As we grow older, many of us start thinking about the possibility of moving to a retirement village or assisted living facility. These communities promise a safe and secure environment, access to care, and the opportunity to socialize with others in the same stage of life, which could be from sixty and older.

I spent the Christmas holiday 2022 and New Year 2023 and the following 3 weeks, in a retirement village, and it was an eye-opening experience. I was only there to attend to my sick and aging mother, who at 95, still lives there independently, but had fallen ill a few days before and was in the hospital section. While I appreciated the sense of security and care provided to my mother, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease about the place.

One of the most striking things I noticed during my stay and previously, is the lack of energy. Everyone regardless of age, seemed old, fearful, and confined in body, mind, and spirit. There was no new thinking, everything moved slowly and methodically. The conversations I did have were often focused on who had passed away or what ailments people were experiencing. While there were a few more active members of the community, I struggled to relate to them as I am not naturally a community-oriented person.

From my short stay and limited conversation perspective, it felt like once you leave full independence and moved to the protected retirement living facility, it was downhill from there. This realization was sobering, as it brought to light the fact that in just 27 years, I could be in the same position as my mother. This thought was frightening and made me once again appreciate the time I have left to live the life I want.

Realistically, I guess I have only 10 years or 120 months to live life to the fullest in the current way I do, before I may not be able to function in the same way. This realization has made me even more conscious of my life and all it entails. Health, strength, mental and physical ability, time spent, company shared, thoughts, and actions all matter more now than ever before.

While living in a retirement village may be an essential move for some, the need to make the most of every moment left of the next 120 months was reinforced and I returned with a refreshed mindset. It’s crucial to live the life you want while you still can, rather than waiting for old age to take over. And now it is only 116 months!!