Where do you want to grow old?

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.

I want to continue to live in my home of 38 years. I will bring in services, as needed. I find I am not doing as many activities as I have in the past, and that is OK. The winters are hard here in Northern Michigan, but we stay safe inside.

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@gingerw

Continuing Care Retirement Community

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I live in Des Moines but would be willing to move. Is that like assisted living. I can't afford that. Keep me updated. Thank you! Maria.

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@mariajean03

I live in Des Moines but would be willing to move. Is that like assisted living. I can't afford that. Keep me updated. Thank you! Maria.

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@mariajean03 Here is a link from AARP about this type of housing. Just last week I went to a senior resource fair, and was speaking to a representative from a local facility. The concept of being able to move within that place, to have more advanced levels of care, really appeals to me, if/when that need arises. For now, my husband and I intend to stay on our property.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2017/continuing-care-retirement-communities.html
Ginger

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@lindasmith1222

Moved from Wisconsin to Illinois to Arizona to South Carolina and now in North Carolina near the ocean (in 22 years). Lived in California for 5 years also. I love North Carolina. I cut back on my health care and medications. I have many more years behind me than ahead of me and made a decision to minimize all areas of my life. I was spending too much time in health care and not enough time enjoying my 'golden years.' I found in most of these states/places, good health care is a thing of the past. I am 'old' and treated with little respect at health care facilities of all kinds in all places. I can tell you where NOT to move to. I want to enjoy the remainder of my life near the ocean, with like-minded people, and family, when they have time for me. Live but one day at a time.

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Thank you!

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@gingerw

@mariajean03 Here is a link from AARP about this type of housing. Just last week I went to a senior resource fair, and was speaking to a representative from a local facility. The concept of being able to move within that place, to have more advanced levels of care, really appeals to me, if/when that need arises. For now, my husband and I intend to stay on our property.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2017/continuing-care-retirement-communities.html
Ginger

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The entry fees are unbelievable! Only for the wealthy I believe. But thanks.

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@dollyme

When my husband was alive we bought a home in Lake Chapala Mexico, we were going to spend 6 months there and 6 months in Florida.

3 months after we bought it my husband was diagnosed with cancer, that ended that as the cancer care was not able to help him there and Medicare was needed.

We kept the house for 5 years hoping we could finally use, we could not, fortunately, the man we bought it from rented it from us.

Today the area is riddled with crime so I am glad I no longer have the home.

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Thanks for your thoughts. I have considered Lake Chapala for several yearas, and was not aware that crime was chasing expats away. I still prefer Panama where I had a home many years ago, but it is a long way if you life in the west.

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@mariajean03

I've been terribly unhappy in a 10 year marriage. We're just room-mates but I'm totally disabled and can't live alone with so many physical and mental health conditions. I'm 64. He's healthy and I have no kids. Siblings don't care. I go to a senior center but lots of strange people and no connections there. I don't drive so he's my transportation. He's 85. Won't even hold my hand! Not sick enough for nursing home. I have no idea what to do. Need another foot surgery but refuse for now. Nothing in the future for me. Looking into pallative care. Maria.

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This is so sad...I wonder if you could set yourself up with a social worker thru' your doctor who could help you with connecting to some social home visits from volunteers who could take you shopping, medical visits, church or other events that wouldn't involve your husband so that you could have a degree of independence and create other more positive friendships of your own.

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I continue to look for a community that is friendly, low taxes, not too hot or cold, politically quiet and neutral, safe, and conducive to pets and RVing!

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@fromthehill

This is so sad...I wonder if you could set yourself up with a social worker thru' your doctor who could help you with connecting to some social home visits from volunteers who could take you shopping, medical visits, church or other events that wouldn't involve your husband so that you could have a degree of independence and create other more positive friendships of your own.

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Thanks. I'll give a social worker a try. Volunteers would be great.

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@chucklesg

I continue to look for a community that is friendly, low taxes, not too hot or cold, politically quiet and neutral, safe, and conducive to pets and RVing!

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@chucklesg - If you find this place, without the RVing for me, please let me know!

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