No shortage of questions

The topic of retirement raises a lot of questions, and it’s only natural given the importance surrounding this time in our lives. I have put together this list of tips to help satisfy your curiosity.

Right time? Is there really a right time to retire? Retirement does not have a timeline or a due date, so how do we know we are ready to retire? Retirement is about writing another chapter of your life and having the freedom to enjoy things you never had the time for. Isn’t it time to start taking care of you?

Enthusiastic for life. In all of my blogs I talk about the journey individuals embark on and how wonderful it can be. You are in control of your happiness, so embrace life with open arms and make this adventure more meaningful and fulfilling.

Take it all in. Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is about building lifelong friendships and remaining active. There is no shortage of recreational activities and social events!

Inspire yourself. Have you ever wanted to go for an afternoon bike ride or play tennis on a whim? This is your time, so why not get out there.

Replace your work duties. When entering retirement a lot of people fear becoming stuck in a rut. After working for so many years they can find it hard to manage the surplus free time. The best way to overcome boredom is to try new activities and become part of a group of likeminded people.

Empower yourself. Having the courage to embrace new endeavors will leave you happy, healthy and wise.

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is a unique retirement community with an emphasis on successful ageing in a social, active and supportive environment. To experience the Elements difference, visit www.elementsliving.com.au

Mind, body and spirit

What do you think of when you hear the words “mind, body and spirit”?

I was doing some research recently about what that phrase means to other people and discovered this fitting quote: “You hear with your ears but you listen with your mind. You look with your eyes but you see from the heart”.

Mind, body and spirit are three elements which define who you are. Taking control of your physical as well as spiritual self can improve your overall happiness and that’s part of the philosophy behind Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood.

Mind
Having a strong mind allows you to think logically and cope with any stress that might come your way. Not everyone has the ability to control their emotions; however the good news is that you can develop this skill.

People assume retirement is a stress-free zone. That is true to some extent, but a person will go through many experiences in this period and a healthy mind will help you take stock and feel empowered and more resilient to challenges.

A study has shown that people generally focus on the negative aspects in their life, even during good times, and forget about the positives. Retirement offers the opportunity to focus on yourself and the things that really matter to you.

Body
Getting your body in shape doesn’t have to be difficult, painful or boring. A great place to start is with healthy eating. Take up a cooking class and learn the different food groups and ways to prepare simple and nutritious meals. You might also consider going for a walk; either on your own for some solace, or with a partner, friend or family member.

Spirit
Being spiritual does not necessarily mean believing in a higher power. Spirituality has different meanings for different people. What I consider spiritual is positive thinking and attitude.

Individuals might think that retirement is boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a remarkable time in life that is truly what you make it. Being positive and approaching this third age with open arms and an open mind will expose you to many wonderful adventures and experiences.

Elements @ Springwood provides a range of facilities to help you take full advantage of your retirement years. To find out more, visit www.elementsliving.com.au.

The importance of you

People form relationships with a number of different people throughout life – friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – but one of the most important partnerships is with yourself.

Retirement can bring big changes for many people. We leave full-time work behind, our kids grow up and become parents themselves and things start to slow down. It’s only natural that this experience can be quite daunting.

Getting older is viewed in a negative light so often in society and retirement is seen as “the beginning of the end”. Some might wonder whether life has passed them by, not realising that a wonderful chapter in life is actually just beginning.

I call this period our ‘third age’ and it’s the perfect time to begin a path of self discovery, learning and exploring the things that make you happy.

Understanding that retirement is another step in your journey can help you let go of the worries and focus on what is important. The relationship that you build with yourself will enhance how you live the glory years of your life!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, focusing on yourself spiritually, physically and mentally will help you embrace this new stage and recognise how wonderful it is.

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is a community where residents feel comfortable to establish and maintain positive relationships with their neighbours, but more importantly, with themselves.

Our first group of residents will move into their new homes early next year. To see what makes Elements @ Springwood unique, visit www.elementsliving.com.au for more information.

Fitness through the ages

As we age it’s more important than ever to stay in shape, both mentally and physically. But let’s face it, it can become harder and harder to stay active as we get older.

Out of nowhere, your knee acts up. You get up out of your chair and you suddenly realise you’re really stiff. You play with your grandchildren and feel tired in half the time. Sound familiar?

There are numerous benefits from exercise, including reducing chronic disease like cancer and preventing osteoporosis and even depression. Here are some quick tips on how you can stay in S.H.A.P.E. as you age:

Start slowly. If it’s been a while since you last exercised, don’t feel like you have to go all out all at once. Start out with a short walk, and work your way up to a longer one. Even if you do two, 10-minute bouts of exercise during the day, you’re off to a great start. Work your way up to 30-60 minutes of activity every day.

