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I was given a video tour by an agent and was totally not impressed by the facility or the sales people. I am in a wheelchair, but am looking toward an active life style when not with my family. I am a male, 75-years-old and was told the average age is low 80's. I'm worried there will be a lack of socialization, activities, etc. and I will spend most of the time alone and my room. Appreciate any input. My son's small home is not an option, for many reasons.

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In Fl there must be other Assisted Livings. If it does not look good, please do not go. Money wasted. Can ur son check out a few near him? Then send u feed back?
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I think the answer may be a real visit, even to having lunch with residents? When my bro entered ALF he was very with it and had the same feelings. We chose the cottage he would be in by having a few meals with residents, which was encouraged by the facility to show off their meals and to let their residents shine.

You may be unable to do this because of where you are currently living, but could your son in FL. do it? And might you be with him a lot.

My brother and I discussed his facility a lot. He would laughingly say "It's like the army, hon. I don't love it a lot but I make the best of it". He was on his own a lot, loved reading, a bit of TV, sitting in the grounds, picking roses for the tables daily, doing a movie or a bingo or a trip to see homes of the stars. I will say his facility was GOOD for him. He would say "We are like the hippie commune where everyone wants something different. Irma wants the blinds down; too much glare. Maria can't see to do her painting or sewing. We have weekly meetings and never get too far."

I won't say he loved his place. I WILL say he thrived there and only was better for being there, and that the staff was marvelous and dedicated.

I sure wish you good luck. In any case it is 3 months. I am thinking it will go fast. For me at 81 it is breakfast every 15 minutes!!
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Do you think an AL would accept someone who only plans to be there in the winters and return to their home elsewhere for part of the year? Or are you planing on moving to Florida this upcoming winter?
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You’re lucky your two children help you. Please tell them often how much you appreciate it.

And please don’t exploit your children (so many of us on this forum are exploited): give them something in return and don’t ask them to do too many things.

Make sure your children are given every opportunity to live a full life of their own.

I sincerely hope it’s not two daughters helping you. And the son, not helping you. That would be awful, and yet again a real injustice towards women.

It sounds like it’s a daughter and a son helping you. And a son (in FL), not helping you. Please tell your daughter to thrive in her life, her health, her career, her aspirations.
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Enlist your son to help with those visits and then chat about his impressions. If you are worried about activities, he should go mid afternoon to see how engaged the residents are. Every facility has a monthly schedule. AL is not locked down so you can get outside. Many residents like to sit just outside of the doors together.
A lot also depends on your personality whether you want to stay in your room or socialize in the grand open areas.
Now I am not quite clear if your intentions are to stay permanently. Almost every AL has a non refundable enrolment fee so that staff can learn about your medical problems or if the vacated room needs upgrading. Contracts might have a 60 day notification. Someone has to move your furniture since I have never seen a furnished apartment until at that SNF level.
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How about a different facility? Or rent an apartment and hire an agency to provide caregivers.
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What area of Florida?
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How independent are you, despite the wheelchair do you really need an assisted living level of care? Given that Florida caters to snowbirds there might be a seniors complex or community that offers a la carte services.
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