Enjoy a Complimentary Meal and Warm Company with Us - RSVP Required @ Aveo Retirement & Aged Care

bonky on 09/06/2022 - 13:40 aveo.com.au (281 clicks)
Last edited 09/06/2022 - 17:42 by 2 other users

As the weather gets cooler, what better time to feel the warmth of an Aveo community? We’d love to welcome you to get a taste of what retirement living is like with a menu inspired by resident favourites.

You’ll also have the opportunity to tour some of our villages, meet the residents and chat with our friendly team.

All attendees to Aveo events must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect the residents and staff in our communities.

Select communities only, tables are limited. RSVP is essential by Sunday, 19 June 2022. We look forward to welcoming you.

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19 Jun 2022

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Aveo Retirement & Aged Care

closed Comments

easternculture on 09/06/2022 - 13:50

+11

Ozbargain meetup sponsored by Aveo
- Travelbug on 09/06/2022 - 15:18
  
  +1
  
  I've just turned 18 but a long time ozbargainer. Too soon to enquire? I have my own cutlery set.
Muzeeb on 09/06/2022 - 13:50

+8

Enjoy a complimentary meal and warm company

I would prefer a warm meal and complimentary company but hey - beggars can't be choosers.
- King Steuart on 09/06/2022 - 13:56
  
  +1
  
  I would prefer a company meal and a warm complimentary but hey
  - b2dz on 09/06/2022 - 14:21
    
    +1
    
    I would company a preferred meal hey, but warm.
    - King Steuart on 09/06/2022 - 14:56
      
      Meal would but company hey warm, a I preferred.
ilovefullprice on 09/06/2022 - 13:52

+1

Are they inviting covid into a retirement village?

Anyhow, the food better be good. Maggie Beer is keeping an eye on this under Labor.
- Muzeeb on 09/06/2022 - 14:07
  
  To ensure the health and wellbeing of residents and staff, we are conducting the event in accordance with the required COVIDSafe plan. Aveo are requesting that all attendees to Aveo events are vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect the residents and staff in our communities.
Thrifty Dan on 09/06/2022 - 13:58

-1

Good for people in the city. Not good for people in the country. Only Adelaide in SA…
rifter on 09/06/2022 - 14:03

How many chicken nuggets will I get?
doobes on 09/06/2022 - 14:04

+3

i would love to stay here
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-24/elderly-exploited-in-…
- try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 14:44
  
  +1
  
  That is, truly, frightening.
- INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 16:35
  
  +1
  
  The 4C investigation should be mandatory viewing for anyone, & their family, considering moving into a retirement village.
  Pretty shonky when you try to move out & find they control who you can sell to, charge fees until it's sold,…
  
  And the 4C investigation into aged care mistreatment… I couldn't watch it!
salingpusa on 09/06/2022 - 14:27

+1

free exploitation in the company of warm executives!
zzymurgy on 09/06/2022 - 14:35

+2

In case it isn't obvious, this is a sales pitch to a captive audience.
My mum has been a few times and always gets the hard-sell speech.
Apparently the food is pretty decent.
- INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 16:37
  
  +1
  
  Time share style sales pitch for the over 50's!
adrianhughes1998 on 09/06/2022 - 14:44

+4

Time to find me a rich retirement village wife.
- Travelbug on 09/06/2022 - 15:19
  
  +1
  
  Well Hellooooo darling!
  - adrianhughes1998 on 09/06/2022 - 15:55
    
    +2
    
    Me trying to kiss them with their dentures is like chasing the plug in the bath when it falls out, and the water starts draining out
try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 14:45

I hope I, never, end up in one of those hell holes. The entire model of these places needs to be overhauled.
- INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 16:46
  
  Their retirement village / apartments can be upmarket. New Aveo apartment block opposite local Westfield looks good & expensive.
  
