RetirementHomes.com - Active Lifestyle

More seniors are finding love in retirement communities

aadmin — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:39:17 +0000

Valentine’s Day 2015 may have come and go, but that doesn't mean the love stops on February 15. The growing number of older people across Canada and the United States means that love isn’t just for the young, and love doesn’t just look like the hit book (and movie) Fifty Shades of Grey; love can come in many different colours and shades.

Fran Greene, a New York-based ‘Flirting, Dating, and Relationship Coach’ with a focus on older people, as well as the author of ‘The Flirting Bible,’ told RetirementHomes.com that Baby Boomers and seniors can sometimes find the dating scene challenging because they likely never expected to be single and looking to mingle while in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s or even older.

“No one expects at this stage of life to be back out there looking for love. My clients feel that at their age everyone is taken and it is so awkward and uncomfortable to be out there dating again,” Greene said.

Nonetheless, while it comes at a surprise for Boomers and seniors to be looking to meet their special someone at an older age, Greene said that they may actually find it easier to be on the dating circuit in their 50s or 60s than when they were decades younger.

“Meeting new people when you are older can actually be easier because the stakes are lower. At this point in your life it does not have to focus on marriage or even living together,” Greene said.

Jamison Gosselin, vice president of marketing, communications and resident enrichment for the Holiday Retirement chain, has seen it before. Holiday Retirement has more than 300 senior living communities across the United States, and with the growth of the senior living industry across North America, there are more Baby Boomers and seniors than ever before who are looking for love in retirement homes.

“This time of year, you can’t help but be reminded of love. And while there’s something to be said for being ‘young and in love,’ the growing trend of seniors finding love when they move into senior living communities proves you are never too old to fall in love,” he said.

“In our communities, seniors are much more active than they were in the past. They enjoy socializing and participating in numerous daily activities, which fosters new friendships—some of which even turn into romance,” Gosselin told RetirementHomes.com.

Lakeview Park, a Holiday Retirement community in Fenton, Missouri, will be host to a special wedding in May, when 85 year-old Nina weds her beloved, Phil.

“I kept seeing Phil at many of the activities the community offers. We would chat afterwards and started hanging out on our own, and our friendship just grew from there into love. We are quite excited for our wedding in May,” Nina said.

And if you are looking for new love this year, the first step is simple, but it still may take some work: being social.

“Take advantage of anything and everything that could potentially lead to making a new friend or getting a date. Don't turn down social invitations that have the possibility of meeting new people,” Greene said.

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Senior Living

Joie de Vivre! Top Destinations to Retire by the Beach

aadmin — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:56:21 +0000

‘Joie de Vivre’ or the ‘Joy of Life’ is something that takes on a whole new meaning when you retire. This is particularly true if you retire by the beach to enjoy a laidback lifestyle with plenty of excitement.

If you think life after retirement means spending long days sitting indoors parked in front of the TV, or pottering in the garden waiting for flowers to bloom, then you are quite mistaken. If you are on the lookout for more excitement, and plenty of fun in the sun, sand, and surf, then retirement destinations by the beach is for you.

Be it in your home country, or in lands far away, a coastal setting offers an idyllic getaway to enjoy a carefree lifestyle, spending days soaking up the sun, engaging in thrilling water sports, and taking in heavenly sunsets. It's a life full of possibilities and new adventures that offers the chance to make new friends, or spend quality time with that special someone, sharing in the joy of life.

While the beach may be just a “beach” to some, each coastal destination offers a truly unique experience. In the Caribbean, the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize is an ideal option. Fans of ‘Temptation Island’ know the picturesque isle was used as a location for two seasons of the reality TV show. Look forward to plenty of beach side areas to enjoy life by the sea. Discover the second longest barrier reef in the world within easy reach, offering plenty of diving and snorkeling.

Spain's Costa del Sol is another top destinations to retire by the beach. The seemingly never-ending Andalucian coastline offers spots of sublime seclusion by the sea, perfect for those looking to get away from it all. Amid these tranquil beaches, there are captivating villages and towns, adding to the charm of the region’s sun drenched shoreline.

Asia also offers enchanting beach destinations for retirement exotic flair. Vietnam's Hoi An makes a good spot for retirement. This busy seaport is well known for its pristine beaches. For a break, explore the town to find ancient buildings and Chinese temples which provide rich cultural insights.

Consider Thailand's Phuket, a beach destination surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. This magical island is set in golden shores, lush greenery, and awe-inspiring rocky headlands. There is a large retirement community here where one can find like-minded individuals and couples looking to share in new adventures.

Sri Lanka is known for its golden coastlines and famed for its rich culture and cuisine. It offers several beach locales well suited for those interested in active retirement living. Consider staying at the retirement village of Heritage Grove in Negombo, along the island’s West Coast, with its soft sandy beaches in a tropical paradise.

