For many people, the thought of doing so with every room in the house is extremely overwhelming and stressful, and you may be wondering where you even collected half of the things you own, never mind trying to decide how to get rid of them and where to do so.

The good news? You have a variety of options and resources to help you downsize and the new “Downsizing Advice” eBook can help you organize your home and start enjoying retirement the way you intended.

Downsizing concerns and questions include:

• Is your home feeling lonely? Discussing how too much unused space can affect us emotionally and how downsizing can substantially improve your retirement.
• Stop warehousing your kids’ stuff — Tips and approaches for getting your children to claim the stuff they’ve stashed with you over the years.
• There’s no way I can downsize — I have too many things! Don’t be put off by this thought, it can be done! Consider the nine points in this section when moving into a smaller space.
• Less is more as time passes — Consider the advantages of your new living space, particularly smaller spaces, and making room for more family time, friends, and all of the activities you enjoy.
• Downsizing: Five ways to stay in control — Including top strategies from the pros about setting clear goals and timelines, as well as knowing it’s okay to just say ‘No!’

Decluttering highlights and tips include:

• Reducing your belongings — Focusing on the best places to start downsizing, where to find homes for your most treasured possessions, and considering having some belongings appraised and sold at a price you’re happy with. Also consider donating to charities and organizations of your choice.
  
• What to keep, give away, sell or throw out — One of the hardest parts is being honest with yourself about what you want to keep and what, ultimately, has to go. Advice from the experts here can help you make those final decisions, including their top ten downsizing tips.
  
• 16 Best de-cluttering tips — These additional tips from the experts will help keep you on track, market your possessions accurately, and stay organized.
  
• Downsizing by the book — 15 minutes a week is all you need to start reorganizing your bookshelves and these nine tips can help you decide which forms of literature you want to keep, pass on, or look into (such as eBooks!).
  
• If you don’t want it, make money on it! Consider selling, donating, recycling and rubbish as your optional homes for the things you don’t want.
  

This major step in your life doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience — with the right information ahead of time and reconsideration regarding the possessions you use most, the process of downsizing can go a bit smoother. Think of it as a discovery of what you can live with (and without), what will work best in your new living space, being honest about the value of what you own, and how these belongings help or hinder you. Downsizing is within your control!

This free eBook is available to download here!

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Are you struggling with how to downsize your home? Or do you have tips for others on staying in control while downsizing? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Related

Top Six Tips for a Successful Downsizing Sale

Downsizing: Five Ways to Stay in Control

Downsizing: Buy or Rent Next?

Are You Retired and Ready to Downsize?

Your Best Downsizing Strategy: 9 Steps

Look no further! The 10 year anniversary edition of Comfort Life’s Retirement Living Guide “Find Your Best Retirement Options Together” is full of answers and resources for your most important questions such as getting the conversation started about moving, how to downsize, how single women can still be financially secure and how to choose a retirement community and home care.

The guide also explores retirement communities from the inside—from the perspective of residents already engaged in community life, including various social activities and programs that keep them intellectually and physically active.

It breaks down how to choose a retirement community, including a list of the top 142 retirement communities across Canada, what type of care you can expect, and the associated costs.

The community directory puts you in touch with each retirement residence by providing website and contact information so you can delve further into each of your options.

The complete range of highlights and topics covered include:

• The Seven Pillars of Retirement — To help ensure a happy and healthy retirement, it’s important to remember and focus on these seven pillars of a fulfilling retirement: Social, environmental, spiritual, sexual, emotional, physical, and intellectual.
• Having the Talk — Moving to a retirement community is often such a hugely emotional process and a big change that starting up the conversation with your parents can be difficult. But, talking about it can help you discover where your parents prefer to live and what home and health care options they may need, even if they are currently independent and active.
  
• The Couple’s Club — A look into the lives of four retired couples who have been friends for years and who continue to support each other through the challenges of aging. Together they’ve discovered how to choose retirement and health care options that will help them lead active, fulfilled lives.
• The Impact of Care on Your Finances — Exploring financial solutions to your most challenging health care needs based on the three different health stages you may find yourself in, or that you may want to plan for in the future.
  
