Before the rainstorm slammed in, a long-overdue raking, mowing, and clipping in the backyard produced temporary aesthetic conditions. Today, the new carpet of leaves and pine needles seems to say, “The winter season’s just begun, son.”
Taunts like this kindle thoughts of Kensington Place in Walnut Creek where weekly meetings of a memoir-writing group provide exposure to the amenities of housekeeping services, meal preparation, social activities, and health care resources. None of the residents of this assisted living facility are raking or mowing.
They appear to be enjoying “life satisfaction and late life happiness.” That’s a term developed by the International Longevity Center-USA. It has just released results of a study with the conclusion, and make sure you’re seated for this, “advance planning for a thoughtful transition” is the key to that satisfaction and happiness.
“As older people decide they can no longer manage a home with all of its requirements and demands, independent senior living is an important and often highly desirable setting, even though they might prefer staying at home,” said Dr. Robert Butler, president and CEO of the center. Caregivers may be hard to find, and chores may be daunting, so “this is clearly a venue worth considering,” he added.
A panel of experts, including physicians, geriatric and gerontological specialists, public health scholars, nurses, social workers, and senior living officials, studied the topic and developed a report called “Transitions to Independent Living Communities: Life Satisfaction and Late Life Happiness.” Atria Senior Living Group, Inc. provided a grant for the report. I could have saved them the time and expense if they’d asked me after my backyard chores.
Turns out there’s a negative aspect to the transition, mainly because of the stigma associated with nursing homes and a fear of lack of control when people age. To offset this, “senior living communities can promote true independence and a chance for personal growth,” the report said.
Comments