My grandma is a resident here. She used to be a mayor of a small town and she is an eldest sibling so she is bossy as hell -- also, she is old (obviously) and lived through enough crap, walked up hill through snow both ways to school, etc. that I as a spoiled Gen Xer will never understand, and therefore, she is kind of entitled.
So, I say that so you understand that she is a rather persnickety type, and can appreciate that it's a pretty big deal that she kind of likes it here. (You will never get a full endorsement from Grandma on anything because she is one of those people who somewhat enjoys being miserable, know what I mean? She would be unhappy if she didn't have something to be complain about. Yes, I take after her.)
The staff at Cascade Retirement Inn are cool. They aren't like those crazy people you see on TV or in movies (like that Adam Sandler) who torture old people. The company that owns this place is pretty serious about its business model. Of course, this all comes at cost. Grandma was never cheap! Why would she start being cheap now?
But she is safe. We don't have to worry about her falling or not eating (though she hoards food now -- don't open her fridge!) or forgetting about her meds. And she socializes so much more than she did before (probably because she has friends here now - whereas most of her historical friends had died off -- sad but true).
I recently visited her and stayed the night, which included a few meals in their dining hall. Have you ever tried to find a white haired, hunched over lady in a sea of white haired, hunched over ladies? And that was before I opened the champagne. Speaking of which, the staff did not judge me at all when they saw that bottle in the recycling the next day -- I figure they know Grandma well enough by now to understand that I need my medication too.
Overall: Clean, safe, lots of bus trips, social activities, exercise (even chair dancing and chair pilates -- for wheelchair bound or those less mobile!) etc. for the old folks! If they put in a bar, I might think about coming here when I get old. read more