Military Officer - March 2007 - (Page 70)

SPRING retirement guide Why did you move to a CCRC? Bob [Grimes, whom Gravis has dated for several years] really wanted to move. So we started talking about it, and the more we talked, the more I realized it was time for me to move, too. I’d lived in my house since 1985, and I continued to live there after my husband, Jack, died in 1990. It was big — four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was just too much for me. I probably should have sold it a long time ago. Did you visit a lot of CCRCs? No. We already lived in Tampa, and we wanted to stay here. We knew which communities had good reputations. We did visit a place in south Tampa, but this place seemed better, bigger, and nicer for the money. Was there a waiting list to get in? Yes, Bob had to wait about six months. I got lucky because a woman who lived in the style of apartment I wanted went north to live with her children. If that hadn’t happened, I could have waited a year or longer. What levels of living experiences does your CCRC offer? We live in independent living. Across the street are assisted living, a full-time nursing facility, and an Alzheimer’s unit. In your apartment I noticed a cord you can pull if you get into trouble. Yes, it’s called an assurance cord, and there’s one in every room. If you should fall or need assistance immediately, you can pull that cord, and help will come. There’s one cord here in the apartment that has a little red button that blinks. If you don’t turn that blinking light off by 10 a.m., a staff member will call. If you don’t answer, then they’re up here. I also noticed that you have access to some things that are pret70 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2007 ty neat, such as being able to eat in the dining room if you don’t feel like cooking. I lived here three months before I turned on the stove, and I only did that to see if it worked. I have a full kitchen, but I like eating downstairs. Someone will call you up and say, you just call and say you’re ready. Usually, drivers are already in the area, and it only takes a little time for them to come pick you up. Did you have to take a health exam before you moved in? We ﬁlled out a medical report, and our doctor signed it. How did you compare CCRCs? Bob worked for Chicago Title Insurance for 48 years, so he was familiar with legal documents. He also reviewed the ﬁnancial statements carefully and came here with about three pages of questions written out on a legal notepad. He wanted to know things like what would happen if he exhausted all of his ﬁnancial resources or the CCRC became insolvent, or would his estate receive any refund after his death. He did the legwork, and I just reviewed the answers. We … have the same ﬁnancial planner, and we talked to him about it. What did you do when you and Bob visited each CCRC? We looked at different apartment styles, and we walked around. When we were here, we’d see people out in the hall or on the elevators, and we’d be like, “No really, tell us what you don’t like about this place.” And you know, nobody could think of anything except their iced tea at lunch was too sweet. What features sold you on this particular CCRC? The location, for starters. There’s shopping nearby, and we’re close to University Community Hospital and the Mofﬁtt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida, where Bob teaches for SeniorNet. The James A. Haley VA Medical Center is literally right next door. Everything just seemed very good. I found out that CCRCs in Florida are governed by the state, “I’d lived in my house since 1985 . It was just too much for me. I probably should have sold it a long time ago.” “Let’s have dinner tonight.” It’s just wonderful. The menu varies, and our chef wins lots of competitions. What about security? We’re in a gated community. Cameras are set up at every entrance and at more than 40 areas of the campus. We also have security guards on duty around the clock. Does your CCRC have its own doctor or clinic? A nurse is on duty at all times. We also have two doctors who come on Mondays, but most of us have our own doctors in Tampa. My doctors are in south Tampa, and I get my prescriptions ﬁlled on base at MacDill. Do you get a ride to the doctor? Yes, [the CCRC has] seven Lincoln Town Cars, three buses, and one wheelchair van. When you’re done,

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Military Officer - March 2007

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