As we get closer to our retirement age, the idea of having to find a retirement estate that can cater to our changing lifestyle needs can be quite exhausting. Not to mention we would need to consider location, cost, amenities, and healthcare access.

On the list of considerations should be the type of property ownership scheme you would like to buy into. Most retirement estates in South Africa provide two types of ownership options: Sectional Title or Life Rights Ownership. These two types of property ownership differ slightly in terms of monthly costs, special levies, and maintenance, as well as how the property is managed once the owner has passed on.

The misconception of life rights ownership

Sectional title ownership is accessible to homeowners of any age, whilst life rights ownership is reserved for those at retirement age, looking to buy into a life rights estate. Most retirees are aware of and understand sectional title ownership, so when they encounter life rights ownership, there is room for misconceptions.

For example, most retirees assume that life rights ownership offers the same claim to a property as someone who is merely renting. However, life rights provide the buyer with exclusive rights to live on that property for the duration of their life. Those who opt for life rights ownership have the same rights as those who have entered into long-term property lease agreements, but they are not required to oversee the transfer of ownership.

How does the Life Rights ownership model work?

There are typically three parties involved in a life right agreement. These include the owner of the property who grants the life right, the holder who pays for the life right, and the occupant of the property who has the right to remain there for the duration of his or her life.

The holder of the agreement can often be the same person as the occupant, however, in most cases they are a trusted family member who pays the life right to ensure that the occupant can enjoy a high standard of living, with access to world-class amenities, without the hassles of maintaining a property.

When a resident passes away, the estate is responsible for reselling – the Life Right. A pre-established formula is applied to the profits from the sale, and the proceeds can go to the deceased’s nominated beneficiary.

Life rights vs sectional title ownership

The primary difference between life rights ownership and sectional title ownership, is that the life rights occupant’s claim to the property ends upon their death. This type of ownership aids the family members of the deceased occupant, who are typically charged with managing the sale of the home in the following ways:

• The owner of the property will manage the sale of the life right and will be charged with marketing the life right, thus reducing pressure on the deceased occupants’ family.
• The sale of the life right operates similarly to a house sale. The holder of the life right (if not the occupant) is paid once the life right has been sold to a new holder. If the holder is also the deceased occupant, the money will be paid to the beneficiary of the estate.
• If the life right sells for more than what was originally paid, the owner will pay the holder or beneficiary the full amount originally invested, minus any transactional or renovation fees.

Before entering into any agreement, it is important for the retiree to discuss their needs with their family and to go over the pros and cons of the different ownership models. This will provide the family with the information they need to make an informed decision.

What are the benefits of Life Rights?

There is a reason why life rights ownership is fast becoming the most popular choice amongst retirees around the world. With some of the biggest benefits of life rights ownership being:

• You and your family have peace of mind, knowing that you have a home for life.
• You can enjoy security, access to amenities, healthcare, and so much more at an affordable monthly rate whilst reducing hassles and stress associated with having to maintain the property yourself.
• You are exempt from paying VAT or transfer duty.
• The estate retains ownership of the property and therefore has a long term vested interest in maintaining high standards, promoting improvements, and ensuring the profitability of the estate.
• When a spouse passes away, the surviving partner retains his or her life rights ownership to the property.

How can Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate help you?

At Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate, our residents have access to luxury independent living apartments, comfortable assisted living suites, and comprehensive frail care rooms at affordable prices. We aim to provide our residents with the flexibility they need when coming to their healthcare and living needs, whilst offering a happy, stimulating, and healthy retirement community.

When an apartment comes up for resale, the estate will sell on behalf of the occupant/s and an exit fee on the re-sale price is payable to the estate.

For many retirees, life rights ownership is the most sensible property investment, as it is a custom-crafted ownership model for people entering retirement. It offers financial peace of mind, hassle-free living, and enables you to enjoy a stress-free retirement without having to compromise on your standard of living.

Contact Lonehill Manor Retirement Village to book your viewing of our amazing estate today!

The post The Benefits of Life Rights Ownership appeared first on Manor Retirement.

The decisions that surround the “When”, “Why” and “How” of retirement are incredibly personal and will largely depend on your parents’ individual circumstances. If you think your parents are ready for retirement, whether it’s in the next few months or the next few years, there are plenty of things you will need to consider and discuss before they officially do.

