How To Stay Stimulated During Retirement

When transitioning from full time work to retirement, life can become very difficult and even confusing for some. At first, it may seem like something you have always wanted, though as time goes on and if you are not staying active, life may not seem as fulfilling as it once did. At Tribute Homes in South Carolina, our inviting, friendly, and active retirement communities offer residents a chance to take control of the new life chapter they’re entering.

One rule of thumb for keeping both your brain and body stimulated during retirement is to take on new activities that you find fulfilling and meaningful. Now is your chance to be creative—become a volunteer at a museum, take up a new past time, or maybe plan weekly nights out with your friends or family. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something that you’re passionate about, as this will bring a sense of fulfillment to your time.

If you’re able, traveling is always a great option for staying on the path to a mentally and physically rewarding retirement. Traveling anywhere for any length of time will be something that can keep you motivated both physically and mentally. Experiencing new places and surroundings is a way to build strong relationships with others as well as the relationship you posses with yourself.

Now that you are retired you still must concern yourself with staying active and keeping yourself in a healthy physical state. It may be easier and tempting after years of work for you now to spend your days on the couch. Though there’s nothing wrong with sitting back and relaxing now and then, it’s important for everyone to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Whether it be taking classes at the local YMCA, joining a gym, or just taking a daily walk, physical activity is a proven necessity for a happiness, health, and longevity. Setting active goals for yourself will keep you motivated and feeling great.

Use the time and energy you once spent on work-related goals and turn the concentration to setting and achieving new life goals for you’re future. During retirement, you’ll have more time to truly focus on what may have been put on the back burner all of these years. Taking a few moments to write out your goals will allow you to visualize and conquer your desires.

If you’re nearing the age of retirement, our staff at Tribute Homes in South Carolina encourages you to contact us today to learn more about our retirement communities that provide residents with everything they’ve been seeking for a new part of their life. Call Tribute Homes today at (800) 381-2984 or visit us on the web at www.tributehomesusa.com.

5 Great Exercises for Staying Limber

Remaining loose and limber in your senior years is not impossible. With some dedication and a daily routine of a few simple exercises and activities, your body can remain flexible and pliable throughout your golden years. Here are five great exercises/activities to consider:

Swimming

Long known for not only it’s refreshing effects, swimming offers great advantages to those who may be suffering from arthritis or other forms of diseases that have brought on stiffening of the limbs. Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout and uses many different muscles, joints and ligaments, strengthening and limbering up stiff areas of the body. Breast stroke, back stroke or doggy-paddle your way to a healthy limber body!

Walking

Walking is not only a pleasurable experience it is one of the most desired of all activities for remaining fit and limber. Depending on the pace and severity of the walk and trail, this activity can burn some serious calories all while enhancing endurance and strength. Be sure to take along some water to rehydrate, especially during the hot summer days when you will lose a great deal of water during your walking workout.

Yoga

Yoga has fast become a popular fitness activity, and for many reasons. Posturing, breathing techniques, stretching and meditation all combine to make it one of the most physically stimulating exercises leading immense flexibility and limberness for those who engage in it. Additionally, yoga is a form of relaxation that brings great peace and tranquility to the soul, warding off sickness and fighting depression.

Golfing

Golf enthusiasts know firsthand the wonderful benefits of a good game on the green. From social stimulation, to quiet time alone, golfing offers you an opportunity to walk and move about at your own pace for as long as you desire. The fact that you are outdoors is another physical benefit to the game.

Strength Training

One thing that seniors face as they get older is the loss of muscle mass. A great way to prevent that from happening is to develop a mild daily or weekly routine of strength training. Whether you decide to use free weights or a machine, the results will be a more limber body, reduced muscle loss and toning. Be sure to begin with light, easy weights and give your body a day’s rest in between workouts. Focusing on certain sections of the body at one time works well as you can schedule your upper body one day and then your lower body the next.   

Staying limber in your senior years can be a lot of fun and you will reap tremendous rewards for doing so. Have fun!

