Nope. That was the first Residential Aged Care facility I saw. Subsequently I saw another five, and the final one visited was really very classy indeed: not only a lovely building in an attractive environment, but one with a pool table (!) and a baby grand.
(My days on both are long past: I did my piano AMusA back in 1960 and touched a keyboard only very, very seldom thereafter, so now I can’t bloody play a note. 🙁 And Stringer and I loved our game of pool to the extent of buying ourselves a small table at some time or another – I think the late ’70s or early ’80s – but I haven’t picked up a cue since then.)
It also has a very impressive library – which would be great if I were able to actually read … but it’s audiobooks for this scatterbrained old fart, and has been for years.
So with all this going for it, you’re thinking I’ve finally found my last home. But I haven’t, because of the insuperable insupportability of dining in a room full of very old people, most with false teeth that become awfully obvious when eating, who slush their food around in a revolting way. Here, in a nutshell, is the kernel of the problem: nearly everyone living in RAC is there because they have been found unable to be managed by family or by themselves – they are OLD in every sense. I, too, am old – I shall be 83 in July – but I am not old in my head or my spirit; and it’s the second one that really matters.
And so it was that by a really nice coincidence, as I was starting to panic, that I had email from one of the two companies I’d found, MONTHS ago, that provide Independent Living Units – basically, flat-blocks for oldies who can still look after themselves. Did I want to go on with applying for one of theirs ? – sure did. Could I then fill out eligibility form and provide all necessary paperwork ? Sure could.
So although this will mean more work for me [gasp !], it will mean more LIFE for me. The ILU intention is to bring ageing people into a community, which is exactly and precisely what I need. Also, this group does have the next two stages of the trio for the elderly – the next one being RAC and the final one actual Aged Care, where – if such is required – you’re in bed and fully nursed.
The woman in charge of their ILUs came to check me and my current living arrangements out, and was happy. Of their list of ILU’s dotted about the Melbourne area, I am interested in only two; and she promised that the first vacancy to arise in either would immediately be conveyed to me. Just last week her admin emailed to say they’re expecting one in the classier of the two, and I’m really excited about it !
She tells me that the flat is roughly the size of this one, but that the bedroom is bigger and the bathroom has a walk-in shower. Oh BLISS. I can’t wait for a shower that isn’t over a bath. 🙁 Also, and most importantly, that it will cost me $1,200 a month: what am I paying here ? – $1,608. Well, that’ll be a nice change, eh ? You ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie !
I did offer, when the email came in last week, to pop around and shoot somebody if that would help …
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