  Think you are thinking aged care facilities.
  - try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 20:09
    
    Look at the other article that shows how they are ripping people off.
    - INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 20:15
      
      I do know that - saw the 5 yr old 4C investigation at the time & recommended it.
      
      But, the apartments aren't "hell holes". I've seen over them - very nice. Have you? Helped neighbours move in.
      
      It's expensive but more like hell when you try to leave!
      
      What do you expect when they use time share sales techniques??
      - try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 20:26
        
        @INFIDEL: I expect to avoid these places.
        
        INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 20:34
        
        @try2bhelpful: Better Die early then!
        
        I don't think you understand how little control you have over what can be forced onto you "for your own good"!!
        
        Family member I cared for, was forced into Aged Care Facility.
        
        Hospital Dr manipulated him into care, against his & my wishes. She first claimed he had agreed to what she wanted.
        
        I forced a bedside meeting - him, Dr, Social Worker & myself & asked his wishes - to be cared for by me.
        
        The Dr stormed off, returning with a hand written, undated claim by the Registrar that he was no longer competent to make decisions for himself, so his direction was invalid…
        
        I was his Enduring Power of Attorney. But was excluded from any discussion about his care by the Private Hospital. It was forced on us.
        
        After my legal threats, he was released from forced detention by the Hospital.
        But the next time they were better prepared…
        
        Was threatened I would be accused of neglect & theft if I didn't agree to him going into care. Legal advice was I didn't stand a chance, despite the claims being bogus. The Dr would be believed.
        
        Was cleared of financial fraud after 16 month long enquiry by ex-Police Officer. But he was already in care by then!
        
        Enquiry found the opposite of what I was accused of… I had provided him with a large amount of money, had excellent support from team of professional carers & used equipment not available in most care facility…
        
        I was regularly praised for my care. But that was irrelevant to the Dr who wasn't used to anyone stopping her getting what she wanted!
        
        If I hadn't agreed & been cleared, the Public Trustee would take his home & control his money if we lost. That would have forced him into dependence of the body, which would charge him plenty for it!
        
        See the 4C investigation into the Public Trustee - It's scary what a Govt body does to people!! What you want is not respected!
        
        Decided to concede & find the best aged care facility possible. Fighting it to that stage cost over $10k.
        
        So good luck!
        
        try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 21:06
        
        @INFIDEL: My nephew is a doctor in a fairly senior position. I think he would have no trouble contesting what the doctor in any hospital would have to say.
        
        I feel sorry that you had to go through all that nonsense. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Something to be wary of.
        
        INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 21:19
        
        @try2bhelpful: I sought advice from other Doctors to contest the Hospital Dr. His GP tried to find a Specialist to speak out. But when they knew her name - they all disappeared. His GP just said she has a fierce reputation!
        
        He was a retired Hospital administrator & JP. Didn't mean anything to a Dr exerting power
        
        In Queensland, a Dr simply has to have suspicion of failure to provide adequate care or financial abuse, to move for enquiries by Govt bodies.
        
        Was advised I couldn't / shouldn't take action against the Dr, as the Law was there to protect against Elder Abuse.
        After all I was being accused of the Abuse. So would need to be cleared first…
        
        Until those enquiries cleared me, the Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) would determine what would happen to him.
        The most likely outcome would be to take the advice of the Consultant. Fighting it would be costly.
        
        The Dr laughed at me when I said I would take legal action. She pointed out the Hospital had better trained lawyers in this field than I could afford.
        
        Was told at the start of the first inquiry, I was only to answer the Drs allegations, not introduce new material (that would show her claims were unfounded)! I could not submit evidence from his GP, Physio or carers.
        
        The bureaucrat questioning me told me he could not walk, despite walking daily in his home. I suggested asking his carers… She just said "he's old so he can't walk!"
        
        How could I fight such brilliant logic. And with no possibility for a fair hearing - gave up & put him in care, before the juggernaut of bureaucracy ran over us & incorrectly found me guilty!
        
