Life in Leisure World: Another Dimension Is Explored
Surely Leisure World of Laguna Hills residents age as do people who live in the rest of the world. Surely Leisure World’s are subject to the same aches and pains and disabilities of aging as are their peers in communities across our nation. And just as surely a small minority of our residents lack the financial resources to cope with the same obscene medical costs, rehabilitation expenses and the basic cost of living their contemporaries face in Everytown, U.S.A.
However, the two-part series (May 3 and 4), “Age of Change--A Retirement Community Dilemma,” seemed to emphasize the small number of worst-case scenarios in this community of 22,000 without recognizing the unique strengths of this fantastic community as experienced by the overwhelming majority of residents.
A complete assessment of Leisure World residents would clearly show:
* No one in Leisure World expects the governing bodies of this community to be financially or otherwise responsible for higher care should one become physically, mentally, or financially limited. We are well aware that such responsibility is ours alone within the parameters of the aid, assistance and protections provided by the various government agencies.
* Unlike neighbors in typical non-retirement communities who are stressed to the max making a living, raising children, etc., and therefore unaware of the problems of their aging neighbors, Leisure Worlders have been molded by a “There but for the grace of God go I” attitude toward their neighbors who need some assistance and support.
* The courage and determination shown by the less physically able to gain for themselves as full a measure of positive living is positively inspirational. It is commonplace to see residents who may require a cane or the stability of a walker scurrying to attend a club or organization meeting, lecture, craft shop, performance in one of the clubhouses or any of the literally hundreds of activities of their own choosing.
Modern medical and other scientific discoveries have significantly increased longevity and improved the quality of life. We at Leisure World will continue to enjoy this wonderful life here for as long as we can while at the same time working to address and resolve those serious problems of aging common to all of us in this nation and not restricted to those in retirement communities.
MATTHEW SCHWARTZ, Laguna Hills
