Life in Leisure World: Another Dimension Is Explored

I have lived in (Leisure World) in Laguna Hills for three years, met many people in a variety of classes and events, and have yet to meet anyone who came here to be shielded against the realities of growing old.

Those who moved to Leisure World 25 years ago at a minimum age of 55 are at least 80 now. Your statistics on those who sign over their assets, receive SSI and suffer from seeing and hearing deficiencies are meaningless unless Leisure World is compared to a population with similar age and sex characteristics. And comparing the number of deaths in Leisure World to Irvine, a community known for its young population, is absolutely ridiculous for the same reason. As for illness support groups, those are offered by many hospitals, so why shouldn’t they be offered at Leisure World?

If aging, financial restraints, declining health and death are seen as “tarnishing,” then Leisure World residents share this with all of the world’s population. But unlike the naive report, residents here are fully aware of their mortality and no one believes that living here guarantees perpetual bliss. The reporters have embraced a facile stereotype to describe a community deserving a more careful study.

We came to Leisure World because it is a beautiful, quiet, and safe place to live, people can walk the streets day or night. They can participate fully in a variety of recreational, creative and intellectual pursuits, or not at all if they so choose. Also we are relieved of chores like yard work and outside maintenance. Excellent medical and hospital facilities are close by. Paramedics appear in minutes when called, and neighbors offer care and support. Despite the negative tone of the article, level of satisfaction here appears to be quite high.

ELIZABETH M. SURACE, Laguna Hills