• Are You A Single Woman?  You Can Still Have a Financially Secure Retirement — Understand the statistics and the issues and discover how you can still save for a financially secure retirement depending on whether you’ve always been single or are divorced or widowed. Find out what the experts say about getting advice and which resources to consult. Also included are tips to help you evaluate financial experts so you get the best advisor for your needs.
• Your Best Downsizing Strategy — Develop an effective strategy for downsizing, easing the emotional toll, and helping to make your transition easier—and easy to keep track of.
  
• Home Care 101 — If you’re looking into home care, you’ll want to know all the basics about who to contact and what it will cost plus how to ensure you choose the right care for your unique needs. This section covers common questions about home care and whether it’s the right option for you.
• Retirement Living & Care Directory — This comprehensive directory not only lists 142 of the top retirement communities across Canada but it also covers the spectrum of choices including active adult living, long-term care retirement homes, independent living retirement homes, Alzheimer’s care retirement homes, and assisted living retirement homes. The directory also answers a few common questions about retiring.

 Whether you’re looking to retire now or in the near future, the Retirement Living Guide can help you make all the right decisions!

The eBook is absolutely free and can be downloaded here!

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How do you feel about choosing a retirement community? Are you and your family planning ahead or starting to downsize? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Related:

Dealing With Your Emotions

Top Six Tips for a Successful Downsizing Sale

Can’t Afford to Move to a Retirement Community? Here’s Help!

Five Retirement Saving Tricks You Should Know

What Are the Real Costs of Aging at Home?

I think long-term caregiving can give us the feeling that we are not where we used to be but we are not where we are going to be either. I remember a character from the Peanuts cartoon (was it Pigpen?) who always had a cloud of dust and dirt above his head. For us, it would be more like a cloud of anxiety and uncertainty that hangs above us.

This is your life “right now”

Rather than feeling like our real lives are “on hold,” perhaps we can say that this is our life right now as caregivers. We were not caregivers in the past and there will probably come a time when we will not be caregivers again. I believe that life is going on as it is meant to be.

I find great comfort in that classic peace song, “Turn, turn, turn” by The Byrds:

To everything, turn, turn, turn

There is a season

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to laugh, a time to cry.

I think it is okay to think about what our lives will be like when our loved one passes on.

Preparing for the future

I  used to feel guilty having thoughts about how much easier my life would be when I didn’t have all these caregiving responsibilities. Now, I feel that such thoughts can help us prepare for the future. In fact, we can even initiate conversations with our loved one about basic details of their passing as well as emotional aspects of our relationship.

One example of basic details is the fact that we need to know whether our loved one wants to be buried or cremated. One colleague had a wonderful conversation with her mom about all the places her mom wanted to have her ashes spread. Her mom enjoyed thinking of all the trips her family members would need to make to distribute her ashes.

We can also bring up the more emotional aspects by saying something to our loved one like: I have been thinking about what life will be like without you and I want you to know that I am really going to miss your _______.

Great conversations

We can have wonderful conversations about what we appreciate in our loved ones. My sister and I did an audiotape in which we told our mom all the things she had taught us and expressed our gratitude for her wisdom. Needless to say, she loved it and played it daily until she passed on.

I hope it helps you to think of this caregiving experience as just part of your life cycle. We are not “on hold.” Our lives are flowing, as they need to flow.

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Related articles:

Health and wellness for caregivers

Senior care resources: Getting help at home

Action plan for caregivers

Home care costs

Does it feel like your life is on hold?  Share your experiences with others by posting a comment below.

The Senior Care Advisor Tool, developed by Comfort Life and ElderCareCanada, can help you plan ahead or get in touch with support services right away, regardless of which of the three stages you may find yourself in.

