Do these affinity communities comply with US laws against discrimination based on race, etc.?
A life without children around seems like hell.
If I could afford it, ShantiNiketan sounds the perfect senior community for me. Question, though: would an application from a non-Indian American with English ancestry, a Buddhist, be accepted?
1
Such communities are rife with potential Fair Housing Act violations. Even if the housing provider allows others outside the targeted group into a particular facility or complex, using advertising that expresses "any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination" is illegal. Creed and ethnicity are encompassed by the Fair Housing Act. Various states have expanded the protections, adding such characteristics as ancestry, marital status, and sexual orientation. Intending condos to be "for Indian-Americans" is problematic at best.
3
No. You just announce that you have a "theme" that celebrates a particular culture. If you leave it there, you are safe.
1
I don't care about races or ethnic groups, but I do care about crime. Give me a crime-free community, and I'm sold.
North Korea?
Will there be communities just for older white people who only want to live around other white people, or did I just commit a thoughtcrime?
3
There already are. Lots of gated, over-55 communities in Florida require condo board approval to buy in -- and the black sambos and lawn jockeys in the front yards ensure that prospective residents taking a tour get a clear idea of who will be approved and who won't.
5
Yes and yes.
1
I think when one is older, in their seventies and older, it is nice to meet people your age who are interested in the same activities you are. Along with an easier climate and leisure life, a less expensive place than the Northeast is ideal.
2
Just a thought I think the idea of senior living places for non native English speakers is not so new. In the 1950s my grandmother was in a nursing facility where some staff spoke her native Norwegian. Toward the end of her life she lapsed into Norwegian. I think she still understood English, but herspoken communication was increasingly in Norwegian.
4
The type of food you want to have available to you when no longer independent is very important. I hope if I move into a facility in the future I am able to continue my lifelong vegetarian ways. I sometimes envision picking at frozen vegetables on a plate with chicken and gravy-covered mashed potatoes that I won't eat. The upside is that I might finally reach my goal-weight, albeit involuntarily.
5
Very true. When my parents moved to a nursing home, one of the motivation factors for them was the fact that they serve the kind of ethnic food that my parents enjoy, plus the staff can all speak the language that they understand. That would put right at home after they move in.
2
The article demonstrates big enterprise is going after ethic-specific groups who obviously have been more successful, yet haven't been willing to master the English language, nor welcome changes required to adapt to American culture. Apparently, they've deemed it unnecessary to assimilate, therefore their special requests are being addressed and met, as more facilities are springing up that willingly and happily oblige to cater to those whom can afford the luxury. The average American who've worked, scrimped and saved for retirement is typically left to their own devices as families struggle to find a facility that addresses the elderly parent or grandparent's most basic requirements, forced to watch their family members' life-savings dwindle in what should be their "golden years". Been there, doing that, I speak from experience.
1
Actually most Indian people have a good grasp of English, because they have worked in this country in professional jobs for decades, and knew English beforehand. From what I've experienced, they ARE the average American who has worked, scrimped and saved for retirement. I suspect by "American" you mean Caucasians?
The Indians, Latinos and Chinese people in this article are most likely citizens who have great educations and whose children are working taxpayers. As far as not assimilating: Assimilation does not mean abandoning a vegetarian diet made with ethnic ingredients to instead gorge on a Porterhouse steak. It means accepting the local culture, allowing your children to flourish in it, and having friends who are native to the country you have adopted as your home. It does not involve forgetting where you came from. (You yourself are just a few generations from somewhere else.)
Anyone who can afford a $300,000 retirement home is unlikely to have not assimilated. In fact, they assimilated so well, that they were able to work alongside natural-born Americans in good jobs. These folks want an ethnic retirement community not because they didn't assimilate, but because they did, and now want to be around others who have the same experiences with assimilation as they did.
The Indians, Latinos and Chinese people in this article are most likely citizens who have great educations and whose children are working taxpayers. As far as not assimilating: Assimilation does not mean abandoning a vegetarian diet made with ethnic ingredients to instead gorge on a Porterhouse steak. It means accepting the local culture, allowing your children to flourish in it, and having friends who are native to the country you have adopted as your home. It does not involve forgetting where you came from. (You yourself are just a few generations from somewhere else.)
