| "I don't want to be a burden to my children". You | | | | napkins at your place. Attend the weekly dances held |
| hear this a lot as parents reach their elder years. | | | | in the recreation center or go out on a "date" with |
| Sometimes these years are called the "golden years" | | | | another senior. In an independent living community |
| and even if you decide to go and live in an assisted | | | | you can have it all and still be well looked after (which |
| living facility they can be. Who said life had to be dull | | | | satisfies your family). Recently I toured a retirement |
| and boring when you get older? It isn't a rule, after | | | | community built like a luxury hotel. The reception area |
| all. So be in charge of your life even after your kids | | | | looked just like many of the five star hotels all over |
| think you are too old to make decisions. After all, | | | | the world with a large front desk and a concierge. |
| who's the parent here? | | | | After taking the tour I found that the community |
| Carefully plan out your golden years so that | | | | had a large library, three heated pools and several |
| someone else doesn't have to do it for you. That's | | | | hot tubs. How difficult would it be to live there? |
| how you get what you want. Leave it to someone | | | | Arizona is probably the most well know retirement |
| else and you might find yourself in the least | | | | area in the States. It is famous for its dry |
| expensive venue that's nearest to your kid's house. | | | | atmosphere and good weather. It is also famous for |
| Always wanted to live in Las Vegas? Great. Las | | | | Sun City, the name of the first large retirement area |
| Vegas is the epitome of senior living. There are many | | | | built specifically for people 55 and older. In Sun City |
| apartment buildings that specialize in senior citizens. | | | | you never have to get out onto the public highways |
| The apartments are compact and convenient to the | | | | to find what you need. You can drive your golf cart |
| area of town that you want to be living in. Most are | | | | or walk to the medical center, drug store, grocery |
| near bus routes and some even have buses of their | | | | store, restaurants, shops, and even movies. They |
| own that run regular schedules to places such as | | | | have taken planning to a higher level and made senior |
| medical centers and grocery stores. Rather live in a | | | | safety and convenience the secret. Each home is |
| senior community setting? Well, there are plenty of | | | | built to give the senior and his spouse a backyard, |
| those around the Vegas area, too. Casino buffets are | | | | garage, and house that are compact and well |
| inexpensive and there is plenty of food to choose | | | | designed. Although most Sun City properties are no |
| from. Just don't put your money in those funny little | | | | longer gated communities, there are guards on the |
| machines downstairs. | | | | property who can identify those who shouldn't be |
| If you had rather live in a contained environment | | | | there and take appropriate actions. Worried that your |
| (whether in Vegas, the Carolinas, Arizona or Florida), | | | | family will like it so much they will try to move in with |
| many places have luxury senior living with a chef who | | | | you? Not going to happen. Sun City has a seven day |
| prepares the meals, balconies on each apartment, | | | | limit for visitors. Cousin Donald will just have to find |
| exercise programs, barber and beauty shops, and 24 | | | | an apartment or house of his own. |
| hour security. So, instead of worrying that you will | | | | So don't think that your golden years will be bleak. A |
| get your meals on a tray at your bed have dinner in | | | | whole new adventure awaits you and most places |
| a well decorated dining room with a restaurant feel | | | | even have wonderful and mild weather. You just |
| and table service. You can tell it is a quality | | | | have to do a little planning. |
| environment by the white table cloths and the linen | | | | |