Baby Boomer: On Finding a Safe Haven

Baby boomer: Safety is one of your primary concerns

Every baby boomer wants to run away home, at some time in his or her life. But, where is home? Is there a safe haven for baby boomers, somewhere? In other words, where can you as a baby boomer who is hurting, find a safe haven?

Many baby boomers are people who are hurting, for one reason or another. Some of them are single. Others have broken away from marriages that have turned sour or have become mental and emotional disaster areas. Perhaps some of them are suffering the empty nest syndrome. Maybe their spouses have left or passed away. Regardless, the baby boomer often feels that he or she has a huge void that no one can fill.

Consider some possible options.

Remain independent and strike out on your own.

When confronted with the reality of being single, many baby boomers choose to strike out entirely on their own. They may attempt to find what appears to be a safe haven somewhere and try to live alone. That may not be an easy thing to do, after having been involved in a lengthy, marital relationship. Sometimes, finding a safe haven is not easy for a suddenly-single person. This may appear to be a valid option depending upon one's age, health and general well-being.

Why not buy your own house or find an apartment? Sometimes that works out well, but not always. There are no guarantees. While living on your own can prove to be a good idea, at times, striking out on your own may turn out to mean just that. You strike out, once, twice or three times. No matter what you do, it seems to turn into a worse scenario than the last one.

What other options are available to you, as an independent or single baby boomer?

Move in with your family.

Moving in with your family could be a possible solution for you to consider as a baby boomer who is seeking a safe haven, but it is not necessarily a good one.

Remember that over time, even those family members, with whom you have lived or have been comfortable living with previously, may have changed over time. Change is a part of life and what you and they may have had in common, in the past, may not be the same anymore.

How do they feel about it? Maybe you should talk it over with them first?

While your family may feel obligated to help you or that they have to take you in, they may not want to do that. They may not be able to afford to do so, either. They may not have a home that is appropriate for taking in another family member. Not everyone has an extra apartment or suite, in their homes. Remember that many times, family members do not have room in their hearts either, for those who are not considered their immediate family.

Is there a better option?

Find an old friend and move in with him or her.

Finding some of your old friends is not always easy, particularly if you have lost contact with them, over the years. You may be shocked to find out how and where they are living, at this time in their lives. Remember that when you knew them years ago, they were probably living with someone who loved them and took good care of them. That may have been when they were children and teenagers, or even as a young married couple. Now they may be baby boomers too, with high baby boomer expectations. Perhaps they are already seniors. They could turn out to be different people than you expect them to be now.

You have changed over time, too.

This kind of a scenario can turn out to be like meeting and trying to live with someone who is new or completely different. Take this kind of a scenario cautiously, particularly at first.

Find a new mate and move in with him or her.

Finding a new mate could be wonderful and it might prove to be a fantastic experience for both of you, but if this relationship is only for the purpose of having a roof over your head, it may not be a good idea.

Finding someone who you love and are compatible with is more important.

Remember that it always takes time to get to know someone. Be aware that you may not have the same kinds of interests, hobbies or similar life styles. While you may be perfectly compatible with someone else, it is going to take a while to find out. That getting-to-know-you period can be rough, so tread lightly on this pathway. Take things slowly and cautiously or make alternative living arrangements, just in case..

Move into a retirement facility, home or center.

Moving into a retirement facility, home or center, could present a viable option for you, if you are about to retire or are retired. Do serious research online in order to learn what is available, in your area or region.

You may be pleasantly surprised. There may be mobile homes or smaller houses that you can purchase or rent, in a retirement village setting. It is a good idea to find out the average age of the people living in any setting of this kind too, as the current residents may turn out to be far older than you are. You may realize that you are more interested in living in a younger, more active community setting.

Find out what the basic expectations are, with regard to possible residency. While you may qualify as a resident, that is not necessarily true in all settings. You may need to have a specific religious, ethnic or cultural background in order to live there.

