For some, that’s an easy question. “I’ll be with the grandkids!” they say. Okay, that means staying in town. But for others, it’s not so easy. There could be strained relationship in the family, or another reason to avoid getting together.

Either way, it’s good to weigh the pros and cons of retiring with or near the family or retiring in a Retirement Center (or Independent Living Center).

Retiring Close to the Family

Pros:

• You get to be near the grandchildren
• The surroundings are familiar
• There is safety in being with others
• It is usually is cheaper (pooled resources with family, etc)

Cons:

• No exercise facility, golf club, or other fine amenities
• You’re still responsible for the upkeep of your home, or wherever you’re living
• There’s sometimes an increased feeling of “getting in the way” of your family, who is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For many, this is a stressful, disappointing situation
• Boredom. Now that you’re retired, you have lots of time on your hands. But your family is still going, going, and going. This can leave you, the retiree, feeling a little lonely and alot BORED!

Pros

• There are often really sweet facilities that are made for you and others who are your age.
• The general upkeep and housework are often done by staff who live there.
• There will be immediate, built in community with other seniors (new friends!)
• It would give you a chance to have a totally fresh start instead of a slow finish.
• There will likely a be a medical staff on call to help you with anything, just in case you need them.

Cons

• Costs will likely be higher
• Some seniors dislike change. There will be lots of change here.
• Nobody enjoys packing up and moving out of their house.
• Some seniors end up hating the retired lifestyle, the endless meals in restaurants, and the general wide open days. If there are no relationships with others in the area, this can be a pretty un-fulfilling lifestyle.

So, is it better to retire with the family or in a retirement community? In all likelihood, the determining factor will be how close the family is. If you love being close to the family, no golf course is going to be able to take the place of that. But if there is a way to still see the family on a regular basis, a retirement community, with all the comfort and advantages they offer, may be just the thing to put a smile on your face.

Recreational Vehicle (RV) communities
Free from work and family responsibilities, some retirees get an itch to travel and decide to downsize at he same time. Many retired couples decide to sell their current home, and hit the road in a RV, letting them travel in comfort and convenience. Many make these RV’s their home, charting new courses during the spring, fall, and summer, and flying south for the winter to settle into one of the many Seniors-only RV communities.

Many seniors-only RV communities are working to appeal to a higher income bracket of world traveling retirees, and create beautifully landscaped community with upscale amenities including fitness centers, swimming pools, and close proximity to a golf course. For those seniors with the traveling itch who have rejected the idea of being tied down to one specific retirement community these upscale, seniors-only RV communities hold a tremendous appeal.

Seniors only mobile home communities
Other seniors wishing to downsize and settle down long term in a more welcoming climate and quieter community often choose a seniors-only mobile home community.

These over-55 communities often have strict rules to ensure their residents peace, quiet, and security. In many of these closed communities, children are not allowed, or visits are restricted to daytime hours, so check with the individual community if no overnights at grandma’s will be a deal breaker. Also, many of these communities have a no pet policy, so read the fine print or you might have to find a new home for Fido. Parties may also be out for those seniors who like to gather a crowd. However, some of these communities are set up with special areas or buildings for larger gatherings, and some have more family and pet friendly grounds and rules.

Choosing an RV or mobile home community
Determine what your needs and preferences are. Are you wanting to be mobile? Or just wanting to down size and find a quiet community to call home?

Cost is obviously a major determiner for many seniors who are living on pension or social security, so the kind of RV that is affordable may also determine the RV communities you might spend most of your time in, and is dependent on the amenitites each community offers. An on-line listing of seniors-only RV communities and the amenities they offer can be found athttp://www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com/rvretirementparks.html.

Often single seniors opt to find a quiet mobile home community where they can develop friendships with other seniors. Some places prefer residents to have their own mobile home and rent the space, others have mobile homes for sale. The cost of moving a mobile home must be taken into consideration since it can get quite expensive. Some communities require an homeowner or membership fee which usually includes yard care, snowplowing (if applicable), water supply, waste disposal, access to the swimming pool, tennis court, golfing, or other amenities. Be sure to find out if these membership fees are refundable if you decide to leave, and whether or not a rental contract is required for a set time period.

Location
Where the RV or mobile home community is located is a huge decision maker for many seniors. Are you looking for a certain climate? Do you want to be close to family? Do you prefer to have easy access to shopping or to have a scenic view outside of town? Making a list of what is most important to you will help you determine which community will suit you the best.

