Retirement isn’t just for relaxation. So when you want to be on the go, these Southwest and Central Virginia areas – all close to the Blue Ridge Mountains – offer plenty of options for the active retiree.

Bedford

• Population: 72,939
• Average Home Value: $90,000
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-586-9401
• bedfordareachamber.com

Bedford’s most scenic spot – the Peaks of Otter – is a haven for hikers and sightseers; trails lead to the peaks of Flat Top and Sharp Top mountains. For less strenuous activities, hit the links at local golf courses, volunteer for local organizations or tour nearby wineries.

More Notables: Close proximity to city amenities, Smith Mountain Lake, the National D-Day Memorial, local museums and small town charm.

Blacksburg/New River Valley

• Population: 43,202
• Average Home Value: $132,400
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-552-2636
• montgomerycc.org

This area is rich with nature-based recreation among the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, as well as the New River. Head to the waters for fishing, canoeing and even tubing. The Appalachian Trail beckons hikers and the Huckleberry Trail – which connects Blacksburg and Christiansburg – is ideal for biking or walking.

More Notables: Public events and exhibits at Virginia Tech and Radford University, thriving downtowns, annual community events, and an arts and cultural district.

Franklin County

• Population: 55,000
• Average Home Value: $163,472
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-483-9542
• franklincounty.org

Rurally located Franklin County bustles with ways to stay active in your latter years. Golf courses – both public and private – challenge players of all skill levels and the Blackwater River and Smith Mountain Lake entice boaters and fishermen. Parks are open for hiking and camping.

More Notables: Low cost of living, the Crooked Road Music Trail and easy access to Roanoke and Lynchburg.

Lexington/Rockbridge County

• Population: 29,070
• Average Home Value: $284,428
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-463-5375
• lexrockchamber.com

With more than 58,000 acres of the George Washington National Forest located in Rockbridge County, it’s easy to find recreational opportunities. In addition to hiking and biking in the National Forest, the county boasts areas for golfing, skiing, boating and horseback riding.

More Notables: Glen Maury Park, Civil War historical sites, Natural Bridge, downtown shopping and dining.

Lynchburg

• Population: 72,596
• Average Home Value: $137,300
• Chamber of Commerce: 434-845-5966
• lynchburgchamber.org

Through the 50-Plus Program at the parks and recreation department, Lynchburg caters to seniors with a year-round calendar of activities, including classes, trips and health and wellness programs. Outdoors, parks and trails are ideal for hiking or biking, and the James River – with boat ramps located downtown – lures kayakers and canoers.

More Notables: Downtown shopping and the farmers market, historical attractions, art galleries and unique dining spots.

Martinsville/Henry County

• Population: 69,911
• Average Home Value: $121,000
• Chamber of Commerce: 276-632-6401
• martinsville.com

Martinsville–Henry County has a big list of amenities to keep you moving. Go hiking on the Fieldale Trail or in parks, fishing at Smith River or Philpott Lake, and golfing at local public courses. The area also features great spots for swimming, tennis, picnicking and camping.

More Notables: Martinsville Speedway, Virginia Museum of Natural History, Piedmont Arts Association, an hour-drive from Roanoke, affordable cost of living.

Roanoke Metro

• Population: 298,108
• Average Home Value: $176,062
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-983-0700
• roanokechamber.org

From greenways and parks to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Mountains, the Roanoke area is busting at the seams with places to hike, bike or just sightsee. Golf courses abound too. And there’s always something fun on the calendar, including festivals, concerts and fundraisers.

More Notables: Taubman Museum of Art, downtown shopping and dining, top-notch healthcare, theaters and minor league baseball.

Smith Mountain Lake

• Population: 18,000
• Average Home Value: $642,434
• Chamber of Commerce: 540-721-1203
• visitsmithmountainlake.com

Miles of shoreline promises plenty of water-based recreation, which include boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. On dry land, golf, horseback riding, tennis, hiking and biking opportunities are available at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

More Notables: Newcomer’s Club, quick drive to Lynchburg and Roanoke, waterfront shops and restaurants, live theater and festivals.

What was once a retreat from their home in Binghamton, N.Y. has become a permanent residence for Doug and Cheryl Morrison. The choice was a given, thanks to the friendly folks, mild climate and sparkling waters Smith Mountain Lake had to offer.

After vacationing at Smith Mountain Lake for years, Cheryl and Doug Morrison of New York decided to call the area home. Both are active int he community and enjoy spending time on the sparkling waters.

