At the Bus Stop
Every morning at 9 o'clock, the bus stops in front of the Sunrise Meadows Retirement Community. The bus makes several stops around town: at the shopping mall, the library, and the Parker Medical Building. Residents can get to their dentist appointments and lunch dates with friends by bus. This form of transportation also offers them the chance to visit with each other.
On this rainy morning, Graham and Doug are waiting for the bus to take them to the mall. There they'll take a long walk, look at the new sporting goods store, and have lunch together at their favorite sports bar.
Graham: How's your grandson in Chicago doing?
Doug: Oh, Mark, he's graduating from high school in May. I guess you could say he's pretty stressed out about the future.
Graham: What does he want to do after graduation?
Doug: That's his problem—he's can't decide. He's not sure that he's ready for college, but the job market is tight and he's not sure what he wants to do for a living anyway. He's also talking about joining the military. School will be over in no time and he's getting anxious about his plans.
Graham: You know, I sort of felt like that a year ago before I moved to Sunrise Meadows. My arthritis had gotten so bad that I couldn't get up and down the stairs at my old house very well any more. I knew that it was just a matter of time before I'd need to make a change.
Doug: You were getting ready to sell your car then, too, weren't you?
Graham: That's right. My night vision had gotten worse and worse. It was time to stop driving and time to find another place to live. But there were so many choices. I felt like your grandson Mark does—overwhelmed.
Doug: I guess it's a challenge to make such major decisions about your life at any age. It's the same process, isn't it? Lay out all of the options and weigh which ones will make the most sense.
Graham: That's right. And it helps to have friends and family cheering you on. My daughter did some research with me and we visited a lot of these retirement communities and assisted living facilities together. Once I decided on this place, things started to come together. I was relieved to have a plan and I'm enjoying this new place more than I ever thought possible.
Doug: It is a nice place to live. Great people and this bus sure makes getting around easy.
Graham: Here's the bus.
Doug: I'll have to give Mark a call later to see how his plans are coming along. I think I'll tell him that change is hard for all of us. And I'll tell him that I talked with one fellow today who made some good choices and is happier now because of them.
Remember - Like Graham and Mark, you may find that changes can be difficult at any age. You may feel especially anxious until you feel at home in your new home. That's normal.
Take steps to make the move easier. Research your options and visit several places before deciding on one. Ask family members for help.
Find out about activities nearby and about which forms of transportation are available to you.
When you move into your new home, give yourself time to adjust. Whether you are young or young at heart, change takes some getting used to.
If your worry does not go away or is interfering with your daily life, talk with your doctor about your concerns.
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