Independent Versus Assisted Retirement Living in Florida
June 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
As peopleage,manychooseto moveto Florida retirementcommunitiesto takeadvantage of the year-roundwarmthand sunshine. Depending on theirneeds;, retireesmay chooseto moveintoeither an independentlivingfacilityor an assistant livingcommunity.Many seniorcommunitiesofferboth options — independentlivingfor thosewho can takecareof themselves;, and assistedlivingfor seniors;who may needa littlehelpwitheverydaytasks.
Independent Living
Many retirementcommunitiesin Florida basethemselves;aroundthe conceptof independentliving. Thesefacilitiesare justwhat they soundlike– independentlivingcenterswhere peopleare generallyableto takecareof themselves;. Residents are physically active and ableto walkaroundthe community.They are ableto bathe and dress themselves;, can manage theirmedicationsproperly, and are freefromseverely debilitatingphysical ailmentsand memoryloss.
Florida independentlivingcentersare about staying;healthy;, active, and enjoying all that lifehas to offer.Most retirementcommunitiesoffernumerousactivitieslikewalking;groups, water aerobics,tai chi, and otherfitnessclasses. In addition to fitnessoptions, manyluxury seniorlivingcommunitiesalsohave bingo, movies, bridge, arts and crafts,socials;, musicalentertainment, and regularoutings.Seniors who can live an independentlifestyle;, but wantto be nearfriends as wellas a qualified, professionalmedicalstaff availableat any time of day,shouldconsider livingin an independentretirementlivingcenter.
Assisted Living
Many retireeswho can live independently;and thosewho needthe helpof a medicalstaff on a dailybasischooseto relocateto warmerareaslikeCalifornia or Florida. Assisted livingcommunitiesare for peoplewho may needhelpwithactivitiesof dailyliving, such as walking;, bathing, and dressing. They may alsoneedhelpwithmedication management and requiredailynursingassistance as well.Oftentimes,residentsof assistedlivingfacilitiessufferfrommemorylossor impairment,and needsomeoneto helpthemto and fromtheirroomaroundthe clock.
However, thosein assistedlivingretirementcommunitiescan stillstayactive. With the helpof a dedicated medicalstaff,residentscan participatein physical activitieslikewalks;, water aerobics,and beach ball volleyball. As in independentlivingcenters, thosein assistedlivingcan alsotakepart in recreational and socialactivitieslikebridge games, musicalentertainment, and bingo.
Choosing The RightType Of Living
It can sometimes be hardto know if you or yourlovedone shouldbe in an independentlivingcommunity or assistedlivingcommunity.The main thingto consider is if the personcan manage theiractivitiesin dailylifewithout;any assistance.If they can generallytakecareof themselves;, are physically able, can remember to taketheirmedicines,and are freefrommemorylossor major physical ailments, an independentlivingcommunity will usuallysuffice.
Otherwise, the personprobablyneeds;an assistedlivingcenter. Those debatingbetween the two types of seniorlivingshoulddiscussthe options withtheirhealthcareprovider, and tourdifferentretirementcommunitiesin the area. With time,you\’ll find the right fit for yourneeds;and lifestyle;.
North Carolina Retirement Living at Lake Hickory
June 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
You’re at one with nature: the woods and the water. Relax in your boat and reel in a largemouth. Walk through the woods with only rustling leaves and wildlife. Mingle with neighbors at the clubhouse,pool, Nature Parks, or at Granada Farms Golf Club. Here at Anchors Landing on Lake Hickory, the memories are endless.
Anchors Landing Amenities include:
Heavily Landscaped Illuminated Entrance
Electric Security Gate
Paved Roads
Lantern-lit Streets
5 Miles of Walking Trails
Several Interior Lakes Stocked with Fish
Community Boat Slips
Club House
Swimming Pool
Hot Tub
Nature Parks
Secured Boat Storage Area
Lake Hickory Highlights:
4,200 Acres in Size
105 Miles of Shoreline
Regulated by Duke Power
Over 20 miles of shoreline designated as Natural Areas
Fully Recreational Lake (Boating, Sailing, Jet Ski
Which Is Best, an Assisted Living Facility or One That Also Has a Retirement Home?