The two stumbled upon Smith Mountain Lake by accident, Cheryl says, while reading a golf magazine. During a Virginia vacation, they decided to check out the area, meeting with a realtor to tour condos.

“Four months later, we traveled through again, the same condo we looked at was still available, so we purchased it,” Cheryl adds.

For 12 years, the Morrisons made Smith Mountain Lake their vacation destination, eventually deciding it was perfect for their retirement years.

“We wanted to leave the New York winters and taxes,” Doug says.

After retiring – both from IBM and Cheryl also as a former teacher – they moved in 2001 and built a home in The Boardwalk community, where they finally settled in 2003.

“You still get four seasons here, just shorter winters,” Doug says of the area.

Plus, Cheryl adds, “The lake is a melting pot of people from all over the place and lots of people our age.”

When moving to the lake, the couple had “built-in friends,” Doug says, because they met so many people during vacations. They enjoy gathering with friends for dinner, and a group of men meet for breakfast each week.

“We found there’s certainly no lack of things to do here,” Cheryl says. “If you don’t go looking for something, it comes looking for you.”

The Morrisons are co-treasurers at their church and help with the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour. They walk in their neighborhood for exercise and go boating on weekdays.

“We do coffee cruises in the morning and sometimes cocktail cruises at night,” Cheryl says.

It’s important to stay active, both physically and mentally, during retirement, the couple advises. And if you move to the lake, Doug says, that’s easy to do.

“We were fortunate to retire early, and if all we had done was sit in rocking chairs, we would have atrophied pretty quickly,” Cheryl says.

Already familiar with Richfield Retirement Community for its services, Claudine Ratcliffe knew she had found the ideal place to retire three years ago.

Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the impeccable landscape lead many residents to make Richfield Retirement Community their home.

“I’d had my mother here for respite care twice,” she says. “I just loved the grounds, the greenery, the trees.”

And that’s the sentiment of other residents as well as the staff. Situated on 50 acres in Salem, Richfield offers mountain views, two lakes and ample green space, explains Robert Rector, chief operating officer.

“It’s a nice area for people to enjoy,” he adds. “Most residents say they also like our affordability, and the fact that as needs change, they can still remain on campus.”

Richfield – with a capacity of 750 – offers three levels of care: independent living, assisted living and a nursing home. No entrance fee is required, so residents only pay for the level at which they will live. And, as Rector stated, if a resident needs to switch to another form of housing, Richfield will work to find space for them.

Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- or three-bedroom cottages are available for independent residents, who Rector describes as “still active, but don’t want the hassle of home ownership and maintenance. They’re looking for more time to do what they want to do.”

Joanne Armstrong, who also moved to Richfield three years ago, calls it “independent living with a twist.” She and her late husband came from Nashville to be closer to family and she couldn’t be happier with their decision.

“I can be as busy and active as I care to be,” she says.

The three assisted living facilities, Rector says, offer private rooms, and the nursing home – the second largest in Virginia with 315 beds – contains both private and semi-private accommodations. One assisted living building is strictly for memory care, complete with programs that help people with Alzheimer’s or dementia remain as active as possible. Specialty units in the nursing home are for rehabilitation and memory care. There’s also a vacation and recovery program.

Home options at Richfield Retirement Community include cottages, apartments, an assisted living facility and a nursing home.

All residents of Richfield have access to a wide variety of activities and amenities. The expansive property features a half-mile walking trail dotted with exercise stations. Each building has its own activities calendar, filled with – among others – exercise classes, craft workshops, speaking engagements and trips. There’s even a Wii Bowling competition for which residents have formed leagues.

Ratcliffe lauds the yoga classes and a monthly afternoon program titled Lunch and Learn. She enjoys movie showings, musical performances and community socials as well.

Two stocked lakes on the Richfield property allow for a leisurely day of fishing.

According to Rector, the community provides transportation to the grocery store, hospital and medical appointments when needed. Richfield also organizes trips year-round.

“We have taken trips to Wytheville’s theater and to performances in Roanoke,” he says. “We also go to the Elks home in Bedford to see the Christmas lights, and we take residents on the Blue Ridge Parkway to view fall color. Really, anything people want to do, we try to accommodate.”

For more information on Richfield Retirement Community: 540-380-6511; richfieldretirement.com.

Cost of Living
Apartments: $442-$1652 (per month)
Cottages: $764-$2735 (per month)
Assisted Living: $2,422-$4,560 (per month)
Nursing Home: $179-$290 (per day)

Residents of WoodsEdge, an active adult community within Warm Hearth, have a home of their own without the hassle of lawn care. The community provides landscape maintenance.

