Inventions that may assist seniors and caregivers

People are constantly developing new products to assist seniors who have a variety of conditions. From those who have Alzheimer’s disease to those that are looking to track their daily exercise habits. 

Here are two innovative products which may become available in retirement communities in the future.

  §  The Parkinson's Cup
Lily Born was tired of watching her grandfather struggle with his drinking cup, as he had an advanced form of Parkinson's disease. Instead of watching her grandfather suffer in silence, Lily designed a cup that would allow the drinker to have full control of the liquid without having to worry about spilling or breaking. Lily created the cup, enlisting her father's assistance to develop a prototype, and funded the entire project on Kickstarter. Even more amazing? She was only 11 years old at the time!

Lily spoke to Co.Design about her "Kangaroo Cup," explaining that it was originally ceramic, but she switched to plastic after discovering the material was more stable. She added that her grandfather was an integral part of the design process.

They were using hand-mouldable plastic at home and then clay at a pottery studio. She was able to hand those cups right over to her grandpa to use, and it was very easy to see if it was comfortable or not.

The cups are currently available in sets of four, but Lily hopes they will become more widely adopted in the future.

  §  Shoe implant for seniors with Alzheimer's
Tracking technology has helped many caregivers and family members keep track of aging loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer's and have wandered in the past.

Professor Andrew Carle from George Mason University and a shoemaker from GTX combined forces to develop a GPS insert for the shoes of seniors suffering from memory loss. Carle explained to the Washington Post that the new device may be helpful for caregivers, as the sole can easily be moved between multiple pairs of shoes.

However, the Alzheimer Society of Canada does recommend that caregivers carefully consider this option before adopting the device, as it may unnecessarily infringe upon a senior's independence.

Many of these revolutionary inventions are ideal for older adults and caregivers, as they may assist seniors in their daily lives!

At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, your dream of a vibrant community establishment can become a reality! Book your place today and enjoy the finer elements of life.

5 ways you will save money after retirement

There are many expenses that will be reduced after retirement. Some work-related costs retire along with the job, while others can be eliminated once you are no longer supporting a family.

Here’s how you will spend less after retirement…

Housing – Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most working households, but this can all change in retirement. If you have been diligent about paying your mortgage, you could pay off the loan before retirement. This will reduce the monthly cost of housing greatly, but that’s not the only way to spend less.After retirement you won’t be tied down to a location near your work anymore, and the possibilities are endless! You can sell your house and move into an affordable retirement village like Pinelands Grove Retirement Village.

Transportation – One thing you definitely won’t miss about work is the commute. The average daily commute is almost an hour. When you are retired, you won’t have to get frustrated at rush hour anymore, plus you will save on petrol and car insurance. If you retire and find yourself living in a location with reliable public transportation, then getting rid of your car is a realistic option.

Kids – You would be surprised how much it costs each year to raise a child for 18 years – it’s a lot! And that’s not even including higher education. These costs include a larger home, child care, sports equipment, after school activities, health care, clothing, transportation and the huge amount of food they consume. Hopefully, by the time you retire, the kids will all be out of the house!

Work-related expenses – It can cost quite a bit of money to keep a professional appearance. Professional clothes and shoes are expensive, and once you’re retired you won’t even need to wear them anymore. Coffee and espresso shots can help you stay focused at work but they can also drain your wallet. These expenses might not seem like a lot, but they can add up each year.

Conveniences – Employees with a full-time job don’t have much extra time, so they value conveniences and are willing to pay for them. Luckily, retirement is a completely different story. You have a lot more free time and less income, so you have to prioritize things differently.

As you adjust to your retirement lifestyle, you will find that there are certain expenses you are able to save on. The bulk of these expenses are necessary during your working years, but retirees can reduce or eliminate these costs, freeing up time and money for something else.

At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village we can offer you gracious living in an attractive location. Here you can come to enjoy the finer things in life!

7 Secrets to a Happy Retirement

Some people move effortlessly into a happy retirement and get right to the business of enjoying their new lives. But, other folks have a much tougher time entering the retirement years. Some of these people may think to themselves, “Am I really cut out for retirement at all?” Well, here are seven traits all happy retirees have…

> Good Health <

Having good health is probably the most important thing that impacts retirement happiness. According to a study, retirees in poor health are nearly 50% less likely to report being happy.

> A Significant Other <

Married or retirees who have a significant other are more likely than singles to be extremely happy in retirement. And it gets even better when your partner is retired with you, because you get to enjoy retirement together.

> A Social Network <

Having friends is far more important to retirement bliss than having kids. Those who have a strong social network are found to be 30% happier with their lives.

> They are not Addicted to TV <

After you retire you are going to have lots of free time to fill. If you want to be happy in retirement, don’t fill all that time with endless hours of television. A direct negative correlation was found between the amount of TV watching and happiness levels: unhappy people watched more and happy people watched less.

> Intellectual Curiosity <

People in retirement who are over the age of 70 and who choose brain-stimulating hobbies instead of watching TV are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Not only will shunning TV make you a whole lot happier, but it will make you healthier too.

