Don't rest until we rethink the idea of the "Rest Home".

I felt I had a brush today with death. I didn't almost get in accident or was robbed. Instead a friend a friend took me to look at speaking at an assisted living facility. Very beautiful surroundings. The interior was fashioned like a very upscale looking country club. I saw some active seniors getting ready to get on a bus. Others dressed up on their way to breakfast.

There was something in the air. I felt these folks resigned to a state they were going to leave the planet. I knew the place was not the right place to speak but my friend urged me to see it. He told me that the children of these folks would come to my talk. However I knew younger folks would not show up at this place. A number of research studies have shown that a majority of seniors like to be around folks of different ages and ethnicities. To be honest it felt like a " living funeral home. "

In three conversations the same comment came up " Well you should be prepared?" Meaning have all your ducks in a row for end of life.

Something about this place seemed like purgatory. The most important point I learned was not be paralyzed by your thoughts of dread. I take solace in the thought that so called retiring in a home is a place sorely waiting for new ideas. Those new ideas need to be and will be kinder, smarter and help older folks feel more productive. There can be no rest at the rest home.
Until the rest of us start thinking about what kind of setting would stimulate and help seniors make every moment of their life count.