With a 100-year plan in place, drawn up by founder Wybe Kroontje in the 1970s, Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg constantly looks toward the future, all while taking care of current residents.

According to Tambra Meredith, director of marketing and development, Kroontje and his wife Marietje were Dutch immigrants who wanted a way to repay the United States after World War II. After visiting his mother at an assisted living facility in the Netherlands, he noticed how much respect was paid to seniors.

“The developer envisioned a retirement community,” Meredith says, “that serves seniors of all socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Wildlife tours - including bird watching excursions - are among the activities available to residents of Warm Hearth Village.

A nature lover, he chose the location for Warm Hearth because of the vast landscape and mountain views and began work on the 55+ retirement community in 1974. His first project: Independent living townhomes followed by HUD-subsidized apartments for independent, low-income seniors. Rounding out the continuum is an assisted living facility with full-sized apartments and a health care center offering a higher level of assisted living, memory care and long-term nursing care, Meredith says.

Downtown Blacksburg is minutes from Warm Hearth.

And there’s more. A recent development, WoodsEdge, serves as an active adult community of single-family homes. A community center is in the planning stages with spring 2011 slated for the opening. The 15,000-square-foot center, which Meredith says will be available for the whole community, will feature a wellness/fitness area, indoor pool and gathering space. Plans include harvesting timber from Warm Hearth’s 220 acres to create a building that will blend with the natural environment.

In the meantime, Warm Hearth offers a small activities center and a social calendar full of cultural, spiritual and recreational opportunities for community members to enjoy, Meredith says. And many are eager to participate.

Jean Scott, a self-described extrovert who moved to Warm Hearth 11 years ago, looks forward to the monthly calendar and the activities it will bring.

“The bus will take us to different restaurants in the area, and there’s a lot of musical activities,” Scott says. “I participate in a retired nurses group; that’s where I’ve met a lot of people.”

In addition to these activities, Meredith says Warm Hearth has exercise programs, wildlife tours, bridge games and Nintendo Wii games. The Warm Hearth Foundation also hosts a summer concert series in the community’s World War II memorial park.

The abundance of activities are not all that draw people to Warm Hearth. Scott says she feels very secure and cared for. If a light bulb burns out in her townhome, she does not have to risk falling to change it, she says. Warm Hearth provides maintenance services for the entire community, which can include lawn care and appliance repair, Meredith explains.

WoodsEdge homes come in a variety of floor plans.

Lou Talbutt moved to WoodsEdge about a year and a half ago because she and her husband wanted a home of their own, but wanted to have their lawn taken care of. They also lauded the natural beauty of the campus and the friendly people.

“It’s a very attractive community,” Talbutt says. “There are many retired people here from different states and international locations. It’s a diverse community in terms of interests.”

Meredith says many residents are attracted to the rural location, the climate and the proximity to Virginia Tech. Plus, residents that need to change their level of living get first priority.

“I liked Warm Hearth because it has all phases of retirement included,” Talbutt says. “It’s great to be a part of a community that offers a choice in standards of care.”

For more information, call 540-552-9176 or visit retire.org.

Cost of Living
Townhomes: $100,000-$250,000
Apartments: based on income/medical expenses
Wood’s Edge: $325,000-$458,000
Health Care Center: Call for rates

Rehabilitation services can help you return to normal activity.

As you age, the risk of injury, stroke or other ailments elevates. Rehabilitation services in the region (see a list on pages 24-27) can often help you return to normal activity. Here’s an overview of the types of services provided:

Physical Therapy – Helps increase range of motion, build strength in muscles and improve physical function following an injury or surgery. Also assists with balance, coordination and exercise.

Occupational Therapy – Training or aiding in the performance of daily tasks, such as dressing, housekeeping, eating or cooking. Can help people who have experienced a heart attack, stroke or brain injury, and those with arthritis, multiple sclerosis or other impairments.

Speech Therapy – Used to help stroke victims relearn language skills or regain swallowing abilities. Also provides assistance with those suffering hearing impairment, dementia and Parkinson’s disease, among other conditions.

Charlotte Fischer has been retired 11 years, but it’s not always easy to tell. She’s actively involved in a number of things. And that’s just the way she likes it.

“I bought a rocking chair to put on the sun porch with the idea of reading there in the afternoons,” she says. “That hasn’t happened yet!”

A resident of Lynchburg since 1968, when her husband, an Episcopal priest, accepted a call to a local church, Fischer – a retired trust officer – loves learning and doing something constructive to help others. She would recommend the active lifestyle to any retiree. But, she says, pursue your interests before retirement too.

