Living The Dream - October 2019

Living the dream

RETIREMENT

Love the Choice

Final Lakeview Apartments – selling* now!

We are excited to announce the final release of our Lakeview Apartments at Summerset at Heritage Park. Offering the exclusive experience of lakeside living in the heart of Auckland, each apartment is warm, modern, finished to the highest standard and now completed for you to make your own.

From your apartment, you can take a stroll around the lake, enjoy the recreational facilities around the village, or soak up the stunning views looking out across the village and towards One Tree Hill from our rooftop gardens.

To get your pick of the options on offer, including your preference of size, layout and proximity to the village centre, arrange a viewing time with our sales team and view these beautiful homes for yourself. These are selling fast, so don’t miss out!

To find out more, call 0800 SUMMER or email ellerslie.sales@summerset.co.nz KC14421

Summerset at Heritage Park 8 Harrison Road, Ellerslie *Licence to occupy.

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Open 7 Days

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2 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019

Celebrating Retirement & Travelling?

Are you celebrating your retirement with an overseas travel adventure? Our doctors and nurses are constantly amazed at the incredible adventures to exotic places our patients visit. Some of these destinations are remote destinations all over the world – producing unforgettable tales and awesome photos. Obtaining good travel advice is a part of the preparation for adventures to any destination. Ideally visiting your doctor for a pre-travel visit 4-6 weeks before you intend travelling is best.

The doctor you visit needs to know about your illnesses and any medications you are taking, as these influence medical decisions. Your doctor can provide a physical examination and assess your fitness for travel – particularly for seniors. If you have heart disease you might choose a less strenuous travel itinerary. A travel health kit should all be considered and documented at a travel health consultation.

You will need information about your travel destination particularly about altitude and climate as these can affect your health as you age and the destination’s risk of natural disasters.

Make sure you are up to date with routine Vaccination such as Tetanus, Flu and Measles/ Mumps and Rubella (MMR).

Yellow Fever vaccine should be given cautiously to people over 60 years and it should not be given to people who are immune suppressed.

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If you are on long term medications take enough for your trip. Counterfeit drugs may be common overseas. Take a copy of your prescription and pack your medicines in your carry-on luggage. Traveller’s diarrhoea is the most common complaint for remote travellers.

Dengue fever is on the increase in many countries.

Applying a good insect repellent is the best way to prevent this.

The biggest cause of fatalities amongst travellers is motor vehicle accidents, the risk being reduced by good decision making about seat belts, road crossing and using only authorised public transport. Do not ride in cars after dark in developing countries or after dark in questionable areas.

We also advise joining your GPs’ Patient Portal so that you can access your patient record anywhere in the world 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

TRAVEL MEDICINE CLINIC JH14858

Living The Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019 — 3

Is KiwiSpend the answer in retirement?

A

drip-feed income scheme called KiwiSpend could kick in when KiwiSaver members turn 65, helping them stretch their savings through what could be a long retirement.

This is one suggestion up for discussion in the three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies, being undertaken by Interim Retirement Commissioner Peter Cordtz.

It comes from a report on decumulation prepared for the Review team by Susan St John and Claire Dale of Auckland University’s Retirement Policy and Research Centre.

Among the Review’s terms of reference, the government asked Cordtz and his team at the Commission for Financial Capability to look at whether New Zealanders needed help stretching their savings through retirement and what role the government could play.

Since KiwiSaver was launched in 2007, membership has grown along with the size of nest eggs. More than 2.9 million New Zealanders now belong to KiwiSaver, and in the

past year alone, voluntary in 15 withdrawals by others. those aged 65 and St John and over were up 43 per Dale say that cent to just over $1 New Zealand billion.

Superannuation is A survey by the “perfect annuity” Inland Revenue because it is a found most secure basic income Interim Retirement withdrew the for everyone at age Commissioner Peter 65 that is protected entirety of their Cordtz.

