Man plans to live at Holiday Inn instead of nursing home because it's cheaper

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

HOUSTON — A man says he’s done the research and the math, and he’s concluded that living in a Holiday Inn is a much better deal than moving into a nursing home.

“With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble. I've already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn. For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night,” Terry Robison wrote in a Facebook post that now has 89,000 shares.

Robison, whose Facebook profile says he lives in Spring, Texas, goes on to point out the hotel often has free breakfasts and sometimes happy hours.

He argues that with the extra money, he can then pay for other meals, laundry and even tips for the hotel staff as he lives out his golden years in the hotel.

Perhaps the best part? He says you can easily move around and travel to Holiday Inns all over the world.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-world/man-plans-to-live-at-holiday-inn-instead-of-nursing-home-because-its-cheaper/285-4349670c-00b4-4e34-b641-ec8353eae557?fbclid=IwAR3yuQnaStqrst5O7y7-Y-r_GPO01lDiqG4KQS298QYZMsH6rfn3ACj8m1c

[Takket]

1. But our healthcare system is fine.

[pnwmom]

67. The man is deluded. Patients at nursing homes need a lot of care.

They have either physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, heavy medical needs, or some other problem -- other than age -- that put them in the nursing home. The Holiday Inn isn't ready to take care of people in wheelchairs who need help getting on and off the toilet; or taking their meds. And they're not ready to take care of people with increasing dementia.

[TheBlackAdder]

91. A lot of folks go into a nursing home because they are old, go on indigent care, and have no one.

.


Here's the rest of his post:

TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem.. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.
The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they'll call an ambulance . . . Or the undertaker.

If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.

And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.
The grand-kids can use the pool.
What more could I ask for?

It's an option to retirement communities, which often are quite expensive.

.

[pnwmom]

97. That's not true. My mother had to qualify for nursing home care, based on her physical needs.

Most states provide in-home help but not nursing homes for those who are able-bodied but not assistance.

The OP and others here are confusing retirement residences, which might resemble the Holiday Inn, and nursing homes -- which are designed for people who actually need care.

(And that quote above is just plain silly, claiming that if you break your hip, the Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life. How could anyone not have realized that wasn't true?)

[TheBlackAdder]

102. That can be gamed relatively easily, just like handicapped license plates.

.

If you have the assets, are ex-military or have some other revenue stream, you are a cash cow to them.

Of course, they'll end up depleting everything you own in the process, and by that time you'd be indigent enough.


Now, if you don't have the money and expect the state to pick up the tab immediately, they will rake you through the coals, just as much as getting SSDI, but many get that when they are able-bodied enough to work. My state goes back through assets for the prior 3 years or more to make sure people aren't sheltering their money to qualify.


Yeah, that part about the broken hip is bogus. They probably won't even allow nursing care to show up. But, motor lodges do. In my state, NJ, a lot of people on assistance live in motor lodges (those strip hotels)--and they are happy to get them as clients because it helps pay the bills.

.

[TheBlackAdder]

92. Don't forget the #1 Benefit. . . No 24x7 Urine Smell in every room throughout the facility!

[crazycatlady]

99. the best in the world

[brooklynite]

2. Is this supposed to clever?

Setting aside what his local options are, a nursing home is intended to provide...nursing. What will he do when his medical condition requires assitance?

[shanny]

6. Pass on, I suspect.

Same thing people do when they run out of assets and/or insurance. Only in this case they probably won't be drugged to the eyeballs and parked in the hallway in a wheelchair.

What kind of world do you live in?

[brooklynite]

8. "what kind of world do you live in"?

A world where, for $5,600 a month I could rent a nice 2-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side next to Central Park (seriously).

[shanny]

12. How nice.

Actually, you have not been shy about your means, and your willingness to use those means to further your agenda.

My point is, your world ain't the world of many, let alone most, of this party. One could even suspect you were out of touch with the bulk of the party. But congratulations! You're a winner in the current economic environment! I am happy for you.

[brooklynite]

16. My agenda?

Is that the agenda where I try to get Democrats elected at all levels? Did you have something else in mind?

As for the original post, $5,600 a month is what you get for the $188 per day rate that this person is paying at Holiday Inn. What exactly is he gaining from this arrangement?