Tribute Homes specializes in building retirement communities for active adults 55 and over in North and South Carolina. For more information, visit us at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us at 800.381.2984.

Picking the Perfect 55+ Community

When it comes to setting down for the golden years, boomers should make sure their choice meets their social, cultural and recreational requirements.

No one knows 55 communities and retirement home buyers better than Tribute Homes. A leading new home builder with resort-style homes in hot retirement spots Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, we have a pretty good idea what it takes to help you discover the

retirement community that is perfect for you.

Determine Your Retirement Priorities

The best way to begin your 55 community hunt is to take stock of the life you want to live in your retirement. Some of those priorities might include:

●Climate

●Proximity to Amenities

●Cost of Living

●Active vs. General Community

●City, Country or Beach Living

●Activities

If you are like most retirees, you will opt for an active adult living community that caters to recreational and social activities. After all, retiring from work is not the same as retiring from life. As a matter of fact, retirement is when the living begins!

Most baby boomers want convenient availability of amenities. Clubhouses, fitness centers, recreational facilities, hiking, walking and jogging trails and cultural events are at the center of their retired, yet active, lives.

Conduct a Financial Background Investigation

Prior to moving into your perfect 55 community, be sure to investigate it thoroughly for any financial cracks or concerns. This is crucial, as there are many communities with serious financial problems, either present or soon to come. Some of the major issues to watch for are foreclosures and non-dues paying residents which lower property values and create negative, tense atmospheres in neighborhoods. A good idea is to obtain past financial statements, condo/HOA association documents, and HOA minutes.

Another good way to research a community is to study it online. Demographics can be extremely insightful when it comes to getting a snapshot of a certain 55 community. This is another good way of conducting important due diligence that will greatly pay off in the end.

Pay Them a Visit

There is nothing like being there when it comes to getting a good feel for a 55 community. If at all possible, take the necessary time to go and visit several communities that may be of interest, even staying a night or two. Be sure to talk to current residents to find out just what 55 living in that community is really like. Also, be sure to explore the surrounding area of the community. Take a drive out to the local areas where the supermarkets and stores are located. This is another great way to get an idea of the lifestyle that you will be investing in.

Tribute Homes specializes in building retirement communities for active adults 55 and over in North and South Carolina. For more information, visit us at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us at 800.381.2984.

Growing Old Gracefully

It’s inevitable; we all have to grow up sometime. But, how well we do in how older years and how gracefully we mature all depends on our outlook in life. Can we accept the unstoppable aging process? Can we grow old gracefully, with joy and happiness found in the moment instead of lamenting over “the good old days”?

It’s All a Matter of Perspective

How you perceive your life in your adult years has a great effect on how gracefully you live it as you get older. Let’s face it; no one wants to get old. With a youth-obsessed society that idolizes being young, growing old gracefully can be a challenge, if not downright depressing. A mental shift in thinking is the only way you can find joy in the fact that you are no longer 40.

Who Said Life Stops Here?

For active adult seniors, living life to the fullest often begins after retirement. The satisfaction that comes from reaping the rewards of sowing a good life is just beginning. Many seniors find that during their retirement and golden years, having the freedom to pursue passions and enjoy life on their terms brings an enormous amount of contentment and peace which they never knew during their 9-5. Freedom is a big thing. And it’s the one thing that growing old gracefully provides.

Beauty in Wisdom

There is something to be said for passing along the acquired wisdom of life to those coming up behind you. Youth and vitality can be impressive and exciting, but wisdom lends a stability and direction to life for those who have journeyed into maturity. Take the time to invest in others to help them through life’s difficulties and you find much happiness in doing so.

The Spirit is Alive and Well

Although the old guy or gal ain’t what he or she used to be on the physical level, the spirit is still alive and raring to go. Learn to appreciate this season in your life by tending to your spiritual inclinations and possibilities, and focusing less on what your body can’t do.