When considering your parents’ retirement options, it may be a good idea for you and your parents to formally plan the next few months or years leading up to their retirement. This will not only help you gain a better understanding of what is required, but it may also help your parents confidently navigate this new chapter of their life.

While many people choose to retire at the suggested age of 65 in order to use their retirement period as an opportunity to do things such as making a career change, learning something new, travelling across the country or around the world, or even starting their own business venture, others prefer to retire in stages. They may choose to take on part-time work, giving them a sense of financial stability while offering freedom to do more things.

Now, let’s delve into the five burning questions you should consider when contemplating retirement for your parents.

1. 1. Can your parents afford to retire?
      This is an important question to consider at the very beginning of your parents’ retirement planning journey, as it will determine the “When” and “How” aspect of your planning process. If your parents retire completely, they will be losing their main source of income. They will need to make sure they have enough income from other sources such as pensions, retirement plans, investments, or savings to supplement this loss. Therefore, having a detailed financial plan for your parents’ retirement in place can help you better determine when they can retire and how they will be able to support themselves when they do. This plan should include considerations for both the pre-retirement period and retirement itself. If you want to find out how much money your parents will need in order to retire comfortably in South Africa, you can read this article from AA:  “How much do I need to retire?”.
   2. What will your parents do during their retirement years?
      Once the novelty of retirement has worn off, you’ll find your parents will become bored, restless, and may start to question their retirement. Although it is natural for people to want to find a renewed sense of meaning and purpose during their retirement, having a good idea of how you want to spend your newly found free time can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle. For example, getting your parents to help out with the grandkids, perhaps see if they are interested in starting a new hobby, or making their current hobby a source of income. Perhaps they want to dedicate more time to exploring new activities or travelling. You can easily sit down with them to find out what they could do on a weekly basis to fully utilize their retirement. Check out our article “6 Ways to Lead an Active and Purposeful Life in Your Retirement”. A benefit of retirement estates is that they also provide social, physical, and creative activities which your parents can take part in on a daily basis. Having an age-appropriate and like-minded community around them transforms the lives of those retirees who live in them.
   3. What will your parent’s retirement lifestyle look like?
      It is important to consider how your parent’s current lifestyle might change if and when they decide to retire. Retirement could have a huge impact on various aspects of life, therefore having a plan in place as mentioned in point 2 is vital. For example: If your parents have an active job, what activities could, or should they take part in to remain active during retirement? If they are incredibly sociable, are their clubs or classes they can join to be around people?
      It’s also important for your parents to consider how retirement living can impact the dynamics of their relationship. They will need to establish a good routine to not only ensure they have appropriate time apart to do what they like, but also adequate time together.
   4. How will your parents feel about retirement?
      This is a question you should ask when considering appropriate retirement options for your parents. As there are many misconceptions regarding retirement, your parents may not be enthusiastic about the idea. Therefore, it’s important to educate them on the benefits of retirement, you can read our article “Six Advantages of Moving into a Senior Living Community Now”. If your parents are nervous about moving into a retirement estate, you could recommend taking them for a walk-through of the estate. This will give them a chance to view the estate, ask questions, see what the estate offers before having to move. It would also be helpful to gather a list of activities your parents can have access to at the estate. Social engagements can give your parents a huge boost to connect with other people who are living a similar lifestyle and have interests that relate to theirs.
   5. What should you look for in a retirement estate?
      When coming to a retirement estate, there are obvious things to consider such as location, costing, basic amenities, different retirement packages etc. There are a few things to consider that do not often come to mind, these are:
      1. Floor Plans: If you are looking into rooms, apartments, or homes within a retirement estate, be sure to review the floor plans if available, of your preferred property, to ensure it fits with your parents’ living requirements.
      2. Measurements: Similarly, to reviewing the floor plans, you should view the property’s measurements, to be sure that the property is of an adequate size. By viewing the property’s measurements, you can best determine if your parents’ furniture will fit in the space, thus avoiding future hassles.
      3. Community Policies: Knowing the estates policies and rules regarding pets, parking, monthly costs, inclusions, and exclusions can help you make informed decisions regarding the estate or the type of living you will need.
      4. Waiting Lists: Certain estates, due to popularity, may not be readily available to take on new residents at this time. Therefore, it’s important to plan ahead by starting early. Do your necessary research in advance and once you and your parents have found a suitable estate, apply to be on their waiting lists.