> They aren't Addicted to Achievement <

The more you are defined by your job, the harder it will be to adjust to life without it. People who are achievement addicts have the most difficulty transitioning to retirement.

 > Enough Money <

Of course you’ll need enough money to support your chosen lifestyle in retirement. But beyond that, more money will never make you happier. If you have just enough money to continue your pre-retirement lifestyle, then you have enough!

If you don’t have all the traits necessary for a happy retirement, don’t worry, there’s good news for you! All you have to do is put a little work into it. At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, we can help you on your journey to a happy, healthy retirement. 

Some lessons the younger generation can learn from seniors

For many people, retirement is the time to reflect on what truly makes you happy. Because seniors have decades of experience, they can offer great insight and advice into what’s most important in life.

So, here’s what the older generation would say to the younger generation if they could tell them only one thing…

*Follow your Dreams*
One of the most important lessons to remember is to always follow your dreams. Living life with regrets only creates unhappiness, and it can cause people to feel as if they have missed out on an opportunity. It is important to take advantage of all opportunities so you can find peace and live the life that you've always dreamed for yourself.

*Find your Truth*
Staying completely true to yourself is another important piece of advice that seniors have for younger generations. There was a statement made by seniors in Time magazine that said… “Do not hesitate to switch interests, majors or fields of concentration. Find your preference of your passion, then focus on it to your heart’s content.”

*Be open to Change*
Flexibility is extremely important if you want to live a happy, healthy life. Life is a huge mix of good days and bad days, and the key to staying happy is knowing that it can all change in a second. Always remember that some days it will rain and pour, but it’s pointless to worry about it.

*Care for Others*
While it’s important to focus on your own happiness, it’s also valuable to spread joy and happiness to others. In fact, there are reports that show that volunteering is not only good for the community, but also great for your own well-being. Give back to your loved ones and neighbours by volunteering at a retirement home or hospital – you get more love when you give back.

"The best currency that you can spend very freely and get much more than you pay for is love, spend it!"

Book your place today at Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, we have a distinctive, vibrant community of adults and we promise to provide healthy living and wellness in a safe, secure environment.

3 Advantages of Retirement Living

Imagine if you never have to worry about preparing a meal again? Think about what it would be like to have plenty of exercise classes and recreational activities available to you every day during your retirement. If you become a resident at Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, that desire will become a reality.

At a retirement village, you can shift your focus from performing tasks of daily living or managing health or mobility challenges to simple enjoying everything that retirement living has to offer…

-> Healthy, Delicious Meals
Cooking three meals a day and trying to make sure they are healthy can be quite labourious, especially the grocery shopping and meal preparation beforehand. After spending many years sharing this responsibility with a spouse or relative, it can be a huge relief to have someone else take care of it for a change!

-> Physical and Social Activities
It can be quite difficult to find interesting activities close to home that are also inclusive of seniors with mobility challenges. Transportation to and from these activities can also be expensive and cause an inconvenience. At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, those issues done exist!

-> Secure and Supportive Environment
Security can be a huge concern for seniors who feel uneasy about being home alone, especially if they’re unsteady on their feet or require extra support to complete everyday tasks. At a retirement community, you know that you are surrounded by peers and dedicated staff members who can offer you assistance or just companionship whenever it is needed.

If you are considering whether retirement living is right for you, simply read through these three advantages and you will find that Pinelands Grove Retirement Village is the right choice for you.

Surprising facts about retirement

Retirement has different meanings for different people. For some, it is the time to find a lovely, affordable retirement community and relax. For others it will be a time for travel, starting a new business or just spending quality time with family members.

No matter what your approach may be, here are some things about retirement that might surprise you…

- Many consider the standard retirement age to be 65 years old. One of the reasons that specific age was decided was because of Germany. They initially set their retirement age at 70 and then lowered it to 65.

- Every day for the next 15 years, another 10, 000 people born between 1946 and 1964 will turn 65. That’s about one person every 8 seconds.

- 15% of middle-aged adults are providing financial support to both an aging parent and a child.

- Nine of ten adults aged 65 years and older take at least one prescription drug every day.

- 58% of people expect to continue to work for pay after formal retirement and for the majority, this will be due to financial necessity rather than choice. 

- Seniors watch more TV, spend more time on the internet and on mobile devices than any other age group – even teenagers! In 2013, the 65-and-older age group averaged over 275 hours of TV per month! Kids aged 12 to 17 only watched 120 hours.

- Only 54% of South African who are currently 10 years or less away from retirement age are saving for retirement. 

So, these facts may be pointing to one conclusion: The 65-and-older age group is expected to become much larger and have more influence in the future. Ask yourself: Have you made plans for health care and retirement? If you are unsure about your decisions, maybe it’s time to sit down with your loved ones and talk about a solid plan for your future.

At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village gracious, safe, healthy living is combined in a vibrant community establishment. Pinelands Grove could be the perfect retirement village for you, contact us today!

Are you ready for senior community living?

Before you say “I’m not ready for a retirement community,” you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to answer these questions…

“What is it I’m not ready for?”
Often, people confuse moving to a retirement community with giving up all the things that are dear and important to them. You may be surprised to find that today’s retirement communities are far different than what you might have imagined. They’re for people who want to maintain their independence, expand their horizons and make their own decisions. So residents enjoy life more – not less!