Keep Fit

Since most aging baby boomers are highly active, physical activity is a must for growing old gracefully. Keeping fit increases vim and vigor, and with 60 being the new 40, life on the physical level may change, but it certainly doesn’t need to stop.

Get out there, enjoy your life and grow old gracefully. This may be your finest hour!

Tribute Homes specializes in building retirement homes for active adults 55 and over in and around Charlotte, NC and Charleston, SC. For more information, visit us at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us at 800.381.2984.

Creative Retirement Ideas for Seniors

Great retirements don’t just happen; they are planned.

So, you’ve given up the 9-5. Now what? If sitting around in a rocking chair doing crossword puzzles and watching Wheel of Fortune sounds a bit boring and mundane, then consider these retirement ideas that will keep you active, fit and young at heart throughout your golden years.

Ageless Activity

For most baby-boomers and beyond, recreation is not only vital to a healthy body and a sound mind, it’s in their blood. With ever-increasing life spans, longevity is dependent upon activity, and nothing can be more rewarding than getting outside and enjoying nature’s beauty. Hiking, walking, jogging, biking, swimming, golfing and a host of other fun fitness endeavors stimulate the mental faculties and keep the body in a healthy place during the aging process.

Reinvent Yourself

For 55 folks, retirement is not a cease-all time, but a period in life where they actually invest themselves in those things that make them truly happy. Work was work, but in creative retirement work can now be fun; not a humdrum necessity. Second careers and pursuits of life-long dreams never fulfilled make for great solutions for creative retirement. Doing something you always wanted to do can be one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences you will ever know.  

Continuing Education

Adult learning centers aren’t thriving for no reason. And, seniors make up quite an impressive percentage of those in attendance. Just because you advance past the age of 55 doesn’t mean you know it all. Taking classes in things they never taught you in school is one of the most mentally stimulating activities an active senior can engage in. Classes and training in areas such as technology and computers are fast becoming the wave of the retirement future for many mature adults, especially those over the age of 65. Curiosity doesn’t retire just because you do.

Get Creative

Tap into the artist in you by exploring your creative passions and talents. Do you love writing? Are watercolors and pastels calling your name? Do you have the voice of an angel? Challenge yourself to pursue those deep desires within yourself and you may be surprised where they lead you. Many retirees have found their true calling in life after 55. That’s the nice thing about retirement; having the time to really live life the way you want to live it!

Tribute Homes specializes in building retirement communities for active adults 55 and over in North and South Carolina. For more information, visit us at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us at 800.381.2984.

Tips for Retirees: Choosing an Active Adult Living Community

This may come as a bit of a surprise, but the truth is, most retirees actually prefer to sell their homes and live in active adult communities. The answer to that demand has been an enormous increase in active adult living developments and homes around the country. With so many 55+ active adult living homes to choose from, how do you know which one to pick? No one understands active retirement than new home builder, Tribute Homes. Developed specifically with the goal of creating convenient and
carefree living for active adults and retirees, Tribute Homes’ resort-style houses are located in areas that cater to active adult living. Below, you will find a list we put together of some important things to consider when choosing an active adult living community.

Choice and Convenience

Since active adults prefer to live in communities that offer a variety of things to do, finding an area rich in entertainment, culture and outdoor activities, such as golfing and trail-walking, is a good place to start. Location and convenience are also important to consider when researching different active adult living communities. Neighborhood developments in close proximity to shopping centers, public transportation, banks, freeways, parks, golf courses, recreation centers, and the like, are highly desirable for active, carefree senior living. While convenient location for everyday affairs of life is superb, being close to family and friends is also something to be considered. If you’re a grandparent that loves spending time with your grandchildren and is closely tied to family, living too far away should not be your first choice. Studies show that retirees and seniors who maintain close family relationships suffer far less from loneliness and depression.