Anyone who can afford a $300,000 retirement home is unlikely to have not assimilated. In fact, they assimilated so well, that they were able to work alongside natural-born Americans in good jobs. These folks want an ethnic retirement community not because they didn't assimilate, but because they did, and now want to be around others who have the same experiences with assimilation as they did.
17
One of the first couples noted as example in the article are hardly those people who refuse to or are unable to assimilate. They were corporate vice president and physician by trade, so I highly doubt your notion, at least not for this couple, that they look for nursing home options with an ethnic twist only because they cannot communicate in English.
For most migrants who are not born here, the yearning of their roots and culture (in the form of food, or familiar faces, or languages, or activities, etc) can get stronger as one gets older. This does not mean they are any less american than you and I, but it's a part of them that they want to rediscover, and I can comprehend.
I can understand that it's hard for you not to project your own pent-up anger over someone's wealth or ability to afford all these options, while seeing yourself or those around you struggling to get by. Different people, different circumstances. Living with green envy won't do us any good.
For most migrants who are not born here, the yearning of their roots and culture (in the form of food, or familiar faces, or languages, or activities, etc) can get stronger as one gets older. This does not mean they are any less american than you and I, but it's a part of them that they want to rediscover, and I can comprehend.
I can understand that it's hard for you not to project your own pent-up anger over someone's wealth or ability to afford all these options, while seeing yourself or those around you struggling to get by. Different people, different circumstances. Living with green envy won't do us any good.
9
Americans? Who are we? We have no culture. Just visit a WalMart.
My daughter has been a resident in a nursing home for over 25 years after suffering a brain injury in an automobile accident. She recently was transferred out of her room-the only home she likely remembers. The facility is changing her unit to an all-Korean unit. She was transferred to a smaller room with the sole explanation being that she is not Korean. I don't object to grouping residents. However, discrimination is still discrimination, regardless of the motivation. The move added more stress to an already dreadful situation.
16
My sympathies to you and your daughter. "Dreadful situation" is putting it mildly. After 25 years, one would think the nursing home would strive to keep her where she's comfortable in familiar surroundings. Their lack of sensitivity is disturbing, considering.
6
Jonathan Pond, Financial Planner, says that 90% of estates are spent this way: 1) nursing home, 2) IRS, 3) children, 4) grandchildren, 5) charity.
The Federal Deficit Reduction Act provided for every state to have a Partnership program to provide asset protection for those who buy qualified long term care insurance policies. http://www.partnershipforlongtermcare.com/
More people are worried about the IRS taking their money than about having to spend it on a nursing home. The fact is that 70% will need some care. It's a matter of choosing to spend $2000 a year for insurance or $2000 a week out-of-pocket for care.
An alternative are linked-benefit products, Life Insurance or Annuities with long term care riders. In most states you can also use your qualified money (IRA/401k) to fund your plan. http://guidetolongtermcare.com/linkedbenefit.html
Some people think they can out-invest insurance, you can't unless you have well over $1million. if you want $3,000 a month, or $36,000 a year, you would need savings of $690,000. That’s a conservative estimate, assuming that you earn 5.2% on your investments and live off the earnings without dipping into the principal. (Schwab Center for Investment Research) For $7,000/month nursing home cost you'd need at least $1.4million untouched.
The Federal Deficit Reduction Act provided for every state to have a Partnership program to provide asset protection for those who buy qualified long term care insurance policies. http://www.partnershipforlongtermcare.com/
More people are worried about the IRS taking their money than about having to spend it on a nursing home. The fact is that 70% will need some care. It's a matter of choosing to spend $2000 a year for insurance or $2000 a week out-of-pocket for care.
An alternative are linked-benefit products, Life Insurance or Annuities with long term care riders. In most states you can also use your qualified money (IRA/401k) to fund your plan. http://guidetolongtermcare.com/linkedbenefit.html
Some people think they can out-invest insurance, you can't unless you have well over $1million. if you want $3,000 a month, or $36,000 a year, you would need savings of $690,000. That’s a conservative estimate, assuming that you earn 5.2% on your investments and live off the earnings without dipping into the principal. (Schwab Center for Investment Research) For $7,000/month nursing home cost you'd need at least $1.4million untouched.
