We are getting this one all wrong
It sounds like heaven
My parents are in their 80s and still live in the house I grew up in.
If you’re lucky enough to still have parents, you probably worry about them like I do.
I investigated some assisted-living facilities for them for when they will inevitably want, or need, to move.
This research convinced me we are missing something in this whole aged care business model, but not in the way you might think.
Assisted-living residences have lovely dining rooms where the residents eat beautiful, chef-prepared meals, three times a day, in a restaurant-style setting.
You roll out of your place, go 20 metres down the hall, get served a lovely meal, and leave your dishes for someone else to clean up.
They have libraries, activities, and event rooms where you can have your friends over.
Someone can clean your home every week and they have a shuttle bus for errands and appointments.
Here’s the thing: my parents are not interested in assisted living.
They love their independence, and have loads of time to cook, tidy up, putter around, and do errands.
My parents can easily make an afternoon out of picking up a prescription.
I, on the other hand, desperately want to live in an assisted-living home.
I looked at this place with my mouth open, trying to imagine how amazing it would be to have someone else make dinner every day.
To have someone come and clean my house every week.
To have access to a party room where I could have friends over but not have to clean my place before or after.
To have knitting and book clubs ON SITE where I could hang out with friends.
I don’t even know how to knit, but I want to learn and be in a club and sit around and talk with friends while knitting. That sounds amazing to me.
Why are we only making these places for the elderly?
Midlife women are the ones who need this! Especially single mums.
Where is my assisted-living home?
One of my friends who reads this every day builds assisted living centres for people with dementia.
Here is my plea: can you please build one for midlife women?
Will pay top dollar.
Who’s in?
Heather x