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Holiday Gift Ideas for Active Retirees

As the holiday season looms, it’s time to make sure you and your well-intentioned, gift-giving kids are on the same page. You could be subtle, and gently remind them that age is just a number and you would love a gift that reflects your energy and young at heart attitude. Or you could try a more direct approach and tell them to take their rocking chair and … put it on hold for a few more decades. The best gifts for seniors are all about supporting the fun, active adult lifestyle. Items can include introductions to potential new passions, shared experiences, fitness and tech gadgetry, or games and activities that keep the brain in high gear. Whether you’re looking to surprise your significant other, or give the kids a helpful hint, maybe the list of gifts below will inspire. Digital Photo Frame A digital photo frame is an easy way to keep the family close, even if they are physically far away. Images of kids and grandkids can be easily uploaded to bring precious memories to life on a continuous loop. For your own wish list, or on your gift list for friends and family, a digital photo frame makes a great gift for seniors. Get Back to the Garden With features like ergonomic handles, gardening tools geared for seniors who want to get down in the dirt—and be able to get back up—are popular gift items. The Age Proof Garden, 101 Practical Ideas and Projects is a perfect gift for retirees who finally have the time but don’t know where to start. Filled with ideas to inspire creativity, this colorful and instructional gardening guide is geared for people of a certain age who want to expand their horizons and explore the world of flowers, herbs or vegetables. Fun and Games If you are an avid card player, the Casino 6 Deck Automatic Card Shuffler is a must-have at your table. This device can shuffle up to six decks in seconds. It runs on a battery, so it is easily transported to a friend’s house or the card room at the club. Throw in a deck of cards and this gift will be a hit for sure. For Mah Jongg, chess, scrabble, Uno or checkers enthusiasts, there are games designed in larger easier to read format s that will keep you and your friends happily engrossed at play. This is a perfect opportunity to start something new. Buy a chess set for a friend and let the checkmating begin! Motivate to Movement The best gifts for older people are whatever gets them up and moving. Buy your significant other a new gym bag to motivate more visits to the fitness center. Transform it into a walking tool kit by including a water bottle, pedometer, and maybe a gift certificate for new sneakers. Or consider a Fitbit to monitor progress. For Yogis or those who have been threatening to try Yoga, a new reversible, non-stick Yoga mat will be just what the yoga teacher ordered to put new zip in their downward dog. Dog lovers will love a hands-free leash with a zipper pouch that makes it easy to go jogging or power walking with their pooch no matter how big the dog is. The Gift of Time When your kids ask what gift you might like for the holidays, tell them the best present they could give you is the gift of their time. Plan a special day to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to have a lovely lunch and then schedule a tour of the Overture active adult community of your choice. This could be a transformative gift that changes your life for the better.

Steps to Take Before Caring for Your Parents

The signs are subtle, but you notice them. It may be your family home is no longer being properly maintained. It may be that your parents rarely socialize anymore. It may be something as vague as your parents appearing bored and more tired than your last visit. Coming to terms with the fact that your parents are aging and may need you to help them make the necessary changes is difficult. Even harder is that conversation with them. It’s a conversation they will probably not initiate for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they may not be aware they need help. Maybe they are in denial or fear being forced out of their home into some unappealing care facility. For whatever reason, when it comes to caring for aging parents, it’s important to tread with love and respect. What Do They Need? The first hurdle is to find out exactly what your parents need to stay safe and healthy. Examine the different areas of their routine and assess how much help they actually need to get through the day. Are their issues physical or cognitive? Can they handle their meals and hygiene needs? Are they interacting socially with peers? Can they handle their medical needs without a caregiver to be in charge of medications? Do they need transportation assistance? Gaining a clear understanding of the situation is imperative for decision making. Your Role How much hands-on responsibility you shoulder for your aging parents will depend on a number of factors, including your geographical location, your schedule, your own physical ability to perform necessary caregiver tasks, and of course your relationship with your parents. It’s best to be realistic from the get-go to avoid problems down the road. You may not be the best person for the job and your parents may be better served by you finding someone who is. Work Together as a Team Your parents are already dreading being in a position that requires others to care for them. Shutting them out of the decision-making process will compound their discomfort. Though they are likely to resist your efforts early on, the more you emphasize you are a partner—not an adversary—the easier it will be to convince your parents to get on board with the program. What’s the Budget? You will need an accurate accounting of your parents’ financial status in order to understand what kind of care they can afford today—and in the future—and whether or not they will need to apply for financial help through programs like Medicaid. Home Safe Home If your parents are staying in their home, make sure the environment is free from safety hazards. Keep halls and walkways clutter-free and add grab bars in the bathroom to prevent falls. Make sure living spaces have plenty of light with easily accessible switches. Stay in Touch Nothing hurts seniors like loneliness and isolation. Make sure you are in constant touch with your parents and encourage them to reach out to friends and other family members. Preprogram important numbers into their mobile phones so they can easily contact emergency services if necessary. Whether your parents are ready and excited to move to an active adult community or need to relocate to a senior housing option with more assistance services, assure them you are there to support them in whatever they need. Remember this can also be a stressful time for you. A support group for caregivers may be helpful.

