Maureen is a new contributor who sums up the changes in one’s lifestyle with the
need to make arrangements for one’s retirement.
RETIREMENT – THE BUTTON BRIGADE
MAUREEN GRAVELL
Retirement comes to all of us, sometimes suddenly, maybe for health reasons, maybe
losing a partner, maybe for sensible reasons, like we need available Frail Care facilities,
or we need to drive less, so a Kombi to take us on outings, sounds quite exciting.
My dad always asked me to promise not to put him in a home, ever! I explained that I
wasn’t prepared to promise something I had no real control over! He boarded with a
lovely lady, they played lots of cards, went to lunches and movies and had a good few
years, but eventually both grew older, and a little deafer and not rally ale to hear each
other, especially at night, if on fell ill. I then chatted to Dad on one of our frequent trips to
Bloem where he had lived most of his life. I said he now had reached the “Button” age in
his life, a comfy, warm room in a nice retirement home, with a button at the head of his
bed! I tried to make the button enticing enough to persuade him to move. I said, “Dad,
when you feel poorly, uncomfortable, or even uneasy with not sleeping, just push the
button and help will be there within moments!”
Looking at him, I knew I’d sold the idea well! Within a month and with loads of good luck
and great timing, my dad went to live at Siesta, a warm ad friendly retirement home,
where he lived rather happily and safely for several years, before he passed away
quietly at 92 years old.
I am now the lady looking at my own retirement plans and visit several homes and
attend talks and discussions on purchasing or renting, at levies and escalation
percentages, and, wait for it, the Panic Button! I’ve looked at a very pleasant home, the
oldest retirement complex in Johannesburg, built by City Fathers of the 30’s and later
added to and aided by Rotary Club, and full of wonderful 70 year old trees.
The one necessary item at this, and I imagine, all retirement villages is the daily wearing
of a panic button on a chain, worn when at home or out walking, if at gym or meetings,
as a constant safety mechanism, should you need help, 24 hours a day!
I feel I’ve come full circle from my Dad’s retirement to looking into my own, and will
maybe feel the same sense of belonging and safety in years to come, as he did, with our
“Button Brigade.”
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