Safety First

Surveys show that 54 percent of active adults and retirees ranging from 62-75 years of age state the top reason they elect to live in active adult communities is the feeling of safety and being close to others. In situations where an emergency arises, having a close-knit community adds both safety and protection.
Other safety factors to consider are controlled access and guarded entries, as well as property structures, grounds and maintenance. Most homes built in active adult living communities are well-manicured and maintained in order to comply with HOA rules and regulations. Due diligence on the neighborhood watches and requirements always comes in handy.

The Ideal Home is a Tribute Home

Tribute Homes suggests that the main feature any active adult living home should have is a first floor master bedroom. View our floorplans. Railings, low-step and no-step entrances, wheelchair access and security features all make for safe, hazard-free environments that prevent accidents and add comfort to the home.

Amenities

Clubhouses, fitness rooms, social centers and parks are amenities nearly every active adult retiree desires. Community and connections are important to seniors so activity centers of any kind are important like golf courses and swimming pools, bar-b-que areas and equestrian centers. The more activity, the better!
Tribute Homes builds resort-style retirement homes for active adults age 55+. For more information, visit our website at www.tributehomesusa.com or give us a call at (800) 381-2984.

Tribute Homes’ Healthy Heart Tips for Seniors

Tribute Homes understands the importance of a healthy heart in seniors. With heart disease leading the way for deaths among people over the age of 50, our active adult community building mission is to provide living environments that foster active and healthy lifestyles which help reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are a few tips we came up with for maintaining a strong, healthy heart in your senior years:

Exercise
Cardio exercise is one of the best things you can do to remain healthy and your heart will thank you for it. Activities such as walking, jogging and swimming are ideal ways to strengthen the heart muscle and increase endurance. Cardiovascular workouts also help with weight management by raising metabolism and increasing circulation which can deter weight gain and painful circulatory issues in the future.

Eat Healthy
We know it’s all been said before, but diet and nutrition play a vital role in the health of your heart. That said again, seek out healthy foods that compliment your body and lifestyle. Drink a good amount of water and choose diets rich in fiber. Caffeine, sugar, salt and junk food should be kept to a minimum with fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats making up most of your diet.

Don’t Smoke
Smoking isn’t just bad for the lungs it’s also a major contributor of arteriosclerosis and heart disease and should be avoided at all costs. Smoke diminishes and reduces the amount of oxygen in your body, reducing activity levels and leaving you with an increased risk for heart problems.

Relax and De-stress
Stress can lead to a host of physical problems including the sudden onset of a stroke or heart attack. It is critically important as seniors to find positive ways to deal with and eliminate stressful situations and allow your body to relax and enjoy what it was made for – healthy living! Yoga, meditation, listening to nature sounds and soothing music have powerfully calming effects that are great for relieving stress and tension.

Go Light on the Alcohol
Drinking small amounts of alcohol can be beneficial for the heart, but too much of a good thing is not so good for seniors. One drink per day for women and up to two per day for men is sufficient. More than that can lead to an increased risk for heart disease. Another common ailment in seniors is the tendency toward dehydration and because alcohol is a diuretic that causes the release of vital body water, moderate intake is highly recommended.
Here’s to your heart’s health!

Tribute Homes builds 55+ communities for active senior adults in North and South Carolina. For more information, visit our website at www.tributehomesusa.com or give us a call at (800) 381-2984.

Tips for Retirees: Lowering Your Taxes

We at Tribute Homes strive to make retirement as simple and carefree as possible for retired seniors. Our active living retirement homes are more than just brick and mortar; they are a mission built on providing our homebuyers with a comfortable and financially beneficial lifestyle in their adult years.

One of the great things about Tribute Homes in North and South Carolina is the tax benefits that come from moving to, or living in, the sister states. In addition to some great state tax incentives, however, there are other important deductions that can help lower taxes, such as:

Medical and Dental Treatments
Healthcare costs and medical bills make up the largest expense for retirees. The good news is much of your medical care costs are deductible. That can include insurance premiums (including Medicare and Long-term), prescription medications, and nursing home and assisted living care centres. Although medical expenses are deductible only when they exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI), for most seniors that limit is often attainable.