        That's how it works in my State. It's better to detain suspected victims of Abuse "for their own good", (& wrongly accuse their carer), than to treat them with dignity, respect & independence.
        
        When I discussed this case with bodies for the elderly & carer groups - they weren't surprised & said that's normal!
        
        Watch the 4C investigation into what happens when you are found incompetent!
        
        It could happen to anyone!!
        Only took minutes for incompetence to be determined by that angry Dr! Once she got that, nothing could be done to undo it.
        
        The Public Trustee strips the assets. The person is billed if they disagree with decisions. It's horrible!
        
        I found issues with Aged care or retirement villages are nothing compared to the hell of being falsely accused to manipulate my agreement to put my relative into care until death.
        
        That was directly against his stated wishes I was meant to ensure as his Enduring Power of Attorney!
        
        It's a whole different world I never knew existed. Just took 1 Dr to start it! It was horrific.
        
        So don't think you control where you will end up! We are all close to losing our liberty. I'm still angry about it.
        
        try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 22:17
        
        +1
        
        @INFIDEL: I would be if I was you too. What happened to you is just ludicrous.
        
        My nephew won’t just disappear though. He is used to being in charge.
        
        There, obviously, needs to be a better support for the Aged and their carers. The balance is wrong.
        
        INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 22:26
        
        @try2bhelpful: Thanks.
        
        As people unfortunately take advantage of elderly relatives & abuse them, the Law is there to help protect them. I support it.
        
        What the Hospital consultant did was abuse that process to force what she wanted. And no one wanted that abuse of the Law known.
        
        She had made many errors - leaping to assumptions rather than checking the facts.
        
        On our first meeting she told me he would be dead in a week. I almost laughed at her. She didn't know him! Many years later he was still being treated by her.
        
        She told me he had agreed to go into care, when he was clearly unable to hear her without his hearing aids.
        But she angrily argued she was right.
        
        That triggered the bedside conference, with his hearing aids, to get his actual direction.
        
        So she was happy when she assumed he accepted her "decision". But angrily declared he was "incompetent" when his decision went against hers…
        
        The Private Hospital refused to investigate my complaints. By the final date for taking the complaint to the ombudsmen (2yrs), I was too exhausted - arranging his funeral! I was with him to his final breath in another hospital & called a nurse to notify he had died.
        
        I tried to convince him to seek other treatment. But he received free private Hospital treatment due to his war service. He was a hard man to convince otherwise.
        
        try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 22:49
        
        +1
        
        @INFIDEL: You do wonder what the Dr thought she was doing? Did she think she was right or was she just getting off on a power trip.
        
        INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 22:53
        
        @try2bhelpful: I'd pick B! (power trip)
        But some people always think they're right! That's dangerous, as they can't learn!
        
        Bureaucracies like Hospitals can provide a safe place for power hungry petty Bureaucrats! And they get rewarded.
        
        Saw many crying relatives after meeting with her - I consoled them. (Guess she didn't like that! But that wasn't my intention.)
        
        Glad its over, but I do worry what will happen to me & others as we get old!
        We're all one step away from being found "incompetent", our assets controlled by the Public Trustee, & needing care "for our own good"!!
        
        try2bhelpful on 09/06/2022 - 23:17
        
        +1
        
        @INFIDEL: I know, it is why I want to keep out of those places and as far away from the “system” as I can. It seems to be designed to separate people from their families and their money.
        
        INFIDEL on 10/06/2022 - 10:07
        
        @try2bhelpful: Thanks
        The more money you have, the more they seem interested in solving a problem that never existed.
        
        Detaining people unnecessarily, makes that private Hospital plenty of money. So they saw no problem to investigate!
        
        While looking for a "good" aged care facility for him, I talked with residents in care.
        
        A woman at a facility requiring $750k to enter - told me she only had $10k. The government effectively loaned the rest, usually charging a higher daily fee. But as she had little - they could only charge the minimum - 85% of her pension…
        
        Another woman who had wealth, was being charged $1250/wk for similar service, on top of the large deposit. The family had sold her huge house, meaning she was charged so much more than if it wasn't sold!!
        
