Working During Your Retirement

Your retirement dream can include anything you want it to – even you continuing to work once you’ve “punched the clock” for the last time.

According to careerbuilder.com, “Sixty percent of workers age 60 and older said they would look for a new job after retiring from their current company.” Many residents at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community choose to continue working part time once they’ve settled in to retirement life, and their motivations differ.

Some retirees continue working because they enjoy having a supplemental income to help them and their spouse truly enjoy their “Golden years.” Others find that they find fulfillment in their life from having a job or career, and that isn’t something they would like to truly give up once they’ve reached retirement age.

Holding a job also means that you get a sense of teamwork and social interaction mixed with exciting daily challenges. And while we love the sense of community that our residents have told us they feel on campus, we understand that sometimes you need some social interaction on both the badminton court and in the boardroom.

Plus, technology today allows for more convenient work lifestyles, including jobs that allow you to telecommute.

And if you’re going to be a working retiree, we’ve got a great location to do so. Forbes.com included Pittsburgh in its list of great cities for a working retirement, citing our high job growth rate and low cost of living as pluses.

Retirement is about making the most of your time, so if you aren’t ready to hang up that suit and tie, don’t forget that there are still great job opportunities to be found past retirement age!

Take Up a Hobby in Your Retirement

Retirement is the perfect time to really take advantage of that newfound free time. While there might be a hobby that you already have in mind – maybe something you’ve always wanted to try but figured you didn’t have the time – Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community also has a variety of classes and activities to get the ideas flowing for your new hobby!

A Variety of Healthy Activities

You can achieve two things when you take up a hobby that is also healthy for you. Staying physically fit can be a challenge when you are attempting to do it with an activity you don’t enjoy. But we’ve got plenty for you to do in order to keep yourself busy and fit, including:

A badminton court

  • A bocce court

  • A fitness center

  • Walking paths

  • Wimbledon croquet

  • Tai chi classes

  • Yoga classes

  • Interactive Nintendo Wii games

Here are some ideas of hobbies you can do on your own, too:

  • Buy a DVD and keep up your fitness in your living room

  • Watch healthy YouTube videos

  • Take up cooking as a hobby and learn to prepare healthier foods

 

A Look into the Arts

Getting creative in your free time is a great way to express yourself and turn it into something beautiful. We are a big fan of the arts at Sherwood Oaks, which is why you can:

  • Regularly attend free performances like a Tribute to Frank Sinatra

  • Spend time in our arts and ceramics studios

  • Make a masterpiece in our woodworking shop

On your own, you can consider taking part in these hobbies:

  • Photography, sharing your work with friends and family on websites like Flickr

  • Learn a new language!

  • Buy a sketchbook and learn how to draw

  • Have movie viewing nights at your patio apartment

 

Make Use of that Relaxing Time

There are some days where you just simply need a time to wind down and de-stress. For those days, we have activities like:

  • A billiard room where you can challenge someone to a friendly game of pool

  • A horseshoe pit

  • An indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi

  • A library filled with knowledge waiting just for you

  • A practice putting green for perfecting your swing

  • A greenhouse and garden plots for those with green thumbs

Some other activities to do on your own:

  • Start a blog about an activity you’re passionate about

  • Take up playing an online game (but don’t get too addicted!)

  • Start a book club with friends

  • Host a board game night and crown someone the king or queen of Monopoly


Sherwood Oaks residents – what hobbies have you found the time for in retirement? We would love for you to share!

Stay Healthy and Active in Retirement

It can be a struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle in your retirement, but we like to think we make it easy at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community.

We have a fantastic fitness center available to residents at no additional cost to your package. The fitness center is run by Wellness and Health Promotion Manager, Mr. Bill Burtner. Bill is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania holding a master’s degree in sports science who is also a Certified health Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Bill serves as a personal trainer to each of our residents. After their move-in, Bill contacts new residents and invites them to visit the fitness center, where he can evaluate their health and goals and design a personal workout plan just for them. Our other more structured work out options include weekly exercise classes, Tai Chi, yoga, aquacize, and therapeutic massage.

In spring, summer, and fall, Bill also conducts a walking program and walks with our residents around our 84-acre campus.

For those who like to do their workouts on their own, our fitness center includes top-notch Keiser strength machines which operate on pneumatic air pressure. We also have treadmills, steppers, bicycles, and rowing machines, all accessible 24/7 to fit the schedules of our residents. Our campus also includes wooded trails and paths around our lake, and connected covered walkways between patio homes that provide three miles of cement walkways, perfect for connecting with friends while getting a healthy workout in.

There is no reason that you cannot have a relaxing retirement that also involves regular, healthy workouts. For more information on the fitness options available to you at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community, watch this short video or call us at (800) 642-2217.

10 Reasons to Love Summertime in Pittsburgh

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy your city. And luckily for our residents at Sherwood Oaks retirement community, we’ve got quite an exciting city to explore. In fact, in June, the “Best Cities To Retire In America List” named Pittsburgh the best metro area for Boomers to retire in.

