Feelings about People with Canes and Walkers 

Dear Reader, I have been asked the question about how it feels living in a retirement community with senior citizens. To tell the truth, I had not given it a thought. My thoughts were focused on living some place where I no longer would be in charge of getting repairs, replacements, and services ordered and delivered. Included in this desire would be the ability to leave home without the necessity to make arrangements to have the paper and mail held, the phone calls "forwarded" plants watered, and lawn mowed or sidewalks shoveled. All I wanted to be required was to lock the door, inform friends, and be on my way to a happy experience. Now that I think about it, I don't consider myself living with only seniors, nor do I think of wanting to associate mainly with those who are healthy and able with the thought that I don't want to think about the time I will need a cane or walker. This is probably an inevitable happening for those who are aging, but why dwell on the future? Enjoy the present. Those with canes and walkers are just like anyone else: same joy of life, sense of humor and adventure in their own way, and interesting. There is an extended care unit in my surroundings that I can't really comment on because I have not visited it, but my thought is that it is a nice area as well. They have the same beautiful outside views to look at, the same good meals to eat, plus the help they need when they can't provide for themselves. Yes, I miss the sound of children's voices and I miss the sight of them happily playing together, but this is only when I especially think about it. At other times I can see grandchildren coming in with their parents for a visit, and that is a plus. As far as I can tell, there are no cliques made up of able bodied seniors or cliques made up of people with canes or walkers. It is all one big happy family. Grandma