Photo CFCC KiwiSaver funds from inflation, keeps upon retirement, up with wage growth with most using them to pay and continues as long as a off debt or travel. person lives. But at $411 St John and Dale say per week for a single and a system of a one-off $632 for a couple, for many withdrawal does not protect it is not enough for the retirees from the risk of lifestyle they want. And it outliving their savings, doesn’t cover some forms of inflation, unsuccessful healthcare that can become investments, financial more expensive with age. exploitation or spending the They suggest a money too early. Most New government-regulated Zealanders can expect to live scheme called KiwiSpend. into their 80s, many into KiwiSaver members would their 90s, and some into the be defaulted into the scheme 100s, so if retirement occurs on reaching 65. They could at 65 that presents 20-40 opt out after taking advice, years to fund. but those who remain would Overseas, annuity receive regular payments schemes that drip-feed of up to $12,000 per year, regular income to members based on their savings, on are common, and in some top of what they receive from countries, such as the NZ Super.

Netherlands, compulsory.

The KiwiSpend amount Annuities are mandatory would increase when they in six of the member states entered a period of high of the European Union and health costs, such as having

to go into rest home care, rather than have their other assets depleted to the low threshold required before state support for care kicked in.

Cordtz says the idea is worthy of discussion.

“Many people we’ve spoken to in our research for the Review say they’re worried that they’ll run out of money in retirement,” says Cordtz.

“An annuity scheme like the KiwiSpend product suggested by St John and Dale may provide members with the peace of mind of a guaranteed income stream

in addition to Super. With a long term health care rider, it could also remove a person’s future health care costs from families and taxpayers in general.”

Cordtz will consider this suggestion along with public feedback and submissions before deciding on which recommendations to include in his report to government in December.

Public submissions on the Review closed today, October 31.

Reproduced with permission of the Commission for Financial Capability https:// www.cffc.org.nz

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Auranga is a great alternative to a retirement village. Located between Karaka and Drury, Auranga is a place where people can reconnect. Where friends and neighbours can enjoy a cup of tea together.

Where you can take in the air of good living with an evening stroll around the neighbourhood or the riverside pathways.

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New Zealand Superannuation is the “perfect annuity” because it is a secure basic income for everyone at age 65 that is protected from inflation, keeps up with wage growth and continues as long as a person lives.

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We have a range of Villas available starting from $590,000 – featuring two and three bedroom Villas, spacious living areas, modern kitchens, ensuite and family/guest bathrooms, off-street parking and indoor/outdoor flow.

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k your ap pointmen t simply 09) 533 6 63Newspapers 4 — A4 Times Supplement, n o w or visit October 2019 cushearin g.co.nz. Y ou don’t eferral.

ork expos es you to noises ov loud er long p Living Dream — Retirement eriods The o f time.

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A little known clause in some retirement village contracts can leave license-holders liable for a capital loss on their unit when they leave it.

If the license-holder has died, their family may have to cover the capital loss out of the deceased estate.

In a Facebook Live question and answer session run by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) on March 19, the CFFC’s National Manager of Retirement Villages, Troy Churton, said that the use of the clause could be under-estimated when a family member was signing a license to occupy a retirement village unit.

“Most New Zealanders are aware that they will not make any capital gain on the unit during their time in a village, but some occupation right agreements contain a capital loss clause that says that if the resident’s village unit value declined, the resident may be exposed to having to contribute to the village operator’s loss when they exit.”

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12 Picton Street, Howick (09) 533 6463

www.focushearing.co.nz Howick and Pakuranga Times.pdf 1 16/10/19

Beware the capital loss clause in retirement village contracts

ost intending residents release equity from their home or other savings to help purchase occupation rights to a retirement village unit and to supplement their superannuation.

The Commission for Financial Capability suggests breaking your decision-making into three parts: Be clear about your personal and family circumstances and future lifestyle preferences. It’s not just about whether the village is right for you. Know if you are the right fit for the village community.

Understand the costs of entry, costs while you are there, and exit costs. You must be comfortable with the financial implications of becoming a resident, relative to your unique financial position.

• Use our Sorted tools (https:// sorted.org.nz/) to work out how much equity you may need to retain for the lifestyle you want.

• Consider how your assets might be needed if you have a change of circumstances later on and require full-time residential care.

• Be honest about whether you fully understand and accept the legal regime, occupancy model and key consumer protections of living in a registered retirement village.

Experienced and qualified hearing care experts providing unbiased information and recommendations

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www.times.co.nz Churton said that a survey of village operators by the Retirement Villages Association about a year ago showed operators had mixed views on whether the clause would be actioned. “Some didn’t have a capital loss clause, others said if they had one they probably wouldn’t exercise it, and some said we do have it and if we need it we would exercise it.”

