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Retirement

Bill Ward

2003-07-01 13:54:00

: My wife and I are retired. In our travels, we have visited several 'retirement communities' in Arizona and Florida. When we visit 'retirement communities' here in Kansas, they seem different than the others. What exactly is a "retirement unity?”

Bill Ward Question: My wife and I are retired. In our travels, we have visited several 'retirement communities' in Arizona and Florida. When we visit 'retirement communities' here in Kansas, they seem different than the others. What exactly is a "retirement unity?”Answer: You've rightly observed that in areas of the country where retirees, especially younger retirees tend to make their post-work home, a retirement community may look different than in Kansas. You'll be pleased to know that this is changing for the better in the Sunflower State. First, retirement community is a broad term that has come to mean "retirement housing." It is most often associated with a senior-oriented community providing apartments, duplexes, homes and other options for those who continue to live independently or with a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which offers the full range of living options from independent through total care. About the only type of living accommodations the term doesn't apply to is those that only provide total care (most commonly known as skilled nursing care, health care or nursing home). As the available options continue to grow and change, the use of the term retirement community also continues to evolve.More and more, retirement housing providers are listening to what their future residents want. This is being driven largely by the first of the baby boomers reaching age 50. Since changes don't happen overnight, the industry as a whole is taking a serious look at what retirement living opportunities it will need to offer when this group is seeking independent retirement living and health care. In general, people over 50 account for 72% of RV trips, 70% of bus trips and 70% of cruise passengers. It is a lively group.Arizona and Florida draw retirees from all over the country for many reasons, including their progressive approach to retirement living. You've probably observed that many residents in these communities are "younger" and haven't slowed down much, if at all. The baby boomers anticipate a longer, more active life. For those who are looking forward to retirement, there are high expectations of the senior housing industry.At present, persons over 65 are 13.7% of Kansas' population. This is projected to grow to more than 19% by the year 2025. The average age of retirement community residents today is near 80. This is in part due to the independent spirit of the people of Kansas who wish to stay in their own homes as long as possible. It is also affected by the rural expanses where services are fewer and farther between. The group who sees the advantage of gaining more freedom by moving into a retirement community tend to be younger on average and make up a smaller part of the total population who have chosen retirement community living. You may have noticed, especially in and around larger cities such as Wichita and Kansas City, a greater array of housing choices. In most instances, they are developed with the realities of aging in mind to assure residents that as their physical needs change, there will be a place for them in the community. While the baby boomers think they won't have health problems (84%), the reality is that 25% of them will experience heart disease and 20% are likely to experience a chronic disability. However, the instances of chronic disabilities decreased significantly in the past 17 years from 25% to 20%. This is good news, and while a chronic disability may slow someone down, it doesn't mean the person will retire from life.If you are seeking a retirement community that offers you all the freedom you want with a hedge against what the future may bring, you're probably looking for a CCRC. They can be found in a variety of arrangements and prices. If you want to take tomorrow "as it comes," there are communities of apartments, duplexes or town homes for retirees, where you know everything is taken care of if you decide to pack up and go see the country for a month. People are living longer, healthier lives and it is a challenge to the retirement housing industry in Kansas to continue to grow and change to meet the demands of tomorrow's retirees. As you investigate retirement living options in our state, you'll find your choices are greater (some even rival the kinds of communities you see in Arizona and Florida), and that the future holds more growth for this type of community.

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Retirement

Bill Ward

2003-05-01 14:10:00

:  Our mother does not yet need any help to perform any of the "activities of daily living" (i.e. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, ambulation or continence). We feel however that she needs things like companionship and someone to watch her to be sure she is okay. How do we know when assisted living would be the answer? Do we have to wait until some illness, affliction or injury occurs?

