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Retiree Prefers Final Days In Holiday Inn To Nursing Home


Unless we’re hit by a car, catch a fatal disease or drink/eat/smoke ourselves to death at a younger age, we all must face the inevitable decision. Unable to handle daily life, we or our family decide to stash us in a nursing home.

However, in these days of never-ending inflation, a semi-private old folks room there costs an average of $7,500 a month. Just 30 years ago when my mother needed that care, it was $450 a month. Prices have gone up just a teeny bit since then. So recently, when a Texas guy hit his golden years, he priced nursing home vs Holiday Inn living he had experienced in many years of travel. 

Every senior wanderer is familiar with Holiday Inns. Costs for similar accommodations at one are $1,900 a month, plus advantages of private room and bath. When you’re a Holiday Inn resident, there’s another plus. Instead of other old people coughing and rasping in next-door rooms, the motel wall offers more interesting sounds from amorous one-nighter younger customers.

Travel Agent Versus Do-It-Yourself Online Bookings PDF Print E-mail


Q: My company always used travel agents on business trips. I found them very helpful and great sources of information. We now plan to enjoy our sunset years with lots of private travel. With the internet so full of up-to-the-minute trip deals, should we just do our own booking?

Bob S, Seattle WA

A: We suggest the first thing you do is contact that agency you used on the job, and ask familiar experts there for advice on your intended start-up ventures into post-retirement wanderings. Book your first personal trips there. After that, you may arrange brief schedules by yourselves.

You may do better to continue with a trusted, experienced agent in making travel plans. For example, consider details you’ll encounter when considering tours, cruises, overseas destinations and visits to big cities. With caring, professional support of a trusted expert, you may find your trips more trouble-free and enjoyable. They could actually be less costly than if you do it all yourself via the impersonal internet.

 
 
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