Churton, who travels the country giving free public seminars for people thinking of moving into a retirement village, says some potential residents view this as a “hot issue”. “They say that on one hand I’m not getting any capital gain and on the other I could be financially liable for the operator’s losses.”

The CFFC, which performs a monitoring role of the retirement village industry on behalf of the government, advises people of the requirement to gain legal advice before signing a village contract and recommends they seek financial advice as well. “The family of an older person need to know this stuff, as much as the older person themselves,” says Churton.

“A lot of older folk are entering a village in a situation of vulnerability and to think an older person will grasp all the little fish-hooks and implications of a complex contract is a big ask.

What are some financial implications of entering an occupation right agreement?

• Most operators do not offer a share of any capital gain in the value of the unit a resident has occupied • The deferred management fees, which are deducted when you decide to terminate your occupancy, start to accrue from the moment you

Living The Dream — Retirement

A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019 — 5

Be clear about your personal and family circumstances and future lifestyle preferences. It’s not just about whether the village is right for you.

become a resident • Most residents exit with at least 20-30% less capital than when they entered the village. Their ability to purchase something else in the market may be severely restricted if they have to rely on the balance of capital they receive back from the operator. The values of property may have increased during the time they have been residents in a village • Departing residents usually have to wait for repayment of their capital until after the new resident buying the departing unit has finished its

LIFE DOESN’T WAIT, NEITHER SHOULD YOUR INVESTMENTS.

cooling off period. This may require you or your estate to have bridging arrangements for any transfers needing to be made quickly • Weekly fees may continue to be charged by the operator until the unit is re-licensed or re-sold to a new resident. The Code of Practice requires operators to reduce those outgoings charges by 50% if the unit remains unsold within six months of the resident vacating it • Most occupation right agreements are based on a resident-funded model. The operator must set out

what fees and charges are paid for by the resident in the disclosure statement and occupation right agreement. If the occupation right agreement is not offering a fixed weekly fee arrangement, consider how changes to weekly fees could impact on your ability to pay those fees or have other choices, or how you might meet unforeseen expenses such as new hearing aids. The costs of care will be additional.

Reproduced with permission of the Commission for Financial Capability https://www.cffc.org.nz

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6 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019

Where community shapes the heart of your retirement A caring community is one where you are always welcome, where people notice your absence if you’ve been away. That’s the community Murray and Marion found at their Ryman village in Auckland.

For Murray and Marion, life at the village has exceeded expectations. The couple were amazed at how quickly they settled into village life and got to know people.

Even in those early days when the village had first opened. “It was good to simply go and say gidday, to let people know there was someone else in the village,” Murray explains.

“We’ve found that if you’re away for a while, you’re missed!”

The real icing on the cake has been their ability to continue their passion for travelling. They enjoy the freedom

of heading away whenever they like to a new destination. The beauty now is that they can lock up their apartment and go without any worries, then come home to the caring village community.

“We’ve found that if you’re away for a while, you’re missed! People tell us, ‘we missed you, welcome back.’ That only comes when you get to know people, when you start building those bonds,” Marion says. “You can love your time away, but there’s something about coming back home,” Murray adds.

Home is exactly what the village and the community has become for Murray and Marion. Being connected to their family and church community outside the village completes that feeling. “It’s nice to

be able to welcome them into your home.

They love it and have no doubt that we’ve made the right move,” Murray happily explains.

Ryman villages provide the setting where community spirit thrives.

For more information or your free guide to living in a Ryman village phone Rose on 09 535 0225 rymanhealthcare.co.nz

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Living The Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019 — 7

Retirement living you can trust F

or over 35 years Ryman Healthcare has grown to become the largest retirement village operator in New Zealand, and a trusted operator in Victoria.

Care is at the heart of what they do, and there is a range of retirement living options, from independent living apartments and townhouses through to serviced apartments, as well as resthome, hospital and dementia-level care.

The villages include amenities such as indoor swimming pools, movie theatres, bowling greens and hair and beauty salons.

Residents love the village environment and they feel connected to their neighbours and friends – whether they love the social life or enjoy a little quiet time.

They can pop down to the village lounges, have a cup of tea, and catch up with people. It’s all right there.

Ryman Healthcare also offer some of the most resident friendly terms in Australasia.

These terms were designed with care and consideration in mind and include; a weekly fee for townhouse and apartment residents that is fixed for life*, the deferred management fee is capped at 20% which is one of the lowest in the sector, and no

hidden costs.

