Aging Matters: Solve Retirement Conundrums: Ask Questions

The other night, I sat at the dinner table with family and friends of all ages. As the night wore on, light-hearted topics became serious discussions, and one stood out like a sore thumb. After we all agreed how nice it was to share the night with such good company, the table suddenly fell silent as Carol (name changed for privacy), in her 80s, piped up and said, ?Yes, it?s a nice change because it?s lonely living by yourself? but I?m not ready to move into a retirement home.?? It?s been two years since Carol?s husband passed away. Her children visit her frequently, and try to include her in as many family activities as possible. Blessed with a great-grandchild a year ago, her social circles have expanded a little, but not to a great extent. As we sat around the table, a little stunned at the comment, Carol?s daughter-in-law gently pointed out that there is no rush to move into a retirement home, but should the day come that she is ready, they offer a lot more social gatherings than many people think.? Carol agreed wholeheartedly with her daughter-in-law, admitting that retirement homes probably offer a great deal, but expressed concern over being ?put? into the ?wrong? kind of home, or not liking the place she might end up. As I sat there listening and watching Carol?s reaction, I began to wonder how many other individuals are confronted with these conflicting emotions? When is it considered the ?right? time to move into an age-segregated community? Who would benefit from it and who wouldn?t? Well, no sooner had I started asking these questions myself, I then stumbled upon a Huffington Post article, Retirement Communities: The 7 Things You Should Ask. According to the Post, ?the idea that if you?ve seen one retirement community, you?ve seen them all is far from the truth.? And this is true! One of our recent posts, What?s your niche?, focused on the development of many different kinds of retirement homes that cater to individual interests. Therefore, becoming engaged in the social atmosphere is easier when you know that the majority of the residents living in a ?themed? retirement community share the same interests.?? So, where to start? SERC wants to encourage you to explore your options and really make sure that you understand them. Instead of assuming the worst in retirement communities, its best to understand what they have to offer and how you can find the most rewarding experience that fits you. Retirement isn?t the end, only a new beginning. Below we?ve copied the seven questions and answers, provided by HuffPost50, to start your research and help you on your journey (if you so choose) today!

Source: http://agingmatters.blogspot.com/2012/08/solve-retirement-conundrums-ask.html

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