Ready to Retire? Consider Your Family First.

Marta Genoni, a retiree, initially considered retirement communities near her home in Westfield, N.J. Her daughter, a college administrator in Richmond, Virginia, suggested a senior living community in Richmond, emphasizing the importance of being close to family. Mrs. Genoni and her husband eventually moved to Cedarfield in Richmond, showcasing a trend where older adults choose retirement communities based on proximity to their adult children. 

This decision reflects a desire for mutual support between generations, with grandparents wanting to be involved in their grandchildren’s lives while acknowledging that they may need assistance from their children in the future. 

This shift challenges the traditional move to Sun Belt locations for retirement, emphasizing the importance of family connections in choosing living arrangements.

For more information see Joanne Kaufman “Ready to Retire? Consider Your Family First”, The New York Times, October 31, 2023.

Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.