The Press and Journal Retirement (September 28, 2018)

Retirement opens up a whole world of opportunities

by Mary Halley

T

he time comes when many, if not all, of us start to think about our lives after work.

And with that brings a lot of questions – will we retire (or maybe just partially retire)? When

will we do it? What will we do once we don’t have jobs to go to every day? Where will we live?

The answers to those questions are made easier when you know you have a secure income for the future – whether it’s through work and private pensions and savings, or

even through property (which is catching up to workplace pensions as the area most people consider safest when it comes to saving for retirement, according to a recent ONS survey).

Doing some calculations and budgeting for retirement will allow you to plan for the future.

Many of the other puzzle pieces for retirement are best organised before that final day at work. Estate planning, travel planning, making decisions about where to live – all of these can be done ahead of time, meaning that once retirement starts you can just

enjoy it without having to face difficult choices at a time when you should be taking it easy.

The fact is that regardless of other factors, the one thing retirement gives people is more time. Time to spend with family and friends, time to travel and enjoy the finer

things in life. Time to relax. And it’s up to the individuals to decide what they want to do with all that new found time.

There’s definitely plenty of choice out there – retirees often benefit from special offers and deals not available to the working

population. You can also take advantage of offpeak holidays – avoiding the crowds of families and picking up a bargain at the same time.

So when it comes to retirement, the question isn’t what will you do, it’s how will you fit it all in?

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL Friday, September 28, 2018

RETIREMENT 3

Is Private Healthcare working for you?

I

t is an unfortunate fact that, as retirement looms, we are likely to make more use of the healthcare system. For many, this coincides with a need to decide whether to continue to pay for the private medical insurance (PMI) that had always been available through work. Will this provide the best chance of staying fit, healthy and active? Or given that insurance premiums are rising all the time is it an unnecessary expense? After all we’ve all contributed to the NHS throughout our working lives!

The NHS dominates healthcare in the UK and there is no doubt that compared with other systems worldwide, the UK’s is one of the most efficient (Compare

the US situation) but the system is creaking! This is partly because of increasing demand but also, post 2008, due to rigid spending constraints. For a consumer of healthcare this means that although we can still access the best emergency care, cancer services and primary healthcare without having to pay we may have to accept longer waits to see a doctor or for investigations.

For routine procedures waiting lists are growing and some operations are no longer offered on the NHS. Although this might not be life threatening it may interfere with your normal activities and things you would want to do.

What of the alternative?

Does private

healthcare offer value for money?

Unfortunately traditional private healthcare in the UK is relatively expensive i.e. a typical PMI premium in the UK is twice that of an equivalent in Spain and 80% higher than in Australia. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the dominance of a few major hospital groups had adversely affected the UK private healthcare market. Fortunately since this report there have been a number of newer initiatives and alternatives to traditional private healthcare. The concept of valuebased healthcare in the private sector has been driven forward by clinics such as the Aberdeen Clinic (TAC).

Ken Park, clinical director of TAC,

explains: “There is an increasing realisation that many procedures don’t require hospital stays and can be performed as an out-patient on a walk-in-walk-out basis. For example patients can have minimally-invasive procedures for varicose veins and walk out of the clinic within 30 mins of treatment, the same is true for lots of minor surgical procedures such as hernia repairs – this not only reduces the costs it also makes the procedure more accessible to more patients.”

This is very much the trend in many healthcare systems throughout the world. The important thing is to ensure that the outcomes are not in anyway compromised.

Chas Ogilvie director

of nursing at TAC expands: “The ethos at the Aberdeen Clinic is to ensure everyone gets the same high standards of care we would expect ourselves. Our continuous audits show that this is the case with excellent clinical outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction”.

It is important to ensure that patients are treated in the right place for their particular problem.

New technologies that facilitate care pathways are helping with this.

