Highland Cove Press & News
Choices For Living
The time came when Lloyd Bjornn tired of living alone, taking care of the house, mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway. His wife was in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson's disease and after-effects of hip-replacement surgery. His own health was starting to decline. So, at the age of 81, he and his daughter, who lives in Salt Lake City, decided it would be best for him to move into a retirement center.
"It's been great," he says. "This place has just about everything you'd want." His apartment at Highland Cove Retirement is close to the nursing home, and he still visits his wife five days a week. "But I don't have to worry about meals or housekeeping. And the people here are so friendly."
For Ruthy Hoskinson, the time to make a move of that sort came seven and a half years ago. She had been living on the Oregon coast with her second husband and close to her brothers and a sister. "One by one, they all departed."
After her husband died, she stayed there another year and a half, but after a few fierce storms, she tired of toughing it out when the power went off. She could have moved back to Pendleton, Oregon, where she had lived before and still had some family and friends. But her daughter lived in Salt Lake City. "Daughters are precious, caring people. I came to be by her."
Hoskinson knew exactly what she wanted. "I had watched my sister cooking for herself in her later years and saw what a bore it was. I don't think she was eating properly. I was determined that was not going to happen to me. I love to cook, and still do quite a bit-cookies to take to people here-and like that. But I wanted at least one good, nutritious meal each day."
She also wanted her own laundry facilities. She wanted an extra bedroom to keep all her sewing and craft materials. Most of all, she wanted a chance to make friends with people her own age and in similar circumstances.
"I wanted to come here while I was still young enough to enjoy life instead of when I was ill, tired, beaten down. I've lived here happily, and thank God, healthfully." She has found this independent living retirement community perfectly suited for her needs.
Hoskinson, now 84, is known and loved by everyone at the center. "I came here determined to reach out," says Hoskinson. "I knew I had to make the first move. But it's so rewarding. I make no bones about it," says Hoskinson. "I'm happy. I'm at that time of life when I've learned to make the most of today. You can't wait until tomorrow."
As the population of this country ages, as people live longer, moves like this are becoming more common. Studies show that the over-75 age group is one of the fastest growing segments of the population, and gerontologists estimate that the number of people 85 and older who need some kind of living assistance will double by 2010.
Retirement housing is a relatively new, but a fast-growing and complex field, says Kirsten Turner Bell, Utah state representative for the American Association of Retired Persons-and one that many people still don't understand. A recent survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, for example, found that 60 percent of the population was unfamiliar with alternatives to nursing-home care that could be found in their communities. And while it is true that many surveys show that, given a choice, the majority of seniors would prefer to live in their own homes, it is also true that most housing is really designed for young, active, mobile people. To live at home, a person is likely going to need to be able to drive, go shopping, cook and do household chores.
One option, of course, is to arrange in-home services that enable a person to cope with declining abilities. And many of these services are available. But for those willing to relocate, there are an increasing number of options. . . People who are considering making a move like this need to carefully consider what the options are says Susanne Haselton, program assistant with the Salt Lake County Aging Services Outreach Program. Retirement centers are not for everyone. But, people need to make the distinctions between independent living centers and nursing homes. "People don't come to Highland Cove because they've given up," says Marilyn Maass, one of the Retirement Counselors at Highland Cove.
At Highland Cove, which is typical of the centers that offer all three levels of care, residents range in age from mid-60's to 102-and many of them are very active and involved. "If you can keep active, that keeps you going, I think." They have couples as well as individuals. Some come as individuals end up as couples-"we've had some romances"-and some come as couples and then lose a spouse. "But it seems to be an easier transition; they already have a support system."
People come to the center for a wide variety of reasons, she says: some come to be close to family, some because they don't have any family close by. Some come because of declining health; some because they want an active social life.
Bill Plumhof just reached the time of life when he didn't like living alone. "I needed someone to check on me. Even with family close by, I feel better knowing someone is right here."
A widower, his children are all grown. "They are very attentive. "But I just don't want to bother them, to be a burden."
Plumhof, who still goes bowling once a week and likes to hit a golf ball around when weather permits and still drives to Flaming Gorge to go fishing, also enjoys the interaction with other residents.
"I like this place. I feel well looked after."
That's the real key, says Haselton.
"You have to find an environment that best suits your needs, no matter what age you are." Look at your options she advises. Learn what is available and what will best suit your individual tastes. That way, you'll be ready when your time comes.
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I love living at Highland Cove because I chose to "Be There" in lieu of keeping up a big house and two-acre yard. Being pampered and having gorgeous Utah mountain views is also a perfect joy! You too will agree after the first visit.
-- Sammy Macgruder
