Thinking about the next step
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
Rockingham, Australia
February 18, 2017 1:22am CST
Yesterday we visited a retirement village in our nearby city. At the moment we live on eighteen acres in a lovely secluded location in south-west Western Australia. We have native bush on two sides of us and can only just see our neighbours' house. Idyllic as it is, we will have problems remaining here long term. At the moment we both drive but if at some stage we become unable to drive we will need to move closer to shops and, probably, medical facilities. Reluctantly, we are starting to suss out aged care facilities that might suit us as our last home.
The village we toured is owned by a company which owns a number of similar villages in other areas. The 100 or so 'villas' have one, two or three bedrooms. There is an administration building which incorporates an undercover swimming pool and spa, a small gym, library, hair-dressing saloon, billiard-room and activity room. There is also an outdoor bowling green. A full-time gardener takes care of most of the very lovely gardens.
The units were reasonable spacious and most had quite a large garage where extra odds and ends could be stored. A number of clubs and activities are there for those who want to avail themselves of such facilities.
@DeborahDiane lives in a very comprehensive village in California and enjoys all the activities on offer very much. So it was an interesting visit but hopefully we'll be more enthusiastic when the time comes to actually move. I'll write more in another post about other aspects of living in such a place.
29 people like this
30 responses
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
18 Feb 17
You are lucky to have this kind of senior communities, here in Europe we have very few. Now they are building several senior communities here in Switzerland. It seems that politicians finally realized that the population is aging and parents do not live anymore with their children like in the 1800.
6 people like this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
18 Feb 17
It's good to prepare for the future. Hope you will find a village perfect for your needs
4 people like this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv I like living in different places but I have been living in the same place for a long time wish we have a second home some where
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
@averygirl72 It can be nice to have a change.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Feb 17
I figure when I start to get old I'll move into an apartment complex or something similar. At least I won't have to worry about maintenance, shoveling, mowing, or anything like that.
3 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv I grew up in an apartment and there were a lot of elderly people there, and not many young families. I can see why.
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
There is probably quite a lot of good things about such a move.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 17
These retirement villages do sound rather nice I must admit. Hopefully there will be many people with the same kind of interests as you and if there are not perhaps you could start up a few groups to keep everyone entertained. I know you are resourceful and enthusiastic. I think it would be a nice place to retire and you will be safer and nearer facilities.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv You are selling it to me wish I could move there! LOL Although I love the one Deborah Diane talks about. Wow what a place!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
@garymarsh6 I think Deb's would be better but perhaps a bit more expensive to get into. :)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
All the things you say are true - well, I wasn't really meaning the 'resourceful and enthusiastic' bit but thanks anyway. . There is even a place where you can park your caravan safely and if you go off touring for a period of time, your house is equally as safe. So there is a lot going for such a move.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Feb 17
Looks and sounds like a nice place.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
It even has an area to store caravans. And it is a secure place so you wouldn't need to get a house-sitter or whatever. Where we are now, if the place is left vacant for more than six weeks the insurance lapses so we need to get someone in whenever we go away for extended periods.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
@teamfreak16 It may not be the same there but if we're going to spend months away from home each year travelling maybe we should be thinking of alternatives.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv - Interesting. I don't know too much about insurance because I've never owned a home.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136446)
• India
19 Feb 17
You are indeed wise that you are aware you will not be able to handle those 18 acres and that you would need facilities close at hand. Good Luck with your search.
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv I remember you had touched on this subject in a response.The place in the photo looks nice.Take your time to think about it.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Feb 17
@jstory07 - Here in the U.S., the prices vary widely. In our community of Laguna Woods Village in Southern California, you can buy a condo for as little as $125,000 and as much as $1,250,000. No matter how expensive your condo, everyone is charged about $600 a month for the homeowners dues, which includes building maintenance, landscaping, security, and a variety of free and low-cost activities. For example, I can go horseback riding for $6 an hour. My husband can play golf for $7 for 9 holes of golf. Plays, concerts and live performance cost about $12 a ticket. Use of the facilities, such as the pool, gyms, pool tables, tennis courts, etc., are included in the Homeowner's dues. Many people living on Social Security can afford to live here, although we also have some very wealthy people, including retired movie stars and a Nobel Prize Laureate. The diversity makes it nice for everyone.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 17
@DeborahDiane This sounds very reasonable really. Maybe we'll move there after all. Do you want to warn Trump or shall I? 
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
That's something we need to look into more. You buy the unit but the land belongs to the developer. There is a monthly charge for maintenance etc but I don't know yet how that is structured or how it is monitored.
