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Community Corner

Aging and Eldercare Expert Joy Loverde Offers Tips for Successfully Aging

Author tells area seniors and community residents how to thrive as they grow older.

Carol Stream, Ill. – September 6, 2013 – As we age, at some point we all approach a fork in the road, says Joy Loverde, author of “The Complete Eldercare Planner: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find Help.”

Whether we veer toward a thriving finish to life or towards a struggling end depends on how we plan, Loverde recently told an audience of approximately 75 suburban and Windsor Park residents.

The event was held at Windsor Park, a Covenant Retirement Community in Carol Stream, as part of the continuing care community’s educational outreach.

“Providing useful information to our residents and community attendees is one of our main goals,” says Marissa Samaan, sales director, Windsor Park. “Covenant Retirement Communities has a wealth of resources available to assist both older adults and caregivers. It is important to get that into the hands of those who can use it.”

“No one ages in a void,” states Loverde. “We age alongside people we know and don’t know, so to successfully age we need to plan for the future. By doing so, we have a choice in how we live; otherwise we must accept what is given.”

During her talk, Loverde delved into three main issues blocking the road to a thriving aging process: finances, housing, and the need to feel needed. She also offered “toolkit” suggestions for caregivers.

  • Finances: Consult help early and often. Suggestions include
         o    Real estate agent
         o    Elder law attorney
               *    Get it in writing:
                     •    Power of attorney for health care
                     •    Power of attorney for finances
                     •    Estate plans
          o    Financial gerontologist
          o    Employee assistance
  • Housing: The American family is continually changing; therefore, caregiving is as well.
         o    We’re living longer
         o    Family is not necessarily close by
         o    Technology can bring them closer
         o    Historically, caregivers were family – may not be as viable of an option now
         o    Choice of moving or staying put
               *    Aging in place; remodeling may be necessary
               *    Moving; what type of residence is right for you
               *    The residence you choose will determine what other services are necessary
              *    Utilize resources, such as havingtheconversation.com available from Covenant Retirement Communities
  • Being Needed
          o    Find your purpose so you don’t become “invisible”
          o    Stay connected to increase your well-being
                *    “Singledom” is America’s fastest growing living unit
                *    “If you’re not interacting, you’re dying.”
          o    Be aware of what you are telling yourself about aging
                *    Focus on the positives, not on loss and limitations     
 
Loverde also stressed advocating for the aging and that it is never too late to make changes in our lifestyle. A consultant in the senior/active adult industry, Loverde’s work has been featured on “Today,” the CBS “The Early Show,” National Public Radio, and in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and Consumer Reports.

“The Complete Eldercare Planner: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find Help” is available as a soft-cover edition or as an eBook. The 385-page book is replete with information, resources, checklists, and worksheets, some of which are downloadable at www.elderindustry.com.

Other upcoming events at Windsor Park are listed on the website. Arrange for a personal tour of Windsor Park by calling the sales department at (630)510-4700 or via email at wpmarketing@covenantretirement.org.

Windsor Park is a faith-based, nationally accredited, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located at 124 Windsor Park Dr., Carol Steam, Ill. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities Inc., a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Windsor Park, visit www.WindsorParkIllinois.org .
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