June 17, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
There are of course individual assisted living facilities that are excellent but they may be privately owned. There are also assisted living companies that have a great number of assisted living facilities all under the one company umbrella. Which is better is a decision that only you can make. You will have to visit the various facilities, talk to the folks there, ask questions and even partake in a meal or two. You will also check on the certifications of each of these companies. After all, you are seeking to put a loved one in an assisted living facility.
The reason for the proliferation of assisted living companies is of course that our seniors are living longer, and often do not need a nursing home yet. These various companies will provide a more relaxed, independent living incident than the standard nursing home can.
Regardless of which assisted living companies you look at, ultimately it is up to you to narrow down the facility. Some facilities have assisted living, as well as respite care. Some assisted living companies even offer different features that will enable your loved one to go from assisted living to their nursing home facilities when more care is needed that what these companies can provide.
Some offer specialized care for the dementia challenged resident. They may even have a special facility for those with Alzheimer’s, yet still fall under the umbrella of assisted living companies. The varieties of care are almost endless. Of course, all of the various companies make sure to provide fully accessible residential as well as communal areas, so that residents can have access to all areas even if they are in a wheelchair, whereas it may have presented quite a problem if they were back in their residences where they were prior to going to the assisted living facility.
Which you choose, ultimately depends on the health of your loved one, of course. If they are already coping with tremendous health problems, yet are still functioning enough for assisted living, then your choice should be an assisted living facility that also has a retirement home or nursing home. By choosing one that has dual facilities, you may make it much easier on your loved one to transfer from one to the other when the time comes, and that’s an important consideration. Further, it may save you from having to completely usurp your loved one by having to completely move from one facility to another perhaps cross town or to yet another town.
Mexico Homes Offer Safe Family Living – Cozumel Real Estate Area Named Safest Community in Mexico
June 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
When we consider buying a Mexico home, either for retirement, for a vacation home for our family, or to move permanently, one of the first factors we consider is safety for our families and for ourselves.   Cozumel Real Estate offers one of the safest communities in Mexico; with all the news reports we hear about crime and robberies â sometimes seems as much as our home countries as in Mexico or anywhere else â this makes buying a home in Cozumel one of the best options for a relaxing retirement or family life with peace of mind.
This high level of safety is more than just a local claim. Recently Cozumel was recognized as the safest city in Mexico, despite a shortage of police, according to international standards.
On the island of Cozumel, the Mexico’s Navy, the Mexican Army, the Air Force and the Federal Police all have a presence. And this is not a reaction to any problems that have ever occurred. The crime has been consistently low, and the various security forces on the island work together with the municipal government, and collaborating with the state and federal governments as well, to prevent crime, keeping the crime rate low and protecting citizens. It is a plus for buying Cozumel real estate to hear the word “prevention,” when so much of what we hear in the news is reaction to problems which have already occurred.
International safety parameters indicate that for every 100 inhabitants, there should be one policeman. There are almost 90 thousand inhabitants, so there should be about 900 policemen, a number higher than the actual amount on the island. However, because the armed forces and state and federal police work together with Cozumel’s Public Safety department, the island does not currently need more police.
Cozumel has the advantage of having the presence of the three branches of the armed forces, which does not occur in any other municipality in Mexico, adding a particularly high level of preventative security. A part of the coordinated effort of crime prevention are regular meetings to discuss safety strategies in which staff participate from the National Security Research Center.
In addition, The Director of Public Safety has announced that are already talks with the commissioner of the Federal Preventive Police, which currently has a presence only in the international airport, to join the security operations on a wider scope.
Considering these factors â low crime rate and a high level of crime prevention â where could be a better place to buy your Mexico home? Chances are it is even safer than your town back home.
Retirement, Tropical Living, Offshore Banking And Corporations: Why Belize?
June 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
From Barrons to International Living to MSN Money there have been a string of articles in the last few years about making your pension and social security dollars go farther by living overseas. Belize is a great choice in this regard. Not only is the Caribbean nation a good place to live but the climate is tropical and Belize is an excellent location to set up offshore banking and an offshore corporation.
What and where is Belize?
Belize was British Honduras until 1973 although it gained its independence in 1964. The society is diverse with English, Spanish, and Creole spoken. Mexico lies to the North and Guatemala to the West while on the East is the Caribbean Sea and the world’s second longest barrier reef system. Belize has a third of a million people living on just less than 9,000 square miles of land, giving it one of the world’s lowest population densities. Belize is the only nation in Latin America to be a member of the British Commonwealth.
