Alone with no family at all...can anyone relate?

[spectratg]

I live in a 55 plus community. My home is a very nice apartment in a big hi-rise right next to a beautiful golf course. There is no assisted living; if people need help they hire their helpers on their own. It's called "independent living" and sounds like what you need. It's just the same as living in a regular house or apartment anywhere, except that you have to be 55 or older to live there.

I live in a cottage at a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). There are 3 levels available--independent living (cottages and apartments), assisted living, and healthcare (nursing home). I'm 80 (widower) and have been here for 5 years. It's comforting to know that the other levels of care are available if and when I may need them. I have been in healthcare twice for short periods of time--double pneumonia recovery last year and back surgery recovery this year.

My CCRC is 63 plus. Many people (widows and couples) move here when they are already in their late 70s and early 80s. Spacious grounds for walking with my dog. We are essentially at 100% capacity thanks to a lot of new people moving in during the last two years. I think that CCRCs will become increasingly common as the population ages.

 

[OldOld]

explain to me the advantages of living in 55 plus community, other than there is no noisy young adult neighbors.

 

[Atory]

explain to me the advantages of living in 55 plus community, other than there is no noisy young adult neighbors.

I'm thinking that maybe one advantage might be you could share life with other people in your age range
These individuals understand what it's like to be a senior, and can relate to you and you to them.
You also hopefully we'll have an advantage of making good friendships with people in your age range who can check on you from time to time.
As we get older medical conditions arise, things happen, and we need people around us who can help us, and allow us to have a sense of safety.

 

[Babs2u]

explain to me the advantages of living in 55 plus community, other than there is no noisy young adult neighbors.

Not only are there no noisy young people but I think it would free up the older ones who might otherwise have to care for them.

 

[Atory]

I can relate. I am single, never married, one phone friend

Do you get out to go to any activities during the week.
Do you have any friends. Do you attend a church or have a support group?

 

[Atory]

me

So do you attend any activities in the community. Do you have a church you attend or support group?

 

[MarciKS]

Except for time spent at work I am alone 95% of the time. I rarely if ever get phone calls from anyone. Especially aquaintances. I never get company or mail from anyone other than junk mail and bills.

I have one gal that calls and checks on me if she hasn't heard from me in like 6 months. When I pass she'll be in for a shock. LOL

 

[OldOld]

I'm thinking that maybe one advantage might be you could share life with other people in your age range
These individuals understand what it's like to be a senior, and can relate to you and you to them.
You also hopefully we'll have an advantage of making good friendships with people in your age range who can check on you from time to time.
As we get older medical conditions arise, things happen, and we need people around us who can help us, and allow us to have a sense of safety.

In my current none 55+ neighborhood, there are already quite a few 55+ neighbors. But due to my own problem (loner and socially awkward personality), I have not been able to establish any connection with my neighbors. I would think if someone is capable of making connection with neighbors, there won't be a problem in a none 55+ community.

 

[AutumnGal]

The 55+ apartment bldgs to my knowledge have many activities they host. This imo makes it easier to meet others. I don't live at one but would like to and have heard about some. I've been in the place I'm in (non 55) probably 10+ years and have met few people due to different life events. I know a few but no one too closely. Right now I'm starting to get out a little more and meeting a few more at least to talk to in passing. I though would enjoy it if I had been able to in the past years just go to an activity but our complex doesn't do such things. 55+ do from what I understand.

Also I think they often have shuttles to other activities and places, probably depending on the place you choose and price.

I don't mind the kids where I am for the most part, I like seeing them playing, talk to them, etc. BUT our fire alarm gets constantly pulled (kids we are pretty certain), I see them unsupervised in hallways at a pretty young age at times (and worry about their safety then) and so on.

I do think there'd be more than a few benefits to a 55+ complex. It is NOT health related, they are simply apartment complexes that have an age minimum.