@Juliaacv (51214)
• Canada
18 Feb 17
I would think that with you both being so social, you would enjoy and embrace the activities offered should you move to such a community. And of course having someone tend to your blooms makes things a lot nicer! But what to do with Herc should you move into town.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 17
@TheHorse As we hope not to have to move for another 7 to 10 years hopefully (bad choice of word but you know what I mean) Herc will be long gone. If he is still around at 21 years old, we'll be having to spoon-feed him mash and help him up to go to the toilet. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 17
Poor soul. And your Dad must feel bereft and a bit helpless too. Some of our 'villages' also have assisted living hostels then eventually nursing home (total care) facilities all on the one site. Such a place has a lot to recommend it as it means couples are at least within visiting distance of each other should one become bed-ridden.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
18 Feb 17
Having watched my parents refuse to downsize and seeing others struggle with the concept I have learned that most people wait until it's too late to move into such facilities.
It is much easier to make the move on your own terms with lots of time to do things yourself.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Feb 17
@Morleyhunt - I have also seen people wait until it is too late to move. Some friends of ours had a very difficult struggle, because both the husband and wife had mobility problems by the time they decided to move. Other people had to help them; they really struggled to decide what to keep and what what to get rid of. It was very hard on them.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
18 Feb 17
@JudyEv exactly. My parents looked into a senior's apartment about two years before my dad had his stroke. They decided they were not yet ready. After the stroke it was just too much work for them. Then mom was ready for long term care and they were not even on a list yet....she passed away before we could even find her a spot. My dad is now in a senior's residence...he qualifies but is borderline for needing to be moved to long term care....
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 17
@msiduri That's very true, thanks, and I have started to declutter. I have some books I think are worth putting on Ebay but I need to weigh the books, estimate the postage costs, etc before listing them. Postage in Australia is complex and quite expensive now so it gets quite tricky. It is easy to decide it isn't worth the trouble and/or 'I'll do it tomorrow'.
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
20 Feb 17
@JudyEv I don't blame you.
One of the things my husband has been is selling stuff like old ham radio gear he hasn't used for a while on eBay. None of this gets him much money, but we've got more room and more closet space. None of this is with a view for eventual moving out, but for clearing out.
I just offer it as an idea if you wish to start thinking about downsizing before you move. I can't say my husband is making a fortune, and there are rules you have to follow as far as getting stuff to the post office on time and whatnot, but at least stuff and money are going in the right direction.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180768)
• United States
19 Feb 17
Yes, even though you might not need it for a number of years, seeking out such a place now is probably a good idea, because some of them actually have long waiting lists.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180768)
• United States
19 Feb 17
@JudyEv Yes, there are independent houses in a retirement community, then there are assisted living facilities which have different levels of care. However,sometimes even with houses in the retirement communities..you may have to wait awhile for one to be available.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 17
Mostly with the retirement or lifestyle villages you buy a house and they seem to come up quite often. There were 9 different units for sale in the place we went to. Nursing homes are a different matter. There is usually a waiting list for them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Feb 17
It seems there is quite a few to choose from in California.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Feb 17
you might need one with yard a little bigger, seeing as that's what you are used too.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Feb 17
@JudyEv well prob not much more, retirement is supposed to be, well retirey
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121586)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Feb 17
Thankfully, communities like this for older populations are getting better and better all the time. We should consider ourselves lucky that we both live in countries where we have such good options for our sunset years. But I think you still have many good years left in you before you have to worry about finding such a community to live out your remaining years.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121586)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Feb 17
@JudyEv I would agree with you! Maybe those people are jealous! But that's okay, let them be jealous!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Feb 17
@JudyEv - This community looks very nice. It is ideal when you have your own one-story house, rather than living in an apartment building ... although those work well for many people, too. I love the landscaping and pretty street lights. With friendly neighbors in your age group and plenty of activities, you should be able to find a fulfilling life there.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Feb 17
@JudyEv - We have some friends with exactly that arrangement at their CCRC. They have a condo, but the husband has cancer and frequently has to go into the skilled nursing facility in their community. It is only about 50 steps from the front door of their condo, so the wife can visit him regularly. It works out very well for them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 17
@DeborahDiane If you're each in a different facility you might rarely get to even visit once you have mobility problems. I think it makes a lot of sense to try to ensure you can stay in the one facility till the end of your days.
1 person likes this
@shivbebo (39)
•
19 Feb 17
It is very nice move on your behalf. In this world of selfish people, such an effort is an inspiration. Here in India majority of families live together with their elders and on the other hand many are that have become nuclear. Taking care of our elders must be out personal effort .,
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 17
Our children can't really help us and we don't want to impose on them so we need to make our own arrangements.