Making the Most of Your Retirement Savings in Belize
Belize typically comes up in these discussions as a safe, cheap, English speaking nation on the Caribbean with a legal system based upon British Common Law. Typically cost of living for Belize is cited as between $1,000 and $2,000 a month depending upon whether you live on one of Belize’s many offshore islands or on the mainland.
How much you spend to live in Belize will depend upon how much you integrate yourself into the culture and to what degree you want to maintain a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption. Belize has luxurious, gated communities and Belize has safe, quiet neighborhoods where prices are cheap. If you don’t bother with cable TV and an internet connection in your home, don’t party a lot nor have servants it can be easy to live for around $1,000 a month. If you want to live a more lavish life style, for less than elsewhere, you can save thousands of dollars a month by living in Belize (and spend a few thousand too). If you are interested, come to Belize to visit. Rent for a bit and explore. You could be very happy that you did. Then, while you are visiting, check out the other aspects of Belize that may be useful.
Belize Offshore Banking
Opening a bank an offshore bank account in Belize is easy. You do not even need to go to the bank. With an introduction to a reputable, competent, trustworthy bank in Belize you can set up your account online and by fax.
In order to open an account in Belize you need only provide your full name and a copy of your driver’s license or passport, proof of your address, a utility bill for your address, and a reference from your current bank. Ideally you will need to have had a two year relationship with the bank that provides your reference.
Belize has local, Belize banks, and international banks doing business in Belize. A little investigation, in English, will help you find the right banking choice for your banking needs. If you still want to travel in retirement you can do all of your banking with your Belize offshore bank online from anywhere in the world.
The banking guidelines in Belize provide you with unparalleled privacy and security in handling of your accounts and transactions. Although the bank will need this information to open an account your personal information is not available to third parties without your knowledge and consent.
Belize Offshore Corporations
A Belize International Business Corporation (IBC) is a legal entity which is incorporated in Belize but does not do business in Belize nor pay taxes in Belize. A Belize IBC needs to have a registered agent in country and pays a $400 annual fee.
A Belize IBC can be set up by an individual or other legal entity. The IBC requires a shareholder. This shareholder can be the actual, registered, shareholder who records its own name on the share certificate and in there share record or a nominee shareholder.
A Belize Offshore Corporation can be used for offshore banking, to invest outside of Belize, and to engage in business and trade internationally. A Belize IBC can hold bank accounts as well as operate businesses, own real property, and buy and sell any and all kinds of goods and services.
If you are looking for an extra layer of asset protection and privacy, a nominee shareholder is used for your corporation. The nominee shareholder’s name is on the share certificate and in the share register and the nominee shareholder signs a Declaration of Trust giving up any and all rights to voting rights and any rights to exercise, sell, or transfer the IBC shares.
Why Choose a Belize International Business Corporation?
Belize used to be British Honduras. This Caribbean nation’s official language is English. The legal system is based upon English common law and the government is a parliamentary democracy based upon that in England.
Belize International Business Corporations are simple in that they require a single subscriber, a single shareholder, and a single director. Belize is a tax advantaged location so that a properly set up Belize IBC can pay minimal taxes.
Although a Belize may not do business in Belize it may bank there. Nominee shares may be issued for a Belize IBC increasing asset privacy. Shares may be registered or bearer shares. As with most offshore incorporations a Belize IBC requires a registered agent in Belize. The applicable law for setting up and maintaining a Belize IBC is available in pfd format in English.
According to applicable law, page 63 of pdf, “A company incorporated under this Act shall keep such accounts and records as the directors consider necessary or desirable in order to reflect the financial position of the company.”
Also, page 64 of pdf, “The books, records and minutes required by this section shall be kept at the registered office of the company or at such other place as the directors determine.”
Besides being a place in the sun for your retirement years Belize is a tax advantaged location with excellent protection of the privacy of your assets.
