Your Are Invited Free Event Oct 9

Are you one of the many baby boomer families dealing with an aging parent? This changing role from child to care giver is a difficult one for all involved.

Join us for our next free event to get practical answers to questions like -

• What things can do you do help your parents have a safe independent life?
• Why is a representation agreement is as important an will?
• When is it a best to sell the family home for both parents and children?
• What are the levels of care available and how do you access these services?
• What financial issues are stopping you/your parents from enjoying their retirement?

Join us for our free event Boomers & Parents Facing the Future Together on Wednesday Oct 9  @ Missionwood Retirement Resort and get your questions answered.

Here from Legal Professional Aaron Dow from Farris, Vaughan Will and Murphy LLP, Area director Sharon Hughes-Geekie with Bayshore Home Health, Realitor Michael Loewen - Royal Lepage Kelowna and Financial Professional Mike Hassard with Primerica Kelowna.

Wine and Cheese - 5 - 5:20 pm 

Presentations start 5:25 pm

Q&A 6:30 pm

No cost to attend

Location: Missionwood Retirement Resort

1075 Barnes Ave, Kelowna, BC V1W 5A8

Please RSVP Sharon - (250) 717-7528

There will be time lots of time for questions and answers so please come prepared.

Hope you can join us!

Age Discrimination effects the Elderly

A 2012 report on aging has showed that the elderly are discriminated against in large numbers in Canada. The term for this form of discrimination is called "Ageism"

The study found three most common types ageism based on the responses of seniors were -

1. The feeling of becoming invisible to the world around them
2. The belief by others that they were incompetent
3. That their efforts and opinions are no longer valued

Check out this video from the Globe and Mail.

Video: Study reveals Canadian views on aging - The Globe and Mail
Jane Barratt of the International Federation of Aging discusses the common misconceptions about aging, and explains what needs to be done to stop ageism in Canada

Caring for Aging Parents

The reality for many of us in North America ... we will be dealing with the care issues of a parent/family member for 10-15 years. 


These issues did not exist a generation ago. Life expectancy was  only the late 60's for men and early 70's for women. Today more people are living beyond 90-100 and care in one shape or another can last 20 to 25 years. 


This can be both emotionally draining and can severely impact the financial resources for care givers and their families. 


But there are some things that can be done to simplify this process and take some of the burden from family so the transition to care can run more smoothly.


(Make sure to watch the video below "The Curse of Long Life". Very informative conversation.)

Is Assisted Living Right for Me

Assisted Living Residences provide accommodation and varying levels of care and supportive services in a home-like, residential setting. 


Services typically include meals, social and recreational programs, 24-hour emergency response, laundry and housekeeping services, supervision or administration of medications and varying degrees of assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and routines. Nursing services may or may not be provided. Costs to residents are market driven and, in some cases, may be subsidized by government programs. 


Tips on Choosing Assisted Living 


Finding an appropriate Assisted Living Residence can be a very time-consuming and rather daunting task. When making a decision to choose an Assisted Living Residence, you should keep the following in mind: 

• You, the person affected by the decision and key family members should be involved in the process. 
• Making important life choices can be emotionally stressful and may strain relationships. 

Assign one family member to assist with all the necessary decisions and arrangements. If you have no family living close enough to help, there are qualified people to help. Try to find a Senior Move Manager in your area. 


Considerations in selecting an appropriate Assisted Living Residence include its location - 

• Proximity to community amenities such as hospitals and churches, the availability of transportation for shopping, outings and medical appointments. 
• The quality of food, safety and security issues, the cleanliness of the Residence, the breadth of social and recreational activities offered.
• Assisted Living Residence's ability to meet your needs now and as needs change, are other important factors. 

Assisted Living Residences can vary in terms of the programs, services and levels of care provided, so it is important to understand what services are included in the posted monthly or daily rental rates, and what services, if any, are available at an additional cost. Some residences also “move in incentives” which can help with the cost of hiring a moving company or move manager. 


Also make sure you understand what happens if you or your loved one should decide to or need to move from the Assisted Living Residence. Once you've become familiar with the services and amenities offered in Assisted Living Residences, and identified the top candidates in your area, it's a good idea to make a list, actually two lists. 


The first is a list of the things you must have in order to live comfortably and the second, a list of what you would like to have, since what we need is often quite different from what we want. This checklist will be useful in helping you narrow your choices. 


Next, call ahead to schedule a tour of each Assisted Living Residence. Many will offer a tour and a meal, to show off their Residence. Try to observe "a day in the life" at the residence - perhaps attend some activities or stay for a meal. 


Many Assisted Living Residences offer short-term trial stays ranging from a couple of nights to a few weeks, which is an excellent way to truly "test the waters". Here are some other suggestions to help you choose the Assisted Living Residence that can best suit your needs and preferences, or those of a loved one: 


While touring an Assisted Living Residence, ask if you can wander around on your own to get a better feel for the Assisted Living Residence. 

• Ask residents about their experience at the Assisted Living Residence; their likes and dislikes - do residents appear to be happy and enjoying themselves? 
• After a scheduled visit, drop in at the Assisted Living Residence another day at a different time of day to see if there are any differences. 
• Ask for resident family references who you can contact for their opinions. When touring an Assisted Living Residence, keep in mind your lists - what you need and what you want.

Article Provided by Val Matheson 

2 Places at Once

E-Mail:info@conciergekelowna.com
Phone: 250-309-5437 or 250-215-6456 

Toll Free: 1-888-738-4099

Website: http://www.conciergekelowna.com

Care - Are You Ready

Planning for care is never easy.  I most cases these responsibilities happen for many out of necessity. A parent breaks their hip .... and then the choices have to be made.

For many baby boomers they are also dealing with their own issues like job loss, health concerns and their own retirement concerns. Add the responsibilities of an aging parents this can create pressures that many have not planned for.


When talking about care issues there are four main issues we all deal with (and make sure to check the video from CBS below for more ideas too)

Living on a Cloud

Many of us use Facebook, MSN and email everyday. Talking to family has drastically changed because of Google+ and Skype.


Now we can upload pictures, share videos and tell stories using great blogging sites like Blogger and Wordpress.


Of course this leads to a whole new issue ... what happens to all this information when we die? Will your family be able to see and talk to their virtual great great Grandma.  Genieology has more technology than research.


Now due to the internet, rather than read about your family, you can interact  with people's lives long after they are dead.


Check out this video from TED.

Boomer Sandwich

The baby boomers have lived an active life, but now they are sandwiched by young adult children moving back home and the added responsibility of taking care of aging parents.


Boomers are coming to terms with the their own mortality too. Many are used to a running marathons, skiing in dangerous terrain or biking long distances, but their bodies can't seem to keep up.



Check out this video from CNN - Boomers Sex drugs and rocky road

Boomers and Parents Rescheduled May 17th

By request we have moved our seminar to the following week to May 17th.


Are you like most of us Baby Boomers dealing with the challenge of an aging parent(s)? Are you prepared?


Join us for our next Boomers and Parents seminar ... more information on our upcoming events page >>

Time to Downsize

The retirement reality is hitting baby boomers much harder than expected. For many the family home (or should I say the equity in your home)  has become the hope of retirees, and downsizing is the buzz word in the financial community.

The idea is a good one. Sell your large 2,000 - 3,000 square foot home to buy a less expensive smaller home, town home or condominium and invest the difference to create income at retirement. 

Add to this many baby boomers are dealing with downsizing their parents, downsizing is an issue that many families will be dealing with for next 10 to 15 years. So the question if downsizing is such an easy solution ... why is it so hard to do?