Amir Khan, of eHealth Solutions who are working with TAC to introduce similar systems in other specialties, said: “The use of a cloudbased IT platform has allowed us to ensure patients are signposted to the right person/ place straight away. In Manchester we were able to ensure that patients with back pain needing to see a specialist did so with no delay, whilst the majority of patients were seen and treated very successfully by a physiotherapist.

It meant that the service was cost effective and very efficient -benefiting both NHS and private

Ken Park, clinical director of TAC

patients alike.”

To get the most from such initiatives requires a change to a more integrated care system. Ken Park feels “The traditional model of private health care has limited its application in the UK. At the Aberdeen Clinic we don’t compete with the NHS but rather hope we complement it i.e. our diagnostic endoscopy service provides a very efficient service with no wait. This means we can provide a cost-effective solution to the patients who want to go privately but also ease the NHS waiting list burden.”

If private healthcare is to be a part of an individual’s future plans it is important it is affordable.

The standard PMI

premium goes up with age and it is not unusual to be faced with a yearly premium in excess of £1,500. A number of companies have come up with schemes to reduce this depending upon consumers’ requirements. The important thing is to determine what you want and look at each of the insurance providers as the premiums and cover do vary dramatically.

Perhaps the best way of insuring your health though is to look at your lifestyle and assess how this might impact on your future health.

Stopping smoking, reducing weight, drinking sensibly and eating healthily are likely to be the best health investments you can make.

4 RETIREMENT

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL Friday, September 28, 2018

Modern bungalow living in Aberdeen’s west end F

ollowing its introduction to the UK housing market in the late 1800s, the bungalow rapidly became a popular choice for homebuyers, who were attracted to the ease, convenience and lower running costs of its single storey design. Today, national homebuilder Dandara is catering for local demand for this popular house style, with their range of contemporary new bungalows at Hazelwood.

Featuring familyfriendly features and flexible open plan layouts offering easier access, Dandara’s 21stcentury designs have been created to suit modern lifestyles.

Located in Aberdeen’s popular west end at the awardwinning Hazelwood development, Dandara’s range of bungalows deliver on comfort, style and quality and are available in two and three-bedroom semidetached, detached and dormer-style options.

The Lime is a charming two-bedroom bungalow, available as a semi-detached or terraced property with prices starting from £319,950. The open-plan loungedining-kitchen area is perfect for entertaining family or friends and the bi-fold doors from the dining space provide easy access to the rear garden.

The master bedroom has its own en-suite shower room, and bedroom two benefits from a full ‘Jack and Jill’ style family bathroom.

The bathrooms come complete with wallmounted basins and chrome towel rails.

The Holly is an elegant two-bedroom detached or semidetached bungalow with a single garage and features a stylish openplan lounge-diningkitchen area, complete with German kitchen and integral appliances.

The contemporary bathroom includes concealed storage and a heated towel rail, and there is additional storage space in the

hall. Prices start from £322,950.

Peter Best, sales director for Dandara, says: “The addition of our bungalows at Hazelwood have been hugely popular and its fantastic to see such a revival of these house types.

“Our two-bedroom Holly bungalow is a perfect option for downsizers or those just looking for a more stylish, accessible space in Aberdeen’s newest west end community - it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular home and we have a limited number of these properties remaining.”

Hazelwood is also home to the recently unveiled dormer bungalow, the Rowan.

This stunning threebedroom home provides the features of a traditional bungalow but with a first floor hosting a spacious master bedroom complete with a walk-in dressing area and en-suite.

There is also a further

The Lime Open Plan: The Lime offers living space perfect for entertaining double bedroom and a contemporary family bathroom upstairs.

The property has a ground floor bedroom with en-suite, a spacious lounge with double doors leading to

the open-plan kitchendining area at the rear and bi-fold doors provide access to the rear patio and garden.

“The Rowan is an exciting addition to Hazelwood and offers a uniquely modern take on a classic style. Available from £399,950, this stylish home includes ondrive parking and a downstairs bedroom with an en-suite, providing additional access and peace of mind for those who need it,” said Peter.