1
What has occurred in connection with retirement living is an expansion of choices. Personally, the idea of moving into any planned retirement community would be sheer hell as I would hate the idea of constant and unavoidable interactions. As for me, I intend to stay in my house until someone carries me out feet first. Having said that I think it is wonderful that there are many different options for retirees with different needs, desires, and ideas about "the good life."
5
There are ways to live in a community without ever leaving your unit to interact with other residents. The services can come to you.
My wife and I are considering a Military Officer retirement village, there are many nationwide. Our local friends have lived here all of their lives, they have friends from High School, through their professions, etc. As a military and then UN retiree I've live all over the world, retiring with people who have that same variety of life experience is much more inviting than any local alternatives. My wife, a retired college professor, has similar feelings. She has taught at 3 different universities and while she has friends from each, none are "local".
These communities are made up of people from different locales but with very similar histories. My parents retired to one in the 1980's for their last 10-15 years. It was a excellent decision for them. They were welcomed, enjoyed the camaraderie and finished their lives in a supportive community of fiends.
For some its ideal, for others its not a good fit.
These communities are made up of people from different locales but with very similar histories. My parents retired to one in the 1980's for their last 10-15 years. It was a excellent decision for them. They were welcomed, enjoyed the camaraderie and finished their lives in a supportive community of fiends.
For some its ideal, for others its not a good fit.
2
That means the melting pot does not exist. If they do not feel American, they are not Americans. Failure of the American system?
2
In talking to residents and staff, Mr. Black, I heard no hint of their not feeling like Americans. At both ShantiNiketan and Aegis Gardens, residents celebrated American and Chinese or Indian holidays, for instance. The Fourth of July AND India's Independence Day AND Thanksgiving. People still play bingo. The vegetarian cuisine at ShantiNiketan includes eggplant parmagiana. I'd say the melting pot was alive and well.
19
Meh, America always has been a mixing bowl as much as it's been a melting pot and the idea of "identity" is very plastic and mutable. most people are more comfortable with other people who are more like them than not like them and it's an individual decision.
4
I am tired of hearing over and over about how previous waves of immigrants assimilated more or less when they stepped off the boat at Ellis Island, including those whose native language was not English - Jews, Italians, Norwegians. When I first came to NYC in the 1970s I got to know many of those people's grandchildren and it was far from unusual to learn that they spoke Yiddish or Italian or Norwegian with their grandparents. Many of those grandparents were among the most patriotic Americans; of course a lot of them had had sons who had fought enemies they truly hated in WWII. Their great grandchildren mostly are monolingual in English which I personally see as a loss.
6
It seems a pity that after decades of living in a USA together with other ethnic groups, folks revert to their own ethnic groupings. Isn't something lost here?
4
I think that rather than throwing stones, you might want to see how you feel in your 70's and 80's. The beauty of America is that you can blend your ethnic culture WITH American culture, and choose to spend time with people who are doing the same. Or are you suggesting we eliminate all groupings, such as military or college alumni? Don't kid yourself that's any different!
7
Are you planning to move to an Indian or Chinese-oriented place when you retire? No? OK, so you are doing the same thing you are criticizing these folks for doing. Why would anyone want to _give up_ their own culture, just because they don't want to take care of a big house any more?
9
'...how you feel in your 70s or 80s...'. Is that to say that people who were once embracing of other people and cultures may suddenly become less so as they age? Seems an odd assumption to me.
Similar to ethnicity, I fail to see how simply attending the same college might make people have 'something in common' with each other, especially since decades will have passed since their college and senior years, with these individuals hopefully having grown and changed during that time.
Similar to ethnicity, I fail to see how simply attending the same college might make people have 'something in common' with each other, especially since decades will have passed since their college and senior years, with these individuals hopefully having grown and changed during that time.
1
How interesting! And of course predictable. This is the first generation that has planned so thoroughly for retirement, maintained health, and most important is large enough to attract 'products' designed specifically for their needs. The nature of humans is to want to be with others who are like them. This is why 'defacto segregation' will always exist. It is like seeking like.
4
Don't forget the people who feel like outsiders, don't want to be members of a club that would admit them, like Groucho Marx. We flee the folks seeking like, have our own clubs of outsiders.
Well, can we expect senior communities for White supremacists and for those prejudiced against Black, Hispanic, and Asians? Oh yeah, we already have lots of those that are configured to cost more than those people could afford to pay. This new "trend" is simply a reflection of greater affluence among ethnic groups that previously had few choices because they hadn't the financial power necessary to dictate the terms of their senior care.