        Overheard a conversation among a group of wealthy seniors in Sydney. They were planning to build a communal home, architect designed to meet their needs as they aged, employ their own staff… Brilliant idea! Hope they do that.
        
        Learn from others (eg 4C investigations).
        
        Get specialised financial advice!
        (Am seeking advice to set up a Trust, out of reach of Public Trustee.)
        
        Experienced Advocates specialise in this area. I contacted one through a carers organisation. Used to work in the Govt department conducting investigations.
        (Unfortunately they could do little, but taught me the process being used against us - to know what was coming next. Helped me remain in control of the diminishing possibilities. Avoided Public Trustee taking over.)
        
        Take someone with you to meetings where decisions are being forced on the person. The other side will have at least 2 people experienced in exerting pressure!
        Record where possible. Avoids being told what was said never happened - a big issue in my case.
        
        Never admit to anything that may be used against you.
        (At a hospital meeting, the first thing asked - "Why are you looking after him??" in an abusing tone. I didn't realise to later my budget overseas trips were interpreted as I was robbing him to fund them!!)
        
        It's easier to be a "poor" older person & pay little.
        
        Public Trustee isn't interested in cases it can't make money out of!
        
        try2bhelpful on 10/06/2022 - 17:35
        
        @INFIDEL: It is frightening getting older. I will try to stay in my house as long as I can and stay under the radar as much as possible. It is, terrible, that the systems work against us.
        
        INFIDEL on 10/06/2022 - 18:40
        
        @try2bhelpful: My friends & I ask - what is going to happen to us? Especially after my experience & watching Four Corners investigations. I have no solution.
        
        That was my intention when I was a carer for my relative - keep him in his home as long as possible, in the garden he loved, chatting with neighbours he knew.
        
        I am comfortable assisting the dying - I've rescued people, listened to / reassured the dying. I've held people as they took their last breath.
        So his dying at home was OK with me.
        Not so for the Hospital! That's the business they're in.
        
        Supported by multiple carers 5d/wk, Physio 3/wk, an OT, his long term GP regularly visited & I took him to see the GP, a nurse wrote reports on his care at home, & DVA provided free taxis to appointments.
        
        Even had a wonderful volunteer carer who baked cakes & regularly took him to lunch…
        
        I rarely took a break - only 1-2hr/wk!
        Just a 4wk holiday per year, with him going into subsidised Respite care. But he would have falls there - to manipulate me to return. Luckily I had no phone coverage!!
        
        That was termed inadequate care by the Hospital!
        Most elderly aren't looked after so well!
        
        Major issue - he regularly passed out unconscious.
        He would slowly pass out, looking like he was asleep. Needed to check on him every 15min when out of bed, as had gone blue in face once & near death.
        
        Got no help from Drs. Private Hospital suspected heart irregularity - fitted Pacemaker. Useless!
        But they said problem was solved! Nothing more to see. I was on my own.
        
        I diagnosed the problem, rather than jumping to expensive solutions.
        
        I observed & researched. Took BP & other measurements.
        - Low blood pressure, blood pooled in his legs, leading to lack of blood to brain.
        Solition - elevate legs. Hospital would not have seen that & ridiculed my low tech approach. But it worked.
        
        Called Occupational Therapist & she tried foot rests used in care - too heavy & awkward requiring someone to move them. He wanted his independence.
        
        I designed a movable foot rest that mainly solved the problem. He could move it under his chair to stand & went between wheels of walker (with tray to eat off). He loved it & I still use it.
        
        But he occasionally continued to pass out & have minor falls - after standing up.
        
        Carers would see me on the floor - with him in Recovery Position. I was trained to do that, which always brought quick results. Had 000 as back up. It upset paid carers.
        