Recommended communities
Seniors-only RV and mobile home communities generally try to set themselves apart from typical RV and mobile home communities, but finding a highly recommended site or community is advised. Seniors weigh in on their favorite or least preferred communities on this site: http://www.seniormobiles.com/index.php.

Some seniors look forward to the new sense of freedom retirement brings, others find the transition from home to mobile or community living difficult at first, but rewarding and satisfying in the end. Keeping in touch with friends, family, and former co-workers can ease this transition. Choosing a familiar city or visiting the new home and getting to know some community members several times before making your final decision will also help. Bringing those cherished keepsakes, pictures, and family heirlooms will also help make your new place more like home.

One advertisement was especially polarizing. The commercial, which aired nationally, showed an ambulance driving with sirens blaring. The driver was obviously trying to get to the hospital as soon as possible, but every time he tried to turn, a car cut him off. Every avenue was blocked. The voiceover explained that America desperately needs the health care reform being discussed in Congress, but there were people stopping it. And those obstructionists were making the patients die.

The discussion angered many seniors including, not surprisingly, Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, who urged American seniors to cut up their AARP member cards and send the broken pieces back to the group.

Fortunately, there is choice on every corner in America. There are more choices in America besides the AARP. Most notably, the American Seniors Association (ASA) is specifically geared toward elderly citizens, and the 60 Plus Association is a politically active group for conservative seniors age sixty and over. Both groups bill themselves as alternatives to the giant AARP, which is far larger and more influential.

Recently, the Chairman of the 60 Plus Association, Jim Martin, testified before the GOP Doctors Caucus that the AARP was bias toward President Obama’s health care plan because it would favor their own business practices. Martin said “The AARP makes millions of dollars every year in royalties from selling insurance. They have a vested interest in this reform, but that interest is in their bottom line, not in the best interest of the seniors they supposedly represent.” (quote from www.60plus.org)

Whatever your political leaning, there is a place for you to add your voice to the discussion. While they may not be politically neutral, the AARP is still going strong for anyone over 50. Their website www.aarp.com is a comprehensive resource center for news, information, and services for seniors. On the other side of the aisle, you can find news, information and services at www.60plus.org and www.americanseniors.org.

If you can’t afford a nanny camera, you can show up unannounced to visit your parent and look around the room for dirty clothes, see if the bed is fixed, check the soap in the shower and depends to make sure they are being used up. Keep the assisted living facility in check. You purchased a care package and they must provide it, no excuses.

Make Sure Your Parents Needs are Met

If you are hiring a care taker for the trip remember to stay at places that are handicap accessible to make it easier for your parent. If you are booking a room at an assisted living facility be sure that they know your parent’s needs.

Have a good and safe vacation!

Moving is a dramatic change for an elderly person, especially one with Alzheimer’s disease. A move from home to a nursing home may be the best option but look into getting care at home. Moving can confuse and depress an elderly person. If your mother or father is able to, let him or her be a part of the decision.

When an elderly person is familiar with a facility or the staff at one assisted living or nursing home it’s usually best to keep him there. An elderly person is more likely to willingly receive care and feel comfortable with care attendants and nurses that he or she knows as opposed to a stranger. Also when elderly people are familiar with a facility, such as knowing where the dining room, medicine, activities, and their apartment is, they are usually emotionally stable longer than if they are moved from facility to facility and getting disoriented and confused.

However, when you see your loved one needing more care than what the facility gives, you need to act quickly. There are nurses that come to where your parent is and give care to him. Some facilities have care packages that start at minimal care (such as reminders to come to meals and take medicine) and maximum care packages (such as bathing, transferring from bed to wheelchair and feeding). If the facility that your loved one is does not offer more care and getting a nurse to come and care for him or her is not an option you should not leave him or her there, moving would be a must in that situation.


If your parents are at a facility and you are not happy with the care that they are receiving, talk to the management about your complaints. They may not be aware that your parent is being neglected. Also talk with the care staff and let them know that you care about your parents and want the best care for them. Politely tell the care staff your complaints (i.e. moms hair needs to be brushed, I noticed dad lost his dentures). Visit your parents often. Keep the care staff accountable by making visits at different times of the day or maybe spend a night there if possible. If the quality of care still does not improve make a complaint to DADS (Department of Aging and Disabilities Services) and move your parents to a more quality facility.

Most importantly make sure your parent is taken good care of and is happy.

With electric prices on the rise choosing Lite-Up Texas is not a bad idea for you or your loved one. Stay cool and have an affordable summer!