Conclusion

Deciding where your parents are going to live is critical for their post-retirement lifestyle. If your parents are retirees and considering where to call home on this exciting, new chapter of their lives, consider joining Lonehill Manor’s bustling community.

The post Are Your Parents Ready to Move into A Retirement Village? appeared first on Manor Retirement.

A Sunday drive that changed our lives!

Radha and I were too ready ourselves for a Sunday drive. Nothing unusual about that. Destination undisclosed. About half-an-hour later, we found ourselves pulling up in front of white gates, the legend Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate on the wall. The first stirrings of uneasiness assailed us. The word “Manor” evoked visions of a large estate with a callous Lord in charge. We entered a sweeping driveway. We were met at the entrance by Natasha and a few members of the staff with broad smiles and a gushing welcome. Seated at the entrance was Ange.

A carefully orchestrated maneuver

To our utter surprise, the rest of the family converged on the place, and then the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. This was a carefully orchestrated maneuver. We were shown around and were quite impressed with the general layout of the property with its well-tended gardens and the profusion of trees with brick-paved walkways.

And then came the punchline: how would we like to spend our retirement here? No compulsion, it was entirely our decision. At this stage, we felt we would have been disappointed if the question had not been asked of us. A few words on the side with Radha, and we both looked in full agreement, and said so. We were told not to rush into it, seeing that nothing they could say would make us change our minds.

What was our next steps?

We were hugely impressed with the options that were given to us: the assisted living / frail care facilities, and the independent units. The residents are friendly, and we live as a community. There are many activities organised, set out in a monthly planner to keep us socially and intellectually engaged, and a fairly well-stocked library, and a heated indoor swimming pool. The most important aspect is the love and care shown by the caregivers 24 hours a day. Your absolute comfort is their concern, you can rest assured that your loved one will be well-looked after. Radha and I have been living here for about a year and 4 months and have no intention of leaving.

No regrets – just gratitude!

Thank you, family, for showing us that you care by leaving us in a secure environment. Now, both of us can lead the lives best suited to our different needs. It is truly a home from home where visiting is allowed daily.

The post Lonehill Manor Testimonial From Nynah Raju appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Aging isn’t always graceful, but that doesn’t mean the misconceptions about elderly people are true. In fact, anyone in their sixties still feels that they have so much more life to live and new experiences to discover. This is why you should not buy into the misinformation that hampers how you enjoy your golden years.

We may think we know what aging entails, but the reality is that post-retirement life is as individual and unique as any working life. Today’s senior population can be seen as a very different bunch when compared to past generations as they are more educated, tech savvy, connected, and able to still contribute to their community. This being said, our seniors are a far cry from the frail, forgetful, and helpless figures we see depicted in movies and TV series.

Let us take a closer look at these 7 common misconceptions about aging that may be influencing how we see our retirement life now or in the future:

1. Being a senior is lonely and isolated.
Humans are naturally social creatures, who thrive amongst community. Our need to connect and establish meaningful relationships does not diminish with age. However, there may be physical or mental barriers that arise with age, that make connecting with someone a little more challenging.

Seniors able to maintain strong social relationships can often reap numerous rewards such as overcoming intellectual challenges, improving communication skills, maintaining information processing skills, and improving mental health etc. Thanks to the advancements in technology and the overall progress of retirement communities, seniors can easily stay connected with family or friends, whilst establishing new bonds through various social events and activities.

2. Your health will always be determined by family history.
This is a very common misconception that cannot be farther from the truth. Although genetics can have a small impact on your health outcomes, environmental and lifestyle factors play a much larger role in determining your overall wellbeing. For example, your health is more likely to be influenced by factors such as whether or not you regularly exercise, have a balanced diet, proper sleeping cycle, do not smoke or drink, and if you take proper care of your mental health.

However, if you are concerned about your family’s medical history affecting your current or future health, we recommend that you consult with a medical professional.