“How will I know when I’ll be ready?”
Do you worry about home maintenance? Are you tired of shopping and preparing meals? Do you have health concerns? Are you troubled about personal safety and security of your home? Would you like to explore new interests and meet new friends? If so, now is the time to experience the freedom a service-enriched retirement lifestyle can offer you.

“Why should I consider a move if I’m still healthy?”
Can you think of a better time to move? Most people need to make housing adjustments as they grow older, so you will be glad you decided to move while the decision is still yours to make. You've planned a head your whole life, so don’t wait until a crisis forces you or your loved ones into a decision you haven’t prepared for.

“Will I have to move again if my health fails?”
If you choose Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, most likely you will never have to make another move! While it is encouraged to have a healthy, active and independent lifestyle, it’s acceptable that circumstances do change. That’s why it’s great to have access to a full range of health care options.

“Isn't a retirement community for ‘old people’?”

Throw away your misconceptions about retirement living. Senior living communities are service enriched residential communities, not an institution or rest home! Enjoy the advantages of an independent lifestyle within comfortable and burden-free environment. You’ll free yourself from daily concerns of meal planning, home repairs and maintenance, while filling your time with new friends and a variety of social, cultural and recreational opportunities.

Here at Pinelands Grove Retirement Village we welcomes you to our distinctive, vibrant community of adults who enjoy the finer lifestyle in secure comfort. We offer a fresh approach to your retirement and attention to detail being our promise to you.

How to choose the perfect retirement community

There are plenty of factors to consider when researching which retirement residence may be best for you. Nowadays, you have plenty of options to consider – from residences that offer independent living options, to homes that provide care and support for individuals who require assistance with daily living. 

While it may seem like a difficult decision to choose the right retirement community, there are simply ways to narrow down your choices and find the perfect home that best suits your needs.

What is most important to you?
When you visit different retirement communities, always ask yourself: Which services and factors are most important to me? You should make a list of amenities or facilities you would like to see in your senior living home – such as exercise facilities, salon, library and outdoor spaces – to help decide which retirement home is right for you.

Research
Before you choose which retirement community is best equipped to meet your needs, always review all your options! Independent living is a great choice for you if you do not need daily assistance, but would enjoy the convenience of light services, programs and amenities. For those of you who would need to have caregivers nearby, assisted living or extended care homes may be the best option for you. These residences, like Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, not only have the same resources as independent living residences, but offer customized support from high quality care staff.

Find the best location
Determining the best location can also be a deciding factor when determining which retirement residence best suits your needs. Majority of you will most likely choose a retirement community close to your family, probably in the same city as your children or easily accessible by public transport. Another factor is how attractive the location is; fortunately for you Pinelands Grove Retirement Village is nestled into the leafy suburb of Pinelands with the majestic Table Mountain as a backdrop.

Pinelands Grove Retirement Village may be the perfect choice for you, contact us for more guidance and support when it comes to choosing the right retirement residence.

Pinelands Grove Building Progress – February 26th

At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, our promise to you is to provide gracious living in an attractive location. So far we are pleased to announce that the building progress is coming along swimmingly, soon you will be able to relax in the beautiful suburb of Pinelands and enjoy the views of Table Mountain from your spacious studio apartment.

Here are a few interesting details about the construction progress so far…

All the demolition has been completed, along with the foundations which are now about 70% complete. For all the residents who reserved units in Block A on the ground floor, you’ll be happy to know your homes have been built!

At the moment Block A and K are currently being built, the foundations for your units are on balance and the existing structure is being worked on as we speak.

Even when things are going great, there are always some problems that may pop up. There were minor delays on the foundations due to poor founding conditions, but luckily everything was corrected by a geotechnical and structural engineer.

There were weather issues that ended up in three days delay due to the rain, even Mother Nature likes to throw us a few curve balls!

The question everyone is probably eager to ask is, “how much longer will the buildings take to be complete”? Well, the timeline on the construction is ± 10 months, so by the end of this year you will probably be sitting comfortably in the safe, secure environment that Pinelands Grove Retirement Village has promised you!

At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village we are offering 218 self-contained apartments in one of Cape Town’s most sought after established suburbs. A diverse range of choice is available from traditional studio to more spacious two-bedroomed homes, so make sure you reserve your unit today!

Pinelands Grove Retirement Village Welcomes you.

Gracious living in an attractive location should not just be an aspiration. At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village your desire becomes reality. Nestled into the leafy suburb of Pinelands with the majestic Table Mountain as backdrop, healthy living and wellness in a safe, secure environment has been uniquely created for you. A new standard of retired living comes to life in a vibrant community establishment. Here you can enjoy the finer elements of life.

The profound effects of man on the environment require a commitment from young and old to reduce carbon footprints.

Pinelands Grove Retirement Village developers are striving towards creating a greener standard, ensuring a very minimum of the new Cape Town City standards and, also going further in planning that could reduce the long term operating costs. This should not only give some comfort to those whose incomes can be static, but also gives comfort that we are all contributing to doing the right thing!

This can be your part of the green initiative.