10
I think this is a terrific idea. We need different configurations and choices for people. Ideally, the options should include some service models that are more affordable, such as co-ops or shared living, as well as those for people who can afford top of the line.
I appreciate the articles about Senior Living. It helps me keep on top of what's happening in this field, and to think about future options for myself or other family members. Thanks, Paula Span--keep writing.
I appreciate the articles about Senior Living. It helps me keep on top of what's happening in this field, and to think about future options for myself or other family members. Thanks, Paula Span--keep writing.
17
'senior' living... how about just 'living'?
5
I know, right?! Although.......it would have been difficult to tell what the article was about without a reference to age.......
I hope that someone develops a place for introvert seniors by the time I'm unable to manage on my own. The idea of a bunch of well-meaning folks getting all concerned about what they might view as my 'isolation' is anxiety-inducing.
47
(Not Mark) My 95 year old aunt lives in one that she moved into about 8 or 9 years ago. She has a small one bedroom with a little kitchen and a balcony. If you want to be extroverted you can be, they have lots of activities and groups, card players, music, etc. If you don't want to, no problem, you're left alone. Although I do think they will check for depression. It's a nice place, we go visit her 3 or 4 times a year, as we don't live nearby. My cousin lives nearby.
10
Introverts are only 25% of the population, so I don't expect retirement communities to be developed with that demographic in mind. Anyway, don't you want to live in a cabin at the top of a mountain?
1
If you rouse yourself to ever actually investigate available senior facilities, you might find that many allow you to be just as reclusive as you wish. The only security will be that they will check on you each morning by calling or knocking on the door to be sure you are okay - which is what you want, isn't it? You really do not want to be like my MIL's friend, who fell in her home and it was 3 days before her neighbors realized they hadn't seen her lately.
6
Links to ads in the article? Really, the Gray Lady's gone to the dark side.
We linked to the websites of the organizations discussed in the column, Rocky, so that interested readers could learn more about them. Not to ads as such.
13
Rockboy do you really think a "small nonprofit" in Queens NY arranged with the NYT to sponsor an article?
India is itself a polyglot of cultures, languages and foods. I bet that language of communication in Indian-American assisted living homes is English!
Bengali are a unified language and culture. I am not sure the critical mass exists of other Indian immigrants that can form such homes.
Bengali are a unified language and culture. I am not sure the critical mass exists of other Indian immigrants that can form such homes.
2
True, Jaque -- the lingua franca tends to be English or Hindi. But within these communities, residents tell me, social groups form by language. People who speak Gujarati typically have meals with others who speak that language. At Aegis Gardens, the staff assigns dining room seating by language, so that Mandarin speakers can sit with other Mandarin speakers and Cantonese speakers with other Cantonese speakers.
9
... “affinity group communities,”? Some would call this multiculturalism for wealthy who bypassed the melting pot. So non-Indian staff or prospective residents are turned away?
Each his/her own of course, but I'm in my sixties and I'll jump of a cliff before I contemplate living in a so-called Senior community.
Each his/her own of course, but I'm in my sixties and I'll jump of a cliff before I contemplate living in a so-called Senior community.
7
No,non-Indian residents are not turned away. Ethnicity is a theme, not a restriction. As for staff, what matters most is language and cultural understanding. A person fluent in Mandarin or Cantonese, with knowledge of Chinese culture, has a good shot of being hired at Aegis Gardens even if he or she is not ethnically Chinese.
8
My husband and I also shudder at the idea of 'demographic communities'. BUT we live in a city that is by definition 'middle class', so I guess we're in a demographic community! Pooh.
1
I'm with you Joe
1
old age comes with a high price
24
When you have money, you'll have options. That's capitalism for you. Good on these seniors, no wonder there's nary a mention of medicare or social security.
25
Please make a point to learn more about the difference in government programs, as it will pertain to you (as it does to the rest of us) as you age. Medicare does not and NEVER has paid for senior living facilities, nor for skilled care (aka nursing) except as convalescence temporary care. This article is discussing assisted living facilities, not skilled care-only.
SocSec can be used to pay for care or not. Up to you. Only if you are poor and have no assets but need skilled nursing (NOT asst/ind living), is when Medicaid steps in, and SocSec may be claimed by the facility to offset cost of nursing care.