Have a plan. Try to incorporate various forms of exercise that will build strength and improve flexibility, balance and cardio endurance. Walking, biking, jogging, yoga, tai chi and stretching all provide good benefits. It’s also important to vary your routine so that your body doesn’t become accustomed to one type of exercise.

Aim for the a.m.! Not only does exercising in the morning allow you to “get it over with” but it also keeps your energy high during the day. Morning exercise is also the best way to avoid the hotter afternoon temperatures. I find that an early morning walk helps clear my mind and is the most peaceful moment of my day.

Partner up. Exercise will seem like more fun when you have someone doing it with you. Having a walking or yoga buddy also will provide you with accountability and keep you motivated. So lace up those shoes…you don’t want to let your workout partner down!

Eat right. You’ll experience added benefits by incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains into your diet. Plus, you won’t want to ruin all that hard work, do you?

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood will help our residents stay in SHAPE by offering a range of social and recreational facilities. Our wellness retreat includes a gymnasium, yoga and massage room and a tai chi deck overlooking a pristine koala habitat.

Visit us at www.elementsliving.com.au or 224 Dennis Road, Springwood - we'd love to see you!

What is successful ageing?

Retirement marks the time in life when you really start living. It’s the time when you can do the things you enjoy and devote more time to self discovery.

Successful retirement means different things to different people, but it definitely does not mean the end of the road.

When people think of retirement the first thing that comes to mind is ‘financial comfort’. Financial comfort without a doubt plays a major role in everyone’s retirement plan however it is not the only contributing factor.

Retirement is a major step that everyone eventually takes. For it to be successful you need to think positively about social relationships and the fact that your life is undergoing major transition.

One of the key factors that contributes to a successful retirement is healthy ageing. When you think about it, you can be financially stable but you also need your health and happiness to enjoy it.
Adopting an optimistic attitude about life is what will get you through everyday obstacles and will leave you stress free.

Individuals who are thriving in social relationships and nurturing their family relationships are also likely to achieve successful ageing. Maintaining a social relationship through craft classes and sporting clubs will keep you in high spirits as well as encourage you to get out there and enjoy your life. Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood adopts this philosophy and will offer a range of social and recreational facilities for our residents.

If we look at it as an entire picture, successful retirement comes down to a balanced life plan. To sum it up, financial stability is important, however so is your health, your happiness and your social relationships.

Elements @ Springwood is a unique community that responds to a critical gap in the retirement living market. To find out how, visit www.elementsliving.com.au or come and visit us at 224 Dennis Road, Springwood.

A very successful seminar

Seminar attendees mingle with speakers during lunch

Our recent Successful Ageing seminars were a fantastic success and I have uploaded a number of pictures to our Facebook page. We have more planned in the near future so watch our website for more details.

The key to successful ageing

Despite the strange dust storm that blew over south-east Queensland yesterday, more than 30 people came along to the Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood successful ageing seminar.
Hosted at John Paul College, the morning presentation featured an impressive panel of experts from the financial, psychological, social, physical and spiritual fields.

While I host the seminars, they’re not designed to be a sales pitch for my retirement community. These events are designed to bring together like-minded people to discuss a range of topics.

We held a successful ageing lecture earlier this year, also at John Paul College who we share a close partnership with in order to promote a philosophy of life-long learning, and it was a great success. I was excited to see how this second seminar would be received and was delighted with the response.

Attendees commented on the diversity of speakers, one of whom was Vicki Lennox from Emerging Swan Coaching. Vicki is an incredibly passionate woman who aims to inspire people of all ages to escape the mundane routine of ‘merely existing’ and discover one’s purpose and life’s true potential.

I have a similar aim with Elements @ Springwood, in encouraging people to change their views on retirement. It’s not a final stop on the way to the pearly gates – far from it. Retirement can and should be the best times of our lives, where we have time to explore the things that really matter. Vicki’s philosophy is similar to mine and it was fantastic to have her address the seminar.

Other speakers included Annette Lourigan, Gerard Lillis, Josh Pellowe, and Sergio Maresca. To find out about our next successful ageing seminar, visit www.elementsliving.com.au

Meet our pioneers

Within days of our official ground-breaking ceremony last week, Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood recorded its first three sales – all within 24 hours.

To celebrate this momentous occasion we hosted a welcome barbeque lunch for our pioneers on Tuesday and invited Dawn and Quentin, Barbara and Val, and James and Kay to stand on the ground where their future homes will sit.