Retirement Plan Contributions
Being retired does not mean you can’t make tax-deductible contributions to retirement plans. You can still lower taxes by contributing to a traditional IRA, Roth IRA or 401(k), deducting the amounts from your retirement income. If you own a business, as many retirees do, you can establish SEP-IRAs, Simple IRAs, Keogh plans and solo 401(k) plans that allow higher contribution limits for those 55 and over.

Investments
One of the best ways to earn money when you retire is by way of interest, dividends and capital gains from investments. Unlike employment or business income, dividends and capital gains are not subject to social security or Medicare taxes, and they are limited to a 15 percent maximum tax rate. Additionally, most fees associated with a variety of investment and accounting services may also be counted as deductions.

Business Expenses
Many retirees continue to run their own businesses and find it a great way to lower taxes. All business expenses incurred may be deducted, along with the cost of any equipment used for business purposes, whether at home or in an office.

Charitable Donations
Retirees love giving back to their communities, and their charitable contributions make great itemized deductions that can help lower taxes. Cash donations of up to 50% of the AGI can be annually deducted, and property donations, although with a few more limitations, can really add up to some great tax write-offs.

Tribute Homes builds retirement communities for active senior living in and around Charlotte NC and Charleston, SC. For more information on our new retirement homes call us at 800-381-2984 or visit us at www.tributehomesusa.com

A Volunteer’s Guide for Active Adults

Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences for active senior adults. Being a volunteer inspires and motivates you to get out and get involved in your community. Investing your time and talents to help others provides the rich returns of remaining active and connected in your retirement years.

Make New Friends

One of the number ways in which volunteering keeps adults active and connected is by introducing them to other people. Making new friends, socializing and forming new relationships are vital to a happy and healthy lifestyle. This also helps prevent loneliness, which is a common problem among retirees.

Volunteer Your Time and Talents

Many organizations partner seniors with volunteer work and the list of opportunities are endless. Whatever your volunteering call may be, there’s a place out there that can use you. Volunteer needs can include tutoring, coaching, hospice care, petsitting, cooking, making clothes, painting, singing, the list goes on. Volunteering is based on passion and talent, so find something you are good at and enjoy doing and become a volunteer!

Start at Home

Is there someone in your neighborhood whom you could volunteer to help with something? Yard work? House cleaning or babysitting? Dog walking? Volunteering your time in your neighborhood can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding experience that not only introduces you to those around you, it also builds a wonderful sense of community and neighborly atmosphere.

Tribute Homes specializes in building retirement homes for active adults 55 and over in North and South Carolina. For more information, contact us at 800-381-2984.

www.tributehomesusa.com

Science Says Pet Ownership Increases Health and Happiness in Seniors

Companionship is critical for sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle in your senior years and nothing can give that more faithfully than a pet. Whatever your personal preference may be, having a pet has been scientifically proven to significantly increase the life and health of their senior owners.

Random Acts of Kindness

Just the simple act of holding or petting your beloved animal can eliminate symptoms of depression and fatigue, which are often tied to loneliness and lack of companionship. Having a warm, loving pet-friend is nature’s way of bringing that vital resource of love we all need to feel valuable and alive.

Health Benefits

Seniors with health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lethargy and a decrease in physical activity have experienced tremendous relief by owning a pet. Walking a dog, grooming, feeding, and all around caring for a pet, leaves seniors with a sense of purpose and significance. These powerful stimulators have enormous effects on the heart and circulation, leading to an increase in activity and positive thinking.

Pet Matching

There are a number of organizations that specialize in matching pets with seniors. The key to a successful match is in knowing what type of animal best fits your lifestyle. For those more prone to walking and physical exercise, there is no beating a canine companion. Seniors who prefer more of an indoor pet that requires less attention but offers immense love, a feline friend just may be in order.

Whatever your choice pet turns out to be, you will be provided with happiness and friendship for years to come, reaping many great health rewards along the way!