“You have to develop your interests throughout your life,” she says. “Don’t just shift gears into hobbies and community involvement, you need to do it all along.”

Among her favorite things to do: working with the 18th-century glass collection she and her husband acquired over the years, gardening and helping with the altar linens at her church. She’s currently involved with a program called Leave a Legacy which encourages people to make planned gifts to churches, schools and other organizations that have special meaning for them. She has worked with many local and regional organizations over the years, and she and her husband have traveled extensively.

The Fischers both grew up in larger communities, she in Charlotte, N.C., he in Charleston, S.C., so Lynchburg has been a happy medium.

“It’s a comfortable place and we’ve made many friends here,” Fischer says. “It’s nice to walk down Main Street and know people.”

Years ago, the Fischers and some of their friends decided they would all move to Westminster Canterbury, a retirement community in the area. The couple made their move in 2007, and Fischer became very involved in the community.

“I am a trustee of the Westminster Canterbury Foundation and chairman of the Residents’ Council,” she says. “I’m also part of the health services committee, which is of great personal interest.”

All in all, Fischer says she strives to live by a philosophy instilled by her grandmother.

“Try to make the world a better place for others and it will be a better world for you as well,” her grandmother told her. “She, too, was a lifelong student. She used to say that an undergraduate degree was simply to teach you how to learn and it was up to you to keep on learning.”

Robert Harris, pictured with wife Katherine, is happy to be back in Christiansburg, not only for the great weather and cost of living, but to be near his alma mater. Virginia Tech, as well.

Robert Harris graduated from Virginia Tech in 1961, never wanting to stray from the college town atmosphere he had grown to love. Working for Ford Motor Company, he started his career in Norfolk before transferring to Michigan, where he stayed for 30 years.
Far from the orange and maroon and “Hokie Stone” buildings that define the Virginia Tech campus, he found a temporary replacement, living near the University of Michigan. But he remained a diehard Hokie fan, making his way near his alma mater in October.

Harris and his wife Katherine moved to the Villas at Peppers Ferry, a community in Christiansburg that puts him just five miles from his beloved campus. A native of Galax, Harris says in addition to close proximity to Virginia Tech, Southwest Virginia is just an ideal place for retirement.

“We decided to move back to an area where the winter season is not so long,” Harris adds. “Christiansburg has four distinct seasons, people in southwest Virginia are very friendly and welcoming. Plus, taxes are a lot cheaper” than in Michigan.

Retirement has been a rewarding life experience for the Harrises. The best part: “Being able to do what you want to when you want to do it.”

“Having a condo, we can do all the traveling we want,” he adds. “All we have to do is lock the front door. We like to be part of things” in the area.

The two have made new friends in their community and reconnected with old ones. Harris enjoys exercising at the local recreation center and is a member of the Christiansburg Kiwanis Club. He also lauds the smorgasbord of activities available at Virginia Tech.

“There are so many programs associated with the university,” he says. ”Plays, concerts, shows” and, of course, sporting events are major draws.

And Harris is anxious to become a regular at Hokie football games. A former Virginia Tech player, he looks forward to being a season-ticket holder for years to come.

“I’d like to go to every game I can,” he says. “I’m a real sports fan.”

A retired chef who prepared meals for countless celebrities, Wilfried Shilling still has a passion for cooking.

Wilfried Shilling is two-and-a-half years into his second retirement. And he plans on it being his last.

A chef who rubbed elbows with – and cooked for – a number of celebrities (John Wayne, Bill Cosby and Elvis Presley, to name a few) in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Shilling retired to Roanoke seven years ago. He was ready to embrace the slow pace of Southern life.
But before he could do so, he was “recruited” as a consult at Peaks of Otter Lodge’s restaurant. When his wife became ill, he wanted to be closer to home, and cared for her until she passed away. He was recruited again to develop the menu for downtown Roanoke’s 202 Market.

“I started with the menu,” he says. “Then I trained the staff. I’m a stickler for good service.”

Even in his retirement, Shilling has returned to 202 to help train new staff and develop new items for the menu. He calls 202 his “headquarters.”

With the rest of his spare time, Shilling enjoys traveling, often to Las Vegas to visit family and Colombia to stay with a friend in the Andes. Locally, when he hits the road, he traverses the scenic country routes.

“I’ll find a pub, go in and have some good food,” he says. “And it’s a chance to get to know people. I’ll start talking to someone,” and thanks to good conversation, “time means nothing.”