This is partly because of the easy access to healthcare that comes with Pittsburgh’s top-quality healthcare systems, such as UPMC. However, the vast array of activities for retirees in close distance to Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community is another reason our residents are going to have plenty of fun in the sun this summer.

Here are the top 10 reasons we LOVE summertime in Pittsburgh:

  1. Free Summer Concerts – Pittsburgh has birthed musicians such as Dean Martin, Perry Como, and George Benson. We continue to keep the tradition of musical excellence going all summer long with free and low-cost concerts throughout the city. Visit Hartwood Acres for their summer concert series, featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and folk rock singer Rickie Lee Jones. Or grab lunch in Market Square downtown and take advantage of their free Lunchtime Concert Series, as well as other events throughout the summer.
  2. Phipps Conservatory – The Phipps Conservatory public gardens are perfect for those Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community residents with a green thumb, or just an appreciation for one. Seniors 62 and older can visit Phipps for just $14 and take in the beautiful array of flowers and plants all day long. From now until September 2, enjoy the featured Butterfly Forest.
  3. PNC Park – PNC Park has been referred to as one of the top ballparks in the country. And with the Pirates on a winning streak this summer, it’s a great time to pay a visit! With a wide variety of summertime food favorites and discounted tickets from Giant Eagle, you can spend a night at the ball game that will leave your stomach – and wallet – full.
  4. Culture – There is no denying the rich culture that Pittsburgh has to offer. This summer, pay a visit to one or many of Pittsburgh’s wonderful museums, including the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center, and the Fort Pitt Museum, just to name a few. Each of these museums have a senior citizen discount.
  5. The Pittsburgh Zoo – The Pittsburgh Zoo is a great place that our residents can enjoy with their children and grandchildren. Grandparents even get free admission on Grandparents’ day when accompanied by a grandchild! When visiting on a normal day, be sure to use your senior citizen discount and stop by to see the newborn baby tiger!
  6. The Strip District – If you’re looking for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pastas, and more to whip up a great summer dish, look no further than the Strip District. For our residents who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, we recommend picking up ingredients at the shops and stands of the culturally eclectic Strip District. While you’re there you can also enjoy shopping for delicious foreign foods and souvenirs for friends and family that are uniquely Pittsburgh.
  7. Kennywood – Kennywood has been entertaining Pittsburgh residents since 1898. Since that time, their selection of rides for visitors of all ages, shows and entertainment, and food options have expanded immensely. Seniors 55+ can get a fun day pass for just $19.99. And July 11, 15, 30, and 31 are Kennywood’s Boomer Days, featuring a DJ playing oldies but goodies in Pavilion 1.
  8. The Duquesne Incline – The Duquesne Incline offers a breathtaking view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington, with plenty of dining options near the lookout. It’s the perfect afternoon “staycation” for couples.
  9. Local Parks – Pittsburgh has plenty of beautiful city parks, great for enjoying some fresh air and getting in some exercise by biking or walking. Most parks offer events all summer long, so be sure to check out the Citiparks website for a full list.
  10. Cinema in the Park – One fantastic park offering is the Cinema in the Park series, with movies being shown throughout the city – for free!

While we offer only the best in living arrangements to our residents, we encourage them to get out of the house and enjoy all of the summertime activities that Pittsburgh has to offer. What are some local activities and attractions that YOU recommend?

 

Free Moving Services Program Offered by Sherwood Oaks

Selling your home and moving to a new residence can be a time consuming and overwhelming process. Having the expertise of professionals who are knowledgeable about the real estate market, enhancing the look of your property, and assisting with the organizing and moving services can make all the difference. That’s why Sherwood Oaks retirement community has unveiled a new moving services program to assist incoming residents to our retirement community. And, the program is free.

“The goal of the program is to help new residents maximize the profit on the sale of their home and experience a smooth transition when settling into their new retirement residence at Sherwood Oaks,” says Katherine Vojtko, Vice President of Sherwood Oaks. “The program is free and open to Sherwood Oaks clients who are preparing to sell their home. Residents can take advantage of the many program benefits that cover home selling, moving and organizing help, and financial services.”

Two top area realtors, Howard Hanna and Prudential Preferred Realty, have been selected to participate in the Sherwood Oaks Program as Preferred Realtors. Both companies are well-established and each have certified Senior Real Estate Specialists who are trained to navigate the market and counsel 50+ clients through major lifestyle transitions involved with relocating and selling the family home. Both companies offer similar advantages and will rebate the home seller 10% of the gross commission on the sale of the home.

To participate in the Preferred Realtor portion of the program, an approved resident must pre-register for the program and use one of the participating real estate companies.

Additional program benefits:
A free home staging evaluation to enhance your home’s appeal to buyers. You will receive expert advice for getting your home in prime showing condition. Simple solutions like removing clutter, rearranging furniture and freshening paint colors can make a big impact. Using principles of function, flow and design, staging professionals will provide tips that will help make a home market-ready and appealing.  Click here to read about more staging tips.