This easy-to-use tool will help you understand your health care options based on your current health status, breaking everything down into three categories:

1. Active and Independent — Learn about retirement communities and the activities and programs in your community that will help you enjoy a happy and healthy retirement. Here you’ll also be able to find resources for government-funded home care and support, as well as community advisors to help you access any additional services you or a loved one may need to maximize your active lifestyle.
2. Increasing Health Challenges — Discover resources and daytime or after-hours support to help you manage challenging illnesses or chronic conditions, get assistance organizing your health information with a health care team or social worker, and learn how to apply for government-funded home care or how to choose a long-term care home for additional assistance.
3. Health Crisis — Caregivers or family members can prepare ahead of time by coordinating with a hospital social worker or discharge planner to discuss what to do in case of an emergency, visiting the hospital, and what alternatives are available besides emergency care. You can also find information on palliative care and end-of-life care in Canada.

Whatever your stage of life, the Senior Care Advisor Tool can help you plan ahead and explore your health care options to ensure you get the most help and support possible.

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Do you feel prepared as you consider retirement or are you already retired and looking for additional resources? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Related:

The ABCs of Retirement Care

What to Consider When Searching for Senior Housing

Home Care Costs

Health and Wellness in Today’s Retirement Homes

Tips to Improve Your Mental Health

A principal residence can be any of the following types of housing units:

• a house
• a cottage
• a condominium
• an apartment in an apartment building
• an apartment in a duplex
• a trailer, mobile home or houseboat

Tax on your principal residence – myths and reality

One of the few tax breaks available to most taxpayers is the exemption from tax on the increase in value of a principal residence. However, it’s also an area that is not well understood by many and there can be traps for the unwary.

Myth #1: When I die, it’s no longer my principal residence, so my children will have to pay tax on it.

Fact #1: False. When you die, your executor must file your final income tax return. All your income to the date of death must be reported on this return.

However, on that same return your executor can claim the principal residence exemption for the years you lived in the property. So there is no more tax payable than if you had sold the property shortly before you died.

The critical issue at your death, then, is whether the property was your principal residence, not whether your child will use it as a principal residence. Of course, if your child keeps it and does not use it as his or her principal residence, he/she will eventually have to pay tax on any increase in its value during the time he/she owns it.

Myth #2: I will transfer the ownership of my principal residence to my child or children to minimize probate fees upon my death.

Fact #2: This strategy is definitely not a good option since it changes a non taxable asset to a taxable asset in the hands of the children due to the fact that it will now be considered an investment for the children.  As well, in many cases, these children already own a principal residence. Another concern is this property is subject to any creditors of the newly named owners.

Myth #3: If I sell my principal residence in the city and move to the cottage and live in the cottage for a few years, the cottage is now my principal residence and when I sell it, or when I die, there is no tax on its growth in value.

Fact #3: It would be great if this were true. But it’s only partly true. So what is the real story?

Firstly, since 1982 two spouses can only have one property count as their principal residence at any point in time.

The Income Tax Act contains a formula that is used to calculate the amount of the capital gain that is eligible for the capital gains exemption. Essentially, the part of the gain that is exempt is based on the ratio of the time during which the cottage was your principal residence to the time during which you owned it.

The formula is as follows:

Number of years in total that you owned the cottage

So while the cottage is in fact your principal residence during the years you actually live there, it wasn’t your principal residence throughout all the years you owned it and therefore some of the capital gain will be exposed to income tax when you sell the property, transfer it to your children, or die.

Scenario:  Bill and Linda owned a home in the city.  In 1976 they decided to purchase a cottage. When they retired in 2000, they sold their home and permanently moved to their cottage.  At the time when Bill and Linda choose to sell the cottage or when the last partner dies, the formula above will be used to determine the portion of the capital gain that is exempt from taxes.

Assume Linda dies in 2007. There is no issue here if the property goes to the surviving spouse or spousal trust. In this case, there is no deemed disposition and no capital gains tax. When Bill dies in 2010, being the second spouse, there will be a deemed disposition of that spouse’s property for fair market value and potential capital gains tax exposure for that spouse’s estate.

Based on the above scenario, 34.3% of any capital gains assessed on the cottage property at the time of disposition will be exempt.

They have owned the property for 35 years and have resided there as their principal residence for 11 years.

Using the formula above:  1 + 11 / 35 = 34.3%

What can you do to provide for this?

