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If I can no longer drive, I will move into one of the several senior facilities/apartments in the area. Some have shuttles. There's also the Dial-A-Ride service and taxis. Also I have a large network of friends who are of varying ages to help out.
PS. I don't go to the bank very often now. My paycheck is direct deposited. My SS and pension will be, too. I already pay all my bills on line.
In many places there are delivery services for EVERYTHING, including groceries. Having the internet is really a blessing to those people we used to call "shut-ins," who can now order their prescriptions, groceries, clothing, etc. online as well as communicate with friends and loved ones. That part I don't worry about at all.
If I can't drive to the doctor's office, it will be time to have someone coming in to help with that sort of thing. God willing, we'll be able to afford that. General companion/aides are less expensive than specialized care, fortunately. It's something we discuss when we think of a retirement location, and whether we'd like to be in an age-restricted community. Many of those do have the shuttle services, and I wouldn't mind using a bus service at all.
It will be the loss of independence I'll feel the most. And the drive-through fast food. Maybe my grandkids will bring me a Big Mac every once in a while.
You need groceries?
You need to go to the Doctor?
You need to go to the bank?
You want to go to the store?
How will you deal with that?
I think people should give this some thought when purchasing that final home. If you are in a city with public transportation, you want to be walking distance to a bus stop. If not, you want to live walking distance to a shopping center with a grocery store, bank, haircut place, etc. You may need to call a taxi or dial-a-ride for the doctor.
this is one thing that turned us off to rural living. what if we couldn't drive.
at least here in nyc we have a fabulous mass transit system.
that was a big reason we sold what was going to be our retirement house.
the transportation issue along with the fact that medical specialists and facilities locally were few .
I live in a rural/wild area and we have a good hospital with specialists 10 miles away. It is a regional hospital in a town of 5000. There is also helicopter service should something really serious happen.
Honestly, I am not willing to give up living where I want to out of fear of a situation that may never come to pass. I'd rather be happy. What if I die before I am not able to drive any more? Then what???? I'd rather not dwell on the what ifs. We have people in my area in their mid-to late 80s still able to drive. Driving is less stressful in rural areas than urban areas-that's one reason those old folks can still drive.
More likely is there will be viable self driving cars (in 10 years or less) should I get too old to drive, in say 20 years.
Walk (and bike, if I can still hack it)
Bus
Rail
Home deliveries / visits
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