be in a house until the day I'm carried out, one way or the other.

REPLY
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael
SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael | @SusanEllen66 | Apr 3 2:43am
In reply to @edsutton "@SusanEllen66 Susan- I always enjoy your attitude. My friend Karen had two houses filled with memorial..." + (show)
Profile picture for edsutton @edsutton

@SusanEllen66
Susan-
I always enjoy your attitude.
My friend Karen had two houses filled with memorial stuff (endless family portraits and collectables). I couldn't imagine how she would move to an apartment in a retirement community.
Always professional, she hired a professional to organize her downsizing, packing and moving to her new home, where she lived very comfortably, not having to maintain two houses full of stuff.
I'm glad you're moving on.
Let us know how it goes.

Jump to this post

@edsutton thanks Ed
Actually, my plans have been put on hold for now.

My experience with anything that is especially important is if it doesn’t feel right, wait. God usually has plans for me, and if I jump ahead of Him I’m always going wrong.
I’ve been feeling very uncomfortable with the idea of living in a “hotel” type of environment. I have my own personal preferences. One is not having to be dressed and down to the dining room before 9 am for breakfast.

I would have my own kitchen so I could eat when I want.
I just know my absence at mealtimes, and other times will cause a stir. They like to have everyone around to socialize. No thank you.

I feel better now. I’m waiting for God to let me know what to do.

REPLY
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael
SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael | @SusanEllen66 | Apr 3 3:11am
In reply to @larryg333 "@SusanEllen66 Best of luck with your move, Susan. I'm sure they'll be some challenges / adjustments..." + (show)
Profile picture for larryg333 @larryg333

@SusanEllen66

Best of luck with your move, Susan. I'm sure they'll be some challenges / adjustments to be made. But also some potentially excellent opportunities / advantages. Please keep us here posted.

All the best!

/LarryG

Jump to this post

@larryg333 I have decided to wait until it feels right. Up to now it hasn’t.

REPLY
Profile picture for larryg333
larryg333 | @larryg333 | Apr 3 12:04pm

Susan -- Your "until-it-feels-right" test is perfect!

Though it sounds kind of simple at first blush, it factors in:

A caveat to not just rush into something.
Gives one time to be pensive / mindful about multiple possibilities.
Allows our heart / gut / our inner self to be a judge, and to fully participate in the imagining and ultimate decisionmaking... AND
Stresses individual personalization... all the above relates to ME... what I think, believe, and feel... NOT what may be the right way for someone else.

You nailed it!

All the best,

/LarryG

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.