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Where do you want to grow old?
Aging Well | Last Active: Oct 15 9:41pm | Replies (267)Comment receiving replies
Having retired from the senior housing industry, I’ve seen it all. The communities are hit and miss, mainly due to staffing issues, and State reimbursement rates. There are levels of care in assisted living that can leave a resident needing more, and they will have to hire additional private care in order to stay and not move to a heavier care facility. Sooo expensive.
My plan, and I know it’s not for everyone, is to age in place…. Live in a one story home, put in grab bars, simplify, and plan to hire outside help when necessary.
We are lucky in my area to have an excellent in home hospice program, and in home physical therapy programs. There’s always Insta-cart food and supply delivery as well.
That’s the plan, anyway…..
Replies to "Having retired from the senior housing industry, I’ve seen it all. The communities are hit and..."
Ginger- Thank you for sharing your thoughtful, experienced based decision. My wife and I have reached a similar decision. We own our small home in a co-housing community in a suburb of Durham. A couple in our community are almost 90 years old, and are still going strong! Very inspiring for someone about to turn 75 (me). I've made modifications to our home- shower grab bars, downstairs walk in shower, ramp available to go down two steps if needed. Virtually all needs are available within 1-5 miles.
We are very proactive about our health and diet, and try to keep our home simple and well organized. I don't punch a time card, but I'm very active in my workshop. The man I learned from made musical instruments well into his 90s!
We have two dogs, a Havanese for my wife and a Hound for me, and they are very important for our health: optimistic, glad to be alive, tails wagging first thing of the day, and regular walks.
We are on the waiting list for a retirement community if necessary, but really hope to make it to the happy end in our home.
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Thank you for your insight! I also plan to age in place.
I have read somewhere that doctors use extraordinary measures for themselves the least. Maybe they are able to recognize the signs that they are dying while the rest of us keep hoping to evade death one more time.
I’m hoping that I will be wise enough to recognize when death is coming and my doctors will be honest enough to tell me the truth.
For me there is a difference between prolonging life and prolonging death. I hope I will be able to recognize this difference.