How to Make a Living in Music by Gigging in Retirement Homes, Residential Homes, Nursing Homes, Day Centres & more
June 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
In a world where the population is staying healthier and living longer there continues to be massive growth in the area of caring for the elderly. New Retirement Homes and Retirement Villages as well as Nursing and Care Homes are being built and re-developed all over the UK and across Europe, USA and the rest of the World. For instance did you know that there are over 5000 nursing homes across Spain, half of which have been built since 2002
The well-being of this section of our communities has never been so much in the limelight and their daily care and activities is of paramount importance. Music has been noted as one of the most important and beneficial activities in the care of the elderly and there are great opportunities for musicians, singers, and entertainers of all types to play a major role at this stage in a person’s life.
Not only is there a great benefit to the well-being of others but it is also possible to seriously consider this type of establishment as a regular booking in your gigging schedule. I no longer entertain in pubs or clubs but last year alone I still did over 320 bookings.
This article will hopefuly open up your eyes to new possibilities for you as a musician/entertainer whether you are experienced or just starting out, and it may just be what you have been looking for, but just didn’t know existed.
Here are the simple facts: There are almost 20,000 Retirement Homes and Sheltered Schemes in the UK and over 12,400 Nursing Homes and Residential Care Homes. That’s over 32,000 potential places that you could contact regarding entertainment. If only 1% of those gave you a booking you would have a gig everyday of the year, although you may consider having  Sundays off like I do.
That’s how big this market really is. This figure doesn’t even include the many hundreds of Day Centres and Active Retirement Clubs and Associations there are out there, or even any of the birthdays and anniversary parties that will come your way once you get going and people like what you have to offer.
Right at this moment I have just arrived home from doing two bookings and the time is 3.30pm in the afternoon. The first booking was a Nursing Home in Bickley, Kent which is only 5 miles from my home. I did an hour show there from 11am â midday and then I moved on to a Retirement Club in Sidcup, Kent, where I played from 1.40pm â 2.40pm. Both were very up beat with people singing and dancing and generally having a good time. My fee was £70.00 per booking because they were both very local and I was away from home for just 5 hours.
I am sharing this information with you because I believe that there are many of you out there who have a great talent and are just not aware of the opportunities available in this massive market area of Retirement Homes, Residential Homes and Nursing Homes etc. I certainly wasn’t, and it has been a real blessing for me to be able to experience the warmth and appreciation that you get from the people living in these places as well as getting paid for the privilege.
Statistics prove that people are living longer and that the Nursing, Residential and Retirement markets are continuing to grow. This is no less true when you see the amount of new developments being built throughout the United Kingdom and indeed the world as a whole.
If you have found this article of interest and would like further information then you will be pleased to know that I have just this week finished a totally unique ebook which will introduce you to this massive niche market and show you how you can literally gig everyday of the week or even 2 or 3 times a day depending on how much work you are looking for.
It will show you How to:
1.  Get started
2.  Research your local market
3.  Write an introductory letter that works
4.  Set your fees
5.  Obtain two or even three gigs a day
6.  Decide on the equipment you might need
7.  Find the best backing track web sites
8.  Market yourself and get 100’s of bookings
 And so much more.
If you are a Musician, Singer or Entertainer then please ask yourself these questions?
Do you need just one or two extra bookings per week instead of having to take on some other kind of part-time work to make ends meet?
Would you like to become full-time but just can’t seem to get enough gigs in the diary to make it a truly viable proposition?
Would love to turn your hobby into a career and be able to get rid of the day job?
If you are just starting out on your musical career and want to experience playing in front of an audience then this ebook is for you.
If you would like to add just one or two bookings a week to your gigging schedule then this ebook is also for you.
However you might be like me and find that once you come across an idea that works you want to put all of your energy in to it. Well the good news is that this really is the ebook for you because I am going to share everything with you that I have done over the last four years to make this work.
I’ll show you how I got started, the letters that I used to mail out to prospective clients and how to find those clients in the first place. I include the fees that I charge and what I think the upper limits are in this area of the entertainment industry. You have access to the repertoire that works for me, and even my set lists that have proven to work for me time and time again.
I’ll share with you what equipment and instruments I use and how to be creative in your performance in order to make it as interesting as possible for your audience. For example I now look at my one-hour show that I put together for Residential and Nursing Homes as more of a variety show than just me singing a few songs.
I’ll even tell you what I consider to be the best vehicle for the job, the best deals for insurance, where to get your printing done, all the backing track websites that I consider to be the best sounding and best value. And lots more.