3. Seniors are weak or frail.
Muscle tone and strength naturally decline over time, and loss of function is anticipated as we age, however, much can be done to combat or slow down the physical and mental aging process. Staying active, exercising regularly, and having a healthy diet can help seniors build muscle, develop flexibility, improve bone density, assist in weight control, and possible help manage some chronic conditions well-into your older years.

Activities like yoga, swimming, daily walks, gardening and even household chores can all help keep you fit and in tiptop shape. This can include decreasing your blood pressure and incredible benefits for your mental health, such as preventing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or senility.

4. All old people are senile.
As we get older, we experience some forms of mild-forgetfulness like misplacing your car keys, or forgetting about an appointment, but this is a far cry from becoming senile or suffering from dementia. Keeping your wherewithal and maintaining your mental capacity is more than a possibility.

Symptoms of age-related mental decline, like all other symptoms of aging, can be thwarted by a variety of mental and physical activities. For example, reading, learning new skills, keeping up with old skills, playing mentally challenging games can all help towards keeping your mental acuity even into your senior years. Nevertheless, you should talk with a doctor if you have serious concerns about your memory and thinking or notice changes in your behavior and personality.

5. Older people struggle to learn new skills.
This is simply not true, seniors still have the ability to learn new skills, create new memories, and improve existing skillsets that they’ve acquired over a lifetime of experiences. In fact, trying and learning new skills may even improve cognitive abilities as this study from NIH shows.

We develop, grow and craft our ability to learn new skills over many decades and these tools and information-gathering abilities continue to serve us as we grow older. By seeking new social connections and engaging in social activities such as book clubs, bird watching, photography classes, knitting classes etc. can keep your brain active and may help boost your cognitive health.

6. Old people are terrified of technology.
There is seemingly endless rhetoric about old people being confused, intimidated or, possibly, terrified by new technology. This could not be further from the truth, with todays’ seniors being more tech savvy than previous generations, our older population are continuing to explore new technology every single day.

With incredible advancements in technology such as smart devices, video calls, instant messaging, seniors have utilized this technology to stay in-touch with family and friends despite potential growth in physical distance. Seniors have also utilized this newer technology to hone new skills or maintain part time work to keep their minds active or perhaps earn additional income.

7. Seniors should not be part of making important life decisions.
A common – and dangerous – misconception is that with age seniors will begin to lose their ability to think clearly and their interest in life-altering decisions. This goes as far as to assume that they cannot track current events or even some events in their own orbit. This is wrong.

Involving seniors in the decision-making process is a critical means of keeping them engaged, happy, secure, and fulfilled. Important decisions regarding their personal healthcare and finances or selling their home and moving into a retirement community should always include the person who if affects most and who has the most to gain from making good life decisions.

Conclusion

For years, Lonehill Manor has avoided these misconceptions and have treated all of our residents with the respect and dignity that they have earned and deserve in their post-work life.

Our retirement estate fosters respect, trust, and mutually beneficial relationships with our residents and their families. We provide supportive and engaging communities that help so many thrive in their retirement. If you are looking for a place to call home in your retirement years, contact us at Lonehill Manor for more information.

The post 7 Common Misconceptions About Growing Older appeared first on Manor Retirement.

How are you enjoying living at Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate?

We moved into Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate on the 26^th April 2022 and all I can say is that it was the best decision we had ever made.  From the beginning, we were treated as royalty

Our Apartment is outstanding with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms en suite, a great kitchen /lounge and a huge balcony.

The Estate caters for ALL our needs from dining to entertainment.  Every staff member is friendly/happy and always willing to oblige with any request.

I highly recommend our Estate  to anybody who is looking for 5 Star living

Clive & Liz Hendrikz

The post Lonehill Manor Testimonial From Clive and Liz appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Making the decision to move into an assisted living community is no easy task, there are many questions to ask, promising retirement estates to view, costs to evaluate, and more importantly, the future to consider. Whilst the old saying goes “Home is where the heart is”, many elderly people find it difficult to say goodbye to a home that’s filled with countless cherished memories.

Having a clear understanding of the emotional impact that moving can have on your loved ones will help families reduce or potentially avoid stress and frustration. Moving into an assisted living community should be seen as an exciting journey, a journey designed to find the perfect fit for your loved ones’ current and future healthcare needs, as well as finding an environment that will help your loved one flourish and enjoy.