        So the care provider requested his GP get my assurance I would always call the Ambulance every time he passed out. Then Ambos would insist he should go to Hospital.
        
        From those frequent visits, the Hospital assumed I was not caring for him!!
        They refused to check with the care provider (they had appointed) to understand the reason.
        
        Their solition was to isolate him in a room, infrequently check on him, & rarely see a GP. Which is what happened in care.
        
        That's not a life!
        
        Hope you find a solution.
        PM me the details😉
        
        try2bhelpful on 10/06/2022 - 19:14
        
        @INFIDEL: I’m 60 so, hopefully, I’m a bit away from this yet. Our bedrooms are on the second floor and we are looking at putting a bathroom in downstairs and converting our back bit into a bedroom.
        
        Sounds like you did a heroic job and you were let down by the system. I bet he didn’t get the care he needed in the hospital. However, you have spurred me on to discuss things with my nephew to make sure we can sort things out at various levels. This is just, sodding, wrong.
        
        INFIDEL on 10/06/2022 - 19:41
        
        @try2bhelpful: Yes, that's a usual preparation.
        Good simple idea! Good thinking.
        
        Its a lottery - we don't know what will happen to us or when our life will end.
        
        He had a severe heart condition in his early 60's that stopped him working.
        As I did in the family, I arranged his finances, advised on the timing of his resignation to maximise the benefit (had lots of sick leave), & paid off his mortgage (an interest free loan) so he didn't have financial worries.
        He lived to 98!
        
        His house was single storey, after moving in his mid 50's from a steep block with stair access.
        Real estate say his house is sought after because of easy access. None of us is getting younger!
        
        Had safely rails installed & he wore a pendant to press in an emergency.
        
        Was wheel chair accessible, except for bathing. Something to consider in your changes.
        As he became less mobile, organised with carers to wash him at basin, instead of shower. Worked well, sitting on shower chair, with rail along front of basin to help him up.
        
        Good you are seeking advice.
        
        try2bhelpful on 10/06/2022 - 19:47
        
        +1
        
        @INFIDEL: Good on you for what you did for your relative and giving people the heads up. I’m not sure I want to live to 98. Frankly I want to go from relatively healthy to dead fairly quickly.
        
        INFIDEL on 10/06/2022 - 20:05
        
        @try2bhelpful: 98! It's more of a death sentence😉
        
        But it's what I can expect. Men in my family die in their mid to late 90's⏳
        (Now where are my suicide pills😂)
        
        My first client in counselling died at just 21. His mother was my trainer.
        (Wasn't a client when he died. But in some aspects, I knew him better than he knew himself.)
        He competed in an Olympic sport for Australian & was popular.
        …Huge funeral. Great Wake!
        
        Where as organising funerals for elderly family members - their friends & colleagues have all gone. Its so quiet & sad.
        
        Members of organisations they were members of turn up, saying "I'm so sorry for your loss.", knowing nothing about them. Wish they didn't!
        
        Its good to be prepared for the end…
        The relative I cared for - it was just me and the funeral staff. I officiated.
        Had discussed with him what he wanted, negotiated not to have a church service, was conducted at the cemetery in a rural town he had left 70 years earlier. Its where the family are buried.
        
        (Found a small funeral company in town half way between & saved thousands in costs! He would have approved.)
        
        Me - discussing with a Uni to donate my body for teaching. But that is proving difficult, as I expect to travel for the rest of my life…
        
        try2bhelpful on 10/06/2022 - 23:59
        
        @INFIDEL: So sad about the 21 year old. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident when he was in his forties. It was horrific but it was the best funeral I’ve ever been to. He played in a few bands and they played at the funeral. He was a postie and they had an honour guard for him. It was a celebration of his life.
        
        When it comes to my funeral I want the cheapest casket they have and everyone has a great wake. On my family the ladies are, usually, 85; apart from my cigarette smoking mother. 85 would do me as long as I’m healthy beforehand.
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 00:37
        
        @try2bhelpful: Yes, a celebration of a life well lived is wonderful.
        