[More_Cowbell]

23. $188 a day was for the nursing home; the Holiday Inn is $59.23 a day nt

[brooklynite]

26. I stand corrected: $1,776 get me...

...this lovely townhouse apartment in Spring, TX.

https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Texas/Spring/Alexan-Exchange/100039696/

[xmas74]

28. A townhouse would be cheaper

but a hotel would include maid service, pool, gym, 24 hour front desk, happy hours, etc. The 24 hour front desk might be enough to almost even out what he would spend otherwise. An on call service that could respond to his room immediately would be expensive. And he did say this would give him the freedom to travel, since some hotel/motel chains will honor the same price nearly everywhere for those who are long term tenants. I know someone who works for a Holiday Inn and she said they have people who already do this. They are retired and they stay with them for about six weeks before moving on to another city or state, always with HI so they have the same rate reserved at the next hotel.


It seems pricy but maybe with the amenities it almost evens out?

[Mr.Bill]

49. And don'y forget no utility bills, no cable or wifi bills and no maintenence

and no repairs. There's usually laundromats and other services on site, too.


No, this would not be good for someone needing nursing care, but while you're still relatively healthy, it could be an option for some.

[Demovictory9]

64. Hotel would provide him with more people around

[rampartc]

77. and not people likely to rob and rape him.

i will die before entering a nirsing home. or rob a bank. prison would be preferable.

[pnwmom]

71. You don't get daily maid service for the low long term rate. And there is a HUGE gulf between

healthy retirees who might find this idea fun, and the people who actually live in nursing homes, who need the nursing CARE that Holiday Inn doesn't provide. Holiday Inn isn't prepared to take people in wheelchairs who need help getting on and off the toilet, or people with dementia, or complicated medical needs.

[xmas74]

88. My friend managing a HI said that yes, you do get daily service

unless you decide otherwise and that includes on long term rates. She said they offer it as a service but it also allows them the opportunity to check in regularly and be sure of the condition of the room.

As to the rest- I work with long term care. This is an option for healthy retirees. This option would be possibly available for those who are geared towards assisted living-they don't need round the clock staff but they don't want the maintenance and upkeep anymore and knowing there is someone who can answer a call if absolutely needed does help.

[xmas74]

110. Is that aimed at me?

I didn't make anything up. My friend manages a local Holiday Inn. Whenever we go out of town she always gets our rooms and we pay her back because she gets them at such a great discount.

She said that they have daily maid service if requested for long term stays, though it's not as extensive as a checkout. It's mostly bed making, changing out towels, trash take out and some vacuuming. I worked at one when I was young and that's what we did for the extended stays, with weekly linen changes and a deeper clean. Part of our job was to do a quick assessment that nothing was damaged or broken, no rotting food, etc left out.

For a healthy retiree it would be fine. Once medical issues get in the way it would no longer be a good option.

[crazycatlady]

100. I lived in an Extended Stay America because it was cheaper than a 1 BR apt

Bonus--- free breakfast, no utilites, etc.

Note--- this was for 3 months-- short term leases are very hard to find.

[happybird]

104. We lived at a Holiday Inn for 2.5 years and it was great

It was $36 a day and included breakfast, maid service (but we refused it and cleaned, ourselves), a pool, big beautiful grounds for our 2 dogs, free cable and internet, no utility bills, and I could walk to work. We occasionally ordered room service and paid cash (usually late night ice cream, lol!)

Plus, there was a decent $3 movie theater across the parking lot and nice hiking/biking trail ran right by the property. Our dogs loved that.

One of the best parts was the linens- just hand 'em off and get clean stacks in return. Awesome. There were a few coin op washers and dryers right down the hall, which made doing our clothes easy. And so much better than having to haul everything to a laundromat.

I'd live in a hotel again in a heartbeat.

[yaesu]

55. In the winter, the comfort Inns & others have monthly rates of $700 but they maybe limited

to the frozen north.

[kcr]

75. It's a shame you decide to spend so much of that time

richsplaining why everyone else doesn't spend their 5,600 housing budget the way you think they should.

[pnwmom]

69. People without means who need actual nursing home care can qualify for Medicaid that pays for it.

Nursing homes don't take healthy people just because they're old.

[Doodley]

78. Not everyone in need qualifies for Medicaid.

[pnwmom]

79. When their assets are down to the maximum allowed (a couple thousand savings), if they require

a nursing home, Medicaid will pay for it.

But first people have to spend down their assets to that level.

[Doodley]

81. Income is a factor too. My mother-in-law is barely above the threshold, which means

my wife and I have to provide care for her and nursing home isn't an option. Anyway, wouldn't put a loved on in a nursing home unless it was the last resort.

[USALiberal]

19. I know no one else in my life that likes to brag about their money. Nt

[brooklynite]

20. How am I bragging?

I'm referencing the money the person who's the point on this ridiculous thread is proposing to spend at Holiday Inn.

Or did you not bother to don some basic math?

[procon]

45. Why is it "ridiculous" ?

Lots of ordinary folks that don't have the luxury of a large income who can neither afford health care or pay for long term care in a skilled nursing facility. Do you know what the average SS recipient gets?

