3363 Send Mom on a cruise

Although my children might tell you otherwise, I'm not one of those high-maintenance mothers. I rarely say, "give me grandchildren," "train your dog better," and "stop smoking" all in the same sentence. Even so, maybe your mom is a bit cloying and needy--dentist appointments, grocery store shopping, and lonesome. Maybe she doesn't drive anymore, her house needs painting, the gutters are full and most of her friends have died or moved away?

You've seen those stories about how luxury cruises are cheaper than nursing homes? It's true--I just noticed a story today in the travel section--and cha-ching, I just couldn't resist thinking about sending good old mom on an extended cruise as an alternative to assisted care.

Now, assisted care isn't a nursing home; it's independent living, usually in a nice apartment but there are people around to serve meals once or twice a day, and help with personal care and entertain even if it is in North Dakota or Kansas. They can play pool, or bridge for hours on end. It can be pricey--maybe $5,500 to $6,000 a month depending on the facility. But you can send mom on the maiden voyage of the Queen Victoria, 106 nights, for $20,304. That's 3.5 months--there will be staff to clean the room (every day), change the linens, 3 fabulous meals a day, entertainment, a nice library, a doctor on call all the time, new friends, exercise facilities, swimming, massage, hair dresser, cable, TV, wireless, and so forth, plus stops in interesting places like Copenhagen or Amsterdam where there will probably be bus tours with a guide just like the ones to the malls in Fargo close to her assisted living unit. Let's see, 3.5 months x $6,000 = $21,000. Wow. The cruise is cheaper! Where do we sign up.

Ooops. Sold out.

cruises
assisted living
retirement
care givers