Autumn is here, and for some of us the leaves aren’t the only thing that’s falling, our mood is too. You may have noticed a decline in your energy levels, or be feeling, as the young like to put it, “meh“. If you’ve found your mood has dialled back since the clocks wound back, read on. We provide some simple insights on emotional well-being during the cold, winter months. Lower your expectations when it comes to exercise When you’re low on energy, everything feels – so – much – harder. Finding the strength and willpower to get up and out is challenging. I think we all know how important exerci ..read more

Life is a series of stages. Often, our priorities around what we want in a home shift as we move through these different stages. Single adults, couples, parents of young children, parents of teenagers, and retirees can all have vastly different criteria around what’s ideal for them. In other words, as our needs change, so do our home preferences. Our society is deeply familiar with the conventional ownership structure – you purchase a small unit or townhouse, spend years striving to pay it off, accumulate equity, and then upgrade to a larger house. Repeat. We become locked in this cycle of pur ..read more

We are social creatures, and our need for connection is wired from birth. Throughout our lives, we form relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. These social ties provide us with emotional support, a sense of belonging, and a source of companionship. In late adulthood, friendships play an even more important role. Yet, as we age, our social circles can shrink. We retire from work, our kids move away, and loved ones pass on. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. More than that, it can cause depression, impaired cognitive functioning, and poor physical health. Friends ..read more

For many of us, helping our parents downsize and transition to a new home later in life is a journey filled with complex emotions. While retirement village living offers security and community as they age, we know the move from the family home can also bring up feelings of sadness, loss, and change. As children, we want nothing more than to support and care for our parents in their golden years. Yet this transition often requires delicate navigation and open communication between generations to balance independence with support. If you and your parents are currently working through this proces ..read more

Our vibrant, connected community takes the festivities to the next level, creating an uplifting atmosphere that keeps spirits high! At Settlers Lifestyle Village (Settlers), we understand that Christmas is not just about marking the occasion but coming together as a community. Celebrating as a community that feels like extended family is one of the things that makes our village so unique. What’s on offer? So, what does Settlers’ offer during this festive season? The whole package – bow and ribbon included! Our residents come together to decorate the Christmas tree, just like a family would. B ..read more

Choosing a retirement apartment is a big decision, so what should you take into account? We’ve talked to people who moved from their family home to a retirement apartment. Listed below are some of the factors they considered prior to making their decision. It isn’t an exhaustive list, but it might give you a few things to think about if you’re apartment hunting. Do you have a favourite part about where you live now? Are you currently living in a house? Making the transition from a house to an apartment is a big change. You want to be sure that you don’t have to compromise your comfort and priv ..read more

For the third year running, Settlers Lifestyle Village has proudly taken the title of “Best Large Retirement or Lifestyle Village North Island” in the Aged Advisor’s coveted “People Choice Awards” category. The Aged Advisor Awards have run since 2015 and recognise the best retirement villages in New Zealand through the collation and review of the opinions of over 8,000 residents from more than 770 villages. Settlers Lifestyle Villages team is moved by the recognition from their residents as leaders in the North Island. Settlers Lifestyle Village centres itself around resident wellbeing, connec ..read more

At our village, we adhere to a number of values that we believe play an important role in our residents’ well-being. We focus on one of these values every month. For September, we will explore the importance of vitality in our lives and how it can benefit us as we age. Vitality Is The Fullness Of LIfe It is said that “youth is wasted on the young?” Many of us do not appreciate our vitality until it begins to wane. Being involved in a community that is vibrant and energetic is an excellent way to ensure that we remain active, mentally sharp, and socially engaged. If you don’t have to worry abou ..read more

Friends are an important part of our every day, especially as we get older. Without work to keep us busy, our time should be filled with people whose company we genuinely enjoy, and who bring out the best in us. Our buddies don’t have to be bound by age. Intergenerational friendships can be some of the most rewarding relationships of all! While independent senior living villages are great, it can mean we get stuck in our community of hive minds. Younger friends give us a chance to learn new things & impart our wisdom. Plus, they most likely have a little more energy to ..read more

Christmas is a time for us to come together as a family and create new memories in that familiar place that means so much to us all. For many of us that means gathering together in the family home. But what happens when it’s time to consider selling the family home? Our emotional attachment to our homes I was fortunate to grow up in the same family home. My mother still resides there today after 40 years. However, it is more than a home, it is “the homestead”. Our extended family refers to it as our marae – the meeting place, as we have gathered as a family there since 1981. All the highs of l ..read more