Find out what is available in terms of trailers, mobile homes, apartments or condos. How large are they? Will you be expected to provide your own furniture? Are there storage facilities for your extra furniture? There may be specific guidelines, limitations or restrictions, so check them carefully and make certain that you are comfortable with them.

You might ask a few of these questions. Is there parking space available for your vehicle? Is there an indoor car park? How about a steam bath, pool or a spa? What kind of recreational options are available? What is the cost going to be as a potential resident? Will there be extra charges or fees?

Is this located in an area that you are familiar and comfortable with? Do you know anyone else in the immediate area?

Move into a senior's center.

Moving into a senior's center may appear to be the perfect solution for you. As an older baby boomer, about to retire or semi-retired, you may feel that you deserve to be able to live in a senior's center. You may think that you earned it, as you have worked hard all your life.

Senior's centers have a wide variation of residents too. Ask yourself, what kind of assistance you currently need or will need, as you get older. Be aware that you may not require the same kinds of care that others who are older need in this kind of a setting.

Perhaps you need something more in terms of assistance, than this facility can currently offer.

For instance, will your meals be provided for you? Will there be help available with regard to cleaning and maintaining your own unit? Are you going to be expected to share some of your facilities? How much personal privacy will you be able to have? Will there be appropriate assistance available with regards to specific nursing care needs? What is the cost that will be incurred? There may be additional factors that must be considered, like insurance coverage.

What other options are there?

Move into a nursing home.

If you are not able to care for yourself, consider moving into a nursing home, but before you do that, make c

certain that it is a place that is going to be able to meet all of your basic needs, as well as one that will provide the level of nursing care that you require or expect to receive.

Look carefully at your income. You may have to find something more suitable, geared to your personal income level. Remember that your income will always determine to some extent, where and how you live.

Perhaps you have an additional source of income. Try to find a way to live within your means, regardless of what your income level is, at the moment or will be in the future. If necessary, find a part time job, so that you have a way to earn extra money to cover your expenses. Budget carefully, so that you have money saved with respect to possible needs in the future.

Where will you go? It is up to you.

You know that you do not want to wind up living on the street somewhere, in a tent city or be forced to camp under a bridge. Those kinds of places will not provide a safe haven for you. Even living in a short or long term shelter house, will not be what you need or want to do on a long term basis, even if it works in an emergency situation.

Whatever you choose to do and wherever you decide to go, make certain that it is going to be a safe haven for you. Take the rest of your family into consideration too, because wherever you go, someone from your family will visit you. You want them to be safe, too. There are some baby boomers that have no family.. Often they turn out to be extended family

The choice is ultimately going to be yours. But, if you decide to move into a trailer park and live on your own, make certain that you will be safe there. If you choose to go to a summer camp or to live in a tent during the summer months, make sure that it is adequate and will meet your needs for shelter, whatever the weather.

Be careful regarding where you go and who you are with. Choose your friends wisely.

If you opt for traveling with a recreational vehicle or trailer, make certain that you are able to navigate it properly and drive it safely.

Finding temporary shelter is one thing, but obtaining guaranteed long-term shelter first, is far more advisable. Your personal safety is extremely important. Before you try to move or go anywhere else, other than where you are, ask yourself, Will I be safe? If my family comes to visit, will they be safe too?

Determine whether it is going to be a good move for you health-wise too, as health is one of your other major concerns, particularly at this time in your life.

Maybe you will find your own island somewhere. Who knows? Consider the alternatives of renting a room or living in a boarding house, a motel or hotel. Check it out first, before you sign any agreements.

Carefully weigh all of your options, one against the other. Then make a learned decision, before you opt to run away home. Your health and well-being, as well as your life, may depend upon it.

Watch for baby boomer group homes appearing on the horizon, in the near future, ones that are designed specifically for baby boomers who are just like you, in other words those who are seeking a safe haven. You will find a home somewhere, but remember that 'home is where the heart is'. It is also where you, as a baby boomer, find a safe haven.