I couldn’t agree more with the different perspective presented in a recent letter from Clayton Rich. He proposed that the relatives of aging people should take an active interest in their well-being, rather than simply giving them a pep talk and shunting them off to one of the vibrant communities advertised in the Daily Journal.
Perhaps also instead of suggesting such a residency, one of the most important questions to consider is whether the person(s) involved can even afford to be one of the often the smiling faces enjoying the accolades of a supposedly happy retirement. Even if they can afford it, will they really fit in? Will the gourmet food agree with them? What happens if there’s a medical emergency? And oh, yeah, why isn’t there a long list of those waiting to get in? And while we’re at it, perhaps it’s time for the people who are clamoring to built a granny unit to ask if it’s intended for a relative or other senior who really needs it, or if it’s another way to make a buck.
(1) comment
Mary - what a hilarious assessment of the money-squandering retirement warehouses that are being advertised. When I see these laughing actors proclaiming that they have finally arrived, I was thinking exactly about what you observed. Who would want to be served gourmet meals and participate in silly exercises at our age? My Mom lived in one of those although not quite as luxurious. She found living among the elderly very depressing as they all want to talk about their grandchildren that never visit them and having to listen to the daily update on geriatric health issues of others. We have chosen to remain living in our vibrant neighborhood with young families and in a house that our children and grandchildren still call home. And, thanks to the provisions of Prop 13 that we are not taxed out of our home of 50 years.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.