Re-living a (let's face it) far from glorious athletic career
Well, time and entropy have led me to an unavoidable fork in
the road. In the long term everything
will get sorted out, of course, but in the meantime…..? What do I do?
I doubt that you want to hear an old man whine, but here it
is. I find it increasingly difficult to “manage”. At
this juncture there seem to be four diverging paths: four alternatives.
(1)
Stay in this big house with its 14 steps and
accumulating repair issues. Hire more
and more help, as needed. Install an
elevator system to allow access to the garage.
Or, perhaps sell the car and put my welfare in the hands of Uber. Go through my savings like you-know-what
through a tin horn.
(2)
Buy a small manufactured home in a 55+ park,
thereby reducing the need for hired assistance substantially. Acquire near neighbors to notice when I have
not been seen for a week, and there are vultures perched on my roof. Give up my view, and much of my privacy.
(3)
Move into the Parkway Chateau – the
Pink Palace, before they re-painted.
Live in a 600 ft2 apartment with a balcony, and no kitchen. Get three squares/day in a common dining room
mostly peopled by elderly women. (It was
remarked that, as a single male, I would be very popular! Shudder!).
Have access to a gym and many
“activities”, most of which I would avoid.
Not have to rely on flocks of buzzards to signal that something was
wrong. Cost about $40,000/year.
(4)
Find a huge house with horse potential somewhere
in the County but not too far from town.
Buy it, together with my two K daughters, and then let them look after
me. This is known as the “Beck Compound”
option”. Among other difficulties, this
option would require daughter Karen to give up her excellent position with UW and find a
local job that she would enjoy. It also
would require Kristen’s partner Joe to spend more time on his riding mower.
I neglect the always obvious “hit
by a bus” alternative. Never sought,
always present. I cross streets pretty
slowly these days, so who knows?
I am open to suggestions.
First eliminate #3 It's a dorm for old ladies, not fun. #4 will cost A LOT of $$$ to satisfy everyone. Always the present update (walk in shower, multiple levels, etc) and maintenance. Although living with adoring daughters is not a bad prospect.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought, I would recommend a consult with a clinical pharmacologist regard your meds (Karen, I'm sure you know someone at UW that would be happy to provide some valuable information on this.)
List the meds, dosage, route, frequency, and what dx they are prescribed for. There are meds seniors should not be taking because of side effects and/or drug interactions. (see Beer's Criteria http://www.pharmacist.com/updated-beers-criteria-more-comprehensive-guide-medication-safety-older-adults, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.13702/pdf) Where as there may be an alternative med to address the same problem/dx. Bless the MD's but they are not biochemists and don't know everything.
The last comment Myrl is not an option. As they say in Africa - too much paper work!
Myrl, so you are leaning towards #3? You must be going back and forth since we talked.
ReplyDeleteBunny, as always good feedback.
Myrl, I gave you my thoughts via a phone conversation and I am leaning towards #2. If the Chateau had more services other than meals (you can do Stoufers and frozen pizzas), I might consider it. As it stands, I think the quality of life with a little yard for bird watching and your car yards from your door would make you happy.
Good Lord - I can't even count! I am leaning toward #2, #3 is pretty much out! Sorry for the confusion.
ReplyDelete