If you give the cottage to your children now, you’ll have to pay income tax on the non-exempt portion of the capital gain that has already built up (it’s not your children who have to declare this gain, it’s you as the owner). And your children will own the cottage and you may find that you can’t use it as frequently as you would like to, if they truly treat it as their own property.

If the family’s intention is to pass their cottage property intact to their children after their death, that intention could be frustrated by the capital gains tax liability if the estate lacks the cash needed to pay the taxes.  In that case, the property will have to be sold (and sold in time to raise the cash needed to pay the tax) or the heirs receiving the property would have to pay the tax bill themselves.

Even if the estate had enough cash to pay the tax, paying the tax could make other bequests impossible or difficult to accomplish, such as helping the children pay off their mortgages, or helping the grandchildren pay for their educations.

Value of life insurance

It’s times like these that the value of life insurance is most apparent. It can be a ready source of cash to pay the tax liability when you die, and may help to resolve anxieties about whether or not the cottage will have to be sold. Life insurance proceeds can also provide for the other types of bequests you would want to make.

This information was provided by: Susan Zaiser CARP Recommended Advisor at Sun Life.  For professional advice Susan can be reached at 905-337-0039 Ext. 2244. www.sunlife.ca

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Related articles:

How to protect your home from real estate and title fraud

You’ve decided to sell but where do you go?

Top six tips for a successful downsizing sale

Retirement home costs across Canada

Retirement home basics

Have you had experience with tax issues after selling a house or cottage? What advice do you have for  others in this situation?  Share it in the comments section below.

Staying active, being outdoors and taking advantage of the great weather is especially important and should be a goal of all seniors.  The cold, blistery winter season is a great excuse for everyone to stay indoors and be cozy sitting around a fire but there are far fewer excuses with the spring weather upon us.

Understandably many seniors will be very selective in how they choose to resume activity in outdoor settings. Many will want to get involved in some of their favourite recreational pursuits but will need to start that process in simple and gradual ways.

What are prediction activities?

If you agree, then “prediction activities” may be the answer for you!

Do you know how long it would take you to cycle 5 km, walk 3 km or swim 200 metres? If not, are you willing to practice to have your time down to a perfected science?

The ultimate goal of prediction events is simply to get seniors comfortable in becoming or remaining active. Individuals will use the predicted time suggested as a new way to exercise and keep motivated so that they will come as close as possible to their “predicted time” (without looking at any clocks of course!)

Getting yourself involved in predictive events is simple and can be done individually or with friends and neighbours.

Six simple steps to become part of the new sensation called “prediction events”:

1. Plan a walking route in your local neighbourhood, park or walking trail
2. Record or estimate the approximate length of your route
3. Get friends and neighbours involved
4. Write down everyone’s “predicted times” to complete the route
5. Have yourself or another individual keep the official time it takes each participant to compete the route
6. Repeat the process and try to get even closer to your predictive time!

According to the Ontario Senior Games statistics, some of the fastest growing recreational activities for seniors are prediction activities.

These activities have been instrumental in two ways:

• They allow individuals to participate in competitions where the winner will not simply be the fastest participant; the winner will be the participant that goes at their desired speed.
• They motivate individuals to exercise on a regular basis because the goal is to predict the time of your activity to the nearest second.

Ontario 55+ Summer Games

Prediction events will be some of the most popular events at the Ontario 55+ Summer Games this August in Brampton.

Summer prediction events include cycling, walking and swimming. In the Winter Games they include skating and Nordic Skiing.

Regardless of whether you want to become Ontario’s best prediction walker or you are just doing your personal best to stay active, please consider implementing prediction components into your daily routines and enjoy what we all hope will be a beautiful spring season!

In the Joy of Sport,

Matt Trinnear, Program Coordinator- OSGA 55+ Games

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Related articles:

 Inexpensive ways for seniors to exercise

How to set goals for exercise

Six cool-down stretches after your workout

Feeling strong and fit improves mood and health

No time to relax? Try this…

What are your tips for staying on track with exercise? Do you exercise regularly? Share your stories and tips in the comments section below!

