Saturday, February 18, 2012

What retirement living should be

Today, Saturday, Feburary 18, 2012, Page 18, Voices
From http://imcmsimages.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20120218/1802VOC018.pdf
Source Website: http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120218-0000065/What-retirement-living-should-be
Letter from Julia Ng, 04:46 AM Feb 18, 2012


PHOTO: The Village at NorthRidge an Extraordinary Option in Senior Living.
By Staff on May 6th, 2009
http://tolucantimes.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/t20-08-village-at-northridge-2.jpg
http://tolucantimes.info/cover_story/banner-story/the-village-at-northridge-an-extraordinary-option-in-senior-living/


IT IS encouraging to see in recent years that the Government has been restructuring the healthcare system in view of the ageing population.

There is also a compelling need to rethink the delivery of retirement living options beyond health-related nursing homes, daycare centres, etc.

Besides the impoverished and sickly seniors who undeniably deserve the attention of our healthcare system and community aid schemes, those who are healthier and more financially independent have different needs to age successfully.

While an ageing population is a challenge, it also creates new economic opportunities. Property developers should pay heed to this growth area.


Stunning waterfront surroundings and magnificent Mediterranean architecture are the framework in which you can paint your own customized retirement lifestyle.
http://unitedstates.amnxpress.com/images/2011/09/08/42/sarasota-bay-club-independent-retirement-living-florida_4.jpg
http://unitedstates.amnxpress.com/others/services/sarasota-bay-club-independent-retirement-living-florida-42.htm


The newly ageing populace will have a different profile from most of our elderly now. The former are in their 50s today, and most would be well-educated and relatively financially independent by the time they hit retirement.

They are not likely to require round-the-clock nursing home care. Their key concern, whether married, single, child-free or otherwise, is to grow old actively and gracefully.

Their aspiration is for individual, non-institutionalised living within a communal setting. They do not want to be dependent on their children and understand their children's need for their own space.

They will reshape the traditional notions of ageing. They want more retirement living options that would better cater to their need for easy access to care while remaining independent.


Independent retirement living. The key concern, whether married, single, child-free or otherwise, is to grow old actively and gracefully.
http://unitedstates.amnxpress.com/images/2011/09/08/42/sarasota-bay-club-independent-retirement-living-florida_1.jpg
http://unitedstates.amnxpress.com/others/services/sarasota-bay-club-independent-retirement-living-florida-42.htm


Their expectations are not about daycare centres or 30-year-lease studio flats. Having travelled more and exposed to the finer things in life and life's choices, they expect no less a quality of lifestyle as they step into retirement.

A key component of this would be a decent range of retirement living options, which is sorely missing now. The new agers' expectation of a retirement village or community would be a menu of homes, tailored to price and affordability.

Facilities expected may include a well-being centre, exercise facilities, library, swimming pool, hair salon, cafe, security, emergency back-up, communal lounge, mini gardens and guest suites where relatives can stay for a fee.



PHOTO: Active retirement living, mini gardens and guest suites where relatives can stay.
http://raystown.org/assets/images/MemberPages/WestminsterWoods.jpg
http://raystown.org/community/westminster-woods-retirement-community.html


The social interactions made possible within such a community concept would provide an ideal environment for active retirement. The families of these senior residents would want to visit, too.

Such retirement villages would not become cut off from society, and older people would be unlikely to end up alone.



PHOTO: Ideal environment for active retirement like walking through the park.
http://www.laufmerksam.de/images/laufmerksam/2944397_l.jpg
http://www.laufmerksam.de/


I hope the Government would work with developers and perhaps incentivise businesses to establish bustling residential centres or communities for the new generation of active, elderly Singaporeans.

Hopefully, there will not come a day when the bulk of the more affluent agers are retiring in neighbouring countries.
Letter from Julia Ng, 04:46 AM Feb 18, 2012


Mulan (zhao wei and chen kun) - social interactions made possible within such a community concept would provide an ideal environment for active retirement.
PHOTO: Mulan (zhao wei and chen kun) - social interactions made possible within such a community concept would provide an ideal environment for active retirement.
Posted by yen zhi on May 19, 2009, 09:34:23 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEktY9tCE6MJPPOnIlliHf2-LirWwXpYM0nWYHOukKfFJPi5iu3qb2qrbCLqvAg1F1CLF_PF-tUY5hGa2aAFAvvY9C2Tf919EwokCcEsQgL5bIgMTq9LxAwOkWA1oewQvabgNP3Nd-Zhf/s1600/119-vi.jpg
http://images47.fotki.com/v1484/photos/4/42815/141388/119-vi.jpg
http://www.lautanindonesia.com/forum/index.php?topic=30265.20



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