Holiday Retirement Inn: Here We Come!

As the economy declines and seniors’ homes aren’t worth what they once were, and retirement nest eggs are lost just when they are needed most, seniors are trying to figure out creative ways to pay for their retirement years. Before giving up and moving in with your kids, here is an idea that has been circulating in various forms on the Internet for years, but now it is actually quite worthy of consideration!

With the average cost of Assisted Living $200 per day, couples could negotiate a long-term stay/senior discount at a nice motel like a Holiday Inn for approximately (depending on location) $50 a day! The Inns have a swimming pool, workout room, lounge, washer, dryer, TV, coffee, room service, towels, toothpaste, razors, shampoo and soap. That leaves quite a bit of money for meals, movies, phone, internet and whatever!

In addition, for a few dollars a day in tips, the Inn’s staff will be scrambling to take care of your every need, treating you like VIP guests instead of aging patients. They will wake you up on time, take messages, and suggest community events, lectures, concerts, and all kinds of activities you might enjoy. When the TV breaks, a window gets stuck, a lamp won’t work or a chair needs replacing, the Inn will immediately take care of it and apologize for the inconvenience.

And when driving is no longer an option, the front desk will be happy to call you a limo or taxicab, or you can take the public bus which is usually right out front and often free for seniors, or if needed the handicap bus will pick you up. For a change of scenery you can take the shuttle over to the airport for a safe and brisk indoor walk—and do a little plane and people watching while eating at one of their many restaurants. And, as all your left over cash adds up, you will be able to take trips and cruises!

The Inn has night security and if you or your spouse take an unfortunate fall and have a broken hip, Medicare will pay for the hip and the Inn will probably upgrade your room to a suite for the rest of your lives. And, since someone will be thoroughly cleaning your room every day, they will notice if you aren’t well and take care of calling a doctor, ambulance or undertaker for you!

ThirdAge Expert Voice Jacqueline Marcell is the author of Elder Rage, and the host of the radio show, Coping with Caregiving.