SocSec can be used to pay for care or not. Up to you. Only if you are poor and have no assets but need skilled nursing (NOT asst/ind living), is when Medicaid steps in, and SocSec may be claimed by the facility to offset cost of nursing care.
3
“I’m not depressed,” the patient told her. “I just don’t like the food and the portions are really tiny."
With a nod to Woody
With a nod to Woody
10
Here in California, we have "Priya Living", also for Indian-Americans. http://www.priyaliving.com It has been hugely popular, and has a long waiting list. My mom lives there and loves it - I can hardly get a hold of her anymore because she is "too busy"!
3
In the photograph of Geeta Chandra leading what the Times says, she calls "laughing yoga" is actually Laughter Yoga. I have been teaching it for nearly ten years. I am the first person in this country to teach laughter in a prison.
I went to India 2007 to study with Dr. Kataria who created Laughter Yoga. I was suffering from the PTSD I got when I went to a wedding in Lebanon and a little war broke out between one of their neighbors. Ten days laughing cured me. The first few days I couldn't laugh but by the end I was laughing all day with my new friends, even one from Israel. I wish that the VA would use this wonderful method to help those suffering from PTSD. I'm sure it would help.
I went to India 2007 to study with Dr. Kataria who created Laughter Yoga. I was suffering from the PTSD I got when I went to a wedding in Lebanon and a little war broke out between one of their neighbors. Ten days laughing cured me. The first few days I couldn't laugh but by the end I was laughing all day with my new friends, even one from Israel. I wish that the VA would use this wonderful method to help those suffering from PTSD. I'm sure it would help.
12
Thank you, Kik. It's a bit infantilizing and trivializing, as is so very much coverage of any/all post-menopausal women, to presume that the yoga led by a woman in her 70s for a group of people all of which are 55+ must be casual, 'made-up', and heavily modified to accommodate the creaky, rather than a recognized, discipline variant of the practice of yoga.
ACK. More segregation, more silo experience, more "gated communities" for those who can afford it. This is a good thing?
32
Berkeley,
India Home is free and it's a drop in center, so it's not a gated community. If seniors want to have a place where they feel comfortable, get to eat the kind of food they're familiar with and have staff that speak their language well enough to help them with all kinds of issues, what's wrong with that?
India Home is free and it's a drop in center, so it's not a gated community. If seniors want to have a place where they feel comfortable, get to eat the kind of food they're familiar with and have staff that speak their language well enough to help them with all kinds of issues, what's wrong with that?
20
In old age, yes.
The old are seldom ripe for new challenges.
The old are seldom ripe for new challenges.
My father moved his mother to a small town miles from where we lived when she needed in-house care. She was from Romania, and her ability to speak English diminished drastically as she aged, so he relocated her to home staffed with many people with roots in the "Old Country". After a while, amid her new-found friends and comfortable with the language and food, our weekly visits became more a distraction than a pleasure.
21
The senior living places in this article sound great. If you can afford them.
48
And that's what financial planning is all about. But for most seniors, they're probably like my MIL: cash-poor and house-rich. We will forever be grateful we convinced her to sell her house (which she always missed), because the seniorcare facility where she lived her last years was expensive, even for Asst. Living. But she was incredibly, wonderfully happy there; it was joyous to see the change in her! All her friends and family remarked to us it was the first time they had seen her so happy since her beloved husband died ten years previous.
2
"And that's what financial planning is all about." Sounds pretty smug. Sometimes the best financial planning doesn't pan out. Life happens.
10
Do these places sound like the "safe places" college students of color want these days?
6
Bit of a stretch.
1
I like the place my mother's at, and think it would (almost) work for me, but not my Jewish, vegetarian, non-driving mate.
I hope we can find something that will work for us when it's time.
I hope we can find something that will work for us when it's time.
If you ever hear of a long-term care facility in the U.S. specifically for English-speaking Buddhists of any nationality, please let me know! Thanks!
20
Scott
San Francisco Zen Center has been working on a Buddhist long-term care facility for English speaking Buddhists of any nationality. You can find them on the web.
Good luck.
San Francisco Zen Center has been working on a Buddhist long-term care facility for English speaking Buddhists of any nationality. You can find them on the web.
Good luck.
