Stacy was a free turtle from the neighborhood. Her teen owner had no time for her. So she relocated to us. She came with a 20 gal tank. Being the researcher, I tracked down her species and her needs as well as her wants. The video is of Stacy in her 75 gal tank, first day. Note the variety of locations. She can bask outside of the water under UV light or hide under the mushroom container in the water. She has plenty of space to float and climb as well as swim. Note that Stacy is focused on the front of the tank. She seeks contact with others, particularly me. She already knew she had a friend in me:).
We have just returned from a delightful 9 day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Sea. It is a smaller, older cruise ship that ports out of Baltimore. For Mike and I it is the just-right fit. Not too big, convenient with all the amenities we want. While onboard I was thinking of the difference between Independent Living (IL) and cruise ship living. Royal Caribbean has something for everyone. Whether you are into fitness or games, solo activities or group, casual or formal–there is a space for you. It is an enriched environment every step of the way from 7 am until 2 am. My experience with IL is that activities and even food choices are more limited though appealing. I asked myself why?
Perhaps the difference is in the design. Independent living design seems to be based on the idea of “need”. You choose to look at IL because there is some impending or eventual need. They have chefs, and activities but not the range of choice. Conversely, cruise ships are designed around your desires. They want to woo you with as many activity choices and food choices and settings as you can imagine. No one needs a cruise, but they may need to move to IL for safety or socialization or . . . .No family member suggests a cruise because they see some changes. (Note to family—suggest more cruises.)
What would the aging care industry look like if it designed for the buyers’ desire and want rather than need?
Stacy’s tank has evolved as we have watched her preferences. For a while she had a privacy screen on her basking platform. Now she is comfortable being seen. She has an official set of caves and is no longer subjected to a recycled mushroom container. We are committed to her best life, as a solo African Side-Necked turtle. No partners need apply.
