Smart Seniors

As a public service, the Good Brand Company produces a Smart Seniors series of video interviews with residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. These videos provide information about this types of retirement community and how to select one for yourself or a loved one.

Link to the Smart Seniors video series

I appear in the third video of the series speaking about why I selected Salemtowne as the best retirement community for me.

Door decals

Here is an interesting item for anyone's front door but especially for the doors of those with memory problems.

True Doors

Salemtowne Life

I am building a new blog 'Salemtowne Life' to provide information and tips to those interested in moving to a CCRC and to Salemtowne Towne Club members, new residents, and current residents, and to document what it's like living in a CCRC.

Tag sale

I was walking around inside the retirement center complex today when I noticed clothing laid out on tables in the craft room for a tag sale. I said, “Look at all the old, ugly, outdated dresses.” Then I noticed a side on the door that said: “Please don’t bother the clothing in this room.” So I said to the clothes “Sorry I bothered you,” and continued my walk.

Set your tempo

Workout to music? Here's a way to get in sync. Count how many times one foot hits the ground in a minute and double it to get your stride rate. Then find a song with a similar number of beats per minute, (bpm). You can search for tracks organized by bpm on the website https://jog.fm; use the Spotify app that matches your songs to your tempo, or use the Weav Run app that reengineers your favorite songs to match your tempo.

Getting older and can't find your car?

Check out this feature on Google Maps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btoIDCZB7U4&fbclid=IwAR2c0B1q8I0vWbcWu41kzhpX2B1gBRedxhqzBnrCwZhi5vABj5HIH-1w53c

Salemtowne Move-in

I got a call from Salemtowne Retirement Community on 4 NOV 18 that an apartment in the style I wanted in the location I wanted was available, so I accepted it. Since then, I have been as busy as a beaver in a virgin forest. My move-in day was 12 FEB 19 and I am almost fully settled in. My house closes on 25 FEB 19.

Transition update

Renovations to the apartment in Salemtowne are on schedule; all kitchen appliances are being replaced with stainless steel, new washer/dryer, quartz countertops, new paint, new flooring, new doors and hardware, crown molding, new bath fixtures, etc. Most of the old stuff looked new, but it's all being replaced.

I've visited, measured, photographed, and graphed about every inch of the apartment to see what would fit where, how it would function, how it would look, etc.

My sisters and I have done a lot of furniture shopping. My current furniture is still like new but since I'm transitioning into another phase of life, I decided to get new furniture. My final choice Kincaid's Foundry style for the bedroom set and the living room entertainment console, end table, and cocktail table and The Nook style for the dining table and chairs. The sleeper sofa and recliner are from Lazy Boy. My den will be my office so I choose a large Magellan Performance L-shape desk and bookcase from Office Depot. I'm donating my Wavemaster punching bag and other exercise equipment to Salemtowne; that way everyone will get to use the equipment (including me) and it won't be taking up space in the apartment. I'll store my bicycle on the balcony using a bike cover.

I set up a temporary photography area and photographed all my martial arts trophies and plaques, and then trashed them. I went through hundreds of 35mm slides and photos, kept the ones with people I knew, and trashed all the ones of places. Big Ben looks the same today as it did 40 years ago so I can just use the internet for memories. I went through every closet, cabinet, drawer, and box and donated or trashed everything I didn't need or haven't used in years. I've still got the furniture, tools, and lawn equipment to deal with.

My dog Fuji is starting to look worried about being next but he's a keeper.