Make the Most of Your “Senior days”

I don’t feel as if I’m trying to make the “senior days” a piece of cake. Yes, there are problems that we must leave in the hands of a “higher power.” But apart from that, I want to put most of the problems of those “days” in the safety deposit box.

I know personally of friends who have sold the “big” house, took an apartment, eventually lost a spouse and lived as a stranger among strangers (younger and always moving) – you wind up with a next door neighbor who doesn’t even know your name. Heaven forbid.

There is another way. In a life-care community you are surrounded by people your own age or older; for the most part they are well-traveled, had successful careers and are interesting people as anxious for “friends” as you are. Some are couples and someday (like you) may lose a spouse and be “alone” but in reality, never “alone.”

There is another vital part you might not think of – safety and response. I had one of two heart attacks four years ago. I lifted the phone – within five minutes I had a nurse and security in the apartment and within a few minutes more, an ambulance. The system works even if you can’t talk – just lift the phone off the hook and response follows.

Suppose you can’t reach the phone or were unconscious during the night. We have a window card – red/green – odd/even date. It is a neighborhood alert. I go to mass every morning – recently I skipped a day – my card wasn’t turned. By 8:30 a.m. I had a call, “Are you OK?” That is safety.

Let’s look at beyond safety. Care is not just an ambulance and hospital. The lifetime care community has a skilled nursing section staffed by nurses and a doctor available every day. It’s there for minor illness and also for care after a hospital stay when you’re not quite ready to return to your apartment. I was there after a double hip replacement and the care was wonderful. If I were the Pope I’d make them saints.

For minor health issues, your meals can be sent in to you at your apartment. I could go on and on.

This kind of “senior living” just about erases your concern for safety and response not only today, but perhaps more importantly – for tomorrow.

Don’t go it alone – consider lifetime care – “lifetime” is your time.

Mr. Coan is a resident of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community.