RetirementHomes.com - Political Issues

House Sitting - One Woman's Never Ending Story

aadmin — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 13:56:25 +0000

Americans have specialized in alternative lifestyles that can be traced back to Thoreau’s call to step to the beat of a different drum.

California’s Kelly Hayes-Raitt has heeded a distinctive rhythm by financing a political activist’s life as a house sitter in Lake Chapala, London, Paris, Copenhagen and the outskirts of Amsterdam.

Her nomadic existence has offered the opportunity to write and edit about Iraqi and Palestinian refugees at LivingLargeInLimbo.com and by blogging for Violating Sanctions.

Hayes-Raitt is a lifelong political activist and spokesperson for campaigns championing women's rights, environmental cleanup, consumers' rights and other social justice causes.

She has house sat in Chapala, Mexico since 2010, her away home from mid-September to mid-February and from April to June.

Setting Up House Sitting Arrangements

Hayes-Raitt, 52-years-old, has established a trusted relationship with an older retired couple. They cover all the expenses of the house, including a house keeper, a pool maintenance man, and gardeners. She’s responsible for making sure the house runs smoothly during their absence, including caring for their dog.

She rents out her house in Los Angeles – an ongoing source of rental income – incurs no housing expenses in Lake Chapala. With lower expenditures in Mexico, compared to California, she saves on income.

“It’s perfect,” said Hayes-Raitt. “I love the community.” She feels she has roots in Chapala because she’s lived there many seasons. “I enjoy the house and the dog and I’m friends with the neighbours.”

HouseSitMexico.com has been an excellent web departure point for the roaming activist – and TrustedHousesitters.com – where home owners with pets search for house sitters.

Retired people in Mexico often return to the USA or Canada for medical care or extended visits with families and grandchildren – or they’re seasonal retirees – half the year in Mexico – the other back home. A house sitter ensures safety and security, especially pet care.

The Role of the House Sitter

Flexibility and a spirit of adventure are the key house sitter traits. Every home has its quirks so they need to be comfortable with pets and all household routines – and be available on the house owner’s timetable – their departures and return dates. “It requires emotional, financial, and time flexibility.”

Hayes-Raitt's resourcefulness is supplemented by“a hell of a lot of faith.” She'll leave Chapala for Los Angeles in January 2014, then off to Europe for the summer months. But she’ll be unable to firm up her plans until April or May when summer house sitting season opens across the Atlantic.

Her run-down on house sitters types:

Vacationers who want to spend several weeks or months without paying for accommodations
Toe-tippers. People who want to check out retirement in foreign communities
Entrepreneurial house sitters who create income from their rental property and pare down expenses while living in a foreign country
Writers and artists – like Hayes-Raitt – who free up time for their passion
A combination of the above

Whatever the aims for boomers and younger middle-aged house sitters, Hayes-Raitt advises that they know their goals and basic needs.

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What was 2012's Top-Ranked Senior Consumer Story?

aadmin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:27:03 +0000

A large Canadian newspaper pronounced its top-ranked consumer advocacy story for 2012. The Fixer in The Toronto Star, related that its column's finest moment of of the year was helping 90-year-old Kay Fukumoto find a safe way to a grocery story on her motorized scooter.

A sidewalk with a raised edge obstructed her scooter, and Fukomoto couldn't shop at a store that stocks her favorite pudding. After her scooter nearly toppled while crossing, Fukumoto was afraid to go back.

The Star's fearless consumer advocate took up the case with Toronto's transportation services and the sidewalk was rebuilt within a month of the story.

Fukomoto immediately had her scooter on the road and sped off to the grocery store. "You should have seen me go sailing along," she told The Star. "Grocery shopping is a delight and not a nightmare.”

The grocery store is no longer a forbidden pleasure for Kay Fukumoto.

Many residents of Assisted Living and Continuing Care residences depend on motorized scooters that are kept in fine repair.

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New Year's Resolution for Seniors

aadmin — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:55:15 +0000

One of the major themes in 2012 was the implications of an ageing population.

Prejudice Against the Elderly

A major challenge on the political 2013 agenda is the 'demographic time bomb' according to the English online source, thisis Somerset. An answer involves a thorough review of the country's aging demography with The Number One resolution – tackling prejudice aimed at the elderly.

There are more than 10 million people over the age of 65 in Britain. Add on the pressure of a growing 85-plus population, and the resolution to take seriously the aging demographic becomes clear.

Older Adults Living Longer Lives

English society's response to older adults has been unsatisfactory, wrote the media outlet. Many elderly are enjoying longer lives. This source of happiness is not celebrated, but bemoaned. Younger generations long for longevity, too.

Casting the aging population as a social burden is offensive. Progress towards a comprehensive policy for the elderly has been unacceptably slow, probably because of the money involved.

Cost of Retirement Pensions Presents Challenge

The cost of retirement pensions still presents a challenge to the England. 2012 showed an inability to provide for the senior citizens' needs. thisis Somerset called for "a coordinated, flexible mix of social care and health services," but maintained that the goal is nowhere in sight.

In North America, the demographic time bomb may force changes in Assisted Living and Continuing Care residences.

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