Moosehaven-retirement community...anyone have any experience?

[ranthony]

My mom retired last August at the age of 62. She is single and has been mentioning Moosehaven a bit to me lately. I was wondering if anyone on this board has any experience with Moosehaven.

She is active and fun loving but I think she is a bit lonely and definately ready to move south. I'm not sure this type of community would be the best for her. Most members on the web-site looked quite a bit older than she is.

Anyone with first-hand information?

TIA

 

[golfgal]

I don't know anything about Moosehaven specifically but everyone I know that lives in a retirement community is so dang busy it is crazy. I wouldn't worry about the age of the other people there-it matters less and less as you get older.

 

[arminnie]

I am 62 so I can give a pretty good perspective here.

Last summer I took my dad (88) to look at several housing options. Many communities have independent apartments (meals may or may not be included). Some then offer assisted living (help with getting dressed, bathed, meds, etc.) and then there is full blown nursing home care.

Here's what I've discovered. Most social workers recommend independent living places for the elderly (mostly 75+) that have assisted and nursing options availabe if they later need it.

Many independent seniors live in places that are age restricted - must be 55. There is a HUGE difference between 55 and 75. All of these places have a lot of activity, but the ones for older people have much more restricted events.

I would love the concept of never having to take care of anything again - but it can be SO depressing when everyone is so old. Half are on walkers or scooters.

My best friend (in her 80s) lives in a mixed use facility. Despite being on oxygen she still drives, cooks, and loves to meet me for lunch with a martini or two. The independent apartment is perfect for her.

I stop by to visit on occasion, but I could not live there at this stage of my life.

I would also be hesitant to move into a place that requires a "buy-in". Not that there is anything wrong with that or that it is not on the up and up. It's just that most places told me "If you move in and decide two weeks later that it was a mistake you will NOT get your money back".

Here's the approximate prices in Little Rock and New Orleans.

Independent apartment (all utilities except phone) with meals 1 BR, kitchette only, $2300.

Independent apartment, 2 BR 2 ba with full kitchen, w/d, and no meals $2000 plus utilities.

Assisted living - $4000 inclusive

Not sure of the nursing home. These are all top rated, luxury facilities in great neighborhoods.

I'm not sure what a nursing home costs today - 4 years ago it was $115 a day at a very nice place.

I have a small condo (2br, 2ba) in New Orleans that I love. I can leave for weeks at a time and only need to lock the door. I have great security (including gated parking) and can walk just about everywhere (which is the only way I could ever have a 2 martini lunch!).

I am in a fabulous neighborhood - I pay less than $800 a month for hoa, utilities (including cable and internet), taxes and insurance. That does not include a mortgage payment.

It doesn't sound to me that your mother is ready for one of those "old folks" homes yet. Something more geared to the 55+ set would probably be a little more in line than the places that are stepping stones for nursing homes.

 

[golfgal]

I am 62 so I can give a pretty good perspective here.

Last summer I took my dad (88) to look at several housing options. Many communities have independent apartments (meals may or may not be included). Some then offer assisted living (help with getting dressed, bathed, meds, etc.) and then there is full blown nursing home care.

Here's what I've discovered. Most social workers recommend independent living places for the elderly (mostly 75+) that have assisted and nursing options availabe if they later need it.

Many independent seniors live in places that are age restricted - must be 55. There is a HUGE difference between 55 and 75. All of these places have a lot of activity, but the ones for older people have much more restricted events.

I would love the concept of never having to take care of anything again - but it can be SO depressing when everyone is so old. Half are on walkers or scooters.

My best friend (in her 80s) lives in a mixed use facility. Despite being on oxygen she still drives, cooks, and loves to meet me for lunch with a martini or two. The independent apartment is perfect for her.

I stop by to visit on occasion, but I could not live there at this stage of my life.

I would also be hesitant to move into a place that requires a "buy-in". Not that there is anything wrong with that or that it is not on the up and up. It's just that most places told me "If you move in and decide two weeks later that it was a mistake you will NOT get your money back".