If that guy believes he found a solution that works for him, that's ingenious. Maybe his work around will inspire others to look for something similar.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

50. I wouldn't be criticizing other people's skills given that

you couldn't do the math yourself, as demonstrated above.

[mahina]

25. Brooklynite just stated a fact, what 5600/mo could buy.

Last edited Tue Feb 26, 2019, 04:56 AM - Edit history (1)

There was no bragging.

Bye.

[Hekate]

53. Some people are awfully quick to assume others are bragging when all they are doing is simple math

It certainly doesn't mean that the person who can do the math has a pile of money and is rubbing other people's noses in it. Good grief, sometimes the sniping gets me down.

Hope all is well in the Islands, Mahina.

[mahina]

65. Yes indeed. Good to see you.

We’re ok,it’s pretty chilly this winter but th days are crystalline. No more got! Howzit with you these days?

[TeamPooka]

24. Yeah, but someone would have to die for that apartment to become available.

The old NY obituary apartment hunt.

[brooklynite]

27. We didn't...

We lived on the UWS for a year; it came up (with other options) when we started searching...

But since the person in question is living in rural Texas, his options are much cheaper.

[TeamPooka]

30. yeah I'm not sure I understand that guy's plan. Doesn't make sense and I'll almost lay money

that's it's really just a viral ad for Holiday Inn

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

106. When my mom died in 2011 her care was $5000 a month

That was just assisted living not skilled nursing.

I imagine it's gone up a bit since then.

[pnwmom]

11. At the Holiday Inn a sick person on a long term lease could slowly starve

after a fall in their bathroom and not be discovered till the smell started drifting through the walls.

[doc03]

13. My mom spent months in and out of nursing homes, from what I saw

she would have received just about the same care at the Holiday Inn.

[pnwmom]

15. That's too bad. My mom had broken her hips and had had a couple bad experiences, too.

Later, when she finally needed a permanent placement, we looked in 4 states and found the best nursing home close to one of her children, and it was wonderful. Months after my mother died, my sister was still hearing from "elder assistants" who missed Mom.

[at140]

34. My 92 year old mother-in-law falls often, and lives in a assisted living facility

where she gets 3 meals a day and has library, TV lounge, bingo, movies etc.
And there is a nurse in attendance full time. Every resident can wear a necklace with a
push button to call attendant on duty. Overall a very nice facility in Sun City, AZ.

When she lived in a condo by herself, she almost died from falling with much bleeding
and had passed out. Luckily a relative came by to check and called 911.

[doc03]

94. Wow where my mother was I had to go and

feed her at least once a day or she would never got food.
I walked in her room one time at 4pm she had food all over the floor. She was trying to eat her noon meal with her hands.
Then I got the standard excuse we are short handed.
The last place she was in was better but not much.

[at140]

116. Sorry to hear that..

Yes, if the resident refuses to eat or simply can't eat, then it is left up to the relatives.
In those situations you go from assisted living to nursing home. My mother spent he last few years in a nursing home until she passed away at age 103. My sister visited he every day and bribed the staff to take better care of mother. Without that it is dire straits.

[lunatica]

14. There's daily housecleaning in the Holiday Inn

It’s included in the charge.

[pnwmom]

18. Are you sure it's in the long term plans? We stayed in a long term hotel-rental like that

once when we moved, and it didn't include the same service that people in the short term plans got.

But suppose you're right.

Most people in nursing homes are in wheel chairs, have dementia, or have other complicated medical needs. Who does Holiday Inn have to help people get in and out of the bathtub, or to help them take their pills, or go to the bathroom?

[lunatica]

57. You know, it!s highly doubtful a hotel will rent to

a person with Dementia, or unable to help themselves physically, but there are plenty of older people who aren’t sick, decrepit, or unhealthy.

Obviously it isn’t for everyone.

[pnwmom]

58. And those older people don't live in nursing homes. They don't need to and they wouldn't want to.

A hotel room is like the lowest level of assisted living care. It's not comparable to living in a nursing home, with nurses, nurses aides, physical therapists, etc.

[Mosby]

93. My mom was in a assisted living place

it was 4200 per month. Later when her level of care was greater (due to terminal cancer) it was 7500/mo.

she was there because she developed a seizure disorder and couldn't stay in her apt anymore. Otherwise she was fine.