This may seem impossible at first, however let us take a look at what you and your family can do to make that transition a smoother and dare we say, a happier one.

Making a smooth transition

Having a clear strategy in place can really benefit your loved one with the transition into an assisted living community. This strategy should include their thoughts, seeing as the community selected will become their future home and therefore, they should have a say in whether or not it’s the right place for them.

Once you and your loved one have selected the appropriate assisted living community, you should put together a checklist of to-do’s that should be addressed before, during, and after moving. This to-do list can help keep track of what needs to be done and what still needs to be addressed.

Some items to include in your checklist can be:

1. Moving date: If possible, consider moving during the week when the estate is fully staffed and able to help your loved one get situated.
2. Move their belongings in sooner: If possible, try to bring some of your loved ones’ belongings into the apartment sooner. By doing this, you can make the apartment feel more like home, it will also free up some time to help them settle in and relax.
3. Start the downsize process early: If possible, try narrow down the things your loved one wants to keep, although this may be an emotional journey at first, it will help you better plan the furniture size and storage needs in advance.
4. Make the rounds: If possible, take your loved one on a tour of the assisted living community to engage and meet with the staff and neighbours. This will allow them to familiarize themselves with the people they’ll be spending time with and also join in fun activities.

There are other steps you should take into consideration when moving your loved one into an assisted living community. Let us take a closer look:

Finding a Community Together

When searching for an assisted living community for your loved one, you should consider all aspects e.g., The estates offerings, level of healthcare, what people say about the estate, what activities do they offer, the costs and what is included in the costs etc.

It is important to get your loved one involved in the decision-making process, as mentioned by taking them to view the estate in order to get a better feel for the environment and the people living there. This will help your loved one feel more confident and comfortable with their decision to move into the chosen estate.

As mentioned, having your loved one involved in finding the right assisted living community is important as it will provide them with peace of mind when it comes to the decision to move.

Make a List and Stick to it

You’ve found the right community to move into, now it’s time to put your checklist into action. Make certain activities fun for your loved one, so that they don’t feel as though their lives are being uprooted. One way to do this could be by having the family over to help you sort out and downsize your loved ones’ belongings.

It Takes Time

Making a house feel like a home takes time and patience, the same applies when moving an elderly person into an assisted living community. If a loved one is unable to take care of themselves or they are considering a different kind of homeownership: a healthy, safe, accessible, friendly, and inviting community can become the home they need and deserve, given the time.

Bring Your Cherished Possessions

It’s important to keep special memorabilia or perhaps furniture that bring your loved one joy and comfort in their new living space. This can include their favourite chair, books, movies, pictures, art, or knickknacks. Having these reminders of the home your loved one shared with your family can help make the move less stressful.

Visit Often

This is for the children, grandchildren, friends, and acquaintances of loved ones who are moving into an assisted living facility. There is the potential to feel isolated and unwanted when anyone relocates from their established home, if those around them do not keep in contact. The strongest predictors of a smooth and happy transition are the maintaining of quality time spent with friends and family as well as integrating into their new social circles.

Making New Friends

Whether you are nine or ninety years old, making new friends can be hard to do. Something that makes it easier for all of us is entering into a new social circle. Like most of our retired population, these new social circles will be filled with an incredible array of life stories, interests, and experiences. Eating lunch or playing cards with new friends could have a hugely positive impact on your loved ones’ community experience.

So be sure to encourage your loved one to join in on any events or fun-filled activities that may be taking place in the community. You could also join your loved one in some of these activities to make it easier for them to engage with new people and help them make friends.

Take Part in Activities

All of the best assisted living facilities provide a wide selection of recreational activities that keep all members of the community engaged, active and social. These activities have proven to promote mental and physical health for the residents staying there, therefore it’s important that you and your loved ones take a look at what activities are available and sign them up to join.

By joining in on these activities, the previously unfamiliar faces that they may see at breakfast or on their morning walk will fast become teammates, competition, supporters and partners. Try out the different hobbies, arts, exercise, and games that are organized regularly for the community.

