| | | | The Last Place: Diary of a Retirement Home Author: Joe Richman
Format: Audio Download
Audio Length: 28 min.
Rating: Not rated Price: $4.95 
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Publisher's Summary: "It was assumed many years ago, when you got old you lived with the family. And I guess there's something to be said for that. But at the same time, it's a nice feeling to know you can be cared for without depending on the family or putting them out. One nice thing about being here - there are so many activities, so many movies we can see. We can have our EKG here. Dentistry. Podiatry. You name it, we have it here." (Eleanor Erickson, 96-years-old)
People in their 80s and 90s make up the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, and many of these people are living in retirement communities. Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, IL is one such place. Its residents can live on their own there in townhouses and, when necessary, move on to assisted care apartments or to the nursing facility. Five hundred thirty people call the place home. Their ages range from 65 to 106. Producer Joe Richman went to Presbyterian Homes and got to know the residents there. He gave a few of them tape recorders to keep audio diaries of their lives in retirement. This is their story, as heard on National Public Radio®'s All Things Considered®. |