[pnwmom]

95. At the highest level of assisted living, it can overlap with nursing home care and cost.

When my mother needed care the person assessing her said she would qualify for either one. We chose an excellent nursing home, with all single rooms (which made it look much like my MIL's assisted living) because it meant she'd never have to move again. And when she ran out of her own money, it accepted Medicaid. If she'd run out of money in assisted living, she'd have had to move to a place that would accept Medicaid -- and there are fewer good choices available to someone who waits to apply to a nursing home till they have no money left.

[Mosby]

98. my parents bought an insurance policy at some point

That covered the cost.

It was a kosher place, but most of the residents were not Jewish. That had to be a strange change for lots of the people living there.

[xmas74]

29. Unless they request daily maid service.

A friend works for a Holiday Inn and said there are people who already do this. They are retired and relatively healthy. They stay at one HI for about six weeks and then move on to the next. They have daily maid service for fresh towels, a basic room cleaning and to make the beds. She said they cross the country, visiting their children and grandchildren this way.

[pnwmom]

33. Right. But I doubt they'd get that for $59 a night. And it wouldn't help the vast majority

of people who are in nursing homes because they are in wheel chairs, or have dementia, or need complicated medical assistance or help with pill management.

[happybird]

114. We got maid service and were able to negotiate

our price down the longer we stayed. It started out at around $50 something a day for the first few months (no taxes after the first 30 days of residence) and we ended up paying $36 a day for over a year. We were still offered maid service but turned it down because it felt lazy to have others cleaning up after us. We tipped well when trading in our sheets and towels at the housekeeper's cart, though.

This was in 2007- 2009, at a franchise Holiday Inn with a cool manager. We left when the owners sold to Motel 6, who brought in horrible management (they stopped mowing, left the pool closed, the kitchens closed, common areas weren't getting cleaned). We lived there 2.5 years. It was great.


I can see staying at a hotel as a great alternative to assisted living communities. Many are basically residential country clubs, complete with required amounts to be spent in the dining room each month. The total costs can be outrageous, especially for those who are reasonably healthy.

Hubby's Nana recently moved out of one (affiliated with a Church- cuz profits are sooo Christian, ya know). The 'medical assistance' part was a call button on the apt. wall. Whoop de doo. For anything beyond a minor injury, the staff would just call 911. No one with serious health issues could live there. After 4 years, she decided it was way too expensive for what she was actually getting and moved in with my inlaws. She did enjoy the activities and trips, though.

But, a hotel is not acceptable for someone who needs moderate or serious nursing care.

[Hortensis]

68. Medicaid, Medicare, and SocSec, Shanny, are part of

our worlds, and this man's also. We and he have paid for them all through our working lives.

He's presumably going to live in Holiday Inn as an alternative to joining more affluent elders in an INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITY that would also provide a rec room and van to stores.

Holiday will vacuum, wipe down the bathroom, change the bedding, and clip the shrubs outside. Just like in an ILF, he may hire someone from outside to drop by and provide additional services. And when that's not enough, that's when this guy qualifies for Medicaid assistance, which will pay for a modest assisted living facility.

I've shopped them, btw, and it's all in the management, not the funding. When it's your turn, Shanny, because you almost certainly won't be just "passing on," don't worry about how new the carpet looks but take a good, long look at the manager, who should be energetic and enthusiastic about creating a good place to live. Above all, when coming in, look for people sitting chatting outside and inside and up and about in the halls. That's a huge clue to the good ones.

Oh, and absolutely vote Democrat without fail every election to make sure what you've been paying for is all still actually available for you when the time comes.

[elias7]

70. Drugged to the eyeballs?

Agreed most elderly have long med lists, but not usually psychotropic meds. The body falls apart. People keep coming to doctors to fix something that can’t be fixed. Medications helped soften the landing or postpone the inevitable. But I wouldn’t call these people drugged to the eyeballs. Maybe you’re thinking about a psychiatric facility, or maybe just haven’t seen how de-animated the many elderly ultimately become, especially those saddled with dementia and Parkinson’s.

[Doremus]

21. $130/day can pay for some food and caregiving

The cost of caregivers might even be covered by Medicaid, assuming the patient qualifies. Food wouldn't be covered, nor would the cost of lodging in this scenario. But housekeeping would be taken care of as would utilities and there would be no property taxes to pay.

The guy's onto something. I've filed it away for future reference. Hell of a country we live in.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

51. No, it's supposed to be desperate. Not that you would know anything about that. nt

[tanyev]

3. Great as long as he stays healthy and is able to drive.

What then?

[womanofthehills]

9. No need to drive with Uber

And he could hire a part time caretaker.

[pnwmom]

36. Who's going to help him in and out of the bathtub or the wheelchair, or with his diabetes shots

or make sure that he takes his pills? Nursing home care is on a different level than assisted living.