Don’t Change Everything

We understand that when a loved one decides to move into an assisted living community, it’s because they are at a stage in their life where they may be struggling with their mental or physical health. Although change is good, try to keep the size and scope of the changes to a minimum as this can help make the transition even smoother.

Dinner dates with friends, game nights with grandchildren, church on Sunday or monthly family lunches are just as important to maintain as anything else. Adjusting to new surroundings is much easier when you do it with the people you love.

The Lonehill Manor Solution

At Lonehill Manor, we know how to make you or your loved one’s transition into assisted living as easy and gratifying as possible. We offer our residents a place to call home, with access to state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful gardens, stylishly decorated lounge, dining room and open spaces, they can enjoy relaxation or easily socialising with friends and family whilst taking part in our estate hosted activities.

Join our wonderful community today and become part of the Lonehill Manor family. Contact our amazing team today for more information on our retirement community.

The post How to Make A Smooth Transition to Assisted Living appeared first on Manor Retirement.

What motivated our choice of Lonehill Manor as a retirement home?

Well into our seventies, we wanted a quiet secure place in which to retire. A garden, a pool and unused bedrooms were becoming a handful to maintain, and whilst in age-appropriate good health, we knew a time might come when accessible medical and nursing care could become a necessity.

Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate is providing us with a stress free, secure and caring environment with amenities and infrastructure to cater for our well-being today and for the years ahead.

Our opinion of it after four years of living here?

Peaceful gardens with much bird activity, and a friendly community of like-minded people give it a village atmosphere and make it the ideal place in which to spend our twilight years.

Richard and Georgie Brown
Independent Living residents since January 2019

The post Lonehill Manor Testimonial From Richard and Georgie appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Getting older can be tough in different ways. We may face a loss of mobility or loved ones, declining mental or physical well-being and missing out on family events in far-away places. The truth is that these make it difficult to maintain old relationships or build new ones. Loneliness is a concern for everyone, but especially our elderly loved ones who cannot be as proactive in their social life.

There are serious health risks that are posed to senior citizens who feel isolated and alone in their later years. This can be caused by the loss of a life partner, parents living alone in an old and empty family home or struggling to develop new friendships. The health impacts can extend as far as to affect chronic diseases, like depression, heart conditions, dementia, diabetes and hypertension.

Fortunately, for us, our loved ones and those navigating our post-retirement life, there are incredible benefits to community living that provide opportunities for building real and lasting social connections in our later years. Retirement communities are a wonderful way to spend this chapter of your life, spending time with people at a similar life stage and a variety of social, creative and physical activities to share with a new community.

Here are a few of the most significant benefits of community living for those looking to build an exciting and rewarding post-retirement life:

Having a supportive community around you

As we mentioned, having, building and maintaining strong social connections and healthy relationships are a sure-fire way towards a meaningful and fulfilling later life. In a retirement village, we are introduced to a whole new community of like-minded people who also want share new experiences with new friends. A sense of community and the richness of sharing those experiences cannot be overstated.

A lifetime of stories, challenges, milestones, memories and experiences to share with a community of people who can do the same with you. Not to mention all the new memories, stories and experiences that will be shared for years to come. Having an emphatic and supportive group of peers that understand you and want to see you thrive is so important for keeping up your mental and physical wellbeing.

Helping keep your mind sharp

Exercise is an important part of any health lifestyle, but we will discuss physical exercise later on. Much like our bodies, our minds need regular exercise in order to keep sharp. Exploring new ideas, activities, skills, hobbies, conversations and creative endeavours are transformative to the way our minds learn and stay agile. We have to make sure our minds are healthy, in addition to our bodies, as we age into later life.

Building up the strength, resilience and capabilities of our brains has many benefits for our brain health later in life. Reading, playing cards, painting or playing an instrument has proven to help reduce the likelihood and severity of mental health issues, chronic health conditions and physical ailments. Retirement communities are well aware of these benefits and have a variety of activities available to keep the mind sharp.

Providing a sense of purpose

Having a calendar full of fun and exciting events is very affirming for anyone’s mental state. Getting ready for a busy schedule of social activities can give us a sense of purpose in our post-retirement years. Retirement communities will have a rich and engaging calendar of physical, social, creative and competitive activities to help develop new skills, build connections and stay active.

