The discussion about loneliness making one more likely to fall for scams made me want to mention the kind of retirement community where my mother lives. She first looked at it (and several others) more than a dozen years ago when my father died, but she wanted to remain in her home. Every other year or so we would encourage her to look at it again, which she did. Each time came up with a reason to stay--a grandchild in college nearby, a major milestone coming up, etc. At 97 she finally had the fall that led us to insist she move. She chose a place that did not require a "buy in." She pays $3200 a month for a lovely one bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking beautiful grounds. There is a small indoor swimming pool, great sidewalks for walking even with a walker, a stream with baby ducks, garden plots, physical therapy available onsite, free transportation in a 5 mile radius, 3 meals a day (in dining room or delivered), cleaning service, various activities like her book club, and emergency call buttons. The food is good. There's a wide age range with many people first living in townhomes. It took a year for my mother to no longer wish she still lived in her home. She is now very happy to have dinner companions when she wants, to always have someone to "fix" anything (incluing resetting an iPad), to have a beautiful view with no need to supervise lawn care, etc. The funniest thing of all is that I learned my mother likes to play pool! Apparently when she was an occupational therapist she played pool with WWII veterans as part of their rehab.
My mother's experience has made me determined to find a senior living community I like long before I need it. I know it's the nicest thing I can do for my daughter.