        Live music at a funeral can make it a joyous occasion. Like the New Orleans jazz funeral processions - known as a “funeral with music”.
        (I'd love to go out like that, but i wouldn't be around to appreciate it!)
        
        Must have been a great experience! But still sad for you.
        
        If you've ever nearly died, life after that can be seen as special - a bonus life! Death doesn't seem to hold power over you.
        
        And being with & helping others as they die, gives death a very different perspective.
        
        Death doesn't bother me, but I'd prefer to live & really enjoy life a little longer😉
        
        Thanks for a great discussion👍
        
        try2bhelpful on 11/06/2022 - 08:13
        
        @INFIDEL: I’ve been to New Orleans several times. I’ve never seen a funeral but I did see a wedding. The couple, and entourage, walking down the street with a jazz band accompanying.
        
        I had a melanoma removed 22 years ago. It made me re-evaluate. Took some time off to smell the roses.
        
        Thanks for sharing your experiences. It gives us a bit of “forewarned” and “forearmed”. It sounds like they still don’t have the balance right.
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 10:58
        
        @try2bhelpful: Yes, smell the roses!
        
        Am sitting outside in the sun, feeding the birds. No roses🌹, but native plants that being in the birds🐦
        
        My business ran child's play workshops to help adults play & be creative like 5 year olds. My work was always play!
        Was great being paid well to play😄
        
        Best to be forewarned…
        
        Looked again at the Public Trustee Four Corners investigation…
        A horror story, but real!
        
        And the terrible case study near me Trapped, stripped of assets, and silenced. And it’s all perfectly legal
        
        The Office of the Public Guardian in that case - was the same body that investigated me for 16 months over the false allegation of Elder Abuse. Lucky they found the opposite was true, or we could have ended in that situation!!
        
        try2bhelpful on 11/06/2022 - 11:24
        
        @INFIDEL: I hope you take the opportunity to contribute to the 2022 review.
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 11:28
        
        @try2bhelpful: Too many painful memories.
        I'll feed the birds, its stress free!
        
        Fortunately I didn't have any contact with the Public Trustee. Was forewarned!!
        So would not have Standing at the Review.
        
        I did everything I could to avoid them!
        
        That's why I put him into care, rather than have a heartless bureaucrat make that decision & charge for it💰
        
        Used to organise political rallies protesting about issues like this.
        Now I just want to get my life back!
        
        try2bhelpful on 11/06/2022 - 12:16
        
        @INFIDEL: Perfectly understandable. I’m a walker. When I get stressed I go for a good long walk and rant to myself.
        
        Hopefully the review will make a few more people accountable for their decisions.
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 13:16
        
        @try2bhelpful: 4 Corners investigations have brought about major inquiries, reports & recommendations.
        It's whether they are implemented that counts!!
        
        By the time we might need it, they will probably still be considering recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care!!
        
        Public Trustee in QLD is self funding (user pays), taking money from the vulnerable to employ well paid Bureaucrats!! They will oppose changes.
        
        Am 5min walk from creek with ducks & koalas in the trees. Strangely I never got there as a busy carer.
        
        Back from planting in garden - clears the head. Helped neighbours in mid-70's clean up their native garden. Grabbed a few plants destined for the bin. Some nice bush orchids too.
        
        But no ranting! That can lead to questions of… should you be put in care?
        
        try2bhelpful on 11/06/2022 - 15:19
        
        @INFIDEL: Ahh, I rant in my head. Yes, you do not want to rant out loud. However, there is, often, crying involved. Sunglasses are a good way to hide that.
        
        I, always, walked when I was in employment. I went through a, particularly, stressful time when I was trying to implement a contract that was, particularly, badly done and it was all dumped on me. I took a few stress days and clocked up a lot of km. I felt much better after that. You little urban paradise sounds delightful.
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 17:47
        
        @try2bhelpful: Best not attract attention😉
        
        I love going on long walks - like 12 days on the Overland Track in Tas. And walking sections of the coastline in Japan, France & UK. Its very freeing. Looking forward to returning to it soon.
        