 I have taken a great deal of time over this material because I really believe that your investment in this book will literally save you the 100’s of hours that I have spent in researching and developing this venture from scratch over the last 4 years.
This ebook probably won’t make you a millionaire; it’s not what it’s meant to do! But it could make the difference between having to do a day job that you probably find a bit of a drag and then tagging your music on the side at weekends, or being able to do something that you love (your hobby) as a profession.
You never know this might be the answer to your dreams.
I sincerely hope that you get something from this material. I know that if you dare to venture out into this area of the entertainment industry you will not only be blessed, but you will be a real blessing to the ones you entertain and serve.
Music is one of the very few things that can bring people together in a positive way, and I have experienced some amazing things over the last four years. I hope you do too.
Take care and DO WHAT YOU LOVE!
Adrian Chapman.
This totally unique ebook I believe is the first of it’s kind and is available to purchase and download immediately for only £16.97
at www.adrianchapman.co.uk
Assisted Living Facilities Today Focus on Living, not Retiring
June 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
With workout facilities, pools, golf courses and trips, the aging communities today are not looking for their parents assisted living communities of the past. In fact, Baby Boomers are looking to live out their golden years packed full of as much adventure and fun as possible. <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.greatplacesinc.com/features/AssistedLivingca.aspx>California assisted living</a>, Arizona, Florida and <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.greatplacesinc.com/features/AssistedLivingMN.aspx>Minnesota assisted living facilities</a> are all changing their modern assisted living construction to reflect new attitudes about retirement living.
The New Look of Active Assisted Living Facilities Today
Besides all the modern safety features, furniture and designs of new assisted living facilities, seniors are also given a packed calendar of activities to choose from- encouraging active retirement, not just sitting and watching the days fly by.
From line-dancing instruction, ukulele club and wine tasting trips, senior assisted living facilities today are not so much retirement homes as they are active learning centers. Here are just some of the packed calendar events that are listed in many assisted living centers today.
• Arts Programs and Events
• Athletic and Sporting Events
• Community Social Activities
• Dance Programs and Events
• Entertainment and Shows
• Recreation Coordinated Events
• Religious Services and Programs
• Social Services Programs
• Support Groups
People are living longer, so why should their “living” be any different? That is the refreshing take on new assisted living and senior retirement centers today.
Seniors can learn guitar, learn to speak Italian and tackle that big quilting project they have wanted to finish with like-minded peers around them.
Assisted living facilities all over the United States are focusing on modernizing what used to be called nursing homes and changing the name to active senior communities. Instead of a cold cafeteria every 6 hours for meals, gourmet chefs prepare amazing dishes. Physical therapists and masseuse are often onsite to provide long term care. And if one group is heading out for a round of golf, another group is watching a ballet performance downtown. Just because you’ve reached your golden years, doesn’t mean they have to be stationary.
Community Living on the Wirral Peninsula
June 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
The Wirral Partnership Homes maintains contracts with a number of service and construction firms in a continual effort to make their properties more a decent community than merely a place to rent. They encourage all their residents to get involved with the continuing growth of the community and provide feedback for improvement.
While the Wirral Partnership Homes strives to make their communities a safe and nurturing environment for raising a family, they excel in their provisions for the elderly and vulnerable. Having achieved the CSHS Code of Practice award for their high quality services for the elderly, the Wirral Partnership Homes currently supports over eighteen hundred older tenants with such extra services as access adaptations to existing dwellings for those who need special facilities. These can include such aids as stair lifts, door releases, ramps and handrails.
The Wirral Partnership Homes provides household budget management and access to relevant healthcare and social functions for a more enjoyable retirement and will provide assessments to match specific needs with the best possible home. Included in every dwelling for the elderly is a 24-hour access device, either pull cord or button operated, which can provide them with immediate aid and assistance in need.
Even younger folk just beginning their lives on their own can utilize special services tailored to the needs of tenants in the 16 to 25 years of age bracket. This takes several forms including help with budgeting assistance to help them learn the responsibilities of home rental obligations.
All the Wirral homes properties are routinely maintained and repaired by professional onsite craftsmen who can be quickly contacted at any time of the day or night for service on any of the Wirral houses.
