Interesting Concept ~ Cruising vs. Assisted Living

[HeatherInFlorida]

Thumbing through the AARP Bulletin, an article "Cruising Through Retirement" caught my eye. Seems there's an M.D. with the idea of placing people on open-ended cruises instead of an assisted living facility.

This doctor and her colleague are calling the concept "cruise ship care" and wrote up the idea in November's Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. I thought the following stats were worth sharing:) !

Assisted Living
Meals Provided ... Optional
Housekeeping ... Optional
24/7 medical care ... No
Escorts to meals ... Optional
Staff-to-client ratio ... 1 to 10-40
Average cost/month ... $3000

Cruise Ships
Meals Provided ... YES
Housekeeping ... YES
24/7 medical care ... YES
Escorts to meals ... YES
Staff-to-client ratio ... 1 to 2-3
Average cost/month ... $3000

Their idea is that rather than tell a senior they have to go into assisted living, they could say "You are unable to stay in your home alone, so let's put you on a cruise ship in the Caribbean!".

Sounds like a plan to me!!!!!!!:D What do you all think?

[Orcrone]

I think I'm ready for assisted living NOW!

[Grumpy1]

What's that saying? Be nice to your kids...they will get to choose your Cruise Ship:D

[twoatsea]

:cool: dh & i are ready to sign up today!! this is so strange - in late october, as usual, we arrived in florida (disney area) from indiana for wintering in our rv. we are tired of the cramped space & looked for a seasonal rental. couldn't find any that satisfied us. sooo, we actually did consider spending the winter on hal! on one of our cruises last year, there was a retired lady who did just that. her schedule was that she stayed onboard for 3 weeks & then 1 week off, and repeated that thruout the winter. last year we did take 5 one week cruises & this year three, but decided we didn't want the entire winter onboard. one week at a time is about all we want. we like 1 week on & 3 weeks off. that allows us to get excited about the upcoming cruise. also, we have very little control when it comes to food so easily consumed - no shopping, no cooking, no cleaning up. we would eat ourselves to an early grave :eek: ! another reason why we need the 3 weeks off. anyway, we signed a 12 month lease on a one bedroom apartment.

however, when the time comes that we can no longer bicycle, walk several miles a day, go shopping, go to the movies, go to disney parks, travel in non-cruise ways, etc., we may want to spend our kids inheritance on an assisted living cruise! what a way to go!

may be one problem - $3000 month divided by 4 weeks = $750 a cruise for a single person. is that possible on hal? oh well, if not, splurge!

thanks heather for this interesting info - such great "food" for thought :) .

[ColoradoJuli]

Think medicare would be willing to supplement the bill or maybe get your insurance company to cover it? I really like the idea, but my kitty cats must be allowed to go with me :-)

[Oceanwench]

Sign me up!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm assuming the $$$ they quote is in a minimum cabin. Actually, $3000/month in an assisted living facility these days would be a very bare minimum. Obviously they would offer more costly accommodations. And they don't mention that while there is medical care available 24/7, it certainly isn't free! So they'd have to tweak it abit.

Plus I don't think our younger friends want to share their ships with us:D so they'd have to have special ships offering this service. But the fact remains there are a lot of "seniors" out there with a heck of a lot of money and how many among us wouldn't prefer being sailed around than sit in a little apartment in some assisted living community?

As you say, food for thought ...... and pretty tasty food in my view;) !

[bepsf]

I'm right there with you Heather!!!

I've heard stories of ladies who have spent years at a time aboard ship - there's the one who lived on Royal Viking ships for 14 years, and the one who currently lives on QE2. When the ship goes into drydock, she visits family in England and meets QE2 when it returns to service.

[mkk]

Yes..I have recently heard of this..
One couple we met on our last cruise said their mother-in-law was living on a cruise ship..cheaper than assisted living..lots more to do..all the comforts including a doctor etc...
Also..my DH says there is an article in this month's AARP bulletin about that very thing..I've yet to read it...But..I know I'd be willing to try living on a ship for awhile..when the time comes...

[jhannah]

The idea has a certain attractiveness. However, while you might find an occasional cruise for $100 per day, that certainly wouldn't be the norm year 'round. And yes, you'd have to add in the cost of medical care including administration of meds. And another thing; a cruise-bound person would be cut off from family and friends, and this isn't a good thing in the realm of elder care. Sorry to sound like a wet blanket thrower ... but there is still lots of "tweaking" to do with the concept.

