Useful Resources

Here is a collection of useful resources for anyone considering a retirement community and for those who have already chosen to move into a community such as RiverWoods. Continue to check this page as it will be updated regularly when we uncover new resources. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have a great new resource that you would like to share with others on this page.

Retirement Planning

If you are just beginning to think about how you want to spend your retirement years start with this white paper called Planning Your Best Retirement.

2010 US Senate Special Committee on Aging Report

When choosing to move into a retirement community it is important to fully consider the risks and rewards. Recently, the US Senate Special Committee on Aging commissioned a report on CCRCs. The report, which was initiated because of two prominent CCRCs that declared bankruptcy last year, looked at the financial risks to consumers.

The Senate report and other resources suggest asking a CCRC many questions about their financial performance and history. RiverWoods has provided answers to the most common questions on this website. For a more detailed discussion we encourage you to schedule a personal appointment with us.

Forbes, and New York Times Articles on CCRCs

Following the US Senate report on CCRCs, several national business publications highlighted recommendations for consumers interested in CCRCs. Here are the full Forbes and New York Times articles.

Understanding a Retirement Community's Financials

Once you have an idea on which retirement communities you will be considering, you need to compare them. Part of that process involved thoroughly understanding the financial position of the communities you are considering. Start with this Consumer Guide to Understanding Financial Performance and Reporting in Continuing Care Retirement Communities published by CARF, the nation's only accrediting body for CCRCs.

Downsizing

Downsizing can be a big challenge for people considering moving to a Retirement Community like RiverWoods. If you’ve lived in your home for more than 10 years, you’ve accumulated so much that it is probably getting in the way of living the life you want. At our recent downsizing event here at RiverWoods, downsizing expert Kathy Ashton and a panel of residents gave us some very useful advice on how to “start early and end happy as” Kathy Ashton says. Click the link below to hear from Ashton and one our residents on how to best tackle the challenge of downsizing.

Click here for advice and tips on downsizing your life.

Knowing the Difference: Senior Moments vs Alzheimer's Disease

Recent research reveals that people fear getting Alzheimer’s Disease even more than they fear death. With the increased attention that Alzheimer’s Disease is receiving, there are many misconceptions about what constitutes a warning sign, versus typical age-related forgetfulness. RiverWoods Continuing Care Retirement Community wants to help you clear some of the confusion surrounding this topic.

Click here for more information on the top warning signs, how to obtain a proper diagnosis and which lifestyle choices contribute to good health.

Science of the Aging Brain

New Research reveals that lifestyle choices impact cognitive wellness. Click here to visit our section on Brain Health.

Top 10 Things You Can do to Preserve Cognitive Health

Resource Page for the Adult Child

This resource page includes answers to frequently asked questions that adult children have about their parents' health care. There is also information on RiverWoods guest speaker Dick Edwards. Edwards is the author of the book, Mom, Dad...Can We Talk; Insight and Perspectives to Help Us Do What's Best for Our Aging Parents.

Click here to view our resource page for families and adult children