Especially now, since the pandemic is coming to an end, community living spaces are reintroducing communal activities, outings and social events to their calendars. From dancing and cooking classes to movie and game nights, there are so many activities that those in a retirement community can look forward to, stay connected with their community and provide a sense of purpose for them.

Physical exercise is critical for physical well-being

It is important to specify that, amongst all of these wonderful social and communal activities, there are a multitude of physical activities facilitated by retirement villages to help keep your body healthy. Facilities like gyms, pools, tennis courts and so on are used for swimming, yoga, dancing, cardio and other training that helps you stay active at any age. Using these opportunities is so important for your body and, indeed, your mind.

Even something as simple and enjoyable as group nature walks or a daily communal walk around the village can be a huge addition to your post-retirement lifestyle. The health benefits of physical exercise are clear for everybody, but it becomes even more important aging into our sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond. There is no shortage of opportunities for you to keep your body strong and fit, benefiting your physical, mental and spiritual health.

Choosing the right residential option for your retirement years can have a variety of positive mental and physical benefits for you. Whatever your post-retirement lifestyle requirements, you can rest assured that you will have every one of your needs met at Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities.

The post What Are the Health Benefits of Community Living for Retirees? appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Most seniors will prioritise keeping their minds strong and their memories clear, but there is always more that can be done. There is an abundance of research that shows the rates of memory loss in seniors can vary greatly, depending on a variety of factors. Genetics, lifestyle, physical activity, diet, habits, social lives and other factors play a significant role in improving memory retention.

There are many different factors that can lead to positive changes in our memory retention, as well as mental and physical health.

Let us take a look at 7 simple ways that senior citizens can make noticeable improvements in their memory retention:

1. Go get regular health check-ups
   At any age, there are a number of physical and mental conditions that can have a negative impact on our memory retention. Illnesses, like depression, thyroid problems, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, heart conditions and degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, can diminish our recall ability. Getting regular health check-ups can help identify potentially harmful illnesses, medications or activities that could minimise the risk to our elderly loved one’s memory retention.

2. Keeping mentally stimulated
   Our loved ones are never too old to take up new hobbies, develop new skills and stimulate their minds. Introducing new activities, such as card games, artistic pursuits, cooking or creative writing, or encouraging them to continue reading, learning, and engaging with new ideas, will help keep their brains sharp and agile. Trying an instrument or consuming different types of media can inspire older citizens to increase their mental capacity and memory retention.

3. Taking a break and calming minds
   Giving your mind a break is beneficial for any person at any age. Mindfulness, meditation, rest and calming your mind are just some of the ways to bolster our mental recovery. These recovery periods can help reduce stress, regulate the nervous system, improve breathing and, indeed, strengthen memory retention. Promoting calmness and prioritising rest is critical for our loved ones as they get older; encourage them to take a break for their minds.

4. Maintaining a regular exercise schedule
   Exercise is one of the simplest and most important changes we can make to improve our mental and physical health as we age into our senior years. The benefits of exercise for the brain are well documented, but we have learned a lot recently about how advantageous exercise is for memory retention in elderly people. Beyond boosting cognitive functionality, exercise makes their bodies healthier, which reducing their risk of other diseases that cause mental harm.

5. Improving diets and eating better
   It is hard to describe the perfect diet for any individual. However, much like regular exercise, eating better will have a significant impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Our elderly loved ones have even more reason to improve their diets as it can help them maintain energy, improve memory retention and avoid common ailments. Broadly speaking, their diets should include a good balance of healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and daily water intake.

6. Staying socially active
   Senior citizens are often battling feelings of isolation, alienation and loneliness that can contribute to a variety of physical and mental ailments. This includes precipitating memory retention loss in our later years and reducing the desire to hold on to a lifetime of memories. Helping elderly loved ones keep strong bonds with their family, friends and local community can be transformational to their mental state – inspiring them to hold on to their precious memories.

7. Prioritising good quality sleep
   There are very few things better for our minds than sleep. Almost every brain function benefits from high-quality sleep and prioritising a regular sleep schedule is one of the best things senior citizens can do for their memory retention. They should focus on avoiding electronics, alcohol, caffeine and stimulating distractions in the evening; making their bedroom a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Improving diets, regularly exercising, socialising and reducing stress also contribute to better sleep.