With nine wonderful villages in Auckland, one may be perfect for you.

• Bert Sutcliffe – 2 Rangatira Road, Birkenhead • Bruce McLaren – 795 Chapel Road, Howick • Edmund Hillary – 221 Abbotts Way, Remuera • Evelyn Page – 30 Ambassador Glade, Orewa • Grace Joel – 184 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers • Logan Campbell – 187 Campbell Road, Greenlane • Murray Halberg – 11 Commodore Drive, Lynfield • Possum Bourne - 5 Lisle Farm Drive, Pukekohe • William Sanders - 7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport The Lincoln Road and Hobsonville villages will be selling soon, and there is also a proposed village in Kohimarama.

If you would like to find out more about life in a Ryman retirement village visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz or phone Jose on 0800 000 290. *Some conditions apply Care options may vary between villages, please check with your local village.

H a t t a w a y Av e n u e

Building Fine Homes JH15464

Living The Dream — Retirement

8 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019

www.times.co.nz

A new way for seniors to age well at home F

or most of us, home represents a secure, safe place that holds special meaning and memories. While some seniors are happy to downsize or move closer to family as they age, many are choosing to ‘age well’ in their own homes.

Whichever choice you make, Virtual Village East has introduced an innovative, new way of supporting people to age well in the East Auckland area, so read on if you think this could be for you.

Based on their five pillars of ageing well, Virtual Village East offers a range of services and activities that support all aspects of wellbeing. For example, your nutritional needs change as you age, so Virtual Village East offers cooking lessons and recipes specially designed for seniors, and the opportunity to share those recipes over lunch – the perfect way to get to know other seniors also living at home.

“For each of our five pillars we’ve designed activities which support seniors to learn, participate and connect – and get to know others along the way,” says Bonnie Robinson, CEO of HBH Senior Living, who established the Virtual Village East initiative. “For

example, we know that muscle mass reduces as you age, but if you wish to live at home, you need to stay strong and fit to look after yourself ... which is why we designed our Safe and Strong exercise programme.”

The activities aren’t just about learning new skills and keeping well; they have the added benefit of

enhancing social wellbeing too. Friendships are formed and people get to know others, just like we used to in neighbourhoods of yesteryear. Virtual Village East also plans to introduce neighbour-to-neighbour services in the future, where seniors can help each other out with home services such as gardening, chores

or driving, both paid and unpaid.

“Virtual Village connects members with each other and with resources to remain active and independent while ageing in our homes. Think of it as the old-fashioned village,” says Barbara Davis of the Virtual Village East Establishment Committee.

“In today’s society, it’s so

easy to be lonely at home or in a retirement village. We offer activities that improve wellbeing and keep life interesting - and meeting new people and forming new friendships is a vital part of this.”

Bonnie Robinson recently attended a Virtual Village conference in the USA. “Virtual Village East is on a par with others in the USA, even though many have been established for much longer,” she reports.

“The response from the local community has indicated that, without a doubt, we’re meeting a clear need amongst seniors.”

Sheila Hughes, one of Virtual Village East’s first members, agrees. “There are others like me who prefer to stay in our own homes rather than residing in a retirement village, but it’s still important to feel a part of the community. The Virtual Village concept is different by offering not only interesting activities and ongoing support, but also smaller, more regular gettogethers where friendships can develop. I’m glad I belong.”

To find out more, see virtual-village-east.org.nz.

Virtual Village East is an initiative of and supported by HBH Senior Living

A friendly invitation to our Summer Series A network of friendship & support for seniors

Just a few of the events coming up...

“As you get older, it’s vital to stay connected and sometimes, to have a little support as well. That’s why Virtual Village East is delighted to present our ‘Summer Series’, a collection of special events for seniors in East Auckland. Based on our five pillars of ageing well at home, these free (or gold coin) activities are designed to help you learn new skills, meet other like-minded seniors, and stay active and fulfilled.”

How to live a meaningful life A free seminar to help you create meaning in your life and continue to set yourself new challenges. Free.

10.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 8 November 2019 Te Tuhi, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland

SeniorNet workshops – 2 week programme

– Bonnie Robinson, CEO

What is Virtual Village East?

It’s a local network of mutual support and friendship that helps older people in the East Auckland community connect with each other, live independently and enjoy life.