Effects of social engagement

While seeking professional help is a key first step, there are also a number of ways that seniors can help themselves with the support of their caregivers and loved ones.  And because seniors, like people of all ages, thrive on staying tangibly connected with the world around them, the most fundamental of these is reducing isolation by creating opportunities for social engagement.

The effects of social engagement are powerful: participating as a member of a community can restore a sense of purpose, leading to a positive cycle of mood improvement and increased optimism.  The ability to “give back” by sharing skills, knowledge or ideas is invigorating.  It bolsters seniors’ self-esteem while restoring the vital sense that they are valuable members of society.

Opportunities for social engagement

And there’s no shortage of opportunities for social engagement.  Volunteer positions with local non-profit organizations supporting the arts and education, or at hospitals and schools, give seniors a chance to take on responsibilities they can feel proud of while building new relationships.  Many schools run “adopt-a-grandparent” programs that bring seniors into the fold of children’s lives.  Churches, synagogues and other faith-based congregations often need ongoing help organizing charitable initiatives.  Community colleges and non-profits offer classes in a variety of fields.

One senior’s story

Recently, a senior I work with began showing signs of depression.  He became withdrawn and forgetful, and simply stopped taking his various medications.  Concerned, his son stepped in and invited his senior father to join him at work.  There, the senior helped with daily tasks around the office like making photocopies and maintaining files.  He blossomed, and within a short period of time the renewed sense of purpose he’d found had transformed him, positively affecting his behavior and lifting his mood.

Make changes slowly over time

Of course, change can be difficult.  The best results occur when new steps are taken slowly over time, beginning with small, approachable tasks.  Visit one organization, for example.  Sit in on one class.  Family members and caregivers can offer practical and emotional support, while professionals such as geriatric care managers can help ease a senior into a more socially engaged position by overseeing and coordinating the process and ensuring that all those involved are communicating effectively.

Once the process begins to unfold, it won’t be long before the life-improving effects are felt by all.

By Kelley Richard

Kelley Richard is a Care Manager for LivHOME in Houston.  A Licensed Master Social Worker, she has also served as crisis counselor and program therapist at Houston’s Intra Care Hospital and as a clinical social worker at the Houston Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority.  Richard holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work. LivHOME (www.livhome.com) is one of the United States’ largest providers of professionally-led, at-home care for seniors.

*This is the first in a three-part series on steps seniors and their caregivers can take to combat depression. Check back soon for part two.

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Related articles:

Helping a parent dispel the gloom of depression

Five ways to manage your stress

Men and depression: Seven things you need to know—now

Seven ways grieving affects your health

Seniors bask in simulated sunshine at Briton House

]]> http://www.comfortlife.ca/blog/seniors-fight-depression-with-social-engagement-6808/feed/ 0 http://www.comfortlife.ca/blog/five-ways-dark-chocolate-boosts-seniors-health-6980/ http://www.comfortlife.ca/blog/five-ways-dark-chocolate-boosts-seniors-health-6980/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 04:00:12 +0000 guest http://www.comfortlife.ca/blog/?p=6980 Chocolate lovers take note – next time a chocolate craving overcomes you, give in, and grab a piece of dark chocolate.  Research has shown moderate amounts of dark chocolate is good for you as dark chocolate is bursting with numerous health benefits that will help you live longer and healthier.

I met  Mitchell Hewson, Canada’s first registered horticultural therapist, recently at the Palisade Gardens Retirement Living Community in Cobourg where he was giving a presentation on the healing effects of gardening, herbal tea and chocolate!  From his talk I not only learned delicious recipes, which are included below, but I gained a strong appreciation of dark chocolate’s healing characteristics, from reducing cardiovascular disease to improving brain function.