Bill Ward Question:  Our mother does not yet need any help to perform any of the "activities of daily living" (i.e. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, ambulation or continence). We feel however that she needs things like companionship and someone to watch her to be sure she is okay. How do we know when assisted living would be the answer? Do we have to wait until some illness, affliction or injury occurs?Answer:  It is best to be planning and discussing a move into assisted living before a crisis occurs. Assisted living is for people who need assistance whether on an occasional or daily basis. Several levels of care are available based on an initial and subsequent assessments of the resident to determine the appropriate level of assistance. However, in your mother's case, assisted living may not be the right answer at this time.      To preserve her independence, provide help nearby if she needs it, and provide opportunities for companionship and social interaction, what you may want to look for is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). This would allow your mother to have an independent living apartment, duplex or cottage with the availability of a greater degree of services or higher levels of care as the need may arise. She could enjoy the companionship of other residents and have the choice of eating in the dining room whenever she desired. Many CCRCs include one meal a day in the monthly fees. The difficulty of this choice is that often parents don't want to leave their home where so many memories have been created. On the upside, your mother would not have to worry about home maintenance or even housekeeping tasks, depending on the particular community and arrangements that are made when she moves in.     She will gain more time to pursue hobbies, flexibility if she likes to travel or wants to spend a period of time with family members who are some distance away, opportunities to make new friends and get involved with various activities. You will have greater peace of mind knowing that help is just a call button away and that people are around who will notice if something seems amiss.     Her living space options will be largely dependent upon budget considerations. Some communities offer a monthly rental option in addition to deposit plans that allow for lower monthly fees.Knowing what the options are in your area or your mother's location will help you discuss with her what's available. There are many positive changes that come with retirement community living and usually there are a number of communities from which to choose. Often, the best choices have a waiting list, so it's prudent to make a selection and take the steps necessary to be on the list. In this way, you will have a plan in place in the event the move becomes a necessity rather than an option. As with any decision of this nature, you and your mother should tour available retirement living communities and see which one(s) "fit her lifestyle and budget. Once a decision is made on where she would like to live, complete the required paperwork, make the deposit (if any), and get an estimated timeline on when she would move in.     Depending on the size of the residence she chooses, there may be a need for distributing items to family members or having a moving sale to reduce the amount of furnishings, collections and memorabilia that needs to be stored. Many CCRCs have move-in counselors or coordinators who can assist in this process from suggesting moving companies through explaining services to help facilitate a move. It is much easier to deal with this facet of a move when your mother can be an active participant and direct what is happening.     Perhaps the most difficult task you face is introducing your ideas and concerns to your mother. As adult children we often find it hard to talk with our parents about moving out of a long-time home. Keep in mind that the old images we often harbor of "nursing homes" are fast becoming a thing of the past. You'll find that choices your mother will have are varied, affordable, and very "livable." The best choice will provide a winning situation for all of you.

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Retirement

Dr Alan Campbell

2003-01-01 12:01:00

Dr. Alan Campbell Question:  I'm scared to death.  I've just announced my retirement-although I've been planning it for two years.  Everything's set - that is, everything but me!  All of a sudden I don't know what I'm going to do.  My business was my whole identity.  I know this is nothing new- but I need some help!

ANSWER:  First of all, let me assure you that it is very common to have concerns about retirement. What's new is the fact that it is happening to you -  which is why you are feeling uncomfortable about the transition.I suggest you take the word "retirement" and replace it with new and improved wording -  "option to work".  You are moving into an advantageous time. You have the choice of continuing to work in the business that is obviously important to you or you have the option of spending your time in the pursuit of other life goals and activities.  This is not an either/or situation.  You can work less in your business and slowly transition away from it or you can walk out on your final day at the office and never return.  However, with what little I know of your situation, I would say that you are going to have great difficulty just walking away from this business that you call your identity.    In order to move on to something else, you will need to develop a plan that allows you to work toward your next set of goals and accomplishments.  Unless the most significant activity you want to accomplish is watching daytime TV, I would suggest you sit down and map out the next few months in terms of what you want to get accomplished.  Think through what this next phase of your life will be.  In many ways, you are in a truly exciting and enviable position. You have the opportunity (the time) to recreate yourself if you choose.  Do not walk away from your identity until you have a good plan for this next phase of your life.  And by the way, enjoy!