Archives for 2015

Want to Live Longer? Have a Sense of Purpose

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At Seachange Village Arundel, we consider ourselves to be on the forefront of active adult retirement communities. We know that today’s retiree is healthier and prefers a more active lifestyle than those in previous generations may have. Advances in the science of health have enabled people to stay young for longer, inspiring sayings such as “60 is the new 40.”

We created Seachange Village Arundel on three principles: fun, fitness and friendship. If all of those are present, it’s easy to be happy. The further along we go in our “process” of providing “seachange” to active over 50’s, the more we realise that our approach is scientifically valid. Recently, a study from Canada and the US gave us even more proof that the Seachange way is the right way.

A Purpose-Driven Life

The principles of fun, fitness and friendship not only keep us happy but also provide a sense of purpose. When you are active and have a great social life, it provides a sense of purpose that makes you wake up in the morning feeling great. As far as we’re concerned, feeling great each day is its own reward, but a recent study is telling us that there is an even bigger reward: longer life.

Carleton University in Canada recently performed a study in cooperation with the Rochester Medical Center in the US. The authors of the study, Patrick Hill and Nicholas Turiano, concluded that having direction and goals can help a person live longer, whether or not they actually achieve those goals.

The authors concluded that those who reconnect with passions they couldn’t pursue when they were working, such as painting, music, writing and gardening, can add years to one’s life.

At Seachange Village Arundel, you can wake up every day with a sense of purpose. You can enjoy the 5-Star Country Club, which includes an arts and crafts room and a workshop in addition to teppanyaki barbecue and even a dance floor. There are sporting facilities such as a floodlit tennis court onsite and some of the best recreation the Gold Coast has to offer is within a 20 minute drive.

To learn more, call us today: 1800 652 797.

10km Run for Cancer

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IN AN EFFORT to increase their fitness Seachange staff members Kathleen, Cate and Rachel are currently training to participate in the Seachange sponsored 10km Run for Cancer.

Looking for a healthy activity to be involved in the girls set their sights on the 10km run more than a month ago and have been regularly training, despite the cooler temperatures.

Not just in it for their own benefit, the girls are also using the run to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“It was always our intention to raise money,” says Kathleen. “Our target was $1,000 which we have already reached, and there is still two weeks to the event.”

The Leukaemia Foundation is a cause close to the hearts of many, but one participant in particular Rachel has had direct contact throughout the successful treatment of her son.

“I’m sure there are Seachange residents who have been affected by Leukaemia,” says Rachel. “The Foundation do so many wonderful things and we girls think it’s important to raise awareness of this.”

Keep an eye out for the girls on the day in their bright pink singlets and give them an encouraging wave and clap.

Following the great response they have had the girls have increased their target to $2,500. To make a donation visit the Everyday Hero website or call in to the Seachange Village Arundel Welcome Centre, open 7 days 9am to 5pm.

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Can Having a Great Group of Friends Help Prevent Dementia?

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When we decided to develop our active adult living community in Arundel, we decided to build them on the principles of friendship, fun and fitness. We know that today’s senior citizen is a lot more active than those of previous generations. We checked out a lot of communities before creating our active adult living model.

In our active adult living community, friendship is at the forefront. Not only are you encouraged to bring your old friends, you will make plenty of new friends at Seachange Arundel. There are plenty of social opportunities as you live an active lifestyle among kindred spirits.

We feel that fun, friendship and fitness are their own rewards, but a recent report from Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) indicates that friendship may have more benefits than we knew. The report is called “World Alzheimer Report 2014: Dementia and Risk Reduction” and covers many factors in the causes of dementia and the prevention of dementia by removing the causes.

According to the ADI report, cognitive stimulation is showing signs of being helpful for preventing dementia. In addition, depression is seen as a factor that increases the risk of dementia. At Seachange Village Arundel, we think the lifestyle, especially the social factor, provides cognitive stimulation and helps seniors fight the onset of depression because the risk factor of isolation is removed from the equation.

Revisiting a California Study from 2008

In 2008, a study was performed in California on 2,249 women. Its purpose was to determine if having a large social network would provide any protection from dementia. The study found that the women who had large social networks were 26% less likely to develop dementia. If they had contact with friends and/or family on a daily basis, they became close to 50% less likely to develop dementia.

Are You Ready for a Seachange?

To learn more about how you can live in an active adult community where your friends will be right next door, call us today:1800 652 797.

Central Location Appeals to Residents

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SEACHANGE Village Arundel sets it’s self apart from other over 50’s lifestyle resorts because of the convenience of its central Gold Coast location.

The resort is set amid the shopping and active living options of the fast-growing northern Gold Coast which ensures a relaxed and entertaining lifestyle for its residents.

Seachange homeowner Peter Misak is one resident who knows he made the right decision moving to the resort. “The reason I picked Seachange over the other 24 places we looked at over a two-and-a-half year period, was because of all the surrounding amenities just a short walk away,” Peter said.