Yes, please send me the full Summer Series

facebook.com/virtualvillageeast

Monthly coffee & catch-up This relaxed get-together is a great opportunity to meet other seniors over a cuppa. All seniors welcome!

10.30am to 12pm, Tuesday 26 November & the last Tuesday of every month Te Tuhi, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland JH15329

To attend one of our Summer Series events or to request the full programme, simply call Lee on 538 0827 or email co-ordinator@virtual-village-east.org.nz

Join other seniors to brush up on your computer skills in small, friendly, stress-free classes. Free.

Starts Tuesday 12 November, 10.30am to 11.30am 139 Union Road, Howick, Auckland

www.virtual-village-east.org.nz

Living The Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

Council rates hit superannuitants

F Bucklands Beach Bowls celebrates 90 years Forty past and present members filled the green on Saturday October 12 for a light-hearted two-game roll-up and a magnificent lunch.

President Ross Thompson followed with a welcome speech.

A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019 — 9

The photographs show how much has changed since 1929.

Those unable to bowl were welcomed for afternoon tea.

Some 42 ex-bowlers renewed old friendships and revived memories of earlier years.

Celebrating Bucklands Beach Bowling Club’s 90th anniversary; left, the prize winners of the roll-up (left to right) Lance Sutcliffe, Liz Macfarlane, Ra Brunton; above, the very special cake; top, the club back in 1929.

alling mortgage interest rates helped stabilise inflation for highest-spending households, while rising council rates have hit superannuitants the hardest, Stats NZ said this month.

Each quarter, the household living-costs price indexes calculate how inflation affects 13 different groups, while the consumers price index calculates how inflation affects New Zealanders as a whole.

In the September 2019 quarter, highest-spending households faced the lowest quarterly inflation of 0.4 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent for all households.

A fall in mortgage interest payments in the September 2019 quarter helped offset rising local authority rates for the highest spenders.

“Mortgage interest rates dropped this quarter, influenced by a cut in the Official Cash Rate,” consumer prices manager Sarah Johnson said.

“Highest-spending households benefited the most from the drop in interest rates. Mortgage interest payments make up

about one dollar in every ten of this household group’s spending,” Johnson said.

As an indication of how much interest rates are falling, spending on mortgage interest payments by all household types fell 2.7 per cent from the June 2019 to September 2019 quarters, and decreased 6.2 per cent compared with a year ago.

The rate of annual inflation faced by the highest-spending households has been slowing down since September 2018, when it was 1.9 per cent for the year.

“In the year to September 2019, inflation for the highest-spending households was 0.7 per cent, about half the rate faced by all households,” Johnson said.

“Annual inflation for the highest-spending households has been consistently the lowest of any household group for the past three years.”

Rates and rents hit all households Housing costs, especially local authority rates and

rents, were key drivers for inflation for all households in the September 2019 quarter.

Across all household types, local authority rates and payments rose around 5 per cent in the September 2019 quarter.

“More superannuitants tend to own their own homes, so this group is most affected by higher council rates than other groups who are more likely to rent,” Johnson said.

In the September 2019 quarter, inflation for superannuitants rose 1 per cent.

While higher rates affected homeowners, rent rises affected beneficiaries the most, as this group tends to spend more of their money on rents than other households.

In the September 2019 quarter, rents rose 0.9 per cent for beneficiaries.

Higher rents also affected the lowest-spending households and Maori households, two groups which are more likely to rent housing.

Overall inflation for beneficiaries in the September 2019 quarter was up 0.6 per cent.

We welcome your visit at Karaka Lifestyle Estate Retirement Village Come along to experience our beautiful Country Club, view plans of our village, and learn more about Karaka Lifestyle Estate.

Karaka Lifestyle Estate is a new independent-living retirement village in Drury. The first units will be ready for occupation this December.

Karaka Lifestyle Estate features spacious homes, friendly community atmosphere and the management support you would expect of a top-quality retirement village but it comes with a key difference, at Karaka Lifestyle Estate you get the capital gain from the sale of your unit.

Our new village is in a lovely waterside location with a beautiful old-world Country Club. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive, warm and welcoming environment for our residents.