An Easy Choice by Dan Carlson

Dan and Bonnie Carlson made the decision to become part of Overture’s active Adult Community and they have never looked back. Taking advantage of all their community has to offer, they have embraced the fun, stress-free, no maintenance, turnkey life with gusto, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Hence, the decision of whether or not to renew their lease for a second term was a no brainer. For the Carlsons, there’s no place like Overture. It’s that time again. Our lease is up for renewal and, in the words of the 80’s rock band, the Clash, Bonnie and I have to decide: “Should We Stay or Should We Go, Now?” Readers of this blog, of course, know how pleased we are with our living arrangements. That view has not changed and, in fact, was solidified even more fully in a recent column titled “5 Reasons to Rent Versus Buy” by Kelsey Sheehy. And while we did not need convincing, her article discussed many of the very same issues we considered in deciding to sell our home and move into a 55+ Active Adult Apartment Home Community. For example: We want flexibility. One reason we selected our apartment was because we love the city in which it is located, and it is relatively close to family. But those circumstances could change. Any of our children could find themselves forced to move for career reasons. Or, Bonnie and I could find ourselves irresistibly drawn to another part of the United States. Whatever the case, if and when we decide to move, we don’t have to worry about the enormous hassle of selling a home, and all the complications and time that process entails. We want to be maintenance-free. For many years, I enjoyed doing maintenance, yard work and repairs around the house. Today, the mere thought of having to put up a 40-foot extension ladder to clean the gutters is enough to make me swoon. There were many good things about homeownership, but seemingly constant repairs, replacement and refurbishment—not to mention dealing with a Homeowners Association—were not among them. Today, if something needs to be fixed, I dial a number and the repair is done quickly, professionally, at no cost and—here’s the best part—somebody else does the work. We enjoy amenities Having owned a house with a swimming pool, we swore we would never do that again … chemicals … vacuuming … repairs … safety concerns. At our apartment, the pool is always sparkling, the water temperature is perfect, and if it ever needs cleaning, well…somebody else does it. Apartment living gives us other things as well: Access to a fitness center just down the hall, community games and social events, and the opportunity to join neighbors in travel to a variety of locations and attractions. When we began searching for an apartment, we did not pay particular attention to amenities. Now that we are here, these things make our experience even more enjoyable. We like financial predictability. Though rents can fluctuate over time, we know that once we sign our lease our rate is fixed for the term of the rental agreement. When we owned a home, we found that while our mortgage remittance stayed constant, property tax rates always had an impact on our monthly payment. And, as mentioned, maintenance costs in a home can be unpredictable. For example, I remember standing in my backyard at 2:00 a.m. one August night in Texas (temperature was 95), holding a flashlight for the air conditioner repairman (whom I had called eight hours earlier), while he tried to coax my AC unit back to life. Needless to say, I do not miss either the experience or the expense of that sort of thing. We have a good thing going. We love our apartment and the city we live in. The nearby shopping and restaurants, along with the available entertainment options, make this a great place to call home. Our surroundings are quiet and comfortable, and we find ourselves in the midst of some truly amazing people we have come to call friends. Simply put: We are in a very good place and, as the old saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Though Sheehy wrote her column for folks trying to decide between buying their first house or continuing to rent, the issues she raises apply perfectly to Bonnie and me. Full disclosure, we had already made up our minds about renewing our lease, but this article provided another layer of confirmation that we had made … and continue to make … the right choice. When all is said and done, this is our “me” time, and living in a 55+ Active Adult Apartment Home Community allows us to enjoy this period of our lives to the fullest. In other words, when it comes to renewing our lease, where do we sign? Flexibility, resort-worthy amenities , financial consistency, and a community of peers to share adventures with. No wonder the Carlsons are so happy to call Overture’s Active Adult Community home. With properties all over the country, the right Overture community is waiting for you. This is your time. Make it the time of your life. Visit the Overture community near you and see what the Carlsons are raving about! ABOUT AUTHOR Daniel Carlson Daniel Carlson is a retired police officer, former law enforcement educator and present-day active author. He and his high school sweetheart Bonnie, have been married for over half a century and have recently co-authored a book titled, “Home Sweet Apartment…Getting Rightsized in Our Seventies.” The young at heart couple are currently loving life at Overture Ridgmar , which is in the Great State of Texas, and in purposefully close proximity to their three children and seven terrific grandchildren. Connect with Dan via: Website: www.danbonbooks.com Facebook: Facebook.com/danbonbooks Blog: www.danbonbooks.blog

What Does Move in Ready Senior Living Mean?