The Elements @ Springwood team with our 'pioneers'

Our first residents, or the ‘pioneers’ as they’ve become known around the office, had all looked at a number of different senior living communities before they found ours.

The relaxed setting allowed me to chat to each of the future residents about their reasons for choosing Elements @ Springwood over the other communities in south-east Queensland. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, each gave a similar response – no other community offered a truly holistic approach to successful ageing.

Barbara and her husband Val had looked at several other communities, and while each had aspects they liked none offered the complete package. Dawn and Quentin liked that Elements @ Springwood had a welcoming feeling towards families and friends, which is especially important given their daughter lives nearby.

When they came to visit the Elements @ Springwood site, they “knew immediately” that it was the place for them. And that sort of testimonial confirms that we are doing something special here.

In addition to this, Kay and James liked the flexibility that we offer our residents when it comes to the layout and design of villas. And why not – this is their new home!

As you would expect, all three couples were smitten with the natural surrounds, gorgeous scenery and abundance of wildlife. Our community is surrounded by pristine State Forest and has such a peaceful atmosphere.

Elements @ Springwood is a unique community that responds to a critical gap in the retirement living market. To find out why, visit www.elementsliving.com.au or come and visit us at 224 Dennis Road, Springwood.

A new chapter in the Elements story

An exciting milestone was marked on Monday with the official breaking of ground at the future site of Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood, and I am delighted that work is finally underway.

Over 120 guests came along to the morning ceremony, including members of the local seniors’ community and some of our neighbours. Attendees heard from Logan MP John Mickel, who outlined the government’s commitment to the ageing Queensland population, and Springwood MP Barbara Stone who spoke about her involvement with the Elements community.

After the ribbon cutting, a bobcat fired up and cut into the earth where stage one of our community will soon begin rising from the ground. The start of construction marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Elements story.

Getting to this point has been a long and hard road, which included a several-year development application battle that went all the way to the Planning and Environment Court.

Along the way, I have received incredible guidance from a number of people – many of whom have become mentors of sorts. David Keogh is the president of the Wildlife Preservation Society in Logan and has been a supporter of Elements from the early stages. I have often called on him for guidance and he sees the community as a positive addition to the local community.

I have also received immense support from Dr Frank Carrick, a well-respected academic and the mastermind of Queensland’s planning policy on koalas.

This Friday, I am excited to attend the reopening of the Daisy Hill State Forest Koala Centre where Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones will acknowledge my donation of a significant portion of land in order to extend wildlife conservation efforts.

Things are moving forward at Elements and I invite you to come and witness the progress for yourself. Our friendly team is just as passionate about successful ageing as I am, and would love to see you.

Our first residents will move in early next year, at which point our pre-retirement community will well-and-truly start taking shape.

I believe Elements will respond to a critical gap in the retirement living market, which is heavily dominated by corporate players, and provide an environment that caters solely to the needs of our residents. Visit www.elementsliving.com.au for more information.

TV advertisement

Our new television ad is complete and will begin airing on Channel Nine in coming weeks. What do you think?

Our natural neighbours

When I purchased a development site next to a protected koala habitat and surrounded by State Forest, I knew it was essential that whatever I built there had to be environmentally responsible.

Like many others, I became conscious of my own carbon footprint some time ago and have taken many steps – both at work and at home – to reduce my impact on the environment.

Despite this prior understanding, I never imagined how difficult it would be to strike a balance between great ideas and practicality… until I began designing Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood.

A number of my green initiatives were ones that just made sense – water tanks for irrigation, solar power for hot water, and ceiling fans and cross ventilation design principles to reduce the need for artificial cooling.

Then there were other ideas that I simply hadn’t considered until I stumbled across them. Take our worm farm for example, which is a great way to produce fertiliser and encourage natural thinking from our residents.

And that’s the key. I believe environmental sustainability is about far more than just the physical things, and requires a deep personal connection with our natural surrounds.

Elements @ Springwood will include a range of green features, including an organic garden where we can grow our own fruit and vegetables and a chook pen.

Nature-based recreation will also be a large part of that greater awareness. With the State Forest right next door, I don’t imagine it’ll be too hard to entice people to explore the many walking and bike tracks.

The first residents will begin moving in towards the end of the year, but at all times – including during construction – the original occupants of this site will be considered. Wallabies and koalas call this area home, so I have been careful to consider their needs and wellbeing.

For more information about Elements @ Springwood and our unique location, visit our website at www.elementsliving.com.au

Social media revolution

I came across this great video on Twitter that illustrates how powerful and relevant social media has become. If you weren't convinced before, you will be after this:

Learning from our seniors

Forget coal mines, the property industry and even the Broncos – Queensland’s greatest asset is our remarkable community of seniors.