[Esme]

There's a couple who sail on the Veendam out of Tampa one week on, one week off. Met them last Feb. when we were on board. They live in Tampa, so just drive to the ship, get on & stay a week, then back home for a week and back again. This goes on all winter.

Sign us up - cheaper than living in a retirement home here in Southern Ontario and much warmer - no snow. :D

[sail7seas]

I read the same article Heather and found it worthy of serious thought. We are no where near ready for anything like that but it sure makes alot of sense for folks like us who love being upon the sea.....who love the ships. It is a little 'pie' in the sky IMO but definitely is fun to think about.

[HeatherInFlorida]

....Also..my DH says there is an article in this month's AARP bulletin about that very thing..I've yet to read it...But..I know I'd be willing to try living on a ship for awhile..when the time comes...
mkk, I'm not picking on you, but did you read my OP? It was the AARP article that I'm talking about!:D You need a cruise;) .

[HeatherInFlorida]

The more I think on this, the more sense it makes. Obviously, you wouldn't be on the ship 365 days a year, but you would have an open-end cruise out of a certain port and could get on and off at that port as you choose. Maybe you could rent it as you would an apartment. Just as you would leave an apartment from time to time, you could leave the ship.

As in many senior living complexes, there would be a certain number of rooms for visitors to book so they could join their loved ones. What better way to get your kids to visit? I'm telling you ... it's brilliant!

Let's face it, we're running out of room in urban areas to put up the number of homes that will be necessary as the baby boomers age and live to be over 100. There's a lot of ocean out there ... why the heck not use it? I'm telling you that if someone jumps on this right now there's a lot of money to be made. HAL, are you reading this?

If they packaged it well, I'd be first on line to sign up.

[bepsf]

There's one already packaged Heather -

Residensea's MS The World...

"Ownership opportunities for Studios (http://www.residensea.com/defaultpage121bc0.aspx?pageID=278), Studio Apartments (http://www.residensea.com/defaultpage121bc0.aspx?pageID=277) and Apartments (http://www.residensea.com/defaultpage121bc0.aspx?pageID=276) onboard The World begin at USD$725,000 for Studios, USD$1,247,500 for one bedroom apartments, USD$1,697,500 for two bedroom apartments and USD$4,170,000 for three bedroom apartments."

"With a minimum stay of only 6 nights, you can select in which port to start your voyage and when to end. Rental rates range from $1,000 to $3,400 per night, for two guests depending on your desired accommodation."

http://www.residensea.com/

[HeatherInFlorida]

Brian, I'm familiar with that, but it's not what I'm talking about. It's not just for "oldies". I've read about it and I'm forgetting the specifics, but I know it was quite different that what these folks want to do.

Plus, I can't afford it!;)

Correction: I just took a peek at the link ... really grateful for that, Brian. I'll call them tomorrow.

[sail7seas]

The more I think on this, the more sense it makes. Obviously, you wouldn't be on the ship 365 days a year, but you would have an open-end cruise out of a certain port and could get on and off at that port as you choose. Maybe you could rent it as you would an apartment. Just as you would leave an apartment from time to time, you could leave the ship.

As in many senior living complexes, there would be a certain number of rooms for visitors to book so they could join their loved ones. What better way to get your kids to visit? I'm telling you ... it's brilliant!

Let's face it, we're running out of room in urban areas to put up the number of homes that will be necessary as the baby boomers age and live to be over 100. There's a lot of ocean out there ... why the heck not use it? I'm telling you that if someone jumps on this right now there's a lot of money to be made. HAL, are you reading this?

If they packaged it well, I'd be first on line to sign up.

I wonder how much the government can 'muck it up'. They'll start throwing junk at us about such things as Passenger Carriage Act and violations of it. Then they'll have to find a way to tax us independently for finding a way around rotting in a land located assisted living. Then they'll probably deny Medicare or whatever just to be a teeny nasty.

[ekerr19]

It works for me! At $3,000 per month it's a STEAL - we could do it now and save tons! Oh wait, I guess I'd have to take the kids out of school.... darn! It sounded good.

We always planned to take the World Voyage when we retired. If we like being on a ship that many days, we might just be convinced to stay on year round.

Heather, thanks for giving us food for thought!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I wonder how much the government can 'muck it up'. They'll start throwing junk at us about such things as Passenger Carriage Act and violations of it. Then they'll have to find a way to tax us independently for finding a way around rotting in a land located assisted living. Then they'll probably deny Medicare or whatever just to be a teeny nasty.

