Retirement is a significant chapter in life that should be filled with joy, security, and new opportunities. At Vivacity Property, we understand the profound impact that the right environment can have on your well-being and happiness. That’s why we’re committed to providing exceptional retirement communities where residents can thrive and feel truly at home.
Our vibrant communities, such as Tallowood Medowie and Stratford Gardens, are designed to offer not just a place to live, but a lifestyle to love. Our residents, like Jan, David, and Theresa, have experienced firsthand the transformative power of moving into a Vivacity community.
Jan’s journey to Tallowood Medowie was serendipitous. After losing her husband, she found herself feeling lonely and depressed. By chance, she discovered Tallowood, and her life changed for the better. The support and warmth of the community helped her regain her happiness and even improved her health. As Jan recalls, the community’s quick response to her needs and the constant check-ins made her feel cared for and valued. Her family, initially worried about her move, are now reassured and thrilled to see her involved and thriving.
David and Theresa also found their perfect haven at Tallowood Medowie. After years of managing a large property, they sought a simpler, more manageable lifestyle. Tallowood stood out with its quality homes and unparalleled community spirit. Actively involved in the residents’ committee, they contribute to the lush gardens and participate in a myriad of activities, from morning teas and social gatherings to joining the sailing club and playing pickleball. Their engagement in the community has enriched their lives, providing a perfect balance of social interaction and personal pursuits.
Take the next step in your retirement journey. Discover the next chapter of your life at a Vivacity Property community, where comfort, style, and a vibrant social life await you. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and to schedule a visit. Your dream retirement home is just a call away.
As retirement approaches, ensuring your financial stability becomes a top priority. One effective strategy is downsizing to a more suitable living arrangement, such as a vibrant community offered by Vivacity Property. In this article, we’ll explore how downsizing with Vivacity can help boost your retirement savings, potentially maximise your superannuation, and ensure you’re aware of your entitlements as you prepare for retirement.
Boosting Retirement Savings:
Downsizing to a Vivacity community offers significant financial benefits. By transitioning to a smaller, more manageable home, you can free up equity tied up in your current property. This additional capital can then be redirected towards your retirement savings, providing a valuable boost to your nest egg. Our communities offer luxurious yet affordable living options, ensuring you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without compromising your financial security.
Maximising Superannuation Contributions:
Downsizing presents an opportunity to maximise your superannuation savings. By selling your larger family home and downsizing to a more modest property, you can free up funds to contribute to your superannuation fund. These additional contributions can significantly enhance your retirement savings and provide greater financial stability in your later years. Engaging a qualified financial planner can offer personalised advice on how to make the most of this opportunity and ensure you’re on track to achieve your retirement goals.
Understanding Your Entitlements:
As you approach retirement, it’s essential to understand your entitlements and make informed decisions about your financial future. Downsizing may impact government benefits such as the Age Pension, so it’s crucial to seek professional advice to maximise your entitlements. Our team at Vivacity can help you navigate these complexities and provide guidance to ensure you’re making the most of your retirement resources.
At Vivacity Property, we recognize the importance of strategic planning when it comes to retirement. By downsizing to one of our vibrant communities, you can optimise your retirement savings, maximise your superannuation contributions, and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle surrounded by like-minded individuals. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future by exploring our range of living options and contacting us for personalised appointment. Your ideal retirement awaits with Vivacity Property.
The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chilli, and lime—inspired by Mexican street corn—makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavour.
Salmon is a nutrition powerhouse! It will provide you with plenty of protein, vitamin B12, selenium, potassium, antioxidants and heart-healthy omega-3s. Omega-3s have been shown to protect the heart, reduce inflammation, improve cognitive function, protect the eyes and improve mental health.
It is important to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods from each of the five food groups. Some foods are more nutritious than others and may contain less saturated fat, added sugar, and/or salt.
Making better food choices could include choosing wholegrain bread instead of white bread or eating a whole fruit instead of a sugar sweetened fruit drink.
The holidays are over for most people, so it’s time to go beyond your New Year’s resolutions and get practical with your money. It’s time to really put in place the actions that will allow you to build a better life.
This is the time of the year when intentions meet reality, when the rubber hits the road (or it doesn’t). It’s time to take the financial actions you promised you would, establish some new habits, and prioritise what truly matters.
The summer season has its share of hazards to be aware of when you are driving.