Golf, fishing and spending time with his children – who live in Virginia – are favorite pastimes as well. He still gets in the kitchen to create wonderful meals.

“I love to go shopping for food,” he says. “I like to do stews, country spare ribs, basically anything I can freeze. And I like a good steak.”

Shilling has embraced Southern food – although the country ham is too salty for his palate – and his specialty is French cuisine. He says he learned to cook in Las Vegas after visiting a chef of a five-star restaurant, explaining that he had a baby on the way and needed a job.

“He said he would teach me,” Shilling says, “and I was very lucky that I absorb knowledge quickly.”

Now that he’s fully retired, Shilling has a piece of advice for those planning the big step: “Make sure you’re ready to retire! And, make sure you have money; you’ve got to pay your bills.”

Financial advisors agree it's smart to think about retirement.

Plan early… plan now. Financial advisors agree it’s smart to think ahead about retirement. Follow these 10 recommendations from Terry Vandelinde, president of VIP Planners Inc., and Christine Smith, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in Daleville, to ensure proper financial and estate planning. You’ll be right on track for worry-free retirement years.
1. Talk to an independent, fee-only financial advisor and discuss both short-term and long-term financial goals.

2. Assess your present situation, including income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

3. Estimate your expected annual retirement income: Social Security, pensions, savings and investments (IRA’s and retirement plans), job earnings and other sources.

4. Estimate retirement expenses (food, clothing, insurance, health care, travel and others), keeping in mind that those expenses may change from year to year.

5. Review your life, health, disability and long-term care policies to see if they meet your future needs.

6. Try to pay off significantly larger bills now, especially those with higher interest rates, to eliminate them before retirement.

7. If a retirement shortfall is anticipated, estimate how much must be saved each year to bridge the gap.

8. Review your retirement goals annually.

9. Determine appropriate beneficiaries for employer-sponsored plans, IRAs, annuities, life insurance, etc.

10. Execute valid wills, including durable power of attorney and advanced medical directives.

People of all ages need to add funeral pre-planning to their to-do list.

Death is a tough subject, but people of all ages – not just retirees – need to add funeral pre-planning to their to-do list. It’s the best way to make your wishes known and take care of many funeral expenses.

Tom Meritt, lead director of Family Choice Funerals & Cremations in Roanoke, shares helpful hints on just how to get it done:

• Whether it’s through a funeral home or simply writing down your funeral arrangement wishes at home, get it done. “We can sit with you, get your wishes on paper and have you sign it,” Meritt says. “Our role is to help people not feel intimidated because of formalities. We want them to feel taken care of.”

• Pre-financing can take some burden off the loved ones you’ve left behind. The money set aside is irrevocable and cannot be considered an asset. “It has to be used for the funeral,” Meritt adds. “If you have life insurance and trust your beneficiary to do the right thing with your money, then it’s not necessary to pre-finance through a funeral home.”

• Remember that some funeral items are price-guaranteed – such as service items – and can be paid in advance. Other items, including obituary costs and digging services do not have a price guarantee. “The cost of certain things will change over the years and loved ones may have to take on that cost.”

• Do not put your wishes in your will. Meritt explains that wills are most often read after funeral services.

• Ask the funeral home staff for a general price list to ensure you’re not being overcharged. “Funeral homes are required to provide this list for all funeral items,” Meritt says.

Vacation can seem like a treat without added expense.

These days, everyone is seeking ways to save money: clipping coupons, dining at home more often and cutting out a few luxuries. With these 10 budget travel tips, vacation will seem more like the treat it once was and less like an added expense.
1. Pick your destination, then prepare a budget. Break it down by how much – or little – to spend on transportation, dining, sightseeing, shopping and other activities. Then stick to the plan!

2. Bundling is best. Through websites such as orbitz.com, hotels.com or travelocity.com, booking your flight, hotel (and sometimes car rentals and tickets for attractions) is cheaper than booking each separately.

3. If renting a car, choose a compact or sedan. You most likely don’t need the extra space in larger cars, and you’re sure to save on gas.

4. Visit the websites of the activities/attractions that interest you and check for special discounts or coupons. You may even stumble upon some freebies.

5. Pack light when taking to the skies. Many airlines now charge luggage fees, so try to fit your belongings in your carry-on. Review the regulations on how to properly pack liquids.

6. Renting a condo or a hotel with a kitchen? Take advantage of the luxury and cook for yourself. You’ll save a ton on dining expenses.