Here are five ways chocolate can boost your health:

• Top tier in antioxidants – Antioxidants have taken the health world by storm and are linked to reducing cancer and heart disease.  Ounce for ounce, dark chocolate has more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea and red wine.
• Open your heart to chocolate – Recent research shows chocolate prevents plaque build-up and relaxes arteries which lowers blood pressure and leads to proper blood flow.  It also contains magnesium and potassium which are linked to lowering the risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases.
• Insulin’s best friend – Positive news for those at risk for diabetes, dark chocolate decreases insulin resistance, which allows the body to use insulin efficiently.  Dark chocolate is also low on the glycemic index meaning it does not lead to unstable sugar spikes and crashes.
• Bite of bliss – Dark chocolate contains various ingredients which naturally elevate moods and help fight depression.  Most notably dark chocolate contains high amounts of theobromine which is a natural stimulant and is commonly used as a cough suppressant.  Another feel-good compound is phenylethylamine which releases endorphins in the brain and is the same compound released when one falls in love.
• Brain booster – Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain which improves performance, alertness and can lessen the probability of brain damage caused by stroke.  As well, various properties of dark chocolate reduce the brain’s decline and eases stress.

Now that your mouth must be watering, below are two healthy and easy-to-make dark chocolate recipes Hewson created during his visit at the Palisade Gardens.

Mocha Coconut Clusters

Chocolate Cups

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by Bria Weaver

Related articles:

Fighting inflammation with food

What if I don’t like the food in my retirement residence?

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Great food and friends

What is your favourite chocolate recipe? Share it with others by posting a comment below!

It brings together an equal number of men and women. Each person spends an allotted period of “get to know you” talk time with a partner. If you would like to see that person again, you check off his/her name on your match sheet.

Usually, the men get up after the conversational exchange and move to the next table to meet another female talk partner. Contact information is only given out if there is a mutual match, thus protecting confidentiality and saving people from awkward moments of having to reject someone or from feeling obligated to give out a phone number.

Benefits of speed dating over online dating

Speed dating is a live, real time experience.  First and foremost, there is that instant in person chemistry that you don’t experience via cyberspace. There is a connection–a feeling that can’t be faked when you’re talking across the table with someone. First impressions are lasting. Within those precious first few minutes, you know enough if you’d like to see the person again.

Speed dating can turn into a very social experience compared to online dating. These are events where you can meet and become friends with the same sex. Even if you don’t end up making any matches, it is always an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or evening and meet several people at the same time.

Speed dating is safer than online dating. Meeting people face to face in a social setting is safer than meeting people online. Speed dating events bring together a group of people in a relaxed, controlled environment. Because it is in person and you’re dealing with real people, people are generally more concerned with how they come across and how they present themselves.

Speed daters are only connected up if there is a mutual match. You don’t have the awkward moments of feeling obligated to give your contact information out to someone you’re not interested in seeing again and you don’t have to reject someone face to face.

If you make a match or not, speed dating can be a fun, pleasant way to spend a few hours and make new acquaintances. Remember: Not everyone is Prince or Princess Charming. Don’t be discouraged and treat others as you would like to be treated. Be positive and you’ll enjoy yourself no matter what the outcome. With an investment of time, patience and optimism, you can meet new friends, companions and maybe a romantic partner. The journey may just be more fun than the destination.

6 Tips for Smart Speed Dating

1. Guard Your Privacy: Use caution when revealing personal information. Don’t give out personal information such as home address, phone number, income, and details about home ownership.
2. Stand Out: You need to be original and stand out from the rest of the participants. What are you going to talk about, how are you going to distinguish yourself so that you are unique among many.
3. Friends or Lovers: Be cautious when checking off someone you would like to see again as a friend. People are there to meet a romantic partner. Be discriminating.
4. Get to the Point: You usually only have 3-8 minutes of talk time to see if you have any chemistry.
5. First Impressions: Remember, even though you only spend a few minutes with someone, you are still on a date. Careful what you say and stay away from taboo subjects, like religion, money, politics. Don’t drink too much and make sure you dress to impress.

SilverSparks Speed Dating is planning another speed dating event for mature adults 60+ in late summer. Check our website at silversparksdating.com to see when the next event is happening.

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Related articles:

Seniors and Dating: Best online dating advice 

Dating after divorce: 10 tips from the trenches

What baby boomer tribe do you belong to?

Intimacy for men: How to deal with a woman’s emotions

True love: Inspiring seniors keep the flame alive

Have you ever tried speed dating? Share your stories and advice by contributing a comment below!