Benefits of Living in a Master Planned Community
June 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
Staying in a master planned communities appear to be very attractive to most of hopeful homebuyers. This is merely for the reason that they do not need much of maintenance and the fact that you enjoy a stress-free lifestyle. Thus, aspiring home buyers easily accept the idea of living in a master planned community is a better alternative. This community gives several housing choices with recreation, facilities, support services and open space. This is the perfect option for new homeowners who are always busy. And the objective for these developers of master planned communities is to maintain a pleasant living condition in the future.
If you think of staying in a master planned community, always keep in mind that the location of your house is one of the primary criteria. Factors like the accessibility of your work place, the schools near the community, the kind of neighborhood and the available recreation amenities must all be considered in your evaluation. They will aid you in making your decision procedure faster.
Determine the kind of neighbors you have. Are they warm and accommodating? Do they have homeowner’s association which handles all the issues circulating around the community? Matters such as these can also help you evaluate the actual environment that you will be having once you stay there. To help you understand what it is like living in master planned communities, you can check some of these benefits.
Architectural concept- communities like these maintain particular guidelines for their houses and community amenities. This assures that homeowners will have top quality home designs that go with the rest of the houses in the neighborhood. They are conceptualizing an integrated theme but with a minor touch of variety to add uniqueness to the entire place. Primary specifications on the community remain the pleasant integrity of the streets, landscape and facilities.
Facilities that encourage quality of life-master planned communities assure that they will create a convenient living for all homeowners. Their newly-built homes do not need much of exterior maintenance and thus homeowners can have enough quality time with their loved ones and friends during weekends or holidays. High-end amenities like pools, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, recreation centers, gym, sports field and golf courses are some of the things you can take advantage of when you stay in a master planned community.
Best investment for the future- when you choose to live in a master planned community; you have actually acquired the best investment since the houses in such community maintain their value. The benefits they have like convenient to work, school and amenities, will allow the homeowners consider them as the most likeable place. The homeowner’s association imposes fees that are truly an investment in the future and develop the ongoing maintenance of community landscaping, swimming pools, parks, recreation centers and other common area facilities.
It boosts your confidence when you know that you stay in a well-planned residential community. They give you much more than a comfortable house in friendly a neighborhood. They have the best place to stay—whether if you are still starting out as a family, raising children, learning a new life as newly weds or merely making the most of your retirement. Master planned communities are surely worth their price.
Is Community Living Returning?
June 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
Is the trend for smaller houses bringing back the community life or is it the other way round? Are Baby Boomers showing us the way with their socially-driven RV communities and snowbird villages? Have the drastic price increases helped to pull us together as a community and promoted a feeling of social awareness?
Recently in a local neighborhood, a second community garden was started as the first one became too popular; this is not so commonplace in a North American community. Does it point to social changes in the way we live?
Since World War 2 we have gradually become a more insular society, choosing more to separate ourselves from our community. For instance, we watch the ball game at home,or we choose to skip the movies and watch the videos in our own home theaters. Less of us grow (and share) our own vegetables.
Unlike Spain, where a town of any pride has a town square, and England where there is the village green and France where there is the ‘boules’ pitch shaded by trees and surrounded by benches for the audience – we seemed to have opted out of civic socializing.
Smaller European homes meant that children played together in the streets, or chatted in their front yards. Local church halls encouraged get togethers that were free.
Lately there have been sub-divisions created that have a community spirit built in; small parks and safe walkways for kids to ride their bikes on. Many of these have focused on ‘green’ construction and the homes have been built within a smaller square footage.
Smaller homes and community living is not new in one echelon of society – the idea of community living has been pioneered by seniors and others who flee to the sun for the winter – the snowbirds.
Jumping neighborhoods for such a short period of time each winter meant that every snowbird was a stranger with little time to develop friendships. Happily, most of these residential areas have facilities and amenities laid on for community life.
Community events give people a reason for having to show up and chat with everyone else in the area; it also helps them to overcome their shyness. Community pools and social evenings, community gymnasiums and scenic jogging paths tend to throw everyone together and blend residents into a cohesive group.
If you are not lucky enough to be a senior who can join in these community events, then think of transforming your own community into a friendlier place. One home owner placed a log bench at the bus stop outside his home. Older travelers use it often! Small touches can make all the difference.