[Hortensis]

66. Exactly. This guy's looking for an alternative to an ILF,

an independent living facility, not a nursing home or assisted living, a place where he doesn't have to maintain his home and can find companionship. Holiday Inn will provide maintenance, but if he finds himself short on companionship hopefully there's a motel that's converted to elder-occupied SROs right down the block and that it's on a bus line.

[TheBlackAdder]

90. Why pay for a car, insurance and maintenance when Uber or Lyft will take you anywhere?

.

My son would take it to college, when his car was being repaired. A 20 minute drive, with tip, was $20.

.

[ooky]

4. Interesting, although

Last edited Tue Feb 26, 2019, 01:40 AM - Edit history (2)

I can't afford either. Guess I need to not get old and feeble. Well, feeble. I'm already old. By staying in my home I'm paying $18.63 a day, which of course doesn't include any nursing home services, but compares pretty favorably to the Holiday Inn that also doesn't include nursing home services and won't allow me to have my dog. And I need the dog.

[Jake Stern]

5. Snopes discusses this urban legend

[link:https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/my-retirement-plan/|]

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

108. That's not what this article is

This based on a Facebook post.

Whether it's true or not it highlights the high cost of elder care.

As I've pointed out elsewhere in this thread when my mom died in 2011 her care was $5000 a month.

[silverweb]

7. Cruise ships, too.

I remember reading a couple of years ago about a handful of people who were living on cruise ships for similar reasons - plus there's a ship's doctor and ship's hospital, and meals are included. It didn't sound like a bad option at all for people who are still pretty self-reliant and functional.

The day will likely come, of course, when that's inadequate and full-time nursing care is needed. In the meantime they're having fun in a safe environment and at a much lower cost than an assisted-living facility or a nursing home that they're not ready for.

[pnwmom]

10. This might be comparable to assisted living, but there are no nurses, physical therapists,

or other staff with geriatric or dementia training at the Holiday Inn. So, no, a Holiday Inn wouldn't substitute for a nursing home.

[mantis49]

17. Uh huh.

Is the hotel staff going to make sure he takes a bath, gets dressed, eats regularly, takes his medications, clean him up after incontinent episodes? If he is able to live in a hotel, then he doesn't need assisted living or nursing home care.

He's comparing apples to oranges.

[pnwmom]

39. I feel like most of the people here have no idea why people end up in nursing homes.

Your list shows you understand. I'll just add that many are in wheelchairs or have cognitive issues.

[area51]

42. +1 n/t

[Captain Stern]

85. "If he is able to live in a hotel, then he doesn't need assisted living or nursing home care."

That's pretty much the bottom line, here.

Well said.

[dawg day]

22. Some old people in okay health live on cruise ships--

For about $100 a day, you get a room, as much food as you want, plenty of activities, gentle treatment by staff.
They're called "live-aboards."
I'd consider it except for that whole ocean aspect.

[rpannier]

35. I'd consider it except for that whole ocean aspect.

That... and from a snopes article, the affordable cabin is closet sized
If you don't mind spending most of your indoor time in cramped surroundings with few personal items, it would probably work
I have too many possessions for that

[pnwmom]

41. How would that work if you were in a wheelchair and needed help to relieve yourself and bathe,

or you had cognitive issues?

People are mixing up assisted living and nursing home care. They're not the same.

[Sapient Donkey]

43. Now that I would understand to some extent.

Assuming the person isn't deathly ill or incapacitated to the point of not being able to take care of themselves.

[pnwmom]

59. Old people in okay health avoid nursing homes. n/t

[KentuckyWoman]

31. Why is he comparing nursing homes to hotels?

Nursing homes are there for 24/7 nursing care. Help with bathing, dressiing, eating, medication management etc. Is this guy expecting the maid to come change his diaper, brush his teeth and put his clean jammies on?

[democratisphere]

32. Smart guy. The American Criminal Enterprise Eldercare System

screws every tenant in their senior care facilities. I like Terry Robinson's approach to a less expensive, higher quality lifestyle.

[YOHABLO]

37. This guy is ridiculous. The Holiday Inn is not a nursing home. "Nursing'' being the key word here.

Just stay healthy folks for as long as you can. You have no other choice.

[defacto7]

38. My step mom died in a nursing home from dehydration.

She had a cold and would have had to have been left alone for a couple of days without water. Not much help in that facility. Holiday Inn doesn't sound too bad.

[pnwmom]

96. I'm very sorry. That would be malpractice. n/t

[Sapient Donkey]

40. Couldn't he also just rent an apartment for less?

Rent & utilities would be cheaper than a holiday inn. I've stayed at holiday inns for an extended period of time. It gets old really quick. And that was going to different ones every few nights.

