Retirement Living

I guess no one wants to move one step away from a nursing home, but there comes a time in our grandparents, parents, and (shudder) our lives when difficult decisions must be made. I'm grateful a nudge became a voluntary decision by my parents to move into a retirement village (being surrounded by old people "geezers" is something they never wanted to do). In my eyes, this was wiser than being forced into a nursing home prematurely because of a broken leg or hip.

Two events conspired (possibly three) to prod this move earlier this fall. My mom fell down the stairs (one of two flights in their home of 19 years), luckily only bruising her tailbone. And my parents long time cleaning lady 'disappeared.' The third event was last year's hospitalization and my dad's long recovery at home. As both bedrooms are on the second floor, this required careful planning for my dad to minimize his stair climbing in order to be given his intravenous antibiotics twice a day (lovingly referred to as his 'egg') for over six weeks. Both my parents managed this amazingly well, and dad even recovered to the point of riding his stationary bike again.

The new one level home includes all the maintenance, appliances, your choice of carpet and wall color, utilities, huge garage, and even cleaning once a week and breakfast if you want to trek over to the dining room. They will even hang your pictures or your television on the walls. Don't like the shelving or need another outlet? Included. Boom. I don't think mom is exactly buying it when we all say, "We want to move in here!" But seriously, it's just a whole lot easier and safer. While it may not spark joy at this time, having access to all levels of care will ease future transitions and be more convenient if mom and dad's needs differ in the future.

They said they are doing it for us kids, but if they really hate it? Pat is only 4 months away from qualifying to live there, and me, a mere 2 years.