As the popularity of retirement communities shows, they have some distinct advantages over traditional housing.

They offer a relatively worry-free life. Being planned with older people’s needs in mind, retirement community living tends to be more convenient, easier, more anxiety free. Often essential services are nearby or on the grounds – food store, pharmacy and bank. If not, good transportation is available. Communities tend to have excellent security systems, minimizing the fear of crime. Residents are also more protected in case of a medical emergency, even if their community does not offer health care. Many complexes have an emergency call service. Some pay for their own ambulances to ensure residents immediate attention in a medical crisis.

They help prevent loneliness. Retirement communities can substitute for the social function a job or school had earlier in life. They are places where making friends is easier. Even if a person is not interested in the activities or the courses, the pool, clubhouse, and dining room (if your contract includes meals) are easy meeting places. And since everyone is a relative newcomer, residents tend to be more open to new friendships.

This makes a retirement community a good place to consider if you are moving to a new area “cold.” If the warmth of Florida is enticing but you hesitate about migrating because you don’t have friends there and meeting new people at your age seems too hard, a retirement community may offer a warm social climate to complement the weather in starting a new life. Or if you are moving across the country to be near your children, by buying in a local retirement community you might not have to feel so fearful about burdening your son or daughter with the job of providing all your social life.

They promote a healthful life-style. Retirement communities tend to be health oriented, making them good choices if being (or becoming) physically fit is a priority in your life. Health clubs, lectures on preventive medicine, exercise classes, and outdoor activities are staples of many communities. Retirement-community dwellers tend to be physically aware and committed.

When I was visiting my friend at Green Acres, Hooked out the window at 7:00 A.M. and saw hundreds of people walking briskly around. In addition to exercise machines, classes, tennis, and the pool, the residents had organized this morning walk! I thought of the trouble I have just leaving my Chicago apartment at that hour – cold, fear of getting mugged – and how foolish I would feel if I jogged or exposed myself to the Yuppies in that exercise class at the Y (getting there is a half-hour ride on the bus). Hove the city, but it set me thinking. If I move here, I might live longer; at home the whole thrust is toward dying. It’s such an effort to do anything!

*110/159/5*

GENERAL HEALTH