Did I ever tell you I hate shopping? Well, my blog says I told you in five posts that I dislike shopping.
So what am I having to shop for now?
The Micro Manager and I are both in our 80's. Our kids don't live near us. One in Chicago and one on the west coast. We don't have any relatives here. But this is home and we like it. However, common sense tells us that we should make some arrangements just in case the wheels fall off the bus. So we decided to look at the facilities and see what they're like.
So we started looking at the various types of senior accommodation. I'll tell you, "It's a zoo out there."
Each facility has it's own unique business model for care. So one place looked pretty good. The people were active and looked happy. The food was good and people told us they like it there. People were visiting and participating in activities. But, you pay a damage deposit and you don't get it back.
The next place is larger. They look after dementia people . They have personal care and then independent living. People didn't seem to be doing anything. In fact, I saw very few people. The people I did see didn't look very happy or stimulated. In this facility you can transition through the stages. In the first smaller facility If you can't live independently you have to move to another facility.
I also found out that there are certain situations where you could be government funded but that would get very complicated and you wouldn't have a choice of where you lived.
There are many smaller differences too numerous to mention . In one facility you need to buy very little and the other you buy many personal items.
Rents are similar.
So we are going to look at more facilities.
I can tell you one thing and that is that we wouldn't want to be in these facilities with our present health. People in these places are in much poorer condition.
However, I'm kicking the tires to see what's out there.
And I still hate shopping!
We think about this off and on too. Assisted Living accommodations here are so very EXPENSIVE. There are commercials all the time on TV. I'm noticing one senior home commercial that has a woman wearing a huge diamond ring at the beginning. Riiighhht. I guess we won't consider that place.
ReplyDeleteThese are pricey...$3600-4000 Canadian and $600 more for second person.
DeleteIt's always good think ahead to where you might need to live one day especially without younger family members around. I'll have to think about it one day too. Hopefully not for awhile yet.Best of luck with the shopping.
ReplyDeleteI would like to stay in my own home for as long as possible.
DeleteWell, that can't be a very fun task, but it's a good idea to plan. My mother bought a place in a retirement center that allows transitioning through levels of care, and I can tell you it's been a godsend. She was healthy when she moved there but she has since developed dementia -- and yet she simply moved to another location in the same development. It's been great for her.
ReplyDeleteSome of the places are the same here.
DeleteGood for you to plan it out. You just never know what will happen. If anything happened to JB, I'd have to move.
ReplyDeleteWe can make plans but they may have to be changed in a hurry some day.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMost of the senior facilities I have visited I would never want to stay in myself. Most are just sad looking places. It is a good idea to check out places ahead of time. Take care, have a great weekend!
They are not places for people who are active and well.
DeleteDaughter manages a very good retirement home, and most do seem to be good around here. It’s a ig industry right now with boomers retiring. However, nice the facilities, I don’t want to go there. And the cost is huge.
ReplyDeleteBTW I don’t mind grocery shopping but just about any other type is a killer.
I have no plans to run into one of these places right away. Yes, I also don't mind grocery shopping.
DeleteOh Lordy, this phase of life can get complicated. I've found in my experience with family, that you either must be: RICH as a ROYAL, or POOR as a church mouse. If you have bags of money, you can afford the nicer places with more conveniences, and stay there hopefully until you die and/or haven't run out of money. If you're poor, you will be on Medicaid and pay only whatever your social security might be (after a lengthy and exhaustive search of your assets to make sure you don't have ANY money). Those of us who live in the middle class, are sadly, in a bad position. We have too much money for Medicaid, and not enough money for the nicer places. I watched my parents' money just hemorrhage once my Mom needed 24 hour care, and then she ran out of money and went into a Medicaid facility. She'd had long-term care insurance, which turned out to be fraudulent, after she had invested $30,000. Sigh. I don't envy anyone their search for this phase of life.