Earlier this week I spoke at Logan City Council’s Seniors – Get Active expo at the Entertainment Centre. It was fantastic to see so many people out supporting the older generation, while enjoying a series of informative workshops, displays and activities.

Packing the expo gift bags

The expo is part of wider Seniors Week celebrations, which promote positive attitudes towards older people and ageing while encouraging people to lead active lifestyles and foster new relationships with other generations.

It goes without saying that I’m a passionate advocate for seniors’ issues. For too long, older people have been disregarded and cast aside by almost everyone, from government to the health and retirement care industries.

This group of wise Australians can teach us so much about our past, present and even our future if we would only let them. For this reason, Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is built on a strong philosophy of lifelong learning and permanent connections with the wider community.

My children went to John Paul College at Daisy Hill, one of Australia’s largest independent schools. When I purchased their former sports fields and began designing Elements @ Springwood, I immediately indicated my interest in forming a close connection.

I believe education is one of the most important keys to living a long and happy life, which is why Elements @ Springwood residents will have access to JPC facilities and resources – and vice versa.

Students will be encouraged to visit the community and learn from the people who helped shape their present. Whether it’s exploring the books in the library, wandering the walking tracks that run through the pristine State Forest or sowing the organic garden, this sharing of knowledge will be a two-way street.

Both child and adult capable of learning from each another, and that cooperation should be harnessed and encouraged.

I will be hosting another successful ageing seminar on September 23, featuring a panel of esteemed experts from a variety of fields. If you are looking for the secret to agelessness, this is a good place to start. For more details and to register your free spot visit the Elements @ Springwood website at www.elementsliving.com.au.

What's age got to do with it?

Fashion designer, life coach and acclaimed author Peggie Wilson might be 90-years-old, but this spritely Brisbane identity would never dream of slowing down. Why would she?

Peggie embodies her personal mantra that age is nothing but a number and I find her both inspiring and remarkable. According to her, people are never too old to do what makes them happy.

Last year she wrote a book called What’s Age Got To Do With It? for those of us who seem to reach our use-by dates at the point of retirement – and well before our time.

In her book she wrote: “One day, sooner or later, it happens to all of us - we become conscious of our age… instead of enjoying what can be the best times of our lives, we let the best time pass us by. We need to learn that we are not ‘too old’ – in fact we are not too old for anything if we really want to do it.”

She’s absolutely right. Age really has nothing to do with it! In fact, the older we get the more we should invest in the things that make us happy.

Our lives are split into three ages – the first is about learning and development, the second is full of responsibilities and the third is an exciting new phase of personal fulfillment.

Our kids leave home and full-time careers start to wind down. It should be the best time of our lives, when we live to the fullest and embark on a journey of self discovery. Sadly, too many don’t and seem to just give up.

Peggie spoke at a recent seminar on successful ageing at John Paul College, hosted by Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood. She is an amazing source of inspiration and has a great story to tell. In fact, we could all learn a thing or two from her incredible life.

I will be hosting another successful ageing seminar on September 23, featuring a panel of esteemed experts from a variety of fields. If you are looking for the secret to agelessness, this is a good place to start. For more details and to register your free spot visit the Elements @ Springwood website at www.elementsliving.com.au.

Make the move – now!

The best decisions in life are often left too late. We put things off, make excuses and delay for yet another day. Research shows that this procrastination also applies to our retirement living choices, but that needn’t be the case.

According to McCrindle Research, the majority of people living in retirement villages wish they had moved in earlier. I suspect the misconceptions about aged living often cause people to delay making the move until the ‘eleventh hour’.

Society tells us that getting old is not a good thing. We slow down, sag, stop having fun and view retirement as just a small step away from the pearly gates. Once we give in to our age, we start adopting the attitude that we should give up living life the fullest.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and I believe this part of our lives is the best. Our children leave home and careers take a back seat, allowing time for self-discovery and the things we really enjoy without the burden of responsibility.

A study in 2001 found that 95% of retirement village residents believed their communities met or exceeded their expectations. In short, they were happy to have made the move into retirement living.

These findings indicate that our worst fears about retirement villages are often unsubstantiated. In fact, it seems aged living is the exact opposite of what we imagine!

Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood is an example of a pre-retirement community that breaks the mould. I have concentrated my research studies at Bond University to examine the impact of the built environment on successful ageing, and have continuously applied my findings to Elements.

