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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 23, 1998 1 By IRENE GENTLE Special ta the Champion June is Seniors' Month and in Milton, 7,423 residents are eligible, at least by age, t0 take part in the celebrations. In as littie as two years, that number is expected ta jump ta 10,000 plus. That means it may take more than a littie jump-start- ing of present programs and facilities ta ensure that Seniors' Month in 2000 is a celebration rather than s lament. Sa far the celebration sang is stili in the air, oniy it might be just a littie off-key. Programs are in place for Milton seniors, framn bingo and dance classes ta social meet and greets aimed at keeping seniors from being swalaowed by the solitude aid age often brings. A law-cost taxi service is in place, where seniors hobbled by il-health sheli out just $2 ta get anywhere in town. For the seri- ousiy iii, there are long-term care buildings such as Aliendale. Thaugh the waiting list can be long, the 300-bed facility is attempting ta meet the growing demand by adding 50 new beds. For active seniors who don't plan on ietting aid age interfere with their fitness and quaiity of life, there are also mail walks, retirement lectures and dance classes. The in-betweeners Stiii, what about the in-betweeners? These are the seniors who are not ready for Alendale yet but who can't quite manage beng on their own, either. At present, thase seniors couid give supportive housing coordi- natar Stephanie Schouten a cali. Since 1993, Ms Schouten has warked ta assist these in-betweeners in finding a safe place ta stay. "My pragram is for when people are getting close ta needing fuli-time care," said Ms Sehouten. "They aren't quite eligibie for that yet, but they do benefit from being iooked after a bit." At present, Ms Schouten has just 17 units in twa separate seniars buildings dedicated ta these types of clients. As the baby- boomers edge towards elderiness there is talk of additionai unts in a third building becaming availabie for suppartive housing. Other groups, such as Hoiy Rasary Church, are getting in the act ta deveiop new seniors buildings. In tbe meantime, these in-between seniors iargeiy remain last in the system. Even seniors with a fair amount of independence can face obstacles that threaten ta take the shine off the golden years. Loneliness a problem With loneliness being a key issue in many senior's lives, that means a fair part of Ms Schouten' s day is taken up just talkng ta residents of local senior's buildings. "A lot of them are lonely. This worid is busy," said Ms Schouten. "Family members are caring but their time is limiited." When friendly visits become scarce, seniors may find them- selves overwheimed by some everyday, practicai aspects of life. "A persan caming out of the hospital may have three weeks worth of mai] waiting for them. 1 help them sort through it," said Ms Schouten. "I heip them with paperwork, ike filling out insur- ance ciaims sa they can get glasses and things." Eventuaiiy, even basic domestic chores such as coaking can be *see MILTON SENIORS on page 10 1N Is Photo by GRAH-AM PAINE Joy Anderson la among many wha help coordinate increasing in demand over the next few years, according activities for local seniors, activities which MilI be steadily to population estimates. They can help you play ca tch up in your retirement planning By IRENE GENTLE Special to the Champion When it camnes ta retiremnent savinga. the golden mile is ta start when you are young. Sa what happens when the golden years are fast approaching and your retrement nest egg is in desperate need of padding? "If somneone has put off saving the biggest issue is, wiii they have enaugh maney," said Angela Alexander, in charge of accounts and investments as the Royal Bank Milton Mal branch. "Mast of themn aren't going ta if they didn't start out at age 30 or 40." Stiil, saving for retrement is kind of like adopting a healthy lifestyle. It's neyer taa late. That means if middle age is staring you in the mirrar and you've barely a nick- el in your retirenient fund, the best advice ",,We get tons of people hn thefr SO's comlng in te reireflent planning."e is ta mun ta a financial planner. Better yet, sprint. A financiai pianner can do twa things yau may nat be able ta do on yaur own. The first is ta cut through the fear of an impoverished aid age. The second is ta, draw a reaiistic fmnancial picture in which now and where you want ta end up. -What we do is a personai assessment, which takes in the person's reai estate holdings and persanal assets," said Ms Alexander. "Then we find out what their expectatians are. Do they want ta live an $15,000 or $50,000 a year?" Armed with the facts, a tinancial planner is able ta offer best bet suggestions ta meet personal savings goals. That can be any- thing from reverse mortgages, where equi- ty is taken out of homes and used for lifestyle expenses, ta penny-pinching sav- ings strategies. "A lot af people who are in their fifties and know they should have saved but didn' t are mare than wiiling ta work anoth- ,see BETTER on page 9 " Asss-, Allocation Si " Limnited Partnershi " Mutual funds " Life & Disability1 ,ervices - Financial/Retiremnent/ Estate Planning [Ps - Tax Planning & Deferrals *RRSP's, RRIF's Insurance e "in house" seminars for any of the above & more! __ we» OMOM Nwff - «~ WA 0Omm mm" "Umm Sc ci e.,c ma. cp cU. au We try to put some fun into establisbing your finances. Great People/ Great Coffe ~*-.~ 4310 Main St. E., Trafalgar Square, Milton Ph: 875-3237 uonaasonnougun iuniu ~ M ~éIkf ~mFax: 875-4962 nimp:"www.%»"mu.%ë%oumw 487lLauier Ave., j ~R Seniors' programs may be tested in future irzirialicial Serviccs. WC arc Y<:ur Sp Donaldson Bourgon manciai 3ervicm wRmàmcmw irt, - - -I.L