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International Day of Families 2013: A focus on seniors

aadmin — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:59:08 +0000

Today, May 15, is the International Day of Families. Established by the United Nations (UN) 20 years ago, today’s commemoration is meant to identify and promote the biggest issues facing families around the world.

The International Day of Families has a different theme every year, and in 2013, the theme is Advancing ‘Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity,’ and one focus is on older people, and the unique challenges individuals face with aging, including the increased need for health and social care.

In honour of this year’s International Day of Families theme, here is a snapshot of the world’s seniors:

There are nearly 7.1 billion people on the planet, and more than half a billion of them are aged 65 and older, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Although aging populations are often seen as a Western phenomenon largely impacting the developed world, some of the largest projected population increases for seniors and the elderly is expected to take place in large developing countries such as China and China. Together, these two nations will be home to an estimated 600 million seniors by the year 2050.

In terms of overall proportion, however, Europe will likely be the grayest continent by mid-century, with about 30 per cent of its total population expected to be aged 65 and over, according to the Census Bureau projections.

With aging often comes health ailments, and in the United States and Canada, there are about 50 million adult caregivers offering their support to the elderly. The vast majority of these people are family members, but about 15% of these are professional caregivers.

One of the biggest health risks to seniors, no matter where they live, is the risk of falling, because with brittle bones, the results can be catastrophic.

According to advocacy group Learn Not to Fall, nearly 90% of all fractures among older people are as a result of falls, and that once an older person has experienced a significant fall, they have a one-in-four chance of dying within one year of the injury.

But despite the challenges, the outlook for seniors remains positive. Research from the Pew Research Center has shown seniors and the elderly tend to be optimistic, and with the progress of new technologies, their lives are set to be continuously improving.

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Baby Boomers create niche retirement communities

aadmin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:17:50 +0000

North America’s Baby Boomers are the wealthiest generation alive today, and for many of them, retirement means more than not working; it means a completely new lifestyle.

As reported by Marketwatch, one of the newest markets for affluent Boomers is niche retirement homes and assisted living communities, which cater to a variety of residents’ interests and affiliations.

“The typical cookie-cutter gated community is oversaturated…a lot of people just don’t want that,” Neil Schuster, founder of Lake Weir Living, a “toy-friendly” Florida active living community that welcomes residents with jeeps, RVs, and boats, told the news source.

Some of the niche residences either currently in existence, or under development, include communities for RV aficionados, Indian-Americans, those looking for continuing college education, and Chinese-Americans, to name a few.

One retirement community, Nalcrest, located south of Orlando, Florida, was built about 50 years ago, and reserved exclusively for retired postal workers, who had been historically very poorly paid, one of the community’s management told the news source.

At Nalcrest, rents are kept artificially low at $520 per month, and the roughly 700 residents can enjoy a host of amenities, including a swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, a lake and a restaurant.

Would you consider a niche retirement community? If so, what kind of community would be your choice?

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Think it's too late for marriage? Think again

aadmin — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:25:35 +0000

In both the United States and Canada, the average age at first marriage is about 28 for women and about 30 for men. But if you’re past that age, and still looking for a marriage partner, don’t fret: it’s never too old to find Mr. or Mrs. Right.

As reported in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper, 88 year-old Betty Jane Allshouse, Pittsburgh retirement home resident, recently became a newlywed for the first time, having married in November.

“I‘d given up; I never thought I‘d get married,” Allshouse told the newspaper. “I just gave up thinking about it, and then this one came along.” But she eventually did find her partner in 78 year-old Walter Lowman, a fellow resident at the Masonic Village retirement community in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley.

The pair met soon after Allshouse moved into the home on February 14 - Valentine’s Day – last year, and after months of courtship, Lowman approached his beloved in a hallway and popped the question.

Allshouse told the news source that after her parents died nearly 40 years ago, she felt alone and without immediate family until marrying Walter Lowman, and now she feels fortunate to be accepted into a new family.

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What are the oldest cities in America?

aadmin — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:50:15 +0000

It’s no surprise that countries across the developed world are growing older, with the ranks of seniors and retirees the fastest-growing age bracket in the United States and Canada.

By 2050 in the United States, one in four people will be aged 60 or over, representing a significant jump from the 16.3% in 2002.

But the aging of America is not uniform; some cities and states are becoming much older, much quicker, according to a recent article from Forbes.

The oldest cities in the United States are Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where almost 24% of the population is aged 60 or over, followed by Tampa, Florida, Buffalo, New York, Miami, Florida, and Cleveland, Ohio, Forbes quoted a study from demographer Wendell Cox.

Other than traditional retirement locations in Florida, one of the reasons for the inclusion of cities such as Pittsburg, Detroit and Buffalo on the oldest cities list is a combination of economics and demographics.