Karaka Lifestyle Estate could be for you if retaining your wealth is important to you, and you are looking for: - Safe and secure retirement living - A strong and lively social network - The hassles of home maintenance taken care of - A supportive environment, with an onsite manager

Open Hours:

Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm Weekends by appointment only

Where:

Karaka Lifestyle Estate, 329 Bremner Rd, Drury Construction is occurring on the site, so for your safety please contact our salesperson Linda Wilson to book a visiting time.

Linda Wilson | Freephone: 09 294 8663 | Mobile phone: 027 208 9515 Email: Linda@karakaestate.co.nz | Website: www.karakaestate.co.nz KAT6682-V4

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Living The Dream — Retirement

10 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

If only the best will do, you must come and visit Gulf Views. We pride ourselves in the optimum care of our residents.

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Purpose built providing 45 single rooms most with ensuite facilities Gulf Views offers a fun and varied activities programme which includes guest speakers, mini-bus outings and community involvement Handy to Howick Village and other amenities

Come and talk to us, and let us help you plan for your future

22 Selwyn Road, Howick | P 535 6050 | F 09 535 9900 E sue@gulfviews.co.nz

www.times.co.nz

Is a mobility scooter right for you?

I

f you’re having trouble walking for extended periods of time, find it difficult to manage a walker or walking stick, then a mobility scooter might be right for you.

Reclaim your independence with a mobility scooter and get out to enjoy your community.

Choosing the right mobility scooter doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. It’s just a matter of knowing what you need, what you want, and how the different options available will suit your environment.

Independent Living are your local experts and will provide a full mobility assessment to find the best match for you. From small and portable scooters to larger rough terrain models, and even scooter canopies to keep you dry in the wet months.

Plus, at Independent Living all

scooters come with a 12-month AA Mobility Roadside Cover subscription.

It’s always best to try out a mobility scooter before you buy one.

Visit Independent Living at one of three Auckland stores Browns Bay, Royal Oak or Botany and talk to an Assistive Technology Specialist to find the right mobility scooter for you.

Or, if you live in the Auckland Metro region, their Mobile Service may be able to come to your home and provide a scooter demonstration. They can also provide training on your new mobility scooter or can help you to build confidence using your current scooter if you already have one.

Independent Living 0080 625 100 ilsnz.org

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Living The Dream — Retirement

www.times.co.nz

Funny retirement quotes

Who doesn’t like a good laugh Here are a few crackers from the site www.fairygodboss. com.

• “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

— A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh • “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” — Fred Rogers • “What do you call a person who is happy on Monday?

Retired.”

— Unknown • “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

— Maya Angelou • “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill • “You can’t retire from being great.”

— Unknown • “I can’t wait to retire so I can get up at 6 o’clock in the morning and go drive around really slow and make everybody late for work.”

— Unknown • “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops (jandals for us Kiwis).” — Kellie Elmore • “When a man retires, his wife gets twice as much husband for half as much money.” — Chi Chi Rodriguez • “Retirement: It’s nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese.”

— Gene Perret • “In your retirement years never drink coffee at lunch; it will keep you aware in the

afternoon.”

— Unknown • “I have never liked working.

To me, a job is an invasion of privacy.”

— Unknown • “Retirement: World’s longest coffee break.”

— Unknown • “When you retire, you switch bosses – from the one who hired you to the one who married you.”

— Unknown • “When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch.”

— R.C. Sherriff • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

– C.S. Lewis • “There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want.”

— Bill Watterson • “As in all successful ventures, the foundation of a good retirement is planning.”

— Earl Nightingale • “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.”

— Abe Lemons • “Planning to retire? Before you do find your hidden passion, do the thing that you have always wanted to do.”

— Catherine Pulsifer • “You have to put off being young until you can retire.”

— Unknown • “As for me, except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did.”

— Robert Benchley • “If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.” — Doug Larson

A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019 — 11

Being smart about connecting with iPhones

By Farida Master

W

hile most seniors would love to embracetechnology, many struggle to connect with their iPhones.

Aman Varma, a former Pakuranga College student, understands that it is not unusual for kids his age to be technology junkies–even as there exists a yawning gap between an iPhone generation and seniors trying to cope with fast-paced technology to keep up with their grandchildren and the rest of world.

Wanting to help, the computer science major at the University of Auckland has been working on an iPhone guide for the last four years.

The iGuide comes with step-by-step instructions and screenshots designed to help the elderly build confidence to use iPhone.

