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Toby Laping Associates www.WNYCareManager.com
Eldercare News |
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You Need To Know . . . Apartment Living by Toby F. Laping, Ph.D., C.S.W. Some time ago, I reluctantly agreed to my husband’s wishes and we moved from the house I loved into an apartment. I found the move difficult and even painful; my husband, however, loved our new home from the moment we moved in. I took much more time to settle in. I missed the yard, the space, the unique rooms, and anything else about our old house that I could name. At this point, several years later, I must admit that it was a good move. Husband was right and I was wrong. What a pleasure to go out and not worry about security issues. How nice to know that the sidewalks will be shoveled and the grass will be cut. It’s so handy to have someone around who can accept packages when we’re not home. And, there really is enough room for our things. If there isn’t, that means we have too much! I often see clients who reject out of hand the idea of moving into an apartment. Sometimes they’re absolutely right; apartment living wouldn’t work for them. Other times, I wish they would allow themselves the luxury of looking objectively at the idea of such a move. Moving into an apartment is not the first step toward a nursing home although I know that’s often what people think. Actually, it’s quite the contrary and can be thought of as preventive medicine. The simpler life of apartment living can be helpful at delaying the need for institutional care. My husband and I moved into a plain apartment rather than one with services often referred to as “enriched” such as housecleaning, meal service, a club house for parties, and etc. What we did was right for us, but “enriched housing” is better for others. I’ve been amused by people who tell me they hate cooking, but quickly add that they wouldn’t think of moving someplace where one or more meals are provided. Perhaps they think of such places as regulated housing where they need to go to the dining room even if they don’t want to, or where they must let someone know if they’re going to be out. Some places do have such rules for various reasons, but many don’t. I find that people often reject these units without knowing enough about them. People often tell me that they don’t want to lose their independence, and that’s why they wouldn’t move into an apartment, senior enriched housing or otherwise. People often tell me that they don’t want to lose their independence, and that’s why they wouldn’t move into an apartment, senior enriched housing or otherwise. I don’t think they realize how off-base their thinking is. With all of the senior enriched housing complexes that have opened in this area recently, there’s a great deal of competition and there are plenty of available units. If a move into enriched housing is a possibility, it makes sense to take a look now, while there are units available and people eager to talk with potential renters. But before you look, look honestly at yourself, your present situation, and what the future likely holds in store for you. Then, go with an open mind. |