My Account
There is a lot to consider before moving into a retirement village – so some free, independent advice at a seminar hosted by Manly Methodist Church next month should be welcome.
Leading the seminar is Troy Churton, retirement villages national manager at the Commission for Financial Capability (formerly known as the Office of the Retirement Commissioner).
He says the interactive event, which includes question and answer sessions, covers the personal, legal and financial aspects that older people and their families need to consider – as well as what can happen if you get the decision to become a retirement village resident wrong.
Among the themes are personal compatibility, legal understanding and financial implications.
Alternatives to living in a village, such as subdividing, reverse equity mortgages, renting or community housing are also discussed.
Mr Churton says he will also spend some time explaining transfer into care and distinguishing between retirement village and care facilities – as two different regimes apply.
“We definitely recommend people ask, before they move into a village, what would happen if they were suddenly needs-assessed for full time care,” he says. “There are additional financial implications from certain types of care rooms.”
The free seminar is also supported by the Retirement Villages Association and legal practitioners. It is on July 4 at the Methodist Church, 945 Whangaparaoa Road, Manly, 2pm-3.30pm. Registration is essential – at www.eventfinda.co.nz (look for Thinking of Living in a Retirement Village) or phone 0800 268 269.
Dementia explained
Dementia is the topic for another Manly Methodist Church free Retirees’ Seminar. Methodist minister Andrew Gamman started offering the seminars in April (HM April 18) and has sought ideas for topics from parishioners.
The dementia seminar will be presented by Maria Co, dementia educator for Dementia Auckland. She is a registered nurse with a degree in psychology who has worked as a mental health/geriatric nurse for about eight years.
Maria will cover the services offered by Dementia Auckland, a definition of dementia and common types, the difference between forgetfulness and memory loss, when to have someone checked for memory loss, common signs and symptoms and how to keep the brain healthy.
The free dementia seminar will be on July 18 at Manly Methodist Church, at 2pm.