Many of us are aware of practising safe driving in wet, foggy, or icy conditions when there is poor visibility. However, clear summer days can also be hazardous.
Not only are the roads busier during summer holiday times, tyre blowouts, window glare, overheating, and sudden changes in weather conditions can be dangerous. Here’s what you can do to be prepared for driving when the weather is hot.
At Vivacity Property, we don’t just view retirement as a phase; we see it as a remarkable journey filled with possibilities and fresh beginnings. It’s a time to embrace life’s richness, celebrate newfound freedom, and cherish every moment. This perspective forms the essence of our retirement communities, and it’s a perspective we’re passionate about sharing.
Our commitment to creating exceptional retirement communities is unwavering. As we look ahead to the new year, our dedication to providing extraordinary retirement living experiences remains steadfast. We believe in crafting authentic experiences that transform retirement into an unforgettable adventure.
Here’s why living in one of our retirement communities is the perfect choice for your golden years:
Vibrant Community Atmosphere: Our communities are not just places to live; they’re dynamic, engaging environments where you’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals eager to make the most of their retirement years. It’s a place where residents quickly become friends, creating a supportive and tight-knit community.
Wellness and Health: We prioritise your well-being by providing top-notch health and wellness facilities. From fitness centres equipped for senior exercise to calming spaces for meditation and relaxation, our amenities are designed to keep you active and healthy.
Peace of Mind: Security and peace of mind are paramount. Our communities strike the perfect balance between independence and support. You can enjoy the freedom to live life on your terms while knowing help is always nearby if you need it.
Location and Convenience: Our communities are strategically located to offer easy access to essential amenities, healthcare facilities, shopping, and cultural attractions. You’re never far from the conveniences you need.
Retirement, for us, is about more than just finding comfort in your home. It’s about actively living, forming meaningful friendships, and fostering a vibrant community. Our retirement communities offer a wealth of 5-star amenities and facilities, ensuring that our residents have every opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Strategically located to offer easy access to local amenities and to keep residents connected with the wider community, our communities are designed with today’s retirees in mind. Australia’s aging population underscores the importance of well-planned retirement living options integrated into the broader community fabric and we inspire to do just that.
As our Tallowood Medowie community is set to reach completion by the end of 2024, we have further communities on the horizon in 2024, all meticulously designed to offer prime locations and opulent spaces for retirees to enjoy.
In retirement, comfort, style, and personal attention should epitomise your living experience. At Vivacity Property, no detail is too small when it comes to ensuring that every aspect of our homes exudes modern elegance. We’re dedicated to creating living spaces that not only meet but exceed your expectations. Convenience, for us, means having all the amenities and services you need right at your doorstep, making life simpler and more enjoyable.
Connection forms the heartbeat of our retirement communities. Here, friendly neighbours naturally become cherished friends, and shared moments like cups of tea transform into daily rituals. Our residents don’t merely reside here; they thrive in an environment that nurtures a profound sense of belonging. We understand the significance of friendships and genuine connections, especially during retirement, when they contribute significantly to your well-being and happiness.
So why wait? Come and discover the Vivacity Property difference today. Your vibrant retirement lifestyle awaits, filled with rich experiences, new connections, and the joy of living life to the fullest.
Discover the vibrant lifestyle awaiting you at Tallowood Medowie, a premier retirement community nestled in the picturesque Port Stephens region.
Join us for a FREE Open Day on November 25th, from 10am to 2pm, at 1 Magnolia Place, Medowie.
Delight in the harmonious melodies of ‘the Dude’s’ during our Music on the Green event, relish a complimentary BBQ lunch, and explore resident exhibitions and demonstrations.
Immerse yourself in guided tours to envision the fulfilling Tallowood experience.
Act now and secure your home before December 31, 2023, with a mere $1,500 deposit, and receive an exclusive $750 Harvey Norman gift voucher*.
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among the elderly, particularly among women over 60. The numerous advantages that this traditional type of exercise offers are irresistible. In fact, there are certain yoga poses for women over 60 that are highly beneficial for this age group. Yoga can be intimidating, especially if it is your first time doing it and you are utterly out of shape. The good news is that you have decided to incorporate yoga into your routine in order to strengthen yourself holistically!