The Lime, Holly and Rowan feature under floor heating for added luxury and every home comes with an NHBC 10-year warranty for extra piece of mind.

Street view Rowan: The Rowan offers a modern take on the classic bungalow style

Hazelwood is perfect for those who want to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle just a short stroll from the picturesque Hazlehead

Country Park, and a brief car journey away from Aberdeen International Airport; D2 and ABZ business parks; and some of the

with central heating and hot water provided by energy-efficient, gasfired boiler systems, which can make them up to 50% cheaper to

“

Dandara’s 21st-century designs have been created to suit modern lifestyles.

”

area’s most popular schools.

run than a Victorian property.

In addition to offering award-winning design and build quality, Dandara’s new homes are highly insulated and fitted with thermally and acoustically efficient double-glazed uPVC windows as standard,

For more information about Hazelwood, and Dandara’s other developments across Aberdeen, call the sales suite – open seven days – on 01224 310 178 or visit www.dandara.com

The importance of having your hearing checked

W

e get our eyes checked and we get our teeth checked routinely but we don’t get our hearing checked.

loss can lead to social isolation; feeling of loneliness and in older people is linked to cognitive decline, depression and dementia.

World Health Organisation says untreated hearing loss carries a greater health risk than smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

A study from John Hopkin University and the National Institute of Aging shows individuals with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from dementia compared with people who retain their ability to hear.

Addressing hearing loss early is key, when it comes to the human body “use it or lose it” is a slogan to live by.

Hearing loss effects people in many ways, it impacts on a person’s ability to communicate, socialize, learn, work and enjoy life. Hearing

Just like the muscles in our body atrophy or reduce in size if we don’t use them, the same is true of our hearing; auditory deprivation can result in “hearing atrophy”.

Don’t delay, get your ears checked today, it maybe wax causing your hearing to be impaired this can be removed easily by micro-suction at Bryce Hearing Services on Rose Street. You can also get a hearing test and a free 30 day hearing aid trial.

RETIREMENT 9

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL Friday, September 28, 2018

Living your life with the best company in Deeside

I

f you or a loved one are looking for a home which feels like your own home then Abbeyfield Scotland’s lovely house in Deeside would be ideal. Set in the village of Torphins, Abbeyfield House is perfect if you are over 55 and looking for a bit more help with meals and want to live in a safe, secure area.

The house is suitable for couples too, who don’t feel ready to move into a care home environment.

With only a short walk to the local facilities in Torphins, there is a well-stocked local shop that serves the community and is a good place to meet neighbours. The village is perfect for people who want to pick up a daily newspaper and have easy access to transport links. The bus route to Banchory and Aberdeen runs regularly.

We are celebrating two achievements at the house - our service standard has just been reviewed and has recently achieved high grades (all 5) from the Care Inspectorate for the care, support, management and leadership at the house. We have also completed a refurbishment programme included a brand new kitchen and the communal areas of the property have also been upgraded to a high standard.

Our reception and front sitting/dining room have been appointed with quality furnishing and fittings complimented and dressed in finishing touches reflective of modern living within rural Aberdeenshire.

onto the large wellmaintained garden.

Some apartments are big enough to accommodate a couple and for pet owners, well-behaved beloved pets can also move into the house with you.

Abbeyfield is ideal for people looking to take the pressure away of maintaining their own house and garden while enjoying good home cooked meals and company when they want it.

company of their housemates.

Families of people who live at Abbeyfield House tell us that the house is a really special place and while we are not a care home, at Torphins residents can organise carers as needed should any resident need additional support.

Carolynn Malone from Abbeyfield Scotland said: “At Abbeyfield we often hear from the families of people who need extra support but who are reluctant to leave their own home.

Abbeyfield is ideal for people looking to take the pressure away of maintaining their own house and garden while enjoying good homecooked meals and company when they want it.