5
This article reminds me of another community that might be of interest to people reading this article - called Anand Vihar in Tampa Bay. Their website is http://www.anandvihartampa.com/. There are good reviews on their Facebook!
Chelsey, it's similar to ShantiNiketan in that it's a 55-plus "active adult" community aimed at Indian-Americans. But it has not yet begun construction, according to its recent blog post.
1
You can buy a 4 bed room house for $100,000 near Shantiniketan. Why would I pay $250,000 for a small 2 bed room condo in Shantiniketan? Will I or my successors be able to resell it at least for $250,000 if not more?
4
robb, the Chandrans is a three-bedroom condo, and residents have use of facilities a private homeowner wouldn't have. They also have an option to eat meals there. But resale value? Who knows? It's not a continuing care retirement community where the buy-in fee often includes some sort of rebate after the resident leaves or dies.
9
One pays extra for food. It is optional.
1
I'm glad these seniors are able to find the comfort of community with other immigrants.
As long as the communities don't exclude people based on ethnicity, language, country of origin or gender, it sounds like a good thing.
As long as the communities don't exclude people based on ethnicity, language, country of origin or gender, it sounds like a good thing.
10
Honeybee, these communities accept those of all ethnicities, religions, etc. The ethnic identity is a theme, not a restriction. In fact, the ShantiNiketan developers are planning 120 condos on adjacent property that will be "mainstream," not specifically marketed to Indian-Americans.
12
Why shouldn't they? The whole idea is elderly people choosing to live with others like themselves. How does discrimination come into it?
5
Thanks for the info! I was uncertain about how it worked, but your distinction between a "theme" and a "restriction" made perfect sense!
1
How do affinity-oriented communities get around fair housing laws? Is there some sort of exemption?
4
Human, they accept all comers. You don't have to be Chinese-American or Indian-American to be residents.
The "active adult" 55-plus communities are legally permitted to discriminate by age, however.
The "active adult" 55-plus communities are legally permitted to discriminate by age, however.
14
But, Paula, active adult communities can't discriminate by disability, and some do.
By announcing a theme. Just don't express a preference for a particular type of resident, and you're fine.
It would be wonderful to see more 'mainstream' retirement homes try to do something for their ethnic residents. At my mother's place, there happened to be a lot of Italian-Americans. They didn't make much of a fuss about being in a Lutheran home (the Catholic diocese offered nothing for senior living), or about the bland mid-western food. But if the administrators had had even one small area with a chapel for the Virgin Mary, and a couple of 'Italian fest' meals that everyone could have enjoyed, I think all of the Italian-Americans would have taken pride and felt more of a part of the place.
28
Have you and the other Italian families suggested this?
6
I worked in a home with many Korean-speaking residents. There were periodic Korean-themed special lunches brought in by families and a Korean Christian church. A Korean-speaking minister also visited. (This was not a religiously-affiliated home) There is an interest in culturally appropriate services and food, etc. within the "culture change" movement for nursing homes.
6
I'm of Danish, Normandy French, Dutch, German,Scottish, Irish and Welsh ancestry tagged with a Sicilian last name who knows nothing of any of those cultures because my first ancestor came here 389 years ago from The Netherlands and all I've known is Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian churches?
Is there a place where those of us who have no ethnicity but American can live? Where meat loaf, mashed potatoes, fried chicken and ice cream are dietary staples?
Is there a place where those of us who have no ethnicity but American can live? Where meat loaf, mashed potatoes, fried chicken and ice cream are dietary staples?
5
Sounds like a wall plaque to remind staff not to jump to conclusions: "I'm not depressed; I just don't like the food."
33
There is no problem for such kind of special housing colonies for senior citizens, who can be very much comfortable in such facilities. As far as India
is concerned it's a multicultural and multi religious and multi linguistic country. There are definitely bound to be more communication problems rather than anything else. The only factor that is sure to bind them is their country of origin. There is no such problem in the case of people of Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Brazilian, Mexican, Portugese, Russian, German, Indonesian, Malaysian origin etc.
My main issue with such people is that majority of them haven't bothered to learn the language of the country, which could have solved many problems mainly related with communication and helped in making new friends and even expanded their knowledge since it's the global language for communication.
is concerned it's a multicultural and multi religious and multi linguistic country. There are definitely bound to be more communication problems rather than anything else. The only factor that is sure to bind them is their country of origin. There is no such problem in the case of people of Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Brazilian, Mexican, Portugese, Russian, German, Indonesian, Malaysian origin etc.