Forbes reports that a migration deficit is the prime cause for the aging of these cities, meaning that more people move away than move in, and seniors tend to be less mobile and move to fewer cities than younger people. These cities frequently have migration deficits because of poor economies.

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College campuses are home to new retirement homes

aadmin — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:55:27 +0000

College campuses across North America are often known for their wild parties and co-ed mingling, but according to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, college campuses may soon be known for something else: being home to retirement homes.

According to the newspaper, more senior living communities are being moved to college and university campuses across the United States, primarily to cut costs and to provide residents with amenities which are already offered in the vicinity.

With the U.S. economic slowdown in 2008, the trend of senior living communities on campuses slowed, but with the recent pickup in the American housing market, things are changing.

“Isolation is the downfall of many older adults,” Paula Panchuck, vice president of Lasell Village, a retirement community based out of Lasell College.

To that end, the Massachusetts retirement home is doing its best to get its residents engaged and involved with their local neighborhood; it requires them to complete 450 hours of volunteer, work, or educational projects. That’s equivalent to nearly nine hours per week.

Lasell Village homes start at about $300,000, and can rise to as much as $800,000 and range in size from 800 square feet to 2,000 square feet, but most of that is refundable upon the death or departure of the resident, according to the newspaper article. Monthly fees average about $4,000.

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Senior Living

The Bronx creates an 'Aging Improvement District'

aadmin — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:48:06 +0000

It’s a good time to be a senior in the Bronx. As reported in the New York Daily News, local politicians in the New York borough are working to create an ‘Aging Improvement District’ where seniors will have more access to local resources, and where they will also feel safer.

Some of the proposals outlined by Bronx politicians recently at an information session included emulating other such districts already in Manhattan and Brooklyn, which include more outdoor benches, senior-only hours at swimming pools, and even wider aisles in stores.

“We want to make this a better, easier, more respectful place for seniors,” the newspaper quoted City Council Christine Quinn as saying.

Although the Bronx is not the first New York City borough to implement an Aging Improvement District, the planning has taken months. City councilman James Vacca started work earlier this year, according to the newspaper.

The Bronx is the second smallest in size and population of New York’s five boroughs, and is located at the city’s northern edge, but it’s got competition already: a recent article from RetirementHomes.com discussed a Brooklyn resident’s drive to make his borough a new retirement hotspot.

But what is the best retirement destination, in your opinion? Tell us in the comment section below.

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Senior Living

The 10 biggest misconceptions of aging

aadmin — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:28:27 +0000

There’s a reason that retirement is called the ‘Golden Years,’ but for many, the aches and pains associated with aging makes these years less fun than they should be. Still, the first wave of Baby Boomers has already turned 65 years old, and many are joining the ranks of the retired every day.
To help prepare North America’s Baby Boomers – and everyone else – for retirement, RetirementHomes.com presents, courtesy of the Huffington Post, the 10 top misconceptions of aging.

1/ You will feel old

2/ Your mental abilities will decline

3/ You will not have sex

4/ You won’t be able to change bad habits

5/ You won’t be as happy

6/ You will get weaker

7/ You will be bored without the kids at home

8/ You won’t learn anything new

9/ You will become lonelier and won’t make new friends

10/ You can’t control your future

All of these statements are false, according to the Huffington Post. Indeed, anyone, whether they are a Baby Boomer or a senior in an assisted living community, have the ability to shatter every retirement stereotype, and to make their retirement years the best time of their life.

But the first step for any retiree – current or future – is to know that the conceptions of aging as lonely and boring are false for many people, and can be false for you too.

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Active Lifestyle

Senior Living

Seattle retirement home takes residents to university

aadmin — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:03:02 +0000

Be honest. When you think of typical activities inside a retirement home or assisted living community, what are they? Bingo and shuffleboard might come to mind.

But as reported recently on CNBC.com, a growing number of retirement communities are changing all that.

One such facility is University House Wallingford, located in Seattle, Washington, and affiliated with the University of Washington. According to the news source, University House markets itself as a place for knowledge, and that means instead of bingo nights, it hosts professors and academics who give lectures to residents.

“People are looking for ways to stay young,” Roz Muney, an 87 year-old University House resident, told CNBC. “If you play bingo here, they’d throw you out," she joked.

Other senior living communities have sprouted up, and have built affiliations with schools like Princeton, Cornell, Penn State, and others, according to the news source, and they are part of a wider trend to offer seniors more niche options in their retirement living years.

In addition to university-affiliated residences, communities marketed to LGBT seniors, Asians, and even those with a love for cars and motorboats have been built in recent years. With these trends, it won’t be long until there is a retirement community for every niche imaginable.

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Active Lifestyle

Senior Living