What's your vision of your elder years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ideally my building would be in a child's extended neighborhood so its not too much effort for them to visit when they can.

I know someone whose mom lives across the street in an apartment. So far, it's working out fine.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. Ideally, to age in place as near as we can to our child (an only). I don't mind downsizing but would prefer to have a yard for gardening and outside time.

I'm hoping to remain as healthy, active, and with it as long as I can (something out of my control, I understand). I hope to have animals (mostly fostering or older pets as I'd have to think of my pets outliving me at some point). And I want to have a social network to interact with as I've seen how the lack of that really impacts the elderly and quality of life.

Having said all that, if I'm in a memory care situation, I've already told my spouse and child to put me in a memory care center. As long as I'm safe and cared for, I won't really know/appreciate it anyway. And I don't want to be a burden.

Can the PP above tell me more about Goodwin House?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. Ideally, to age in place as near as we can to our child (an only). I don't mind downsizing but would prefer to have a yard for gardening and outside time.

I'm hoping to remain as healthy, active, and with it as long as I can (something out of my control, I understand). I hope to have animals (mostly fostering or older pets as I'd have to think of my pets outliving me at some point). And I want to have a social network to interact with as I've seen how the lack of that really impacts the elderly and quality of life.

Having said all that, if I'm in a memory care situation, I've already told my spouse and child to put me in a memory care center. As long as I'm safe and cared for, I won't really know/appreciate it anyway. And I don't want to be a burden.

Can the PP above tell me more about Goodwin House?

They do information sessions pretty regularly, I think at their Alexandria location. I'd look online. My mom was inspired to because she's single and didn't want her kids to have to do direct care for her, but she didn't feel like a senior living complex was the right fit for her. So it was a way for her to keep her independence as she aged, but to have already done the leg work for the first few steps of decline.

[Anonymous]

My friends says we need enough space so children aren't burdened with hotel cost to visit, my other friend says why waste money to buy and clean extra rooms for one or two annual visits. Both points make sense.

[Anonymous]

DH wants scenic rural home with peace, privacy and space to do hobbies. I like that but also want hustle bustle and conveniences of a city at my doorstep.

[Anonymous]

Juggling my AI boytoys.

[Anonymous]

I will work until I die, so I just hope to not trip, fall and break a hip.

[Anonymous]

My widowed uncle moved back to Pakistan after retiring and his dollar stretches far there so he can afford hired help to do house chores and health aid to take care of healthcare and drive him to places. He is never alone on his own and doesn't have to do any chore. His kids live here but he has families of siblings and cousins there for socializing.

[Anonymous]

*My siblings and kids are settled here or globally and no cousins in my age group back there so doesn't make sense to move back but I feel envious of his set up.

[Anonymous]

I honestly don’t know what I want once I get into my 80s. I would to live and/or have hobbies involving people from a range of generations. But once I have real decline I don’t think any option is good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much cats and books tbh.

I like this plan. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends says we need enough space so children aren't burdened with hotel cost to visit, my other friend says why waste money to buy and clean extra rooms for one or two annual visits. Both points make sense.

It really depends how much the kids and family will visit. If it's monthly, then it's nice to have the space. if it's 2-3 times a year, then your airbnb/vrbo/hotel it for the week.

And yes typically the 2nd part makes the most sense. We downsized to a 2bed place once youngest went to college. The college kid gets the 2nd bedroom when home, if the older (living on their own 2K miles away) visits at same time they get the couch (very comfy), guest suite in the bldg if available (only $120/night) or hotel room a block away ($300+/night). Definately not a reason to have a 3 bedroom (those only exist at the Penthouse/extreme luxury level) or a 2nd condo 1 bedroom for guests that are not frequent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends says we need enough space so children aren't burdened with hotel cost to visit, my other friend says why waste money to buy and clean extra rooms for one or two annual visits. Both points make sense.

When my parents downsized, they announced that they would always pay for us to stay in a hotel. Better all around

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friends says we need enough space so children aren't burdened with hotel cost to visit, my other friend says why waste money to buy and clean extra rooms for one or two annual visits. Both points make sense.

When my parents downsized, they announced that they would always pay for us to stay in a hotel. Better all around

Yup. I'm the Above Poster. That is what we do. Don't need to/want to maintain a 4+ bedroom home for the 3-5 times per year everyone visits for 3-4 days (and as they get older they will visit less and we will go to them as there are grandkids). Much better solution for us (and I suspect for many people) from financial and just what we want to maintain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What conveniences would you want without inconveniencing your loved ones?

My vision is living in a three bedroom apartment near metro. Plenty of room for visitors, no stairs, an elevator.

I know a place where there are several widows/widowers in their 80's, who originally moved in with their spouses.

My mother always said this too. She's since changed her plan to age in place. It just seemed like she kept using her home, she has strong connections with her neighbors and decided against uprooting herself once she hit her late 60s.

She's local, so she signed up with Goodwin House at Home, which helps you age in place. It's been incredible. Any health issue, they offer at home care during the recuperation. Before accepting her, they asked for a few safety changes to be made to her home, which she did. The focus on prevention of issues (like falls) since they are providing care. They also give her a cognitive assessment annually to ensure that she can still make decisions for herself and is safe at home. She agreed to all of this up front. The peace of mind it's given me, as her child in the closest proximity, has been HUGE.

I do think it's an expensive undertaking. But it's a terrific model and I wish there were lots of options like this.

I'm wondering g How expensive and what type of care are they providing on a weekly basis?