Visit to Seacrest

VISIT TO SEACREST  10/29/15

   Recently, I visited our local Jewish senior “retirement” facility.  I call Seacrest Village a “retirement” facility because most of those living there have retired from their “other lives”: housewife, doctor, lawyer, teacher, sales-person or youth advisor.  That list hardly covers the variety of folks and the specifics of their “other lives”.   Their chosen vocations cover a long list of possibilities as diverse as the many shades of gray that exists in any sampling of today’s population. It is the list of what folks do to remain active, to earn dollars, to keep themselves busy and finally, to express individuality.

   I am considering a move to a facility because I am 93 years old; I live alone. Loneliness finds me too frequently; cooking for myself is a turn-off rather than a challenge.  Though I used to be fussy about the food I ate, I no longer am a gourmet, interested in the top-drawer excellence of the cuisine that I indulge in.  I simply wish to feed my appetite with “healthy” food.

   At Seacrest Village I found good food that satisfied my hunger successfully, there were more choices than I offer myself at home.  That kitchen provides a variety of sandwich fillings that would be impossible at any given time, at home.  I never get to choose between fish and meat at home – I eat what the cook (me) has planned or remain hungry.  A different dessert is possible every night at Seacrest and always there is a variety of ice creams.  No such luck at home.  In the food department Seacrest Village is the winner.  I could never achieve the variety and choices it offers.

   The question that I have to answer for myself, simply put, is “do I wish to move, give up my comfy home and a portion of my precious independence?”  I believe I can still be independent at Seacrest.  I can choose to have one meal a day or two or three.  I can choose to go to an activity or remain at home reading.  I can go to the gym or the pool, or outside for a walk. 

   It will however, be a comfort not to have to plan meals.   There would be little shopping to do.  Perhaps I would shop for “nosh” and have something available for Matt and Judi and my friends, when they visit.

   As I think about it, I would be more independent at Seacrest than I am at home.  A ride to the doctor would more easily be arranged, my contacts and social life would be provided; I can pick and choose.  Things would be easier than at home where I am responsible for myself.  Perhaps a retirement facility would share that responsibility with me.  There would eventually be tablemates as I begin to make friends and find myself sitting at dinner with the same people each night.  If I suddenly did not show up there would be people around who would miss me, maybe even worry about me.  Here at home, it could be many days before folks would realize and say, “I have not seen Ag, I wonder if she is alright”.

   If I go, I will have to break up this warm, beloved home of mine.  I used to say that wherever Erv and I were together, that was home.  He has been gone almost eight years so I guess home is where my head hits a familiar pillow in a familiar bed.  I will take them with me to Seacrest along with a few more well used and loved items.  The rest remains for Judi and Matt to pick and choose what they wish to keep and then I will cut the cord on my belongings.  They are only things;  I will take my memories with me because I need no string around my finger to help me remember. 

Visit to Seacrest

VISIT TO SEACREST  10/29/15

   Recently, I visited our local Jewish senior “retirement” facility.  I call Seacrest Village a “retirement” facility because most of those living there have retired from their “other lives”: housewife, doctor, lawyer, teacher, sales-person or youth advisor.  That list hardly covers the variety of folks and the specifics of their “other lives”.   Their chosen vocations cover a long list of possibilities as diverse as the many shades of gray that exists in any sampling of today’s population. It is the list of what folks do to remain active, to earn dollars, to keep themselves busy and finally, to express individuality.

   I am considering a move to a facility because I am 93 years old; I live alone. Loneliness finds me too frequently; cooking for myself is a turn-off rather than a challenge.  Though I used to be fussy about the food I ate, I no longer am a gourmet, interested in the top-drawer excellence of the cuisine that I indulge in.  I simply wish to feed my appetite with “healthy” food.

   At Seacrest Village I found good food that satisfied my hunger successfully, there were more choices than I offer myself at home.  That kitchen provides a variety of sandwich fillings that would be impossible at any given time, at home.  I never get to choose between fish and meat at home – I eat what the cook (me) has planned or remain hungry.  A different dessert is possible every night at Seacrest and always there is a variety of ice creams.  No such luck at home.  In the food department Seacrest Village is the winner.  I could never achieve the variety and choices it offers.

   The question that I have to answer for myself, simply put, is “do I wish to move, give up my comfy home and a portion of my precious independence?”  I believe I can still be independent at Seacrest.  I can choose to have one meal a day or two or three.  I can choose to go to an activity or remain at home reading.  I can go to the gym or the pool, or outside for a walk. 

   It will however, be a comfort not to have to plan meals.   There would be little shopping to do.  Perhaps I would shop for “nosh” and have something available for Matt and Judi and my friends, when they visit.

   As I think about it, I would be more independent at Seacrest than I am at home.  A ride to the doctor would more easily be arranged, my contacts and social life would be provided; I can pick and choose.  Things would be easier than at home where I am responsible for myself.  Perhaps a retirement facility would share that responsibility with me.  There would eventually be tablemates as I begin to make friends and find myself sitting at dinner with the same people each night.  If I suddenly did not show up there would be people around who would miss me, maybe even worry about me.  Here at home, it could be many days before folks would realize and say, “I have not seen Ag, I wonder if she is alright”.

   If I go, I will have to break up this warm, beloved home of mine.  I used to say that wherever Erv and I were together, that was home.  He has been gone almost eight years so I guess home is where my head hits a familiar pillow in a familiar bed.  I will take them with me to Seacrest along with a few more well used and loved items.  The rest remains for Judi and Matt to pick and choose what they wish to keep and then I will cut the cord on my belongings.  They are only things;  I will take my memories with me because I need no string around my finger to help me remember.