Books by Douglas Richie

Wondering what it's like to live in a retirement community? This book offers an intimate look at "Life in the Old Folks Home"A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers retirees the opportunity to live independently, an assisted living department for residents who are ambulatory but require help with personal care, and a skilled nursing department.When Douglas and Annie Richie moved into a CCRC in their mid-seventies, they were looking for a place to meet their needs for their remaining years. Life in the Old Folks Home tells the story of the 15 active, fun-filled years they spent in the CCRC before Annie's death. Richie describes what to look for in a CCRC and includes vignettes of his own experiences: bingo and bridge; the Chime Choir and the Liar's Club, bowling, badminton in the pool, portrait painting and trivia contests, and bus tours. He also includes some of the fascinating life stories of his fellow residents--many of whom rallied around him after Annie's death and offered love and support.

Imagine a woman who was abused as a child, suffered from learning disabilities, was required to repeat first grade, went through school in the same class with a younger more accomplished sister, completed a rigorous college program that produced a bachelor's degree and registered nursing credential, endured three months of total bed rest during her fourth pregnancy so as to deliver a premature baby by emergency Caesarean, adopted two Korean orphans, worked for twenty years full time as a school nurse, initiated the purchase and continuing management of several income properties, traveled alone in the South Pacific for four months volunteering in school and public health programs, overcame a bout with cancer and shared the on site management of the motel with her husband for the last thirteen years of her active working life. Along the way she found time to travel extensively throughout much of the world and became a part time travel agent. Her courage was exhibited throughout her life by unwillingness to accept defeat and her undying faith in her ability to succeed.