New twist to Assisted Living: Your thoughts?
Just read this article this morning. It sounds promising, especially the rental: 30% of an individual's income.
A lot of the features of AL are shared, but other than maintenance, it doesn't appear that there are employees such as would be found in AL. Apparently the residents would have to be somewhat more self sufficient and "able bodied."
A much smaller unit could create more bonding, but it could also create more friction as residents interact more closely than in a larger facility where people can liberally be anonymous.
And, there would be only one gender, which could be better or worse, depending on the type of friendly interaction the residents want.
There would also still have to be a corporate or similar entity to fund the construction and handle the maintenance, so it wouldn't entirely be a Golden Girls situation.
I see both benefits and drawbacks; I'm interested in what others feel. Good idea? Doomed to failure? How could the concept be improved?
One thing I would definitely want to see is a garden, wheelchair accommodated, of course. I think residents could become much closer with common goals, and producing one's food and flowers can do that.
Costs might be saved on transit, especially for wheelchair bound people. The management could negotiate with local assisted transport as a sole source contractor, which would also provide one specific company as opposed to public transit (which isn't always available in some communities), and gambling on finding a good transportation service.
(I just experienced that when an ambulance non-EMS service forgot about the commitment.)
I would also think that local Girl and Boy Scout troops as well as Senior Centers might work together to provide more community support.
Please share your thoughts; I'm really interested on others' opinions on this concept. I can a lot of work, but I can also see a lot of benefits, for aging individuals as well as communities.
And thanks for contributing.
The home noted was around 3000 sq ft with 3 residents and there are already issues and they have not lived together very long and there was a buy in.
The average 65+ has very little saved, an average of $162K. Most average $1,200 in SS and some have a small pension, or some investment income.
I actually have thought of buying a mobile home park and setting up a similar program, small park in Florida, no more than 100 homes. May still do it.
Could be great or could be disastrous. I love the huge reduction in price! That opens the door to many and gives a wonderful alternative to a nursing home, living independently or living with children.
When I was in my 20s I rented a small house in an older section of town. My landlady (87 when I moved in) lived next door in the house she raised her children in and the lady across the street was 93 and had lived in her house over 60 years too. Mobility and vision issues basically isolated these ladies in their homes, yet neither was interested in moving to a senior apartment or attending senior center programs. My landlady did have visits from her daughters and the lady across the street had a hired helper but they were still alone most of the time. I thought it was very sad to be so alone when they didn't have to be.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/real-life-golden-girls-how-millennial-co-living-plans-could-ease-americas-aging-crisis/ar-BBXk5WX?ocid=spartanntp#image=BBXk3yV|3