# My move to the retirement facility (If joining the thread late, at least skim the first few posts) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 16, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672 "2023-08-16T19:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/321 "2023-09-04T03:06:34Z")
Yay!šŸ‘ ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/322 "2023-09-04T11:09:51Z")
Good, you are getting well. I think the maintenance people should be the ones to try the valve. If nothing else work, they can turn the water off to the whole apartment and change the valve. I have broken a few valves, trying to close or open them. The Ballofix valves get stuck in no time. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/323 "2023-09-04T11:15:43Z")
That is definitely the smart thing to do. šŸ‘šŸ½ I donā€™t want to get started on the wrong foot over there. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/324 "2023-09-04T11:53:46Z")
Yes to all of the aboveā€“get help, rest. Iā€™ll add, hydrate, pet the cats. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/325 "2023-09-04T13:17:30Z")
Hydrate the cats? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/326 "2023-09-04T13:25:54Z")
Hehe. Covid tests are now expensive! At Walgreenā€™s they were $15 each yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/327 "2023-09-04T15:48:35Z")
Strange, I can go and buy them everywhere at 30 Danish kroner ($4.34). I guess there is a profit for the shops, even here, or they would let apothecaries carry them. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/328 "2023-09-04T16:17:03Z")
I havenā€™t researched the subject thoroughly. They may be cheaper elsewhere. But I guess the days of the free government tests are over. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/329 "2023-09-04T16:21:19Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > They may be cheaper elsewhere. But I guess the days of the free government tests are over. They are available free at my public library. The county Public Health dept provides them. About $12 each is what Iā€™m seeing them sell for at local stores. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/330 "2023-09-04T17:03:17Z")
Thanks, Iā€™ll look into that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/331 "2023-09-04T19:00:56Z")
You may have a long list of tasks, such as the bidet seat, that youā€™d like to have done. But they donā€™t all need to be done _immediately_. If you have a bed & a sheet, youā€™re set for the first week. Plan on doing one baby task each day. Just one. Spend the rest of the time sleeping, lazing about the grounds, yakking with new neighbors, etc. Between the food the facility provides, and the maintenance staff, youā€™ll find that there is really very little that you ever do without help any more. Which is the polar opposite of a woman living alone in a detached house. Old habits die hard. But doing something yourself by yourself should become your last resort, not your first thought. And just one per day. The list will get whittled down. There is no rush. One final thought speaking as a former condo president: Never, NEVER touch plumbing or electricity in a multi-person facility. That is the maintenance departmentā€™s bailiwick, not yours. You could have flooded out a dozen apartments and created $100K of damage fiddling with that valve. I bet you donā€™t have insurance for that. The buildingā€™s workers do. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/332 "2023-09-04T19:20:50Z")
Tests are 8-10 dollars in my neck of the woods, only one use. Finally negative! Super kn masking till weds., then will probably go to cloth for a bit. I hope you have good Covid news soon. Another vote for the above advice. I had a neighbour try to put up a picture in her bathroom. Took out half her electric. The building knows where things are and where it is safe. They are usually reasonably priced. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/333 "2023-09-04T20:11:30Z")
Sensible advce! šŸ‘šŸ½ > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > I hope you have good Covid news soon. Me. too. Iā€™m feeling exhausted today. Glad youā€™re finally negative. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/334 "2023-09-04T20:48:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Thanks for the prompt reply. Iā€™ll try again to shut off the water tomorrow. Can I spray some WD40 on the valve? Iā€™ll probably wind up trying to get a maintenance person to do it. DONā€™T DO THIS! If you try to turn that valve with a wrench and you break the line and cause a flood, youā€™re going to be liable for any damage. Even though I know how to install a bidet seat, I had the maintenance guy do it for me. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/335 "2023-09-04T22:05:50Z")
Iā€™ll let the maintenance people do it. I had no problem installing it in my house, but this is different. I understand. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/336 "2023-09-04T22:43:29Z")
A _better_ way to think about it (positive thoughts all!) is that youā€™re now a person that has ā€œpeopleā€ to do that _for_ you. Or even cook for you if you canā€™t be bothered. And if you need extra non-online entertainment, well, youā€™ve got a captive audience (and not the cats!). šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/337 "2023-09-05T00:00:19Z")
Well, I just brought EC into the house for the last time. Ever. She doesnā€™t know it yet. I hope I can sleep tonight, but I donā€™t have high hopesā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/338 "2023-09-05T00:25:39Z")
Home is where you and the cats are. Today itā€™s here; tomorrow itā€™s there, which by tomorrow will be the new ā€œhereā€. We all get attached to places, but itā€™s just an address. The new place has a lot going for it or else a wise person such as yourself would not have picked it. Change is scary, but growth is good. It will be whichever of those two sides of the coin you choose to embrace. Skritches for you and hugs for EC. No wait, I got that backwards. Or did I? šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/339 "2023-09-05T01:01:11Z")
Youā€™ve got this TL, we know youā€™re stressed, and tired, and upset, all of which are valid. But youā€™ve done all the work to make this happen as smoothly as possible. And quoting a very respectable highlight of this board: > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Yeah, I could look for another place, but the sensible thing to do is to move to an independent living facility that Iā€™m very familiar with. Itā€™s a great place, still in the same neighborhood (though it will be years before I can drive down this particular street again). Mucho affordable-- unbelievably so-- more on that in a bit. Which seems like good advice from someone with a good head on their shoulders! šŸ˜‰ Being sensible is often itā€™s own reward, and youā€™ve making lemonade when life gave you lemons. This would have _only_ been harder later on. Small comfort right now, but in 2-3 months you and the cats will be comfy and settled in, and thatā€™s when you reap the rewards of the hard work and upset NOW. In the meantime, hugs for both you and the cats! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672/340 "2023-09-05T01:58:31Z")
Thanks. I know itā€™s the right and logical thing to do. My head is sure-- itā€™s my heart and guts that arenā€™t entirely on board yet. That will come. It has to. @LSLGuy EC and I both like skritches. šŸ˜‰ More laterā€¦ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-move-to-the-retirement-facility-if-joining-the-thread-late-at-least-skim-the-first-few-posts/988672.md?page=18)