On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:56:48 -0500, "Steve Freides" >
wrote:

> It's been interesting for me and my wife to watch her parents - they
> moved into Ann's Choice, a retirement community, in around 2005, I
> think, when they were both in their mid-80's. It was a tough decision
> for them, but watching them as they've aged, it was a good one. The
> place reminds both me and my wife of things like summer camp or a cruise
> ship. They have their own apartment, complete with a fully functional
> kitchen, but they pay to eat one meal per day, usually dinner, at one of
> several community dining rooms. It's a big place, a couple of thousand
> residents, I think, and thus they have several choices of where to eat,
> e.g., they often take us when we're there to the cafeteria style place
> where we can get pretty much what we want, e.g., they'll make a sandwich
> to order from whatever they're serving that day. The place they usually
> go to is sit-down with waiter service and several choices of entree,
> sides, dessert, beverage, etc., every time.
>
> The place also has a nursing home and that was where my wife's father
> spent a few months during his last year - it's got an assisted living
> portion and a portion that's closer in feel to a hospital.
>
> My wife's parents became very friendly with their across-the-hall
> neighbors and they do things like shop for each other. One could do a
> lot worse than a place like this when you get to the age where things
> like driving and even walking are difficult. You have quite a good
> measure of independence but you're not alone.

Cruise ship is right! That's the kind of place my ex-neighbor moved
into. I used to think I'd never do it; but now that I see the
independence you have in that type of living situation, I'm warming up
to the idea. Mid 80's sounds like the right age to move into one too.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.