Here are some really tempting reasons as to why any woman above 60 should include yoga in her life:
1. Move and Move, But With Zero Strain
Walking alone is not sufficient when it comes to aging healthily. You need some kind of strength training, which ensures that your mobility remains tactile. According to doctors, the best way to age healthily and strongly is to adopt yoga. Your body will take it easily and you will enjoy it for sure. Yoga strengthens your body by gently coaxing it to indulge in some mild turns and twists. Since you are not using any external weights, the chances of injuries are negligible.
2. You Will Enjoy Better Flexibility
As you age, you become stiffer and less flexible. With yoga, you can stretch a little more. The improved levels of flexibility will enable you to improve the range of your movements as you age. Keeping the spine pliable is essential to prevent you from getting bed ridden.
3. You Will Be Able To Tackle Menopausal Issues Better
Stress, insomnia, weight gain, dry skin, irritability, osteoporosis ─ these are just a few of the issues women face during menopause. You can now keep these irritating menopausal conditions at bay with yoga. Be it hot flashes or back pain, just do the Child’s Pose. You will immediately feel the difference.
4. Your Bones Will Have An Extended Lifespan
Brittle bones leading to osteoporosis and fractures are quite common in women who are 60-plus. Yoga can help in slowing down the pace at which you are experiencing loss of bone density. The pains and inflammations experienced will also be smoothed out. Studies suggest that women above 60 who practiced yoga for at least 2 years actually gained bone mineral density.
5. Your Mind Will Remain Sharp
Yoga helps in improving your memory and preventing various age-related cognitive issues. Doing some mild inversion poses, such as Downward Facing Dog or Legs Up The Wall could improve the circulation of blood, keeping your mind sharp.
You can give these yoga poses a go:
1. Tadasana – Mountain Pose
Benefits: This is one of the simplest of asanas, which does a good job of correcting your posture. Breathing is the spirit of yoga. So, make sure to breathe as you go through with this pose. Here is what you can expect from Tadasana:
• Stronger and toned thighs, ankles, arms, and abs
• Better digestion
• Better circulation
• Lower tension and stress levels
• Better mobility
• Higher levels of energy
• Steadier breathing
Repeat Tadasana five times without taking any breaks.
2. Uttanasana – Standing Forward Bending Pose
Benefits:
A mild inversion pose, this is commonly used to combat osteoporosis as well as menopause . A gentle hamstring and hip stretching exercise, it eases your stress levels too. Some of the benefits Uttanasana renders include:
• Better circulation of blood
• Improved digestive fire
• Gentle back massages easing your back pain
• Strengthens and tones hips and hamstrings
• Eases stress
• Younger looking skin
• Better sleep
Note: Avoid this exercise if you have back pain as it may worsen the issue.
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward Facing Dog Pose
Benefits:
With its innumerable benefits, it can be done by you with utmost ease. However, if you find it difficult to come all the way on your fours with hips pointing to the ceiling, take the help of a table top. Along with combating your menopausal distress, it is also effective in preventing the onset of osteoporosis. Here are some of the positive effects of practicing this simple yoga asana:
• Better circulation of blood
• Eases menopausal discomfort
• Eases tension
• Strengthens shoulder joints
• Hamstrings and arms get a good stretch
• Strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis
• Elongates and strengthens spine
• Eases back pain
• Peps up your memory and cognitive power
4. Virabhadrasana I – Warrior I Pose
Benefits:
Strengthen your legs and hips with a standing yoga pose. Just make sure that your hips are squared to the front and not to the side. This ensures that your hips are stronger. A wholesome and holistic energising pose, it improves your breathing potential too. Check out what advantages you can reap by practicing Warrior I pose.
• Stronger back, ankles, legs, arms, and shoulders
• Your lungs, chest, and hips open up
• Better stability, balance, and focus
• Better circulation
• Better respiration
• Reduces any stiffness in the neck
• A 360 degree rejuvenating and energising experience
5. Paschimottanasana – Seated Forward Bend Pose
Benefits:
Along with helping you combat depression and stress, this pose could actually help you sleep better. It also wards off fatigue and prepares you to deal with menopausal issues in a better way. This is what you can expect from Seated Forward Bend Pose:
• Stretches your lower back, hamstrings, and spine
• Calms down your mind
• Eases anxiety and stress
• Bestows better digestive fire
• Helps in easing menopausal symptoms
• Lowers fatigue
• Stimulates better blood circulation to the spinal nerves and muscles.
