When is a warm, secure place to live, not a warm, secure place to live?

We work, we live, we go about our business.Then one day we may find that we're too old, too infirm, or too alone to make due on our own any more. Many of us will choose to relocate to a nursing home under those circumstances. The attraction is obvious. They're clean, professionally staffed, well run facilities that are overseen by government entities that are intended to keep us safe, secure, and well cared for.

Not everything works out the way we hope it will, unfortunately. Not even those golden years spent in a nursing home are invulnerable to the pitfalls of economic trouble or legal entanglements.

A Maryland-based company that specializes in health care real estate is planning to appeal a decision made by a Hartford Superior count judge to close four nursing homes it has here in Connecticut.

The company in question took over the nursing homes in 2008, after the previous operator went bankrupt. Since then the economic realities of these facilities has not been rosy. In 2009 their losses ranged from $1 million, to $2 million, each. In fact the situation appeared bleak enough that all four facilities were placed in receivership this year.

The legal issues are significant, and they will no doubt take time to identify and resolve fully. As with all legal proceedings, there is no way to know for sure which way the ultimate ruling will go. In the meantime, four nursing homes have a cloud hanging over them, and 400 elderly residents have concerns they certainly didn't intend to be burdened with when they initially moved in to make these facilities their home.

Our futures may be bright and shiny, filled with affectionate puppies and close family. Or they may be dark and lonely, leaving us to fend for ourselves. The dividing line between one outcome and the other is often nothing more than careful planning, and taking the time to leave a clearly identifiable set of instructions regarding our care, and the management of our interests.

The simple things mean a lot. That's interesting, don't you think? And very true.