Excerpt from Daily Cures, Wisdom for Healthy Aging by Connie Mason Michaelis
Salvador Dali's painting reminds us that we might have a warped perception of time.
When is the right time to tackle downsizing and perhaps moving into a friendlier abode? That is the $64,000 question. If you are old enough to remember that phrase, you may be thinking of retirement! Do you make a move when you are healthy and independent? Do you wait until an illness or accident requires it? Do you listen to your kids, or do you listen to your neighbor? Do you wait until the children come and clean out the attic and take their high school pictures with them? Do you wait until the cows come home or the fat lady sings?
When couples are making the decision together, it may be that one of the spouses needs more support than the other. Caregiving creates a health risk for the caregiver. Statistics show a 63% chance that the care recipient will outlive the care provider. The healthy spouse may need to move more than the other.
Senior communities can provide mental and emotional support for couples. When one is widowed, the community is an invaluable resource. There is no easy answer. If you had a crystal ball, it might be easier, but who really wants to know what the future is bringing? I think it has more to do with your gut feeling. Are you feeling burdened with homeownership, or do you spend time worrying about health issues or the future? Are you experiencing a nagging feeling that you cannot continue the way things are? Denial is not a river in Egypt. Denial is a mental block against reality. When the thought of moving arises, and you find yourself turning away from it, or you are overwhelmed with the work that it would create, it may be time to have a conversation about the realities.