It was cold, dreary and a bit icy in Baltimore this weekend. Normally we would have cleared our sidewalk immediately and I would have headed to the Giant for my weekly grocery run. Not this weekend, however.  On Saturday, I got a taste of what it might be like if I weren’t able to do everything I was used to doing for myself.

Because I’d accidently dropped a pointy metal object on the top of my foot Friday night, I woke up early Saturday to a throbbing pain.  My concern that I’d broken a bone dissipated by the end of the day, but that didn’t make it any easier in the morning. With my husband away on a business trip, and the kids away at college, I watched with guilt as my neighbors clear away the ice from their sidewalks and I knew I had an obligation to do the same.  Unfortunately, with a bad back and swollen foot, I didn’t want to take my chances outside on the slippery mess - so I stayed put and prayed no one would get hurt in front of my house.

It’s episodes like this that make me wonder about how life will be when I’m much older and perhaps unable to take care of daily chores or activities. When I first started working at an area retirement community, I thought the ‘continuing care retirement community‘ concept seemed like a good one, but that it wouldn’t be for me. I didn’t think I’d like the ‘closeness’ of the community — everyone lives close together and seems to know each others’ business.  As I’ve gotten older however, I can definitely see the beauty of this ‘closeness.’  There are always people there to assist residents with tasks as simple as carrying groceries, to more strenuous activities like shoveling snow. It was staff that kept walkways clear when it snowed inches or feet. It was staff that delivered meals in icy conditions. And it was staff that went to the apartments when residents fell or became ill. Residents kept one another company and generally ignored weather conditions outside.

Over time, I think there are things we ‘re all willing to give up in order to enjoy the life we have as much as possible.  I can now imagine that one day I’ll abandon some of my desire for privacy in exchange for having the support around to keep me and my fellow neighbors safe.  Retirement communities can provide that peace of mind to seniors and their families. I’m now more of a believer than ever before.

Engage the services of Top-Drawer Resources to further discuss how a retirement community might be right for you.  For more information on our consulting services click here or contact us directly.

Copyright 2012. Top-Drawer Resources, LLC