Housing for the old comes in many forms and levels.
Let me start with the kind of place that I would not mind living in myself. They have a lot of different names but they are basically full service apartment complexes that only rent to the elderly. We had a friend of the family who ended up there in her final years. It was her choice. She did not want to be a burden to her children and refused to live with them. She was not rich by any means but with the money from selling her home and social security was able to set herself up in a nice place.
The complex had a variety of accommodations. The lower end were studio apartments and choices graduated up to two bedroom apartments with a dining room. They were all big enough to not feel cramped. A central dining room with linen tablecloths was set up with tables for four people and a combination of waiting staff and buffet tables. You could pick your meal plan or do your own cooking.
Spread throughout the buildings were reading areas with well stocked book shelves. There was plenty of parking because many people were still driving. They also had a shuttle bus that made regular runs for people who did not drive.
I believe they had a nurse on site but they were not set up for people needing extensive care. Our friend was able to live their until the end. She had a form of cancer and at one point decided to decline further treatment. It was sad to see her go.
If you look at the factors that determine what a final residence is like, she was positive in every area. She was a delightful person who planned well and retained her mental faculties until the end.
To be continued...
homo unius libri
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