Trust me on this one.
I’m talking to you out there. You, who drive past retirement communities all the time, smile at the nice landscaping and big front sign, and think to yourself, “I might need that someday, but not yet.”
I hate that phrase. “I don’t need it yet.” What don’t you need? Someone to mow the lawn or shovel snow while you enjoy your coffee, your book, your card game? How about someone to sweep, mop and scrub while you go out with friends? I’m barely over 30, and I don’t need that stuff either, but it sounds pretty darn good to me! Top-notch fitness equipment and a heated pool at my disposal? Yes please. Heated underground parking garage? Washer and dryer that isn’t at the bottom of the stairs? Or better yet, someone doing laundry for me? Sign me up. I talk myself into our community every time I show visitors around.
The “yet” is what really gets me. You don’t need it – yet. So tell me this, and I mean it as an honest question: What are you waiting for? How will you know when it’s time?
I’ll tell you what most people are waiting for. They’re waiting for something bad to happen. They’re waiting for their kids to take their car keys away. They’re waiting to fall down the stairs. They’re waiting, essentially, until the choice is taken from them.
Here’s my next question: Why would you do that to yourself?
This is what makes me want to pull my hair out (and I’m famous for my hair). No, you might not ‘need’ everything a community has to offer. But doesn’t it sound kind of awesome? Don’t you want to enjoy all that stuff when you’re active and energetic, when you’re not recovering from some traumatic injury, when it’s your choice?
And then there’s the issue of waiting lists. A lot of people don’t realize that many communities – especially the good ones – have them. You might have to wait six months to a year before there’s even an opening for you. And if you wait until that bad thing happens, until you ‘need’ to make the move, chances are you can’t wait that long. So you’re suddenly stressing out about finding a decent place, that you can afford, that has an opening right now. Think it won’t happen to you? It breaks my heart to tell you that I see it all the time.
I’m not trying to scare you. Ok, maybe I am a little bit. Mostly, I’m trying to get you to see why you don’t want to wait. Why you want to move before you have to move. Why living in a community isn’t a punishment or the end of the road, but an incredible new chapter of leisure, friendship and fun. It’s like living in a college dorm, where all your friends are just down the hall. Except you don’t have to sneak your booze in the door–just come to the wine social, and we fill ‘er up as many times as you like. On the house, of course. Because we’re all-inclusive like that.
Meghan Adam is Marketing Manager for Melrose Meadows, an award-winning all-inclusive retirement community in Iowa City. She loves helping people navigate the often-unknown waters of senior living.
Call 319-341-7893 or email her at madam@melrosemeadows.com to get more information, schedule a tour, or simply get pointed in the right direction.