Sail!:( ... just when I was having such a good time!!! You raining all over my parade!!!!;)

But you're right, of course. The government will most definitely "muck it up" .... unless they're happy to have us all out to sea!!!!:D

Laura! You can't bring your kids with you!!! Besides, they'll be grown and have their own kids before you're qualified. This is only for "oldies"!!!:p

[ekerr19]

Laura! You can't bring your kids with you!!! Besides, they'll be grown and have their own kids before you're qualified. This is only for "oldies"!!!:p
Oh Yeah...duh. I was having a moment. :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

I read that article as well.

Sounds like a great deal - but we aren't ready to do that yet.

I can remember when we had to place my mother in a personel care home - 15 years ago - it was only for a month - the price then for a single room was over $4000 - just for the one month.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Do you remember the woman who lived on the QE 2 for quite a number of years?

She had 2 rooms - brought her own furniture on board, etc.

Does anyone know if she is still on the QE 2?

[RuthC]

For years now I've thought the object of the game is to have your life run out the moment before your money does.
Wonder how long the money would last under this plan? Hum....

Jim, for people who live on cruise ships the staff and crew become their "family" and friends. Sure, the passengers change every cruise, but the staff is a constant. Relatives come aboard for a visit just as they would on land.

All in all a very good plan.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Do you remember the woman who lived on the QE 2 for quite a number of years?

She had 2 rooms - brought her own furniture on board, etc.

Does anyone know if she is still on the QE 2?
According to Brian's post above, yes she does! I didn't know about that. I just saw an ad on the CC ship review pages about "living on a cruiseship"; they give you info on how you can buy a cabin on some of the older cruiseships. I went to the site, but didn't take much time there. Besides, it's not quite the same as what we're talking about here.

Krazy, we're not anywhere near ready to do it yet either!!!:eek: But we're at the point where we can see the dark at the end of the tunnel:D .

[sail7seas]

I read that article as well.

Sounds like a great deal - but we aren't ready to do that yet.

I can remember when we had to place my mother in a personel care home - 15 years ago - it was only for a month - the price then for a single room was over $4000 - just for the one month.


We had to move DH's mother to such a facility last year. It is chokingly expensive month after month. It just about takes my breath away to think of the huge cost and wonder how in the world they substantiate it. But.......whaddyadonna do? If it's necessary there is little choice.

Not like the 'old days when the senior members of families stayed with the young 'uns. There are so many instances and cases where it simply is not an option in today's world. Wasn't an option for us for many reasons.

[sail7seas]

Oh Heather......


I truly am sorry. It isn't usually like me to be the negative one. You're right.....I should not have opened the clouds to pour down on your fantasy!! :) And what a lovely dream it is.

Please forgive me? I'll find a way to make it up to the 'soon to be' birthday girl. :cool:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sail ... you know I was only teasing, right?:p If forgiveness is necessary, which it is not, than it is done. Funny thing is, I love the rain. Strange, aren't I?

This birthday marks the 1st anniversary of my 1st SS check (sssshhhhh;) ).

Yikes:eek: !

[Grumpy1]

Will the ship's doctor accept Medicare assignment?:)

[sail7seas]

...and I hope you get a whole big pile more of them. Go ahead....bankrupt the system and there won't be any left for us 'young uns!!1 :D Geez....we're hoping we'll get at least a few puny checks!!

We have more than enough rain today in Boston to make even the ducks happy!!! We'll send it south!!! :) It has rained non-stop all day.

[sail7seas]

Will the ship's doctor accept Medicare assignment?:)

No, Grumpy....Sorry, but I think not.

[sail7seas]

I had to go out early today in the pouring rain for a few medical tests and I had planned to run by TA's on my way home to 'inquire' about Noordam. (I know I said I wouldn't even think about it until we returned from Veendam but it has been rolling around in my head. ) May as well get whatever facts/figures she may have and I can raise the subject with DH while we are on Veendam. ;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Great, Sail! I'll be interested to hear if your TA has any info. I got a little more info from EKerr by email, but she decided not to post it because we don't know anythng for sure yet and why add to the pile of conjecture.

I took my SS early just so I would at least get back what I put in;) . As to you "youngun's", that will depend on where on the youth scale you fall:D . Hopefully there will be enough for you to get your fair share. As for me, it makes me feel like I'm contributing to the homefront. Without that, DH would be doing more than his fair share (well, he does anyway, but psychologically I feel better:) )

[sail7seas]

Good for you, Heather. You're smart. Who knows if we'll ever see a dime of all we put in???