An artist impression of a villa

My approach helps to enhance and promote the five elements of a happy and successful life – being physical, spiritual, social, psychological and financial.

At Elements, I have included a range of community facilities, including a library, craft room, men’s workshop, organic garden, residents’ bar and function space. There is also a wellness retreat with pool, spa, tai chi deck, gym, beauty and massage room. In addition, I have engaged a couple of specialist builders and architects to design and build a traditional Japanese zen garden complete with a tea house.

Forget what you know about retirement – this community is built on a philosophy of successful ageing in a social and stimulating environment. And it’s about more than just providing quality amenities. A strategic partnership with John Paul College will provide the educational resources and learning spaces necessary to encourage social interaction and life-long learning.

If you’re ready to make the move, consider Elements @ Springwood. We are nestled amidst Daisy Hill State Forest and yet only a stone’s throw from major shopping outlets, medical facilities, entertainment precincts, sporting clubs and places of worship.

For more information about my philosophy, the community’s facilities or to view floorplans of the 116 architect-designed villas, visit www.elementsliving.com.au.

Social media revolution

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Bebo, LinkedIn… I’ve read a lot about the social media revolution, but didn’t completely understand what it meant for me until recently.

There are a number of books and online references that explain these new mediums in terms that are easy to understand. After some research, I’ve decided to embrace a couple for myself.

I’m now on Facebook and you can become a member of the Elements @ Springwood fan page by clicking here. In addition, you can also follow me on Twitter to keep updated on my whereabouts and various happenings.

What do you make of social media? Do you use it for yourself or your business? Share your thoughts!

New exercise guidelines for Over 55s

Most people would be aware of the various campaigns aimed at getting Australians to live more active and healthy lifestyles. Yet statistics show that half of older Australians are still not doing enough physical activity to maintain a healthy way of life.

Recently the Federal Government has, for the first time, developed guidelines aimed at increasing the level of physical activity in older Australians.

The Physical Activity Recommendations for Older Australians, developed by the National Ageing Research Institute, were announced by the Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot on 23 March 2009. The recommendations urge older Australians to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.

“Physical activity in older people is important for helping to prevent or manage chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis” Mrs Elliot said.

Even a slight increase in activity can improve a person’s overall wellbeing, and can help with sleeping better, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing energy levels.
The recommendations are reflected in the booklet “Choose Health: Be Active”, and include:

• Activities that improve flexibility, such as bowls, yoga or dancing
• Activities that improve strength, such as taking the stairs or doing yard work
• Activities and stretches that improve balance
• General fitness activities such as golf, swimming or walking the dog.

The recommendations also include tips on healthy eating, activities for specific health concerns, and addresses how to overcome setbacks and exercise excuses.

The “Choose Health: Be Active” booklet is available from http://www.health.gov.au or by calling 1800 500 853.

Elements 3rd Age Living Launched

After spending many years studying the impact of the built environment on successful ageing, I decided to create a new style of community where my philosophy of third age living could be embraced. Today, I’m proud to present Elements Third Age Living @ Springwood.

Every aspect of the community has been designed to foster the elements of a long and happy life – physical, spiritual, social, financial and psychological wellbeing.

These five crucial elements are the foundations upon which our community is built, and their influence is seen throughout the entire development. We have ensured there is a strong spiritual and social focus in the community’s built form, from the Japanese-inspired Zen gardens to the wide range of communal areas designed for entertaining and socialising.

These five elements also feature prominently in the design of our villas, with ample space for friends and family to visit or stay. All the research into successful retirement living points to an undeniable link between maintaining our long-standing social networks and a happy, healthy third age.

Your new home has also been designed to accentuate the bushland surroundings and enhance your independence, while remaining at an affordable price.

Homes at Elements Third Age Living@Springwood are now officially on sale, and we are taking expressions of interest. Please accept my personal invitation to visit the Elements site and see for yourself how this exciting new community will take shape in the months ahead.

I look forward to watching Elements grow and become a place of happiness, health, prosperity and peace for all residents.

The Three Ages of Our Life

First Age of our life - we discover the art of walking, running, eating and playing.

Second Age - a time of responsibilities, we live our lives through our careers, families and friends, we depend on the advice, support and encouragement of people more experienced.

Third Age - heralds a new and exciting period of life, a period of mentoring opportunities, personal fulfillment and nurturing existing and creating new friendships.

Your overall wellbeing is paramount to your ability to age successfully and happily.

Research has shown that our need to be spiritual increases in importance when we enter our third age. This is due to the increased amount of time we have and the need to connect with a higher being or simply to be more in touch with oneself.

Social network and support is one of the most important factors affecting successful ageing.