        Have always found a little bit of paradise where ever I am.
        
        I like the Oscar Wilde quote:
        "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
        Happy star gazing🌠
        
        INFIDEL on 11/06/2022 - 20:51
        
        @try2bhelpful: Following on from above…
        
        Neighbour offered this advice today:
        
        He met an elderly woman from US on a cruise. Her husband (in oil business) had died & her children wanted to put her into care. So she ran away to sea, on endless cruises.
        
        As he said - was cheaper & better than in an aged care facility. She saw the world & enjoyed herself. Had everything done for her. And she was away from being controlled!
        
        Of course it helps if you have plenty of money! Staff hung around her for the tips.
        
        But not my lifestyle. I like to walk alone for the solitude & to observe nature. The opposite of life on board.
        
        easternculture on 11/06/2022 - 22:04
        
        @INFIDEL: Thats actually a great idea. Booking endless RTW cruises , some are over 274 days for $61k
        https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-22/for-61-00…
        
        Makes sense if your 80+, better off selling your property for $1M+ in sydney and enjoying the rest of your life on a cruise ships. Thats if your family want to throw you in a nursing home and take over your property.
        
        try2bhelpful on 11/06/2022 - 22:11
        
        @INFIDEL: Went on a cruise once and it was interesting. If you just wanted to kick back, read a few books and relax a relocation cruise would be of interest. The real problem, I had, was the three full meals a day would mean I’d roll down the gangplank at the end.
        
        INFIDEL on 12/06/2022 - 09:59
        
        @try2bhelpful: Lol!
        
        When cruises go wrong…
        
        My only cruise was along the Yangtze River. 3 days from Chongqing to the 3 Gorges Dam (then under construction).
        It was my first trip to China, in 2008. Not a good experience!
        
        The sales technique was interesting. Sitting with a young woman selling cruises - as I flipped through the catalog to the dearer cruises, her hand slid higher up my leg!!
        
        Booked a mid priced cruise. Top priced were Western standard boats. Lowest were very basic passenger ferries. Paid for extras in my 4 share cabin (non-smoking, bottom bunk).
        
        But the devastating Sichuan earthquake (over 80k died), kept tourists away. I had arrived in the area the day before - frightening!
        
        Was told to meet my boat at the tourist boat warf near my accommodation… On the day of the cruise, there was a surprise downgrading - first day was cancelled, replaced by a very uncomfortable bus ride to meet our boat well downstream.
        
        But we weren't informed of the changes until we were dumped off at an unknown location! The boat looked terrible - unlike the photo.
        
        Was told take the boat - NO REFUND!! Those were about the only words I heard in English. There was no escape!
        
        Then the paid extras were not provided! My heavy smoking Chinese companions commandeered the lower bunks & laughed at me when I showed my ticket for that bunk. The toilet didn't flush. The small window needed to be locked most of the time, to stop potential robbers in small boats!
        
        When I complained, staff ran away & avoided me for the 2 days. A great skill on a small boat!
        
        And the excursions (eg walk to a village through mud, for a "traditional" performance of miming to a recording)…were additional cost - paid at start of trip (NO REFUND!!). Something I was not told beforehand. Those were promoted as features of the cruise.
        
        The food not unexpectedly - was substandard (mainly Chinese porridge). Certainly didn't gain any weight!
        
        Refunds, customer service… No way!
        
        I know - very unlike normal cruises, but a terrible experience. Didn't like being "trapped" on a boat. At the time, more expensive boats weren't available.
        
