I've been in some of the retirement communites in Baltimore becasue I visited the elderly with our pastor to do little Bible studies/gatherings. I was amazed by all they had to offer. A couple reminded me of college campuses.

I keep hearing that they are going to have to be different for the boomers. What more do you think needs to be added to make them suitable for our generation?

I am wondering different in what ways Dotsie? My Uncle John and Aunt Betty live in a retirement community in Catonsville, MD. that is real snazzy and they love it there. It has everything.

Even the gov't run senior complexes are extremely nice. They
provide shuttles, nurses, activities, all that stuff. And they're
modern and excellent for the elderly with limited income.
I know some of those higher class communities are really neat!
I don't know what more could be done to make older folks
happier!

This is what my partner's mom had for 2 yrs. before she died peacefully at 93 last fall. Her facility was physically joined to a teaching/research hospital. Several doctors specializing in geriatric medicine were also providing care..plus cardio specialist, etc. High ratio of nursing care per xx no. of nursing home residents. There were organized activities at least once per week. Internet computers, common garden for potted plants, even a common kitchen if they wanted to cook.

She paid $900.00CAN/month which included all the specialized medical and nursing care 24 hrs., her drugs (with some discounts as per the plan for all people living in our province) her living quarters, 3 served meals, etc. She had to pay for her own haircuts, etc.

She did not have her own private room, she had her own bed space shared with 4 other ladies. But really this facility was truly for those near the end of their lives.

She was very lucky to be in such a well-run, caring facility and yes, this is a government run, government funded facility that provides discounted cost care.

No, it was not in a campus like area. It was located downtown...close to many coffee shops, banks, grocery store for nibbles, which dearie used to occasionally take his mother their in wheelchair..she really liked dark coffee like Starbuck's. It was not isolated from rest of community /life in far flung gated community.

I got my bio mom in a facility, not far from my home. It was
an apartment complex; and the cost was determined from the amount
of SS a person received. She paid less there than what she was
paying for a private, rundown apartment in the city. It was new. She had her own 2 bedroom, 5 room pad. There were 4 apartments in each of three buildings. It was in the country with all the extras I previously mentioned, plus a rec hall. Many townships through this state have these complexes specifically for seniors. IMO it is a great concept and good use of our tax money! And that's a good deal in and of itself!