• Stimulates the better functioning of the ovaries, uterus, kidneys, and liver
6. Balasana – Child’s Pose
Benefits:
Relax like a child with your forehead resting on the mat while your hands relax alongside your body. It is an essential pose advocated to induce a sense of calmness and relaxation. It is also helpful in improving your digestive system and better handling of menopausal issues. Check out what Balasana has to offer you.
• Helps in releasing the tension experienced in the shoulder, chest, and back
• Alleviates anxiety and stress
• Flexes your vital organs, maintaining and improving their suppleness
• Eases fatigue
• Relieves lower back and neck pains
• Improves circulation levels
• Better digestive power
• Elongates and strengthens the spine
• Calms you down
7. Baddha Konasana – Bound Angle Pose
Benefits:
Take care of your hands, joints, legs, and back with utmost care with Baddha Konasana. This pose targets the areas of your body that are more susceptible to pains and aches. Along with strengthening your lower back, it also soothes menopausal complaints. Here are some of the benefits of Baddha Konasana:
• Improves and strengthens inner thighs, knees, and groins
• Opens up hips and groins
• Soothes menopausal complaints
• Improves digestion
• Eases stress and fatigue
• Opens the lower back, thus eases sciatica and lower back ache
8. Ardha Pavanamuktasana – One Legged Wind Releasing Pose
Benefits:
It is a powerful, yet gentle stretch offered to the mid and lower back as well as hips. The entire muscles of that region get a good massage and stretch, soothing out the nagging back ache. So, why exactly should you practice Ardha Pavanamuktasana? Read on to know.
• Stretches your neck and back
• Improves blood circulation
• Enhances the digestive power
• Relieves gasses trapped in the abdomen
• Eases constipation
• Strengthens lower back
• Massages your pelvic muscles
• Eases menopausal discomforts
• May tone thighs, butts, and lower abs
9. Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose
Benefits:
Give your back and abdominal muscles a good stretch and strengthen them with this Cobra Pose. Make sure you keep your shoulders relaxed and rolled backwards to avoid injuries. You can keep a block beneath the hands if you need additional support. This is how Bhujangasana benefits you:
• Eases lower back stiffness
• Improves your flexibility
• Soothes menopausal issues
• Improves your mood
• Reduces abdominal fat
• Tones your arms, abs, and butts
• Eases fatigue and stress
• Strengthens spine
• Eases sciatica
10. Shavasana – Corpse Pose
Benefits:
Wind up your yoga class with this simple, yet powerful yoga pose. It is not just a relaxation pose, but it allows you to create an awareness about your body and breathing pattern. This is how Shavasana helps you:
• Minimises tension
• Trains the mind
• Relaxes the mind
• Creates an awareness about yourself
• Awakens creativity
• Enhances memory and learning capacity
• Counteracts stress
11. Vrksasana
Benefits:
Vrksasana, or the Tree Pose, is a standing yoga posture that enhances balance and flexibility. It primarily stretches the thighs, groins, and the chest, promoting greater flexibility in these areas. It is a wonderful pose for grounding yourself and improving your overall sense of balance and poise. Here are some pf the benefits of this yoga asana:
As we get older, there’s a common preconception that we have to forgo activities we once enjoyed because we are no longer fit or able enough to partake in a safe manner.
One such activity that can become difficult with age is gardening. Maybe you were once able to easily navigate heavy gardening tools and equipment with ease or spent hours toiling away in your garden with little effort but now find that these activities have become too strenuous.
Outdoor activities such as gardening provide a myriad of amazing benefits such as activating the physical body and mind, providing easy access to nature and sunlight, and contributing to overall general wellness, so it would be a shame for a seasoned green thumb to have to step away from their beloved garden because they are unable to keep up with the demands of the task.
However, a few simple adjustments and added considerations could be all it takes to keep you in the groove of things.
Just as diets can be adjusted to meet your nutritional goals, so too can gardening be adjusted to suit your physical capacities. With this in mind, Starts at 60 have put together a comprehensive guide of general information, considerations, and recommendations for gardening safely well into your golden years.
The mental and physical benefits for over 60s
Gardening is a highly recommended activity for any stage of life, given the may mental and physical benefits that are associated. Again, there is a popular misconception that as we age, we lose the ability and physical fitness to perform physical tasks. This is where the benefits of gardening come into play, in that the activity offers all the traditional rewards of more intense forms of exercise, such as movement and muscle activation, without being an overly strenuous activity for those over 60.