He could use the money saved to get a nurse or one some sort of aid to come out every few days to check on him and do anything he needs. I don't think he did the math correctly. I totally understand his desire to not want to be in a nursing home, but surely he can come up with some better ideas than living a hotel.

[Hekate]

56. I think he's trying to be clever, not accurate. And judging from a bunch of replies here...

...a lot of people completely miss the joke (such as it is) and jump straight over the very real issues of what a nursing home provides that makes it very different from assisted living much less a hotel.

In-home assisted living costs less than a nursing home, too. But by the time someone needs a nursing home they are far too debilitated (mentally and/or physically) to live in any kind of hotel, nor would a hotel take them for more than a few days.

[NJCher]

44. I think the way to go

is one of those rental shares with other older people. They have people come in to assist on a regular basis. The rest of the time, you share a kitchen and other common areas. Prepared meals are available in a common dining area or you can elect to fix your own.

Some are houses, others are studios arranged in a complex. I'd go for my own studio.

---

Here's yet another option: did you know 20 per cent of elderly women's prisons in Japan are made up of women who deliberately went shoplifting to get caught? Yeah, they like the cameradery of prison and then, of course, the system has to take care of them.

There was a story about it at longreads.

[demosincebirth]

46. Have you checked the prices?

[NJCher]

54. highly dependent on the actual structure

the prices range from high to low, depending on the real estate and the place where you locate. Some places, like high tax states like NJ, will have higher real estate prices yet there will be quite an array of services that you won't get in low-tax states like an Oklahoma. An example is that here we have buses that go all over town for seniors. There is gov't sponsored senior living in high rises that are actually quite nice. I know our northeastern states get a bad rap because of taxes, but I have heard of seniors who moved out of the area and returned because the low-tax states offer virtually nothing in terms of services.

We have a senior tax freeze here, also.

But back to the cooperative living situation--That's the good part about this solution: there is a high degree of flexibility on cost.

The solution is overall much lower than assisted living because residents collaborate on the running of the house. Some people are good at certain tasks and take these on as part of their living arrangement. Some people can clean, others make repairs, etc. It is a good solution because the longer a person can provide for themselves, the better their morale.

There are companies who do this, but there are also ad hoc type houses where the seniors all know each other and go in on the structure together.

[RockRaven]

47. The point of a "nursing home" isn't shelter, or laundry/cleaning, or even fixing meals...

It is the help with activities of daily living like bathing, using the toilet, and feeding oneself (never mind giving medications as prescribed and monitoring for new ailments) -- none of which hotel staff will touch with a ten foot pole, by corporate policy if not also by personal preference.

Whether or not this anecdote is real or a joke, the entire premise is really dumb in either case.

[pnwmom]

72. Exactly. n/t

[miyazaki]

48. Another sad concept is retiring in prison. nt

[Hekate]

52. Long term cruises on the ocean have also been broached as a clever idea. But ....

....absolutely everything hinges on staying just healthy enough to make this work.

Nursing homes have staff to make sure your 3 meals a day are nutritious, that your diapers will get changed should you need that service, and that the doors lock in case you get demented and want to travel the world when you're no longer capable of finding your way around the garden, much less across town.

Sorry, Charlie, but Holiday Inn is just not set up for that kind of care. Cute little meme, but no dice.

[pnwmom]

60. I'm surprised at all the people here who seem to think nursing homes

are full of healthy, able, cognitively-intact old people. I guess they just go there for the wonderful food.

[Drunken Irishman]

109. Yeah. I think people are under the impression nursing home equals retirement community.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

62. Really?

Does that include meals? Does that include actual nursing care? Like bathing, administering medications, helping him in and out of his bed? I think he's confusing a nursing home with independent (not assisted) living. There really is a huge difference.

And what is he going to do with a lifetime of possessions? Obviously he's getting rid of the good china and mementos of trips he took when young.

As others have noted, this is a lot like the claim that it's cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in assisted living. Again, the two aren't comparable, as the range of services is vastly different. Plus, at least some of the people who claim to be living on a cruise ship also maintain an apartment or condo on land, which means their costs are well above those in an independent/assisted living place.

Don't get me wrong. I like Holiday Inns. I totally loved the one cruise I've taken and hope to take a few more. But the practicalities of living in a hotel or on a cruise ship do not match the claims made for them.

[SoCalDem]

63. He's a Trumper

[mnhtnbb]

73. My alternative to a retirement facility

is a "luxury" high rise downtown apartment building.