Tribute Homes builds resort-style retirement homes for active adult seniors. For more information on active senior living and active retirement communities, contact us at 800-381-2984. 

www.tributehomesusa.com

It’s an Active Kind of Life

Active living tips for retirees


Living an active and vital lifestyle once you retire does not have to be a chore. Nor should it be. After all, retirement is leisure. It’s doing what comes easily in the way of satisfaction and fulfillment, minus the 9-5.


On the flip side of that leisure coin, however, lays the challenge of remaining active in your senior years. With that daily routine of toil now gone, that can be a bit more difficult than many retirees bargained for and they often fall into a sedentary lifestyle rather quickly.


Truth be told, retirement and senior living can be active and invigorating just by following a few simple guidelines:


● Retire from toil, not fun! - Retirement is the time to enjoy and pursue those things you did not have the chance to get around to before. It’s the season to self-indulge; doing what makes you truly happy. Find something you always wanted to do and do it.
● Stay social - Being socially connected with others is critically important to your mental and physical well being, especially during your senior years. Clubs, co-ops, musicals, support groups, concerts in the park are fantastic ways to meet new friends, find new interests and cultivate vital relationships.
● Exercise - Physical and mental exercise are equally important for an active and healthy senior life. Walking, meditation, swimming, card games and crossword puzzles are great ways to keep the mind sharp and attentive, and all have proven beneficial to enhancing short-term memory.
● Diet and nutrition - One of the most important active living tips for retirees involves diet and nutrition. Healthy living requires healthy eating. Depending on your own personal health, smaller, more frequent meals, more water (try some mint or lemon for flavor), and fiber-rich foods are a great start to any good eating plan.
● Invest in others - Volunteering your time and talents to those who need it is one of the most satisfying experiences retirees often speak of. Sharing knowledge and wisdom – leaving a legacy – is a remarkable way to remain active during those years of retirement.
● Community activities - Especially important for those living in senior housing are the community activities. Social get-togethers, live entertainment, exercise classes, etc. make for lively and active senior living community. When considering a retirement living community, be sure to look for one that fosters an active lifestyle by offering an assortment of social and physical activities.


For more information on Active Senior Living


Visit : www.tributehomesusa.com/active_living

Featured Home of the Week: Edgewater – Montcrest $ 252,900

Location: Lancaster, South Carolina

Home Main Features:

• 3 BR/3BA
• 2,686 sq. ft.
• 2 Car Garage with Full Driveway
• Lake Front Boat Docking Lot
• 9' First Floor Ceilings
• Luxury Master 
• Butler's Pantry
• Second Level Guest Suite
• Master Sitting Room
• Great Room Fireplace
• Lanai

Designer Package includes:

• Stainless Steel Appliance Package
• Granite Countertops (kitchen and baths)
• 36" Kitchen Cabinets
• Hardwood Flooring (kitchen and foyer)
• Ceramic Tile Bath Flooring

Edgewater – The Montcrest: Property Highlights 

A stunning resort-style community resting on the beautiful shores of 3,300-acre Fishing Creek Lake, the Tribute Homes exclusive 55+ retirement home offers seniors a rich lifestyle of activities at an unprecedented value. The sparkling community is equipped with an 18-hole golf course and features such amazing amenities as:

• Social Center
• Golf Clubhouse
• Lakeside Park
• Miles of Walking Trails
• Lake Club
• Water Park
• Equestrian Program
• Tennis and Athletic Club
• Boat Club
• Public Marina

The immaculate retirement community of Edgewater – Montcrest is ideally located only minutes from Columbia and Charlotte, and just a few short hours from Myrtle Beach, Charleston and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Tribute Homes builds in three Edgewater neighborhoods, The Cottages, The Reserves and The Links, with prices ranging from the $100’s to the mid $200s.

Retirement in the Carolina’s never looked finer!

For more information on Active Living Retirement Homes by Tribute Homes, 

visit: www.tributehomes.com