Mr Misak, who is semi-retired, went on to buy and run the popular local cafe located in the shopping centre in greater service to the community. The Arundel shopping centre directly across the road includes a tavern, pharmacy and a Coles supermarket. Less than 10 minutes’ drive away there is the Harbour Town Shopping Centre and Westfield Helensvale.

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As well as shopping convenience, Seachange Village Arundel offers easy access to a host of leisure activities including the Gold Coast’s best beaches. It is also a golfer’s paradise located less than five  minutes from the Arundel, Parkwood and Gold Coast golf courses.

It has easy access to transport, including the M1 freeway, Helensvale railway station is five minutes away, plus the bus stop is located directly outside the main gates.

 

Seachange Project Director Phil Goodman said the resort was a shining example of the Seachange philosophy of ensuring that all its developments offered residents a true resort lifestyle.

“A key requirement of any Seachange lifestyle resort is both a central location  and ease of access to surrounding amenities for its residents,” Mr Goodman said.

“This community fully delivers on that expectation with unmatched access to every service and facility that people need to stay active, healthy and engaged and nourish their mind, body and souls.”

As seen in Gold Coast / Tweed Seniors June 2015 and Gold Coast Bulletin Time For Life 18 June 2015.

9 Benefits of an Active Lifestyle

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At Seachange Emerald Lakes, we feel that we are providing one of the best active adult retirement resorts in the world. We have a world class, 5-Star country club and facilities that promote an active, social lifestyle. In addition, we are less than twenty minutes away from every imaginable activity, from golf to the beaches.

Our core principles are friendship, fun and fitness. Not only is Seachange Emerald Lakes a great place to live, the lifestyle we enable for our residents carries a host of health benefits. Even those who just choose to walk the surrounding 13km of walking paths are going to be healthier and happier.

Here are nine benefits of having an active lifestyle. While we offer numerous opportunities for more strenuous exercise, all of these benefits can be gained by simply walking for thirty minutes a day.

Stronger Heart

Exercise lowers your risk of stroke and heart disease. It makes your “bad cholesterol” or LDL levels lower while raising your “good cholesterol” or HDL. It also lowers your blood pressure. Walking for 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes by as much as 27%.

Lower Risk of Disease

Those who exercise are statistically less likely to sustain asthma, diabetes and many forms of cancer. According to the British Medical Journal and the charity “Walking for Health,” walking can lower the risk of diabetes by as much as 60%.

Less Weight Gain

Exercise burns calories, increases metabolism and improves muscle tone. To have stable body weight, it is important to burn at least as many calories as you eat each day. Burning 600 more calories than you eat each day will result in noticeable weight loss.

Helps Prevent Dementia

Anecdotal and observational studies indicate that those who exercise can be up to 40% less likely to have dementia. Those who are active usually score better on brain function tests. According to Age UK, exercise may prevent brain shrinkage, which may be a very important factor in keeping one’s memories intact.

Helps Prevent Osteoporosis

Weight bearing exercise helps prevent osteoporosis by helping the bones retain minerals such as calcium. This is an application of “Wolff’s Law,” which states that bone adapts to the loads placed on it. More exercise produces stronger bones.

Body Toning

Exercise tones your body. This not only feels healthy but looks much better, too. A toned body is also at less risk of injury from falls or accidents.

Boosts Vitamin D Levels

Appropriate Vitamin D levels are crucial for health. Any outdoor exercise boosts your Vitamin D levels because you are in the sun. While we recommend sunblock, we also recommend getting outdoors for at least a half hour a day.

More Energy

Sayings such as “use it or lose it” or “you get what you give” have been proven to apply to your energy level. The more you exercise, the more energy you have. Having more energy makes you feel more alive from the minute you awake in the morning until you go to bed at night.

Mood Elevator

Exercise makes us happier. Exercise can increase levels of endorphins and serotonin. Many psychologists and doctors believe that exercise is one of nature’s best antidepressants. We concur. A charity called “Mind” did a survey in which 83% of the respondents said they use exercise to help elevate their mood.

The Seachange Emerald Lakes Lifestyle

At Seachange Emerald Lakes, you will be surrounded by great facilities and kindred spirits. Whether you like to walk, play tennis, work out, play golf or go to the beach, you can find what you need to be active into your later years on your own terms.

Active over 50’s are happier and healthier than those with sedentary lifestyles. When you are in a community where it is so easy to make friends, it is a lot easier to stay active. You will have so much fun at Seachange Emerald Lakes that fitness can seemingly happen on “autopilot.”

To learn more, call 1800 559 669 today.

Construction May 2015

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The community at Seachange Emerald Lakes continues to grow with 28 homes now occupied.

Internal electrical and plumbing rough in has been completed in the Country Club.

Country Club is progressing well with internal sheeting ready to commence.

Six waterfront slabs have been poured with the first frame being erected.