RiverMead

What do to when your partner is ready for a retirement community, but you aren't

Q : Your partner is ready to move to a retirement community, but you are not. As New Englanders, we love our home and independence, but you also see the logic of planning ahead. So, how can you stop going around in circles and get unstuck?

A: This is quite a common dilemma. Often one partner is protecting safety and future security, while the other is protecting identity, independence, and a home full of memories. Both are valid.

Start by talking about what you each want life to feel like in the next 10–20 years, not about floor plans. You may find you share the same values like freedom from home maintenance, connection, and control over future choices—even if you imagine different paths.

Next, take low-pressure steps together. Visit a community for lunch, attend an event, or talk with residents who moved sooner than they expected. Joining a waitlist can be an excellent beginning to planning logistics of the move, while still exploring life and making new friends in the community.

In my experience, many couples feel relief once they have real information instead of assumptions. If you are curious about exploring optimism at communities like RiverMead, online is a simple first step. Learn about LifeCare, compare options, and start a calm, informed conversation at home. 

Begin your research at RiverMead.org, then come see our stunning two-campus community located in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Call 603-924-8611 to speak with our team directly and schedule a tour.

-— Kim Murphy, Director of Marketing & Sales, RiverMead