So, you’ve been told your new senior apartment is a “move-in ready home.” If you’re not exactly sure what that means, join the club. Though it sounds straightforward, move-in ready is one of those flexible concepts that lends itself to multiple interpretations. The technical definition, according to Black’s Law Dictionary, is that the space is code compliant and includes functioning utilities as well as doors and windows that lock. However, for house and apartment hunters, the term tends to be more about appealing aesthetics. This “Tomato/Tomahto” discrepancy can be a source of contention between realtors and clients. Below are four different interpretations of “move-in ready.” When you begin your search for move-in ready senior apartments , be sure to be specific about your personal expectations. So, What Does Move-in Ready Mean? No Major Renovations Needed To some, move-in-ready means the home is in great shape and there will be no need for structural changes that require board approval or city permits or stressful construction work that can be a major headache. This does not guarantee there are not some cosmetic issues to address, like new countertops, appliances or wallpaper. No Aesthetic Changes Move-in ready can also mean there are absolutely no aesthetic changes necessary. Those that interpret move-in ready in this way expect fixtures, appliances, and finishes to be up to date and all walls to be freshly painted. A Habitable Environment Move-in ready can also be taken completely literally to mean a home is functional so suitable for people to live in it, regardless of how dated the décor. We’re talking running water, a working kitchen and functioning appliances….and possibly bathrooms and wallpaper from the ‘50s! Complete Pre-Closing Checklist On an even more basic level, move-in ready can mean the pre-closing walkthrough has been completed and the home meets the criteria on the checklist. So, basically in this scenario, move-in-ready means plumbing, electricity and appliances are working, the house has been cleaned and painted and the locks have been changed. Overture’s Active Adult Communities take the term “move-in ready” seriously. With state-of-the-art amenities and high-end décor and appliances, Overture’s living spaces are truly ready for you to unpack and start the business of having fun immediately. If you’re ready to take the plunge and are overwhelmed at the thought of physically tackling downsizing and moving, there are many senior moving services like the National Association of Senior Move Managers out there to help streamline the process. It’s time to find the community that is as move-in ready as you are!

How is Active Adult Living Different From Other Senior Housing Options?

You’ve discussed, weighed the pros and cons, and analyzed the numbers. The verdict is clear: You are ready to rightsize into a living arrangement that will enhance this stage of your life. But, now that you’ve done the heavy lifting and made your decision to move, the question is: What type of community will provide the lifestyle you envision? There are several different options to choose from. Though active adult, independent living, and assisted living communities are often perceived to be interchangeable, in fact each is tailored to a specific segment of the population. What are Active Adult Communities? Active adult communities are specifically designed for, well…active adults. They are ideal for empty nesters who are ready to jettison the burden of a house to embrace the freedom of an apartment home. Active adult communities are focused on creating a lifestyle that promotes health and wellbeing by providing a host of opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and intellectual growth. From Olympic sized indoor pools, to state-of-the-art fitness centers, to classes and activities that foster lasting relationships with your peers, active adult communities are all about fitness, fun and friendship in a resort-style atmosphere. This style of living does not come with assistance or meals (but those things can be sourced in at an additional fee). Community members are looking for a lifestyle change and do not want to pay for assistance they do not need. Active Adult Living vs Independent Living Ironically, while active adult living is completely independent, independent senior living is for seniors who may need some level of assistance. While residents may handle the majority of their own needs, services like meals, laundry, linen delivery, maid service, on-site nurse, and planned activities are available as needed or wanted. If a resident needs special care, like an aide to help with daily life, they have to hire from an outside source on their own. Active Adult Living vs. Assisted Living For those who need a higher level of support, assisted living may be a better option than either active adult or independent living. Assisted living facilities have on-site professionals to help with daily challenges and medical care. Those services are generally included in the overall cost of the facility. Independent active adults who have no need of support services would be spending unneeded dollars in assisted living. An active adult community would be the smart choice in terms of both lifestyle and finances. Overture communities are the gold standard for the active adult lifestyle choice. Check out our resource page to gain a better understanding of the senior living options available. Find out why active adult living checks all your boxes for your next chapter!

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