7. If you don’t mind a few extra miles, consider booking a hotel outside of your primary destination. Typically, accommodations in adjacent towns have cheaper rates.

8. Off-season travel will save a few bucks. Ski trips in spring or beach getaways during the off season almost guarantee discounted rates.

9. If an attraction is far away, get there via public transportation or car. But take a walk to the activities close to your accommodations. You’ll save on transportation costs and have the added bonus of enjoying the sites along the way.

10. Discounts are common for group travel. Gather up your friends and family for a fun – and cheaper – trip. *

A Hop, Skip and a Jump

Air travel can sometimes be a hassle. Delays, cancellations and layovers can eat into your precious vacation days. Here are five fun getaways within a five-hour driving range, giving you more time to enjoy your destination.

Virginia Beach – Sandy beaches; a boardwalk complete with shops, restaurants and other attractions; and numerous hotels to choose from, make this shoreline location a hot spot for travelers.

Asheville, N.C. – Pair gorgeous mountain vistas with a thriving downtown, art scene and dining options and that just brushes the surface of what makes Asheville a great escape.

Williamsburg – Must do’s in this history-rich town: Colonial Williamsburg, outlet mall shopping, Busch Gardens and indulging at local restaurants.

Gatlinburg, Tenn. – Big-city amenities meet small-town charm in Gatlinburg. Attractions include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, specialty shops and outlet malls.

Greenville, S.C. – Mountain scenery and the Reedy River draw visitors to Greenville. Not to mention the waterfront restaurants, The Little Theatre and Greenville Museum of Art.

The MedCottage, a portable and modular medical home, contains three rooms: a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

Aging is not always an easy aspect of life to face. It can lead to the need for extra assistance or nursing care. But that doesn’t always mean people have to leave their homes.
According to Cathy Thompson, director of older adult services for Family Service of Roanoke Valley, home-based services – such as home care and home health care – allow for independent living right at home.

“There is a growing demand for home care services,” she says. “Demographic shifts, shorter hospital stays and advances in technology all contribute to this growth. Much of what can be done in the hospital, assisted living facility and/or nursing home setting, can be done in the comfort of one’s own home.”

Remaining at home allows individuals to maintain independence and dignity. Plus, Thompson adds, community-based services prove to be economically feasible. Local agencies differ in the care they provide (see the list on pages 28-29), but Thompson shares examples of typical home care services.

Measuring 12x24 feet, MedCottage helps families care for their loved ones on their own property.

“Home health services provide physical, medical and emotional support to those with a medical need in their homes. Persons receiving home health services typically need help with bathing, dressing and transferring from a chair or bed,” she explains. “A physician must order home health care and, as such, Medicare will pay for persons who qualify as long as services are medically reasonable and necessary.”

For folks who qualify, Medicaid will cover certain home health services, Thompson adds, and some long-term insurance policies will pay a portion for services as well.

Home care services, which do not require a physician’s order, include assistance with personal care, light housekeeping, light meal preparation, companionship, respite for the caregiver and incidental transportation, says Thompson. Medicare does not cover these services.

Thompson recommends planning for the unexpected – including the need for home care – by researching options and payment sources.

Added Comfort

Think OnStar for your home. With ResCare’s Rest Assured monitoring system, seniors living at home have a special caregiver who – thanks to advanced technology – can provide assistance when needed.

According to the ResCare HomeCare Web site, Rest Assured services “have been specifically designed to support adults who have cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities in order to help them grow, develop and enhance the quality of their lives, and seniors who are looking for an alternative to 24-hour live-in support.”

A joint effort between ResCare (which has a Roanoke office) and the Wabash Center of Lafayette, Ind., this real-time monitoring system uses electronic sensors (which can detect falls or unusual activity), speakers, microphones, tele-cams in common areas, smoke and temperature detectors and personal response systems to link a person’s home to caregivers.

“Should an individual need assistance, a Tele-Caregiver is immediately available to assess the situation and provide supportive prompts,” the Web site reads. “If necessary, an on-call person can be dispatched to provide quick on-site assistance or emergency services may be contacted.”

Home Care With a Twist

A new alternative to long-term care recently debuted in Roanoke. Created by Salem resident Kenneth Dupin, founder of N2Care, the MedCottage is a portable, modular medical home designed to make it possible for families to take care of loved ones on their property.

According to a press release, the structure measures 12×24 feet and features three rooms – a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Technology and amenities include web cams, medication monitoring/notification, air filtration, a lift to carry a person from the bedroom to the bathroom, and a UV and disinfectant system. A MedCottage can be purchased ($65,000-$75,000) or leased ($2,000 per month) and it connects to a single-family home’s electrical and water supplies.

