Have You Considered a 55+ Community ?

Kitty is 15 years my senior and her split-level home in the Valley and is at risk for falls.

Who is Kitty? Kitty is one of those people who came into my life in a way that frequently happens, but has no name for it. She was a friend of a friend. Now, normally, one can just leave it at that. But sometimes when one meets a friend of a friend, there are different things that can happen with the acquaintanceship.

* You can remain acquaintances,
* You can develop a friendship,
* You can tell your mutual friend that you don't want to be around his/__/their/her friend,
* You can make sure you are never in this acquaintance's company.

Sometimes your decision might be based on what later happens to the original friend you had in common...

* That friend might cease being your friend,
* That friend might case being the acquaintance's friend,
* That friend might cease being a friend to both of you,
* That friend might die

In the case of Kitty and me, our mutual friend died. And I've known Kitty 38 or 39 years, so...

Kitty worked for many years as a counselor who tested children for psycho-social behaviors and/or academic and cognitive abilities. Too bad she didn't have the skill set when she was courting her first/ex- husband. But that's a story for another day.

She didn't seem to know what the difference was between a 55+ community and assisted living. I told her that the former was some sort of housing (apartments, duplexes, attached or detached homes, trailers, etc.) that rent or lease to persons of a certain age. They often have age restrictions on those who cohabitate with the renter or lessee. I explained to her that the 55+ community is probably the highest level of independent living. The resident is responsible for feeding, clothing, toileting, and pretty much all aspects of self-care. Assisted living offers a room or rooms similar to an apartment. It may come furnished or unfurnished. It often has housekeeping service and prepares meals. Depending on one's needs, they can also assist folks with their medication administration.

There are times when I think of that kind of a life for me. My bungalow home is 103 years old. It has certain charms that looked cute and attractive when I bought it back when I was 42 years old. But narrow door frames are not good for bringing in appliances or moving about if you use a wheelchair or a rollator. Wiring is old and the phone company doesn't want to service its landlines anymore.

My life is much simpler than Kitty's. I have no pets. I have no children. I have no significant other. I don't need to execute the Democratic Process whenever I want to do something, or buy something, or change something, or release something. I can eat the same thing for lunch for the rest of my life without hearing comment or commentary. I can drive my 5-speed Italian car without having to justify my choice to keep it.

I have really gone off topic, haven't I?

Well, there really isn't too much else to say. Kitty can continue to live in a beautiful home that is unsafe to live it (even opt to live on the ground floor full time), or she can move to a single level home, or she can do whatever the heck she wants.