Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa July/August 2019 | Page 59

W
WAY OF LIFE
hen planning for retirement, our main focus is
usually a financial one but beyond the funds
required to live out one’s golden years, there is
also the matter of what a person is actually going to do
during retirement. Too often, the social aspects of retire-
ment are only addressed once a career comes to an end.
While the idea of doing nothing after being employed
for decades certainly sounds appealing, the honeymoon
doesn’t last forever. Inevitably, a retiree will want to
become productive again, whether that entails taking
up new hobbies or simply interacting with others.
Most people socialise while at the office or at home
with friends. Once a person leaves the workplace and
downscales to a retirement village, there is a real danger
of becoming isolated and lonely. Sometimes this may Managing Director of Evergreen Lifestyle Villages (Pty)
Ltd, Garry Reed explains the importance of creating a
social aspect within retirement villages. “Enhancing the
quality of life is something that any retirement village
must have as a key objective. Retirees do not always want
to be on their own, but are sometimes limited by what
is available in their immediate vicinity. Our approach,
for example, encompasses all of the critically important
aspects around retirement – security, continuous
healthcare, financial peace of mind, and a social directive
that promotes a sense of belonging,” he said.
Other examples of this total retirement strategy
includes properties by Faircape Retirement Holdings and
Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged (CPOA).
even result in health issues.
The health risks include an increase in frequency of
illness and a decline in mental health, while decreased
mobility presents its own challenges. Research indicates
that these adverse effects of retirement on health can be
mitigated if a person has a strong social support network.
In other words, by either continuing to work part-time in As part of this approach, it is also good to keep in mind
the importance of life rights (an investment in a retirement
development that guarantees the holder a safe and secure
home for the rest of their life.) Developers who specialise in
this are actively involved in building a sense of community,
providing a platform for social engagement, and looking
after those who become isolated.
Retiree Craig Stacey, who lives in the
Evergreen Broadacres village, believes
its balanced approach makes all the
difference.” I am so happy here, and
that is what it’s all about. There is an
abundance of weekly activities. And our
dinners are a true reflection of how easily
and happily we can come together whilst
living our lives separately.”
retirement or being engaged in social activities, a person
can live a longer, happier and more fulfilling life.
A study in England found that retirees who had
two group memberships prior to retirement had a 2%
risk of death in the first six years of retirement if they
maintained those, a 5% risk if they lost one group and
a 12% risk if they lost both. While it might sound trite,
‘dying of boredom’ seems to be a real risk in retirement.
Fortunately, the options entail more than just doing
part-time work. Yes, working for longer does reduce the
number of years a person has to pay for retirement, but
it doesn’t appeal to everyone.
REMAINING ACTIVE
Volunteering is a great alternative that aids in being
active, while giving back to the community. It helps
retirees maintain a sense of purpose. Retiree’s are able to
utilise their skills while helping volunteer organisations.
Being involved in volunteer work adds to a sense of a
social contract between people and the community. This
arrangement provides a more sustainable, resilient and
rewarding approach compared to not working. Joining
clubs, taking classes and even signing on to social networks
can greatly assist in the transition period into retirement.
Retirement villages that are unique are those that
provide community centres that offer facilities from
gyms and swimming pools, to braai and bar facilities,
coffee shops, games rooms and more.
Retiree Craig Stacey who lives in the Evergreen
Broadacres village believes its balanced approach makes
all the difference.” I am so happy here, and that is what it’s
all about. There is an abundance of weekly activities. And
our dinners are a true reflection of how easily and happily
we can come together whilst living our lives separately.”
Retirement requires a balanced viewpoint. Foregoing
the social aspects entailed in being a retiree, by only
focusing on the financial planning component can have
a negative impact on a person.
Instead, retirement should be viewed as an exciting
new life stage that can be enjoyed with a community of
people.
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine JULY/AUGUST 2019
57