We are not eligible yet and will not be for some years. DH is still very active in his practice and has no retirement thoughts whatsoever. I simply stopped working years ago and LOVE it. Wish I could say I feel guilty not contributing....but, alas....I don't. :o DH's motto is that if I am happy; then everyone is happy. If I am not-----he knows he will not be!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Absolutely! I love not working, too. Stopped only a year ago for good.

I gave a dear friend a plaque that said "When Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy".
DH is still working, too, but we're further down the path then you. Actually, just last night he told me he's thinking about retirement. But he's an architect, so if he does retire he could continue on a consultant basis (please dear heaven because I don't know what I'll do when he's around the house all the time;) )!!

[sail7seas]

:D I love my DH dearly but have always told him I married him for better or worse.....but NOT for LUNCH. I do not think we'd love it if he were around the house all day!!! ;) (except when it is lunch time on board an HAL ship....Love choosing from whatever yummies Lido is offering).

[Vicar]

This cruise ship assisted living arrangement sounds pretty good to me. Alas I am only 37 so I have a looooooooong ways to go, although some days I feel like I am ready right now *LOL*

S7S and Heather , its so funny to hear you talking about being home with DHs all day long after retirement. Just over Thanksgiving my aunt had us laughing how my uncle drives her crazy, " if I go to the bathroom, when I come back, he asks where did I go" *LOL* "I tell him I have been going to the bathroom for all these years and you just start noticeing now?" :)

[Lefty Bob]

Why not have 2 couples share. One at the home for 6 months and the other at sea. The ones at home could take care of medical, etc. while the other is at sea. Then switch. Just a thought.

[wander]

About 20 years ago a friend and I, during a bad day at work in a hospital, thought up the idea of a appropriately staffed nursing home cruise ship. While it was all in jest, we really liked the idea and thought it had some potential. Just think - would it not be nicer to be able to say "we sent mom on cruise" than "we put mom in a nursing home"?

[bepsf]

Gosh - i felt like I was the young one, then Vicar chimed in....
(Thanks, Sir)

I honestly don't expect anything from SS - I live and spend as quickly as it comes in...

I hope to be like my friend Hal. He sells women's shoes at Saks Fifth Avenue here in SF - he's in his 70's, has enough money to get by and uses his income from work to go out to dinners, do cocktails in the evenings and take 2-3 cruises/year. He's been on 28 cruises so far.....

[HeatherInFlorida]

.........S7S and Heather , its so funny to hear you talking about being home with DHs all day long after retirement. Just over Thanksgiving my aunt had us laughing how my uncle drives her crazy, " if I go to the bathroom, when I come back, he asks where did I go" *LOL* "I tell him I have been going to the bathroom for all these years and you just start noticeing now?" :)
Vicar:D ... the fear of DH home all the time puts fear in the hearts of women everywhere ... your aunt being no exception. I already started "training" DH about no lunches on weekends. I used to make lunch ... no more;) .

Lefty, great idea! Sounds like a great plan to me ... instead of a "jobshare", it would be a "liveshare".

wander, couldn't agree more. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Heather and sails

We retired 7 years ago - wow - it doesn't seem like that long ago.

DH is home for lunch - although we sometimes go out for lunch. And I don't mind it at all.

[Vicar]

Heather,

I know what you mean in a way.

Fiancee and I have only actually lived together for a little over two years and as crazy as we are about eachother, every now and again, if we are alone too long in the house together, we will grate on eachothers nerves *LOL*

I think it was Bette Davis, who once said the key to a successful marriage is separate bedrooms, separate bathrooms, and separate vacations .

Well I don't know about the bedroom and vacation thing. But the bathroom thing is right on the mark, and a separate place for her to do her work, and separate TVs is a must in our house *LOL*

[mango14217]

sounds like a good plan to me.

[AmyinVail]

DH and I are only 33, but what a concept! Time to start up a separate investment to fund our never-ending retirement cruise. Now, how do I word that to my advisor.....hmmm..... What a fabulous idea!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather, .......... I think it was Bette Davis, who once said the key to a successful marriage is separate bedrooms, separate bathrooms, and separate vacations .

Well I don't know about the bedroom and vacation thing. But the bathroom thing is right on the mark, and a separate place for her to do her work, and separate TVs is a must in our house *LOL*
Absolutely!!! Agree 100%. Follow that rule and you'll live happily ever after:D

[Vicar]

Heather,

Well the separate TVs are definately a must.

Why??????

One Word

LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*LOL*

[toots]

Here's another version of the "live on board" story that we got a big kick out of.