I have a 2 br apartment with a fabulous view. Walk to everything within a few blocks. Library, post office, the symphony, the ballet, wonderful restaurants, the park, small grocery stores. Swimming pool and gym on the top (23rd) floor, along with a lounge, fireplace, pool table, fire pit, outdoor grill, and big TV's for watching sports. Bus station is across the street, where I could ride city buses to almost anywhere, including direct to the airport. For as long as I want a car, I can park it in the garage next door for less than $2/ day. Add in cleaning service that comes every other week ( who needs daily housekeeping?) and I have a full sized kitchen. He's going to get tired of going out to eat lunch and dinner every day. I can have lunch and dinner delivered from any number of downtown restaurants. My neighbors are mostly young professionals, although I'm seeing more older faces in the elevators in the 11 months I've lived here. My current cost/ day, adding in my TV, internet, electric, cleaning, is about $80/day. As long as I can take care of myself--independent living-- I'd rather be here than in some retirement home.

That's not for everyone. I love living alone. Some people crave activities and having other people around. For them, a retirement home might make more sense. Assisted living is another story, but I'm more inclined to have someone else come live with me if I get to that point, rather than go to an assisted living facility.

The point is that the retirement facilities have been marketed to us aging baby boomers by corporations that are in it to make money. There are other alternatives, including for those with more money, going to live on a cruise ship!

I do think that this guy is not being specific about comparing equal living situations. Some older people equate these independent living retirement homes which provide meals and house keeping, but not anything else, with "nursing homes". You have to be careful with the differences between independent living, assisted living, and 24 hour nursing home care, that are offered in some of the comprehensive care retirement facilities. I think he's trying to make the comparison between the hotel and independent living at a retirement facility where housekeeping and meals are provided .

[MosheFeingold]

74. Not a terrible plan

I know several people who do this on a cruise ship; they pool their money and hired a young nurse to cruise with the 10 of them. Basically a co-op nursing home.

I’m at the age where it’s not wise to live alone. (I am well over 90.) But most of the time I am OK. I have good vision and easily passed a driving test.

And yet (going on about a year ago) I had a bought of pneumonia that really dragged me down to the point where I was confused and, while not ready for a nursing home, I definitely needed someone around.

I’ve been blessed with a large and caring family, including a son (himself a semi-retired doctor) who built me a little house behind their house. But for family, I would have been in a bad spot.

Some things cannot be duplicated, but by a loving family.

[exboyfil]

82. Ten patients to one nurse

Means they need little care beyond handing out medications and monitoring their health. There is a reason why nursing homes are so expensive. My grandma was a two person transfer when she was taken out of the bed or if she needed to use the bathroom.

[MosheFeingold]

89. OK, so she needed more care

Is your point people who don't need so much care should pay for it, anyway?

[Soxfan58]

76. Are the chamber maids

Going to wipe his butt when he can no longer do it?

[Doodley]

80. The way to do it is for a group of people who need a nursing home

to all go to the same hotel. Suppose there were six of them. That would leave around $750 a day for shared nursing and meals.

[sinkingfeeling]

83. Someone's confusing a retirement home with a nursing home.

[RobinA]

84. Errr....

Many people live in hotels, and not rich people. Not in Manhattan or Cocoa Beach (there just happens to be a hotel there I love), but a decent chain hotel in an out of the way but warm place, maybe Texas for example, can work for people with limited means. Cost of entry is a problem for a lot of people, and in a hotel that isn't a lot. Maybe get a low paying job to help with expenses. It happens. Medicaid can kick in when the need for medical care enters the picture.

[llmart]

86. This idea and the cruise ship idea may just be a way to call attention to the coming crisis...

of the vast number of baby boomers who have little to no retirement savings and zero pensions that prior generations had. The guaranteed pension disappeared with the Reagan era. I don't think either anecdote is going to be a long term solution for anyone (and it may just be this was meant to be a cutesy anecdote). It is still a fact that most of the elderly are going to be single women who either never worked outside the home or worked at low paying jobs (that would be most working women of a certain age).

Maybe the moral of this article/story is to wake people up to planning what they will do when they reach their senior years. So many on DU have this notion that "Oh, I'll just work until I drop dead" which is another unreasonable "plan" for their senior years. Who says you're going to be able to work until you drop dead? Who says you'll not have some medical issues that prevent you from working or that anyone will hire you?

My particular plan is to stay in my home which currently is manageable for me and paid for plus is a condo so if I can't or don't want to, my outdoor work is done for me courtesy of my monthly condo fees. If and when I can no longer take care of the inside I will downsize and move to something much smaller. I have had to move many times in my lifetime and am very adaptable to change. To those people who bemoan the fact that they have too many possessions, I would say you need to get over that. If you're attached that much to your possessions then you need to start thinking about what's important to you. For me it's always been my health, my relationships and intangible enjoyments.

