Since I write geezer-lit mysteries, I’m very
interested in topics that affect seniors. Because of this, I volunteered to
join the Boulder County Aging Advisory Council, a group that makes
recommendations, reviews and allocates funding for programs that support older
citizens. Given the explosive growth taking place in the older population, we need
more housing options that include co-housing, shared housing, low cost rentals,
independent living (retirement homes), assisted living facilities and nursing
homes. The original concept of a three-legged financial stool of savings,
pensions and social security to help older people get by has evaporated. Low
income individuals have not been able to save, needing to use their funds for
subsistence, few companies are offering pensions any more, and social security
can’t cover all requirements. Consequently, there is a need for low cost
housing alternative for the bow wave of seniors.
In my mystery novels I indirectly discuss some of
the housing alternatives. Two of my novels, Retirement
Homes Are Murder and The Back Wing,
take place in retirement communities (independent living). My protagonist, Paul
Jacobson, also lives with his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter for a time
in Living with Your Kids Is Murder. In
Senior Moments Are Murder, he lives
in an apartment above a garage. In my recent, Care Homes Are Murder, Paul visits friends who live in a care home
(assisted living facility). Being released next year, in Nursing Homes Are Murder, Paul is in a nursing home. Not to worry.
Paul doesn’t become decrepit and require around the clock nursing care; he
helps the police solve a crime by going in undercover.
Mike Befeler
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