Loneliness can be very debilitating for anyone but it’s particularly common in older people. Abbeyfield offers a warm, friendly and secure environment that gives people peace of mind.

Our accommodation sits within a modern purpose-built property close to the centre of community activity.

There are eight spacious rooms which are all on the ground level with en-suite facilities and patio doors leading directly

The social spaces are very important for any Abbeyfield house and at Torphins there is a large lounge and dining area plus a second lounge where residents can make their own tea and coffee while they entertain visitors or simply enjoy the

Our residents enjoy socialising and there is always company. We usually have a waiting list for this house but we now have some lovely rooms available.”

To find out more about life at Abbeyfield please contact Carole Foreman on 07880037518 to arrange an informal chat or arrange to drop in to have a look around the accommodation.

Abbeyfield Scotland Ltd,14 New Mart Road, Edinburgh EH14 1RL Tel: 0131 225 7801 n www.abbeyfield-scotland.com

10 RETIREMENT

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL Friday, September 28, 2018

Where gracious living comes naturally I

f you’re over 55 or looking to retire soon Inchmarlo Retirement Village is a place where you can live life at your own pace, be it slow or fast and all speeds in between.

Located on the old Inchmarlo estate the village is set in 100 acres of rambling woodland and beautifully tended gardens, right in the heart of Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. So when you wake in the morning it’s to a chorus of birdsong, not a cacophony of traffic.

Saunter through beautiful grounds and there’s every chance that you’ll meet a deer, or two, or several.

And keep your eyes open for red squirrels, herons and ducks.

It’s a sociable community too. Go through hoops on the

croquet lawn, hole out on the nearby golf course and hob-nob with other home owners in the bar at Inchmarlo House.

And the bustling town of Banchory is just minutes down the road, with the northern lights of Aberdeen only 21 miles away.

When it comes to security Inchmarlo Retirement Village must be one of the safest addresses in Britain, with 24-hour security staff keeping an eye out.

Peace of mind of a different kind is at Inchmarlo House, now a 5* care home. As your needs change, help and support is always close at hand and delivered direct to your door.

It’s all part of the principle of continuing care that Inchmarlo was founded upon,

providing a quality of life throughout retirement.

There’s a big financial benefit to living at Inchmarlo too. By delaying a move to a care home, through using pay-as-you-go Lifestyle Services provided by Inchmarlo House, you could save around £30k per annum.

Across the nine neighbourhoods homes range from one-to-four bedrooms, all well-proportioned and spacious. Prices start from £100,000 for a 1 bedroom flat.

Come, look around, and meet neighbours.

n To find out more call 01330 826242 or email dawn.ronaldson@ inchmarlo-retirement. co.uk

Every one of our retirement homes comes with a 40 acre garden.

And a team of gardeners.

Remember Flower Power? It’s alive and well in the gardens at Inchmarlo.

You can enjoy the handiwork of our green-fingered workers everywhere (they do the spadework so you don’t have to).

Then, slightly off the well-manicured path, our woods are home for red squirrels, deer and all kinds of birds.

And while woodland and gardens surround the village, the whole estate is surrounded by the regal grandeur of Royal Deeside.

Homes at Inchmarlo range from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, all well proportioned and all carefully designed for retirement living.

An added comfort is Inchmarlo House. This magnificent Georgian mansion is now a care home, so as your needs change help and support is right on your doorstep.

Here too is a private lounge for homeowners’ events and a bar/restaurant serving dishes inspired by Michelin starred chefs.

To find out more call 01330 826242 or email sales@inchmarlo-retirement.co.uk Then come and see why Inchmarlo is the ideal spot to put down some roots.

RETIREMENT VILLAGE

Where Gracious Living Comes naturally

12 RETIREMENT

THE PRESS AND JOURNAL Friday, September 28, 2018

Take a mini cruise - maxi style Ron Smith lets the ferry and the train take the strain on a mini cruise to Amsterdam.