To meet the needs of the 50+ population in Southwest, VA, we at Leisure Publishing have brought this informative guide to you. Leisure also produces the periodicals, Blue Ridge Country, The Roanoker and Mountain Homes magazines as well as many custom projects and guidebooks including the Virginia Travel Guide.

Please take a moment to navigate through the site to learn more about retiring in Virginia.

Enjoy a healthy, active retirement.

Mental And Emotional Health: Top Tips To Keep In Tip Top Shape During Retirement

1. Exercise. 30 minutes of daily exercise can improve your mood and relieve anxiety and depression. It also increases brain function since oxygen consumption is increased by aerobic exercise, which is good for brain function, according to the Mayo Clinic.
2. Socialize. Join a walking group, try a water aerobics class or simply schedule more outings with friends to the museum or a new restaurant.
3. Continue to learn. Trying different activities and learning new skills can also keep you mentally young.

“People who do the same things day in and day out seem not to age well in terms of brain health,” says Dr. David Trinkle, medical director of Carilion’s Center for Healthy Aging.

Learn to cook a new ethnic cuisine. For example, if you love sushi, buy a book or go to a class and find out how to make it yourself.

4. Stress less. Be careful not to overload yourself with too many activities all at once. While it is not good to sit at home and stare at the TV for hours on end, it isn’t advantageous to mental health to stress yourself by packing every second with appointments and classes. Stress is mentally taxing and aging. Meditation, yoga, massage and listening to soothing music are just a few ways to un-kink bunched up nerves when you’ve taken on too much. —Andrea Clark

Keeping Fit After 50: The Lateral Lunge

Retirement. A chance to tap into those aspirations you had when you were in your twenties or thirties but never got around to. Finally, time to pick up a hobby, like hiking or cycling, but suddenly your body is too stiff or your muscles move too slowly to do the activities you’ve been planning for the past 25 or more years.

Enter Krista Kurvits

As trainer/owner of Xcelerated Performance, Kurvits has made a career out of helping people get in shape. Her clientele ranges from age nine to 95, and having worked with older clients, Kurvits says one of the major setbacks she encounters in people over 50 is the fear of falling. Most injuries happen when a person moves to the side or their body does a rotational movement, and Kurvits says this is because people do everything in the forward motion. They walk and run forward, they move their legs forward when they bike, and they even lean down to pick things up in a frontward motion. So, when people’s bodies make sudden movements in directions other than forward, it often results in a fall or an injury. That means it is very important, especially in the older years of life, to train and strengthen your body to move in other directions. This will not only prevent falling and injuries, but will also improve overall fitness. Kurvits recommends the exercise below to jump-start your fitness routine.

Lateral Lunge

Stand with feet hip width apart and hands placed just behind the ears or place a wooden dowel across the shoulders onto the trapezins, the thick muscle where the neck enters the body. Step to the side going as deep as you can with control. Move back to center and go in the opposite direction. It is important to maintain good posture with your rib cage elevated and with your eyes looking straight out to the horizon. To start out, try doing five on each side. Once that becomes too easy, advance to ten on each side.

–Lauren Eubank

Fit After 50

So now that you’ve made sure you’re healthy, you think you’re done? Not so. Let’s talk quality of that healthy life. If you’re having a hard time getting out of a chair or walking up the stairs, living longer isn’t that much fun.Loss of mobility is most likely due to inflexibility and muscle atrophy. Basically, the old adage proves true here – if you don’t use it, you lose it.Krista Kurvits, trainer/owner of Xcelerated Performance, believes the biggest physical grief for people over 50 is
shoulder pain caused by upper cross syndrome. UCS can happen for a variety of reasons: sitting in one position for too long, too much forward movement and an imbalance in the muscles are common causes of this hunchbackmaking condition. If left uncorrected, problems can occur. “As a result of UCS, there’s shoulder impingement, bursitis, which can lead to rotator tendonitis and muscle tears,” says Kurvits. So what can a person do to avoid physical pain – not to mention the embarrassment of looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame? Kurvits recommends the exercise below (for a start).