Not only is gardening generally enjoyable and relaxing, but it also promotes increased physicality, mobility and flexibility and can help improve endurance and strength for those who are unable to engage in more intense forms of exercise such as heavy-lifting and gym-based workouts. Being a primarily outdoor activity, gardening is also a great way to soak in some much-needed vitamin D whilst lapping up the added mental benefits of being in nature and getting some fresh air. In short, gardening is the perfect way for older people to keep fit and healthy while engaging in an activity that is undeniably rewarding – as anyone who has watched their gardens transform while reaping the benefits of their homegrown produce can attest to.
Precautions to take in the garden
As restorative and physically stimulating as gardening can be, it can also present its fair share of dangers if precautions aren’t taken into consideration. An important precaution to take when gardening is to wear protective clothing (hats, long-sleeved clothing, long pants etc) and sunscreen at all times, whether you’re gardening for a long period or not. It’s of no benefit to you if those harsh UV rays counteract the mental and physical benefits offered by gardening and leave you with nasty skin cancers later in life. Seniors Safety Advice recommends avoiding doing long stints of gardening during the hottest parts of the day and spreading out gardening activities to avoid over-working specific muscles and joints.
Take things slowly and don’t take shortcuts. Be sure to make safety a priority and with be cautious whenever handling or operating sharp, heavy equipment. It is essential to wear closed-in, protective shoes and gloves at all times to ensure your hands and feet are protected from potential hazards. Another thing to consider is hydration, regular breaks, and getting enough to eat to keep up with your energy expenditure, given gardening can be hard work and physically taxing.
Recommendations and adjustments for safe and easy gardening
As we get older, there are a number of necessary adjustments to put into place to ensure your gardening experience is as safe and seamless as possible. The older we get, the more prone we are to accidents, falls, and injuries, and therefore, the way we garden should be adjusted to ensure gardening tasks are as easy to navigate as possible.
Perhaps one of the most important recommendations is to make sure your garden beds are easily accessible. As described by Better Health Channel, “garden beds, equipment and tools can all be modified to create a garden that is interesting, accessible and productive”. Vertical planting is a great way to ensure you can easily navigate your garden. Better Health Channel recommends installing trellises, fences, and walls as supportive structures for your harvests. Another great recommendation is to install elevated, easily transportable garden beds to reduce the amount of bending and heavy moving required to complete your day-to-day gardening activities – perhaps consider casters for heavy pots or swap out heavy soil mixtures for lighter soil-free mixtures. Raised beds are beneficial for improving drainage and offering seamless harvesting. The less physically exhausting and straining gardening is, the better.
When it comes to gardening tools, there are a few considerations that should be made. Firstly, try to choose tools that are lightweight if you are using them frequently and for prolonged periods of time. Secondly, Better Health Channel suggests fitting your tools with foam, tape and plastic tubing to make them easier to handle and grip – in turn, decreasing the likelihood of injury due to fatigue (such as dropping a heavy tool or piece of equipment on your foot). Wheelbarrows are a great method for transporting tools from A to B, especially if you have a large garden and a lot of ground to cover. Gardners.com suggests using soaker hoses and drip-irrigation systems to “eliminate the effort of dragging horses around”, an activity that can become tedious and exhausting.
Given the impact of the harsh Australian sun, making space for shade is crucial. For example, if you’ll be regularly working on your garden beds, it could be a great idea to install some kind of shade, possibly a tarp, over the space for cover. This way, you still enjoy all the benefits of outdoor gardening, without suffering the potentially harsh effects of UV rays and dehydration. Even add a little table and chairs somewhere under the shade so you can easily and comfortably take a break when needed. The more comfortable you design your space, the longer you’ll be able to garden for without feeling like the activity is becoming a burden.
Have you considered indoor gardening? Although indoor gardening may not provide the nature and sunlight aspects of outdoor gardening, it is still a great alternative for older people who may not have the access or capacity to garden outdoor due to health conditions or other concerns. Indoor gardening requires less mobility and usually means less maintenance and less potential for injury.
Remember, no matter your age, gardening can still be enjoyed in varying capacities. By making some targeted adjustments to suit you and your lifestyle as you age, you can continue to enjoy the physical and mental benefits that come with gardening.