When it comes to needing nursing homes or 24/7 care I plan on rereading the book "Final Exit" and doing what is necessary to avoid that horrendous scenario. I think you'd be surprised at how many elderly people no longer want to live when it gets to that point. I attended a 90th birthday party of a friend this year and when asked what she wished for on her birthday she said, "You know what I wished for. I've told you this before. I just want this to all end for me." She was in fairly good health in her early to mid-80's but the slow decline started in her late 80's and her life now consists of having witnessed the death of most of her friends and family and daily doctor's appointments and three-day a week dialysis appointments and then recovering from those three days, etc. etc. That's no life.

I believe it was PBS that did a documentary awhile called "The Looming Retirement Crisis" that was pretty eye opening about the baby boomer generation. This country is not ready for that.

[Ilsa]

87. He just wants someone to find his dead body when

he expires from lack of daily medical or nursing care.

[cbdo2007]

101. I'd rather be shot into space towards Mars or something...

I know it would be a one-way thing, and that would be ok but it would be the most amazing experience of my life and better than sitting in some room here on Earth waiting to die.

[COLGATE4]

103. My wife and I are inveterate cruisers, taking a cruise 2 or 3 times

a year and we have actually given this idea a thought. I think we have come to the conclusion that the 'living on a cruise ship' idea isn't really very practical, for the following reasons:

Living space:

Cabins on cruise ships (unless you're talking about the very pricey suites) are really quite small. There is very limited storage space and no social space at all. The bathrooms are also tiny, especially the shower. While this limited space is acceptable for short cruises I don't think it would wear well over a period of weeks or months

Having a doctor available on board:

While it's true that there's a doctor on board but they are not trained to be primary care physicians on an ongoing basis. In the event of anything beyond their comfort level the passenger is put off the ship at the next (or nearest) port of call where the passenger has to seek whatever medical help is locally available. In addition, the charges from the ship's doctor (they don't accept insurance) are as high or higher than your regular doc.

Having access to room service:

Room service used to be available on all major cruise lines. However over the past 10 years lines are either doing away with it entirely or downsizing it in terms of limited offerings. In addition, many lines are charging fees for using the limited room service available.

Costs of travel documents:

If the plan is to keep traveling "back to back", i.e. one cruise after another you may well get hit with heavy expenses for visas, etc. depending on where the ship intends to go next. The rule is that ALL passengers must have a visa for any country where the ship docks, whether or not the individual intends to disembark the ship. Some, like Brazil are just costly (about $150.00). Others, like India are not only costly (it cost me $200 a person) but take quite a while to obtain. If you don't possess the required visas for the particular leg of the cruise you will not be allowed on the ship. Quite a hassle.

There are quite a few other 'downers' about the general idea as well but I think these give a taste of why it probably isn't a practical idea to retire on board a cruise ship.

[exboyfil]

105. How do mobile retirees handle healthcare

Most plans seem regional for in network even Medicare. I admit I don't know much about the situation. This question would also include the RV live on the road types.

I actually have some ideas for retirement that involve surrendering any fixed domicile (I do not view it as an option to nursing home because that is what they are nursing homes - which means nursing care).

One would getting a six month or year lease in different cities in which I would like to live (Paris, Rome, London, and New York). I figure that would minimize the ultimate expense since I would live like a resident and not have the expense on maintaining another domicile.

The other would be getting a small conversion van and touring the US.

This hotel option also sounds interesting, but a bit more expensive. With the other benefits it might work for a year to enhance mobility for locations that require a shorter time period to experience.

[NurseJackie]

111. Will the staff bring his prescriptions on time? Take his blood pressure?

Will the staff bring his prescriptions on time? Take his blood pressure? Check on him for falls? Answer emergency alerts? Will they bathe him and dress him?

He doesn't need a "Nursing Home" ... sounds like he just needs Senior Living or Assisted Living.

[Alea]

113. Where's he getting a Holiday Inn at $60 a night?

Every one I've ever stayed at was close to, or over $100 a night. Yes he will get a senior discount, but they are also always filled to capacity with travelers and there's no way they will rent long term for low rates. Small crappy motels do this, not Holiday Inn. They're not in the business to turn away full price costumers because their rooms are filled with long term low rate paying guest.

Heck he's talking about $1800 a month. You can rent a decent place for that kind of money with enough left over to buy food.

I think he's delusional or BS'ing, but I say let him try it. Let me know how it turns out

[IronLionZion]

115. People with medical needs should just choose to be healthy instead

That sounds like a great idea for the dude in the story, but obviously not for many of the elderly who need help.