My main issue with such people is that majority of them haven't bothered to learn the language of the country, which could have solved many problems mainly related with communication and helped in making new friends and even expanded their knowledge since it's the global language for communication.
4
Sivaram, I don't think the couple profiled here had a problem with English.
One thing I noticed when I worked in long term care homes, was that as cognition declined, people would start to 'lose' their second language. It was very helpful to have a diverse staff that spoke many languages, and it was always good for a resident to have others they could talk with.
One thing I noticed when I worked in long term care homes, was that as cognition declined, people would start to 'lose' their second language. It was very helpful to have a diverse staff that spoke many languages, and it was always good for a resident to have others they could talk with.
30
Many immigrants from India speak English as a second, third or fourth language. My mother-in-law speaks 5 languages, one of which is English. The other languages are Indian languages. She does prefer to speak in her first language, Tamil, when possible even though she speaks excellent English. We worry about what we'll do though if she gets to the point where she can't live with us for some reason. She's a strict vegetarian for religious reasons and I don't see her being comfortable at a traditional nursing home.
I welcome these options especially if they lead to the founding of traditional nursing homes and memory care facilities that meet the needs of people like her.
I welcome these options especially if they lead to the founding of traditional nursing homes and memory care facilities that meet the needs of people like her.
9
True. That is why old (or older) age is often called a second childhood.
Let me know when there's a retirement community in Florida aimed at middle-class people from NYC who are NOT conservative/right-wing partisans. (And who don't feel the need to own guns!)
77
You might try doing a search for 'co-housing' communities and see what comes up. There are many across the U.S. though they tend to be clustered in certain areas more than others. Some co-housing communities, while not for 'retirement' per se, are structured to embrace all age groups, with residents often agreeing to help other residents (i.e., older ones) as needs arise.
2
reply to l in nyc . . . aren't regulations, laws, etc., related to keeping weapons in nursing homes and assisted living residences? I am almost sure of this . . . and yes, i am from texas and hate guns and usually their owners associated attitudes . . .
William Wilson dallas texas
William Wilson dallas texas
5
I grew up in Miami. There are plenty of the people you are looking for living in Jewish nursing homes.
This seems like a great idea; everyone would like to stay at home until the end but without the care of relatives it's just not possible. No one wants to turn back the clock to the days of women not working and bearing the brunt of unpaid labor. and why shouldn't people gather where they feel most comfortable at the end of their lives? Loneliness is a huge problem for the elderly.
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As for loneliness being a problem for the elderly, this is why it's so important to be pro-active and have a plan in place well beforehand. Remain as active as your health allows. Find hobbies. Be sure to have friends of all ages, INCLUDING younger. Figure out how to entertain yourself. (I think a large part of the problem is that many people rely on others far too much for company, entertainment, etc. i.e., if your spouse is your by-default social partner 24/7, when that spouse is gone you are in for a shock. It's never good to invest so much of your own well-being into one other human being. 'Diversify'. ;-)
Do volunteer work. Come up with a sort of 'schedule' for yourself so that each day you have something to do...to look forward to...i.e., in the a.m. pick up a coffee...go to the local library (to be around others) and read the paper/magazines, etc. Then go for a walk each day, or to the gym or to tai chi class. Each Tuesday meet so-and-so for lunch. Attend a music/theatre etc. event once per month with another friend. And so on. Being pro-active is key!
Do volunteer work. Come up with a sort of 'schedule' for yourself so that each day you have something to do...to look forward to...i.e., in the a.m. pick up a coffee...go to the local library (to be around others) and read the paper/magazines, etc. Then go for a walk each day, or to the gym or to tai chi class. Each Tuesday meet so-and-so for lunch. Attend a music/theatre etc. event once per month with another friend. And so on. Being pro-active is key!
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You are describing the active phase of retirement which is dependent upon health. Some elderly I know are fortunate enough to be still active and energetic at 95. The majority are NOT, slowing down noticeably in their 80's. You will find that it is generally not 'one big thing' that fells you, it is a combination of health negatives that collectively, eventually overcome you. I have seen this happen too many times, including to people who. a couple of years ago, were still taking 2-mile walks and had full social calendars every day--but no longer can do those things.
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