A Vision Of An Adult Community

This article was submitted by John J. Nicastro Sr. who's opinion is offered here.

In an effort to understand why so many older adults in Independence have a need to live in an adult community may we offer you the following comments and observations.

Remember when you were first married and just starting out? The new place, the new neighbors. In the morning, you stood at the door, and watched as the children were bused off to school.

You waved to neighbors and called their names, inquiring about the new baby, or the new job. Today, some 40 or so years later, some things are the same in the neighborhood, and yet something's are very different.

Small children still ride bikes on your street and parents watching children playing in the yards. The difference is your no longer one of them. The children who once kept you so involved are raising the next generation. Many of your original neighbors had to move on. Now that place that was once was your refuge, doesn't feel quite as secure, and being alone seems a bit more ominous.

Now that you're retired, with only your own schedule to keep, you have a new sense of freedom and adventure. Today is about " what now?" tomorrow is about "what next?" When it comes to recapturing that fading sense of belonging, how about a community filled with individuals with the same life experiences and same interests. A place where life is a real pleasure, where days are filled with friends near your same age, a place as safe and nurturing as when you were first starting out.

In the quest to find the right place to really enjoy retirement many have found that planned adult communities are fast becoming the right place. A place brimming with stimulating social opportunities, involving many activities, and convenient amenities. A place where it's more than convenient it's a place where there's a sense of freedom living in a place that's maintenance free, where you can just lock your door and leave without worrying about who will take care of things. A place where you can pursue your favorite activities with friends that share your same interests. And perhaps most confronting of all, your free from the responsibility and obligation of home ownership.

The health, safety and welfare of older adults is not a place where you live alone in a 3 or 4 bedroom home with stairs to a basement or a second story, a place that continuously requires maintenance and repairs.

The quality of life for many older adults would be much improved if they had a choice of living in a planned adult community near their families, friends a place that they dearly love and helped build.

Join a group of Independence Seniors their family and friends that are championing the creation of such a place.

Submitted by John J. Nicastro Sr. - Member of the Independence Senior Coalition Tel 216.524.6224