Receive up to five free hours of a professional moving organizer’s time to help you manage packing, organizing, and unpacking at your new residence. Who couldn’t use help to get the packing process started and keep it organized?  And since the moving organizer is familiar with Sherwood Oaks residences, you’ll get the added bonus of advice about specific furniture pieces and placement at your new residence, too.

Special financial services including the choice of three Sherwood Oaks refundable entrance plan options. Depositors who participate in Sherwood Oaks’ Preferred Realtor program may be eligible for a bridge loan for all, or part, of the entrance fee.

Katherine Vojtko says the program streamlines a complicated process and makes it easy for residents to begin retirement life at Sherwood Oaks retirement community. “It is one of the best move-in packages for a retirement community in Western Pennsylvania.”

To register or learn more about the Moving Services Program, contact the Sherwood Oaks marketing team at 1-800-642-2217.

10 Things to Enjoy on the Sherwood Oaks Campus

10 Things to Enjoy on the Sherwood Oaks Campus

1.  The feeling of safety and security knowing that this retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks, is a gated community with 24-hour security.
2.  Relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty as you stroll along any of the many scenic walking trails on campus.
3.  Fishing with your grandchildren at the lake at this retirement community PA.
4.  Hosting family and friends for a picnic at the Summer House.
5.  Having guests for an extended stay on campus at the Oak Lodge.
6.  Walking through the Trillium garden, the largest and most varied collection of native Trillium anywhere in the area.
7.  Enjoying the rock garden and native meadow as you stroll through the North Woods.
8.  Planting and tending to your own vegetable or flower garden in the raised beds at this retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks.
9.  The peace of mind knowing that your future is secure and care is close by when needed.
10. Sharing dinner with friends wile overlooking the lake at this beautiful retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks.

Sherwood Oaks Offers an Unbeatable Move-In Program

Selling your home and moving to a new residence can be an overwhelming process if you’re not prepared. Having the experience of professionals can make all the difference.
“The goal of the program is to help new residents maximize the profit on the sale of their home and experience a smooth transition when settling into their new retirement residence at Sherwood Oaks,” says Katherine Vojtko, Vice President of this retirement community PA. “New residents can take advantage of the program benefits, many of which are free, that cover home selling, moving and organizing, estate sales and interior design services.”
Contact this retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks, and schedule a visit and tour to find out more about how we can help make your move an easier transition with our move-in program. (800) 642-2217.

Continued Learning at Sherwood Oaks

This time of year something special happens at this Retirement Community PA,
Sherwood Oaks. The Continued Learning Committee present their highly popular
schedule of classes. All classes are free and begin at 10:30 a.m.
(unless otherwise indicated). All are open to the public.
Call (800) 642-2217 to register for any of these free classes.
October 3, 10, 17 & 24….. Dr. Bill Markus, retired Chair of the Political
Science Department at Duquesne University,
shares his keen observations of world events.
October 4 ……………………… Musician and teacher Jno (John) Hunt will
present a program on “Tin Pan Alley” musicals.
October 5 ……………………… Pittsburgh History and Landmarks
Association, “Celebrating Pittsburgh.”
October 11 ……………………. Jerry Andree, Cranberry Twp Manager.
October 12…………………….. Gerry Frankovich presents
“The Story of Football.”
October 12 ……………………. Sherwood Oaks resident discuss current events
in a program titled “News and Views.” 4 p.m.
October 18…………………….. David Newell shares his recollections as
Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
October 19…………………….. Krista Ball discusses how The Caring Place
helps children (and adults) cope with grief.
October 25…………………….. Gary Augustine discusses “the Civil War:
Causes, Courses and Legacy.”
October 26…………………….. Civil War re-enactor Susan Thomas showcases
“Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy.”
November 13 & 14………… AARP Driver Safety Class. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$12 for members, $14 for non-members.

Want to learn more about this active Retirement Community PA? Call for more information or a tour! (800) 642-2217.

What is the Difference Between Lifecare and Rental?

What is the Difference Between Lifecare and Rental at this Retirement Community in PA?

Our research has shown that most people move to Sherwood Oaks because of Lifecare. They want to know that they have guaranteed healthcare from a quality provider at this retirement community in PA, and are willing to pay a refundable entrance fee for this assurance. Lifecare gives seniors peace of mind because they don’t have to worry about paying high “out of pocket” costs for nursing care.

However, many seniors want all of the amenities of Sherwood Oaks without the entrance fee, and they choose our Rental program. The Rental program gives residents a beautiful place to live and all of our amenities with a month-to-month rental contract. Rental fees are affordable, and seniors choosing this option enjoy priority access to continuing care, if needed in the future.

Email Sherry Cook cookca@sherwood-oaks.com or call her at (800) 642-2217 if you’d like to learn more about these options at this retirement community in PA.