L

et’s face it, going on holiday for us north and northeast folk nearly always means going south, which can be wearying.

Travelling should be a pleasant part of the holiday, not such a painful experience that you need another holiday to recover from the journey.

The solution is to go by sea to the continent.

The most northerly ferry to “abroad” is now the DFDS service from Newcastle. From Aberdeen, I took the 9.52am London train down to Newcastle, where from outside the railway station there are dedicated buses to the ferry terminal.

Now this really is the way to travel. My comfortable cabin was on the Princess Seaways. She and her sister King Seaways shuttle each night across the North Sea. They have been recently upgraded and are superb. There are lifts and staff on hand so that anyone with reduced mobility will not

have a problem.

Exploring the ship was fun too; there are two main restaurants, bars, two cinemas, “kidz club”, casino, coffee shop, pubs, a shop, nightclub with a live band, and even the “sky bar” up on deck 11. This is very popular, watching the sun setting over the wake as we cruise down the North Sea. My dinner was booked in the North Sea Bistro. It was an experience, to be sitting at a table, next to a picture window, watching the sea and the waves, eating great food.

Not having the stamina for bingo or dancing, I had an early night. Many people are feart of sailing in case they are sea sick. I have been on these ferries a few times now, including once when the waves were spraying over the bows - but still the ship was stable. In fact the only zombies I saw in the morning were folk who had partied the night away!

Breakfast is a help-

yourself buffet - great value for money - and you could eat yourself silly. It was interesting to see the different folk – tall, elegant Dutch people, families, parties, a great mix of people.

We arrived bang on time at 9.45am. Now a great advantage of the mini cruise is that you are returning on the same ship that night, so you can leave your gear in your cabin and travel light. Last year, I had travelled this way to go to the Keukenhof Gardens www.keukenhof.nl/en.

They have over 7 million bulbs of 800 varieties, all blooming between March and May. The package includes the ferry, bus to and from the gardens, and entry as well. I was going on to Amsterdam this time, and again, there are connecting buses waiting for you (and much better quality buses than the Newcastle ones).

Talking to the other passengers, I found that some were going on by train from

Tourists take a photo with the ‘I Amsterdam’ letters outside the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Central Station (there are direct trains to France, Belgium, Germany and so on) and as we arrived in the morning, they could be in Berlin by the afternoon. One Dutchman told me that he loved Scotland, especially the Borders.

He had taken the ferry and hired a car in Newcastle, which was waiting for him at the ferry terminal. He said car hire was cheaper than in the Netherlands, and also he saved by cruising across as a foot passenger. I was surprised at the

three buses of people doing what I was, just visiting Amsterdam for the day, it is a popular excursion! The majority of passengers were returning home to the continent, or going on to many destinations by car, bus, campervan or motorbike.

I particularly wanted to visit the hidden church, built in 1663 by cutting through three floors of three houses.

It is called “Our Lord of the Attic”, see www. opsolder.nl/en. This is a five-minute walk from Central Station where the bus drops

you. Another eight minutes’ walk took me to Rembrandt’s House.

He died in 1669, so next year will see a lot of exhibitions of his work. His house is very well preserved, well worth a visit, see www. rembrandhuis.nl. A quick tram ride will take you to the Rijksmuseum, home of so much art that you really need a whole day just here, but possible for a few hours’ visit. While waiting for the return bus, I saw that a lot of the passengers were loaded down with shopping bags; Amsterdam is

clearly a great shopping place. As you are in Amsterdam for only four to five hours, you have to be selective, but it is time enough to see a lot.

As a very civilised way to get to the continent, the ferry cannot be beaten. For a mini cruise it is great, and is definitely the way travel should be.

To find out more about the ferry service and to make bookings go to www.dfds. co.uk and for more information about the Netherlands see www. visitholland.com