Have You Considered Your Retirement?

It is never too early to start thinking about retirement.

The way we retire is changing. Traditional old-age homes are becoming things of the past, and many retirees are choosing to live in surroundings that look nothing like those we have come to associate with retirement over the years.

Seniors are increasingly opting for retirement villages or estates where they enjoy quality of life, a community of like-minded people of similar life experience, top-quality healthcare, and the convenience of resort-style facilities and amenities – no longer the hospitalstyle establishments of yesteryear.

In South Africa, the pioneers of this way of living in later life is Evergreen Lifestyle – the top retirement brand in the country, and experts in the provision of accommodation for seniors. Evergreen currently operates four retirement villages in the Cape Town area, one in Johannesburg, and there are a number of new villages in the planning pipeline. They will also be expanding into Kwazulu-natal with developments at Hilton and Umhlanga Ridge, and building luxury retirement at the new Val de Vie Evergreen in a prime location at the heart of the sprawling Val de Vie Estate. Surrounded by majestic mountains in the Paarl-franschhoek Valley, there can be few better places to enjoy what will truly be your golden years.

Retirement expert and Evergreen Retirement Holdings CEO, Arthur Case, says, “Our Evergreen offering stretches beyond the stereotypical old-age home with its hospital-like atmosphere. In our villages, we take care of everything for you. Ours is a hospitality-based approach, with resort-style living and vibrant communities of residents living actively and independently. We also provide healthcare that spans everything from home-based care to frail care.”

Case advises, “Thinking about where to live in retirement is crucial. Plan for something that is affordable so that you do not feel financially insecure, or have to depend on children or family members. It might seem simplest to stay on in your home, but you could be left with a large, cumbersome property with spiralling costs for things like upkeep and repairs, rates and taxes, safety and security, gardening and more. You will do yourself a huge favour by choosing a place where future costs can be contained.”

For more info on modern-day retirement living, visit www.evergreenlifestyle.co.za or call Evergreen Lifestyle on +27 21 702 3200. Did you know?

According to Stats SA’S 2017 Mid-year Population Estimate, the last decade has seen a 10-year increase in life expectancy for the average South African. South Africans aged 60 and over make up 8.1% of our 56 million population.