Upright Row with Free Weights

With feet shoulder width apart and knees soft (not locked in place), hold free weights naturally by your side with palms
facing you. Pull in the bellybutton and tighten the pelvic floor (tighten your gluteals). Bring the chest up and engage the scapula (tighten shoulder blades a little). Squeeze the shoulder
blades together as you lift. Lift your elbows until the elbow is level with the shoulder. At the end of the movement the hands will be at the lower chest area. Slowly lower the weights (a 4-
6 count). Repeat for a total of 8 repetitions. Every week add 2 reps until you reach 14. Use enough weight to be able to complete the repetitions with good form. When it becomes too easy, go up 2-4 pounds.—Andrea Clark

Eat Well, Live Well: Valley Dieticians Offer Nutrition Tips (from ’03 Retirement Guide)

“People eat with their eyes,” says Don Menkie, a registered dietitian at Lewis-Gale Medical Center. A colorful meal assures a good variety of vitamins and minerals.

For example, yellow and orange vegetables are rich in nutrients, says Tammy Morton, a registered dietitian at the Salem V.A. Medical Center.

For seniors, nutrition is a crucial factor in staying healthy and happy. There are a few easy ways to help balance daily nutrients and calories:

• According to Morton, seniors often overcook food, losing water-soluble nutrients and enzymes.
• Morton suggests washing food under running water.” She also recommends steaming or stir-frying meats and vegetables.
• Fruits are also an important part of a nutritional diet. Jeanie Redick, a certified nutritionist suggests an automatic juicer for oranges and grapefruits and using appliances that make raw applesauce from fresh apples.
• Restaurant foods have an unusually high amount of salt,” says Martha Anderson, director of the Carilion Center for Healthy Aging. Restaurant portions are also usually too large. Anderson and Menkie suggest splitting a meal with a friend or family member.

Since joint pain is a common problem with aging adults, it’s important to take certain precautions to prevent the wear and tear on cartilage, and that includes nutritional precautions: Morton says every extra pound of body weight adds three to four pounds of pressure on the knees.

Vitamin C may help prevent cartilage loss and slow the progression of joint pain and arthritis. And, Menkie says, drink lots of water and stay active: “Staying still will only compound the problems.”

—KS

Vitamins Can Round Out a Balanced Diet…But Beware Interactions (from ’03 Retirement Guide)

Supplements are a good way to help balance the nutrients needed in a daily diet, especially for aging adults, but supplements should not be a complete substitute.

A multivitamin is a good idea for most senior citizens, says Tammy Morton, a registered dietitian at the V.A. Medical Center. It provides a “little kick” that can balance a small loss of nutrients from day to day.

Vitamin B12 is also easier to absorb in a supplement than it is in real food since B12 in food is bound to protein, which is harder to digest, Morton says.
“Both Vitamin D and B12 have absorption problems when they’re from regular food,” says Don Menkie, registered dietitian at Lewis-Gale Medical Center.

According to Martha Anderson, director of the Carilion Center for Healthy Aging, certain combinations of supplements may interact with each other or with other medications. Morton says that supplements can have side effects and toxicities just like medications.

Since patients often see different doctors that are specialized for different problems, it’s important that they have one primary doctor that knows what each medication is and can help with choosing the right supplement.

Anderson’s advice is to take in every bottle of medication in a ziplock bag.
“This way,” Anderson says, “the doctor will know what prescription drugs are already being taken and what doctor prescribed them.”

Anderson and Morton agree that all senior citizens should talk with their doctors about taking a multi-vitamin or calcium supplement.

—KS

The generation entering retirement today is healthier, wealthier and living longer than generations past. Semiretirement makes sense for those who want to put away a little more money, give back to their community through volunteering or just take time to adjust to a fully retired life.

If you’re on the verge of retirement but aren’t ready to stop working, here are a few things to consider:

• Change your working environment. Why stay in the 9-to-5 office grind? Love being outdoors? In a classroom? Miss that high school job at the bookstore? Revisit the places you love, and find a job there.

• Work for a nonprofit. Go to www.idealist.org for a list of thousands of nonprofit and community organizations needing part-time and full-time work.

• Turn something you love into something you can sell. Make jewelry, play music, paint portraits, pet-sit, write for the local paper. What do you love? Do it.

• Volunteer. If you want to stay active, but don’t need the extra income, find ways to contribute to the community. In western Virginia, the Roanoke-based Council of Community Services provides a full list of area entities www.councilofcommunityservices.org, 540/985-0131.

Some other links:
www.seniorjobbank.com, employment resources for 50+
www.seniors4hire.org, an online career center for 50+
www.volunteerfriends.org, a volunteering site for 55+
www.seniorserviceamerica.org, resources for older adults wanting to work fulfilling community needs www.seniorcorps.org, a network of volunteer programs in foster gransparenting, senior companion and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)