Subject: NO NURSING HOME IN MY FUTURE!!!

There will be no nursing home in my future.........
When I get old and feeble, I am going to get on a Cruise Ship. The
average cost for a nursing home is $200 per day. I have checked on
reservations on the Silver Sea with a long term discount and senior
discount price of $200 per day.

1. Gratuities are paid for as part of the plan.

2. I will have as many as 10 meals a day if I can waddle to the
restaurant, or I can have room service ( which means I can have breakfast in
bed every day of the week). Drinks are the bar are also free.

3. There is the heated swimming pool, two hot tubs, a workout room, free
washers and dryers, and shows every night.

4. They have free toothpaste and razors, and free soap and shampoo.

5. They will even treat you like a customer, not a patient.

6. I will get to meet new people every 7or 14 days.

7. T.V. broken? Light bulb need changing? Need to have the mattress
replaced? No Problem! They will fix everything and apologize for your
inconvenience.

8. Clean sheets and towels every day, and you don't even have to ask for
them.

9. If you fall in the nursing home and break a hip you are on Medicare.

If you fall and break a hip on the Princess ship they will upgrade you to a
suite for the rest of your life.

Now hold on for the best! Do you want to see South America, the Panama
Canal, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or name where you want to go?
Princess will have a ship ready to go. So don't look for me in a nursing
home, just call shore to ship.

P.S. And don't forget, when you die, they just dump you over the side of
the ship at no extra charge.

[Vicar]

Toots,

You have certainly sold me on the idea :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Toots, I love it!!!!

Vicar, :D LOL ... you never disappoint;) .

[Golfgrl1911]

It is with great interest that I've been following this thread. Being the corporate executive chef for a company that owns 17 nursing homes, 2 assisted living facilities and 1 retirement village, I want to make the dining experience for our customers as wonderful as possible (better than living at home). Prior to my first HAL cruise I implemented a "fine dining" program in our facilities. We have linen & lace table coverings, linen napkins, tasteful centerpieces, a menu for our residents to choose their meal from (all of our meals are made from scratch recipes), soft music, a dessert cart to choose from and a server to wait on them (no tipping please!). For the first time in the history of our company we actually have weight gain issues! After having cruised with HAL I came up with several other ideas to implement as well. Appetizers & soups to choose from prior to the entree, a display cart so the resident can actually see what the meal will be presented like, a hostess to seat the resident and a more extensive menu for the resident to choose from. For the person who is not physically able to live on a cruise ship during their twilight years (an idea I'm actually keen on) I am striving to make their experience as "cruise like" as possible in the dining aspect. If anyone has any further ideas please feel free to let me know keeping in mind that most nursing homes are on a strict budget. Thanks, Chef Nancy:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hi Chef Nancy! I have no additional ideas for you, but I will tell you this: When the time eventually comes, and if I can't be on a cruiseship for the rest of my life:D , I'm moving on up to Ohio and straight into one of your facilities! It sounds amazing.

With my 92 year old Mom living in a senior retirement facility in CT which I hasten to say is absolutely lovely, I'm keenly aware of the meals provided there. Every week she goes to a meeting with the Chef and while they listen intently, little is done to improve the foods that are brought in by a mass provider. They do, however, make some wonderful desserts and soups, have tablecloths, and other warm touches.

But I admire all the little touches you speak of that make it feel as much "like home" as possible. Good for you and your colleagues! This country is mostly shameful in taking care of its elderly and since we're all (prayerfully) going to get there one day, we should be more respectful and caring about a very difficult time in their lives.

[sail7seas]

Chef Nancy......


I cannot tell you how impressed I am with your efforts to make the seniors in your facilities meals they can actually enjoy. For most of us, most of our lives, food and the sharing of meals with those we love are among the most enjoyable experiences of our day to day lives. I love hearing you try to keep that experience a possibility for those in your care.

Blessings on you for your kindness and empathy.

[Golfgrl1911]

I am touched by the kindness of your comments......and while I sometimes may not share the affectations of others toward the "younger set", I am extremely fond of our senior citizens! I am fortunate to have a very commited staff in each and every one of our facilities. And although they may sometimes feel that the things I put into place are not as easy for them...they love the fact that the residents and their families are happier with our changes! Basically my goal is to make mealtime more popular than BINGO!!:D Is that possible?????????? Chef Nancy:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

It is with me!!!:)

[sail7seas]

Chef Nancy.....


I'm very interested to know what ideas you gleaned from your HAL cruise that you have incorporated into your meals/presentations in your facilities?