ReplyDeleteThat's about the same situation here. Most places are expensive but not outrageous. Thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteEspecially this type of shopping I bet. You are wise to do this browsing though. We think about it too. Our house is way too big for us as we age. Better to be prepared…
ReplyDeleteUp until now I had no idea what was out there even though I have visited friends in these places.
DeleteMy grandparents lived in an independent facility that cooked one meal a day for them and cleaned their apartment once a week. They loved that place. I know when it is my time I want something similar.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're ready for such a place it works out well. Timing is everything.
DeleteVery interesting, especially for those of us of a certain age. I give you high marks for getting out there and checking things out. It’s a wise thing to do even though it may not be fun.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few more we want to look at.
DeleteI hear you about shopping for such things as old age homes, Red. And yes, I think you have told me you hate shopping before. :-)
ReplyDeleteI checked my blog and I have post not liking shopping five times.
DeleteI think it is wise for you and Jean to be actively considering such a move at this stage in your life. Too many senior people leave it too late to make this sensible transition on their own terms.
ReplyDelete"Own terms" is the key idea.
DeleteIt's good that you have choices there and several facilities to explore. I hope you find someplace that really fits with your best plans for the future. It's a big move. I'm looking forward to future posts. Take care there.
ReplyDeleteI hope such a move is a few years off but you never know so that's why we're looking.
DeleteMy parents were able to transition from an independent living apartment where you could get meals if you want and there were lots of activities to do. Eventually as their health failed they were able to move to a different building on the same campus for more care. It was very nice but also expensive. It was helpful for my Mom to be able to visit my Dad by just walking down the hall to his nursing home wing since he had Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteGood that your parents had a good experience.
DeleteI hate shopping as well Red and this type of shopping would be difficult. Like most, I prefer to stay in my home but I realize that is not always possible as you age. There are some nice independent living facilities but none of the good ones are affordable. You are wise to think ahead and look. I wish you well in your search.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are many variations in these facilities. Yes, I want to stay home as long as possible.
DeleteIt's good to be prepared. Checking out the different choices should be interesting and definitely eye opening. Good luck with your research.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty is that it's a moving target. we change as we age and not always in a predictable way.
DeleteGood to kick the tires. I don't like shopping either. Not ready for this yet but not that far off either. Good luck on finding something you both like.
ReplyDeleteYes, keep looking.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look at two more.
DeleteYou are setting about this properly. When you make up your mind that it's time to move along, the planning will be done.
ReplyDeleteI hope that's what happens but it's not always predictable.
DeleteI think it's excellent to plan ahead. Your research has been very informative and helpful. I'm 65 so hoping to not be there for a decade or so. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteWell, my fingers are crosses too. Thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteRed - I am 90 this year, a widow, live alone - have a carer for an houur a day, can only walk with aids - my advice stay in your own home if it is possible. I am hoping to leave my bungalow feet first.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a good idea to look while you are well and able. I hope we never have to leave ours but already the lawn care is getting to be a bit much. I hope you will be able to find a place that suits you both when you need it.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be the hardest kind of shopping we ever have to do.
ReplyDeleteYour children will be relieved to know that you are doing your research. I hope you find the perfect place
ReplyDeleteI came down here to say what Weaver said. Look into home care if you find that you need help. However, it is very sensible to look at various facilities too, in the case of a more catastrophic health issue.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was a way to get this post and comments published in The Globe and Mail and/or the New York Times. Great info here for seniors who like to plan ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing in planning now. From observing others over the years I find a lot of people can never judge when the time is right to move. Most leave it too late then have to scramble to take whatever is available quickly.
ReplyDeleteJ
Keep your options open and look around!
ReplyDeleteit is always wise to be prepared for reality that we can't avoid anyway dear Red
ReplyDeletebeing from east makes me say that things are changing here in speed of light specially in bigger cities ,despite of combine family system more people are thinking about such facilities though govt help seems to be find in this area except a " little" amount people get after retirement which is really less than necessities of course . few foundations are providing care voluntarily but they are not enough front of rising numbers of old people dropped by their families unfortunately .
you sound luckier than those here i must say .
health ,peace ,happiness!