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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.

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Sep 12, 2023
In reply to @randywhite "For me, where=In the arms of a loving Savior. I trust He will place me in..." + (show)
@randywhite

For me, where=In the arms of a loving Savior. I trust He will place me in the best location, with an inspired purpose.
My reply more in the zone of thoughts here is similar: one level, proximate to a fruitful supportive social life, and a secure and scenic space.
< ><
Randy

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@randywhite
Randy, that’s exactly where I want to spend eternity. I’m assured that I will be there among the saints. There’s nothing better to look forward to than seeing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Blessings!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 13, 2023

A friendly reminder about the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/ Please note guideline number 6.

6. Keep politics out of the community conversations.
Mayo Clinic Connect is a place to share about health experiences, to improve living with chronic conditions and health and wellbeing. Political discussions often divide us and do not build community or promote health and wellbeing
- Don't post about politics, political viewpoints, political news stories.
- Political and/or divisive posts will be removed.

This discussion has generated a lot of helpful, practical and useful conversation and ideas. Thank you!

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kathyholmes | @kathyholmes | Sep 13, 2023

When I was diagnosed with cancer last year I realized I couldn’t wait any longer for dreams to come true. We had lived in Tampa for 30+ years, because my husband wanted to, and watched urban sprawl happen. I felt oppressed. I thrive on quiet and nature. He was grudgingly agreeable to retiring on the northeast coast of Florida - a little less developed and closer to nature. I said, NOW. I’m not promised five years from now and he works remotely so can live anywhere. I told him he could do what he wants but we moved over. Downsized from the four bedroom house to a two bedroom apartment and I love the freedom and having less to care for. Trees and lakes out my window instead of a highway. We can zip 10 minutes to the beach after dinner and sit with a very few others until sunset. Next year we will likely buy a condo or something. I would like senior living for the support and socializing but he says he is still young and not ready for old folks home! I just joined the local y yesterday and am going to get active in the 50 and Better group. We are both 61. Our youngest daughter lives nearby and we see her often. The oldest back in Tampa just had our first grandson. We were there for a week and will visit often. She wants to visit here in December. I’m hoping she falls in love with it then!

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bunnybear | @bunnybear | Sep 13, 2023
In reply to @dollyme "Yes, a bit far! Chapala was lovely when we bought there, we sat up on a..." + (show)
@dollyme

Yes, a bit far! Chapala was lovely when we bought there, we sat up on a mountain and had a splendid view. I have friends who moved back to the US recently, the banditos ran them out, they did not feel safe, seems to be a lot of break-ins and drug issues.

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Yes, we are more comfortable with our own banditos here at home in our high crime cities. LOL. But there is always crime in interesting cities and places it seems.

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dollyme | @dollyme | Sep 13, 2023
In reply to @bunnybear "Yes, we are more comfortable with our own banditos here at home in our high crime..." + (show)
@bunnybear

Yes, we are more comfortable with our own banditos here at home in our high crime cities. LOL. But there is always crime in interesting cities and places it seems.

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Ha! Yes, those in Mexico carry big rifles to do the dirty deed, we prefer hand guns here, more sophisticated!

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raebaby | @raebaby | Sep 14, 2023

I'm 82 and living in the hills of California on 22 acres. I'm 8 miles from town and live alone. My son comes out several days a week to check up on what I need done.
I'm 20 miles from the ocean. My view is of mountains and meadows with oak trees up to 500 years old. I don't want to move on, ever! I just hope that I don't have a fall like my mother in law did at the age of 93, living alone. She broke her hip emptying the garbage and had to go live with my husband's sister.

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1 reply
Funcountess | @funcountess | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning- I hope to stay in my home forever and am trying to make it..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning- I hope to stay in my home forever and am trying to make it more manageable. The house is big for me. I can live comfortably on my first floor. However, the laundry is in the basement. And that might be able to be changed, but I don't know. There are also two decks. And there are 7 or 10 steps to get into my house from the front. That will have to be fixed if I can't climb them. However, there are outdoor elevators that I understand are not too expensive. When I heard this, I laughed. I haven't checked; I don't dare.

Although some things are still in flux since Dave died, everything is freshly painted, a new kitchen that I helped design. It's not too small or large. I love it..maybe I'll move in there! The outside is all cleaned up, and on Monday, the landscaper is coming back to discuss what I can do to make it manageable..it's too much for me! And it needs to be mowed again.

I'm happy and at peace (as much as I can be) after David died. This is the first time that I have ever lived alone and been on my own. There's a mixture of feelings--one is excitement to see what's in front of me, and the other is horror. LOL, But I love my home. This is also the first home that I have ever owned as a partner and now by myself. So, if I can, I choose to stay here, where I feel safe, warm, and cozy.

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Hi,
Steps can be removed, with a concrete ramp replacing them. There are inside elevators also. Have a friend who has one and loves it.
As for laundry in basement, you can hire a person to do the laundry, or maybe have an extra bedroom made into a laundry room.
My home is single story, with laundry room in garage, I manage best I can.
I make a list of outside chores for gardner every week.
Getting older has its drawbacks for sure.
I plan to stay in my home also, have seen the horror of these independent living homes. Not for me.

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Funcountess | @funcountess | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @raebaby "I'm 82 and living in the hills of California on 22 acres. I'm 8 miles from..." + (show)
@raebaby

I'm 82 and living in the hills of California on 22 acres. I'm 8 miles from town and live alone. My son comes out several days a week to check up on what I need done.
I'm 20 miles from the ocean. My view is of mountains and meadows with oak trees up to 500 years old. I don't want to move on, ever! I just hope that I don't have a fall like my mother in law did at the age of 93, living alone. She broke her hip emptying the garbage and had to go live with my husband's sister.

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Hi raebaby,
I’m not quite your age, but also live in the hills of California, meadows and hills for sure. Just several miles from dirty Pacific Ocean.
I enjoy living in the hills. Markets are a few miles away, there are always delivery services to help with ageing process.
I plan to stay put.

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raebaby | @raebaby | Sep 14, 2023

I'm in West Templeton, on the way to Cambria. I order a lot online. When I get medical work done I manage to fit in shopping trips at the same time with a Ride-On service that my medicare supplement pays for..

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Chuck | @chucklesg | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @merpreb "@chucklesg - If you find this place, without the RVing for me, please let me know!" + (show)
@merpreb

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

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Im looking at Minnesota...but I like the cold and hate the heat...it's 106 now here in so. AZ
NUTS

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