Here's the approximate prices in Little Rock and New Orleans.

Independent apartment (all utilities except phone) with meals 1 BR, kitchette only, $2300.

Independent apartment, 2 BR 2 ba with full kitchen, w/d, and no meals $2000 plus utilities.

Assisted living - $4000 inclusive

Not sure of the nursing home. These are all top rated, luxury facilities in great neighborhoods.

I'm not sure what a nursing home costs today - 4 years ago it was $115 a day at a very nice place.

I have a small condo (2br, 2ba) in New Orleans that I love. I can leave for weeks at a time and only need to lock the door. I have great security (including gated parking) and can walk just about everywhere (which is the only way I could ever have a 2 martini lunch!).

I am in a fabulous neighborhood - I pay less than $800 a month for hoa, utilities (including cable and internet), taxes and insurance. That does not include a mortgage payment.

It doesn't sound to me that your mother is ready for one of those "old folks" homes yet. Something more geared to the 55+ set would probably be a little more in line than the places that are stepping stones for nursing homes.

WOW those are CHEEP!!! Average cost of a nursing home in MN/day is $330. All inclusive assisted living is going to run in the $6000/month range.

 

[arminnie]

WOW those are CHEEP!!! Average cost of a nursing home in MN/day is $330. All inclusive assisted living is going to run in the $6000/month range.

And this is why I retired and left Northern California!

 

[ranthony]

I think she wants a change and has enjoyed being a member of her local Moose Club so this seems like something she can relate to.

The whole 'move in until the rest of your days' does not agree with me.

I think she'd be better off in a 55+ community but as I said, her budget is extremely limited and it seems like most of these communties are geared around golfing...something she has absolutely no intrest in.

My Grandparents retired to a mobile home community in New Smyrna Beach, FL and the loved it. However, they only found this community because my family was living in NSB at the time.

I really have no idea how to steer her in the right direction but it just seems like Moosehaven is not it.

 

[golfgal]

I think she wants a change and has enjoyed being a member of her local Moose Club so this seems like something she can relate to.

The whole 'move in until the rest of your days' does not agree with me.

I think she'd be better off in a 55+ community but as I said, her budget is extremely limited and it seems like most of these communties are geared around golfing...something she has absolutely no intrest in.

My Grandparents retired to a mobile home community in New Smyrna Beach, FL and the loved it. However, they only found this community because my family was living in NSB at the time.

I really have no idea how to steer her in the right direction but it just seems like Moosehaven is not it.

The nice thing about the lifetime care options is that once you are in you are in. Finding a good place when you need it can be difficult. If she has a caregiver personality living in a place with people she can help take care of might be a great thing too.

Maybe if she moves into Moosehaven she will take up golf. Golf is a GREAT lifelong sport. I used to golf with a woman that still walked 18 holes of golf 4 times/week at age 98. My husband's aunt took up golf at age 75 and has 3 hole in one's to show for it. Even if everyone else golfs there are a lot of social activities that happen at golf clubs the you don't need to golf to take part in. I also think there are more programs and activities in retirement communities then there are in 55+ developments.

 

[golfgal]

Another suggestion is to look into getting her a long term care insurance plan. Depending on how limited her resources are you might want to consider paying for one for her. This would helps out tremendously if she needs to move into assisted living or a nursing home and then you don't need to worry about paying for that part of her care.

 

[rparmfamily]

Moosehaven, the one in Orange Park, FL? I grew up in that town, Moosehaven is right on the river and very nice. Close to lots of golfing, shopping, restaurants,etc if that's the one you're considering. They do craft fairs,etc too.

 

[Corky's Mom]

I live in Orange Park. If this is the one here, they seem to be attracting more active seniors. They are rebuilding the places on the St Johns River. The have a beautiful dock on the prettiest road in town. It is a prime piece of property. They host a huge 4th of July fair. They have other things going on all the time. Hope this helps.