One of the most important aspects of why folks choose a lifeplan community is the environment. By that, I am not referring to the air quality or the paint color. It’s the “feeling” that they have when they come to campus and the sustained sense of inclusion and acceptance once they have moved here. Those of you who already live on campus are one of bedrock reasons decisions are made to live at Beatitudes Campus and you are additionally the cornerstone of continuing satisfaction and engagement.
I recently became aware of an NPR story about the influx of people who are choosing to retire in some of the highest growth areas of the country (Maricopa is the fastest-growth county in the nation, according to the U.S. Census data) and just this morning I heard that 200 people a day move here. The piece discussed several new senior living sites but also noted that continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, or life plan communities) are still one of the strongest choices of all.
Beyond the details about the various options in Phoenix, there was something else about the NPR story that caught my attention.
“The last house I’m gonna have”
The reporter had interviewed a woman named Sara Klemmer, who currently lives in a thriving historic area of town. For Mrs. Klemmer, the decision to leave the neighborhood she loves makes sense financially and logically, but still, she says it’s been emotionally difficult. And the notion of joining a continuing care community is a psychological adjustment, too.
‘This is the last house I’m gonna have, the last apartment,’ Klemmer said. ‘You come face to face with your mortality.’”
In all honesty, I hear this sentiment a lot from people who are considering a move to a lifeplan community. At the heart of this and similar comments is the idea that, “I know I should do this—it makes sense in every aspect—but it’s the finality of it that is holding me back.”
There are four common refrains I often hear when it comes to seniors’ apprehension about a lifeplan community/CCRC move—the reasons that people give for not being “ready,” several of which were voiced or implied by Ms. Klemmer.
“I’m still active and independent.”
“I don’t want to leave my home.”
“Moving is too much of a headache.”
“I’m worried that I can’t afford to move to a Life Plan Community this early.”
All four of these reasons for putting off a Life Plan Community move (whether to a patio home, entry fee or rental apartment) or wavering about the decision to move are completely understandable. However, many of you analyzed your circumstances and came to some conclusions that are often pretty startling until you give them some thought.
Here are a few important points that we ask folks to weigh… and it is always of great benefit when we are able to ask so many of you to tell the story of how you came to your conclusions to move to the campus.
Choosing to “age in place,” instead of downsizing and moving to a Life Plan Community, likely is the easiest solution in the short-term. But should you experience a health setback in the future, this option may end up being not only physically challenging (especially if you do not have a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of your home) but also costly (the current average cost of in-home care is around $4,000 per month. But this is based on just 6 hours of care per day. If you require more care, especially if it is 24-hour care, it could double or triple this amount.
Opting to remain in your home also can cause tremendous issues in the long-term for your adult children, who may end up dealing with the many challenges that come with caregiving for an elderly parent. This can be an especially difficult situation if your adult children live far away, have young children of their own to care for, or lack flexibility with their job.
The fact is, someone will have to sort through all of your belongings eventually—likely your adult children or another loved one. They will be forced to choose what to keep and what to give away or sell, pack and move everything, and then sell the home. It is a daunting task to put on someone else’s shoulders, both physically and emotionally.
Making the right choice for you
The sentiments expressed by Ms. Klemmer in the NPR story are extremely common. After all, moving out of a cherished home and into a Life Plan Community is a major life change. It would be concerning if a person had zero apprehensions about it!
But I can tell you this, having spoken with literally hundreds of Life Plan Community residents over the years: the vast majority of people who decide to move to a Life Plan Community are extremely happy they did. Yes, most residents say there was an adjustment period when they first moved in, but in the long run, the benefits of living in a Life Plan Community—including services, amenities, and a continuum of care services available onsite—far outweigh the inconveniences that come with downsizing and moving.
In many surveys, the number one reason given for delaying a decision about moving to a Life Plan Community was, “I don’t feel that I’m old enough yet.” Some who are well into their 80s even said this.
The idea that this will be your “final move” does force one to confront their own mortality, as Ms. Klemmer points out, and some people aren’t entirely comfortable with facing this reality. This fact may be at the heart of this common sentiment voiced in surveys that “I’m not old enough yet.”
However, what I hear from most residents is how glad they are that they moved earlier, rather than waiting until some unspecified time in the future when they felt “ready” or “old enough.” Moving sooner rather than later has given them the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with other residents, establishing a solid social and support network for the unknowns of the future (such as dealing with a health crisis or a partner’s passing). This ready-made support system, along with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your care needs will be met no matter what, is a compelling reason to put aside your trepidation and put the wheels into motion on making the move.
I’m happy to bring you up to date that we have a substantial number of planners getting ready to join us in the next year. We have contracted for 29 of the 34 new patio homes and have an additional two on hold! The campus mission marches on! Be sure to welcome your new neighbors as you see them at events and around campus. And don’t forget that there is a great resident referral bonus available to all of you who live on campus. Stop by the marketing office to get the details and your referral form!*