A Final Thought

The space that you occupy will have a large impact on your general wellbeing. This is especially true for retirees and senior citizens who, often, require particular services, amenities and options from their residential space. Most retirement communities offer physical, creative and social activities for their residents that help keep them active and their bodies and minds healthy.

Choosing the right residential option for senior citizens can have a variety of positive mental and physical benefits for them. Whatever their post-retirement lifestyle requirements, you can rest assured that your loved ones will have every need met at one of Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities.

The post 7 Simple Ways Senior Citizens Can Improve Their Memory Retention appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Of course, there are many different approaches to funding your retirement life, all of which have their pros and cons that need to be considered. Whatever your approach, there are several common retirement mistakes that need to be avoided at all costs. All the while, ensuring diligent saving habits and effective pension fund development over the course of your career.

Here are the five most common retirement mistakes you need to avoid:

1. Retiring too early
   One of the most common mistakes made by older South Africans is the assumption that we can retire at 55 and go about our retirement life in style. The fact is that retiring at 55 is just not feasible in a South African context for most of us. The vast majority of us will have to keep working well into our sixties and maybe beyond. Whether you are a cautious spender or diligent saver, the amount you can afford to put aside will, simply, not be able to cover the lifestyles you want to lead for as long as we need. Life expectancy increases every year and we will need (on average) ten to fifteen years more years of retirement funding than expected. Unfortunately, retiring early is a privilege reserved for very few and cannot inform our retirement plan decisions.

2. Too dependent on investment and cash accounts
   The desire to place your money and savings into regular accounts is a terrible mistake. Savings accounts, like money market and investment accounts, are a tempting short-term solution to where and how to keep our savings safe while growing. These are a sensible pitstop on your savings journey, but cannot be the final destination. These accounts are too unstable and inconsistent for a retirement fund due to volatility in the equity market. Of course, these accounts will continue to provide useful tools and opportunities to make growing your retirement fund a successful endeavour. However, these will never replace the classic retirement annuities, preservation funds and pension plans that continue to offer safe and secure access to your savings for your entire retirement, without the risk of outliving or losing your money.

3. Thinking you have more disposable income than you do
   There are many romantic notions about what our retirement life might look like, especially when we see a large lump sum in our accounts. Travelling the world, spoiling loved ones, climbing mountains and buying dream cars are all valuable and exciting ways to spend your money, but are they within your retirement budget? They might not be. It is important to take note of exactly how much disposable income you have access to and what you can afford to spend on romantic notions. Most South Africans are seduced by the significant amount of money that you have on hand after retirement. However, it is important to ensure this money lasts and you can pay for your retirement without stress and room for a little extravagance.

4. Failing to adjust your post-retirement lifestyle
   This is probably the most common mistake made by soon-to-retire South Africans, according to financial experts, insurers and bankers. Understanding what you have available to you and what kind of lifestyle you intend to lead are important steps in planning your retirement; however, these two factors will need to account for each other. Basically, we need to be able to afford our post-retirement lifestyle. With all the time, money and freedom that comes with retiring, it can be so tempting to spend extravagantly and explore the world. A reasonable wish for any new retiree. This is hard-earned and well-deserved, but needs to be approached with caution. It may be hard to hold back in your sixties, but you will be grateful for the additional income in your eighties and nineties.

5. Starting too late and saving too little
   There are two simple steps that any working adult can take to help ensure their retirement will be comfortable and easy: starting early and saving more. It is understood that we want to spend as much as we save from our salaries, but this is not always the best choice. Starting in your twenties and saving more towards your pension could be the difference between your dream retirement and a steep drop in lifestyle standards. By becoming more diligent in how we save money and add into our pensions, we can become more and better prepared for our next life stage. Most retirees say that their retirement years approached them faster than they expected and should have prepared more. Get ahead of the curve and start saving as much as you can, as soon as you can. Your future retired self will thank you!

Deciding where you are going to live in your retirement years is an important and difficult decision to make. Whatever your medical or lifestyle requirements, Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities have a range of senior living options to make living your retirement years easier and more comfortable.

The post The 5 Most Common Retirement Mistakes Made by South Africans appeared first on Manor Retirement.