In 2015, the Times published an article on Aman with a group of students taking second place in the regional finals of the Lions Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

After the article was

iGuide author Aman Varma with his grandmother.

published in the Times the young business enterprise group received a number of queries from individuals and retirement villages showing a keen interest in the guide.

“We found a real disconnect between seniors and technology and decided to create viable solutions for this problem,” says Aman.

“After I finished college, I decided to continue writing the book with the hope that someday senior

citizens will benefit out of it.

“I checked with my team mates if they were ok with me taking the project to the next level and they were fine it.”

The iGuide is designed with the goal of empowering senior citizens by helping them confidently utilise their iPhones. It covers 10 essential iPhone apps including settings, contacts, messages, phone, mail (email), Safari (internet), and how to use the camera, sharing photos and making an album, using the App Store to download apps and more.

Aman, who has invested a lot into the book, says it has been a huge learning curve in terms of the business aspect of publishing.

Now, the enterprising university student has not only managed to publish 1000 books but also has the interest of retirement villages. iGuide is currently available for pre-order at iguideforiphone.com with free shipping within New Zealand.

ATTORNEY OBLIGATIONS & DUTIES UNDER AN EPOA Wynyard Wood Solicitor CHANDIMA ARTHUR briefly explains the duties and obligations of an attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA).

The role of an attorney is similar to that of a trustee in that the person giving you the power of attorney (donor) is placing trust in you that you will act in their best interest.

Legally you are obliged to protect the interests of the donor in relation to his/ her property and/or personal care and

welfare and the law sets out number of obligations under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988, sections 99A-99C. You are required to consult with the donor and any other person specified in the EPOA as far as practicable. The property attorney and personal care

and welfare attorney must also consult with each other, if different people are appointed.

You must provide information about how you are carrying out your role as attorney to persons specified in the EPOA or any lawyer appointed by the donor.

yourself or any other person unless the donor has specifically authorised this.

being well cared for and is in suitable accommodation.

You can claim reasonable expenses but cannot be paid for what you do unless the EPOA says you can charge.

You cannot act until the donor loses mental capacity. Usually an appropriate health practitioner will confirm on the prescribed form that the donor is mentally incapable.

More specifically in relation to property you are expected to protect, preserve and invest the donor’s property for his/ her benefit.

You must keep records of each financial transaction entered into while the donor is mentally incapable. It is advisable to keep proper accounts and keep family members fully informed in case any financial transaction is later challenged.

You must not put yourself in a position where you are seen as benefitting

In relation to personal care and welfare, you are to ensure the donor is

You must have regard to any ‘advance directive’ or ‘living will’ made by the donor but you don’t have the power to refuse normal medical care or procedures to save life or prevent serious damage to the donor’s health.

KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ATTORNEY FOR AN EPOA? Wynyard Wood Solicitor, CHANDIMA ARTHUR elaborates on the duties and obligations of an attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) in our lastest article.

People are often asked to accept an appointment as an attorney under an EPOA without really knowing what is expected of them.

JU1353

- Wynyard Wood Solicitor - Chandima Arthur

To find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team to guide you through the process and answer any questions.

Additional articles can be read on our website: www.wynyardwood.co.nz/news

09 969 0126 manager@wynyardwood.co.nz www.wynyardwood.co.nz HIGHBROOK │ AUCKLAND │ WARKWORTH

www.times.co.nz

12 — A Times Newspapers Supplement, October 2019

The Acacia Cove Lifestyle Acacia Cove is a country-style village situated on the beautiful Wattle Downs Peninsula.

For those who appreciate the tranquility of an estuary setting Acacia Cove has it all, as well as its own restaurant, heated indoor pool, library, bowling green and gym.

Whether you choose to live in a villa or one of our luxurious apartments, you’ll have the security of a 24 hour, fully monitored emergency call system built in.

If you’re aged 60 or over, value your independence but want greater security, come and have a look at the superb properties we have to offer.

• Best Ageing Programme at the 2017 Ageing Asia Eldercare Awards • Finalist in the Facility of the Year Independent Seniors Living Catergory

Wattle Farm Road, Wattle Downs, Auckland (09) 268 8522

(09) 268 8422

www.acaciacovevillage.co.nz bruce@acaciacove.co.nz A right to occupy dwelling at Acacia Cove Village is unsecured.

New Zealand New Zealand owned andowned operated. and o SC4066