        I prefer independent travel, rather than planned activities. I've been doing that up to 9 months per year overseas for over a decade… until recently.
        
        try2bhelpful on 12/06/2022 - 13:01
        
        @INFIDEL: Ahhh. See I took an Australian cruise. I would be, very, selective of what cruises I went on. Certainly I wouldn’t have booked a cruise in Asia unless I was booking through a well known company.
        
        I had a friend who went on a river cruise, in Europe, and because of low water levels a fair bit was replaced by bus travel. Then you get the viral outbreaks onboard that can run through a lot of people.
        
        Most of our travel is independent. I haven’t been, overly, satisfied with a few tours I have done. However, it can be good to book day tours for things like the Vatican museum. The queues can be very long to get in unless you are part of a group.
        
        At least you have a good horror story to amuse your friends. Nobody wants to hear how things went smoothly. My brother travelled on a train in China. He used the toilet and he was impressed that the roof had faeces on it.
        
        INFIDEL on 12/06/2022 - 14:45
        
        @try2bhelpful: The scenery was the same on cheapest or dearest boats. That's what I wanted to see. Spent a lot of time on roof of boat - had to pay extra of course.
        
        Travelled "Hard Seat" on train from end of that "cruise". Cheapest, but little uncomfortable for 8hr ride. Really met the locals, who enjoyed me too.
        
        Have travelled on buses in mountains in Asia that kept breaking down, while sitting between livestock.
        
        Hitchhiked a lot. Its my usual transport in many countries, especially rural Japan & Ireland. It's an easy way into the culture.
        
        Ah ticket queues… In China then, booking transport was very difficult away from major cities - queuing up to an hour for a ticket for trains that were often hours late. Some paid locals to queue for tickets.
        
        So the "cruise" was certainly not my worst travel experience! Just frustrating. You really don't want to hear my horror stories!
        
        Sometimes in remote areas, a booked tour is about the only option. Did that in areas of Ireland (to connect with boat to remote island) & getting around small Scottish islands - taking the hire car was far too expensive.
        
        Planning more boat rides…
        Again to the islands off the West Coast of Scotland. Probably will wild camp in nature. Will take protection against the dreaded midges!
        That's my idea of a great boat ride! Short duration on board, with an interesting & sparsely populated destination.
        
        try2bhelpful on 12/06/2022 - 16:18
        
        @INFIDEL: Apparently you can take the mail boat up through Norway so you drop in at all the little villages on the way up.
        
        A friend of our took the bus through bits of the Andes in South America. The bus driver kept crossing himself at the spots where buses had dropped off the edges. Apparently that trip included other people’s livestock.
        
        We are softer than that. We’ve done the main sightseeing trains through Switzerland, not cheap but, absolutely, magnificent. We, also, did the Rocky Mountaineer Express them a sleep cross country through Canada. We’ve also done a bit of train travel crossing through Europe. I love doing train travel.
        
        INFIDEL on 12/06/2022 - 16:30
        
        @try2bhelpful: Yes, mail boats give a slower scenic access to remote parts of the world. Just checking them for the Outer Hebrides.
        
        Could imagine the bus driver crossing himself - before I read it😄
        
        I'm in awe of those amazing trains. Built for sightseeing. Often the only way in to see places.
        Only seen them on travel docos. Think will definitely do the ones in Switzerland! (Now I have better finances.)
        
        try2bhelpful on 12/06/2022 - 17:03
        
        @INFIDEL: https://www.tripadeal.com.au/deals/3863-14-day-trains-of-swi…
        
        We did similar to this but we started, and ended, at Interlaken.
        
        In Interlaken you do this
        https://www.myswissalps.com/schilthorn/gettingthere
        
        But instead of taking the bus you can walk and drop off at the falls.
        
        https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/truemmelbach…
        
        In Zermatt you spend a couple of days going through all the “rides”. Trains, cable cars, “trains inside the mountain, etc. get a two day pass.
        
        At Lucerne go up to Mt Pilates. It involves, boats, funicular trains, gondolas etc. the view is amazing.
        
        Just an amazing trip.
        
        INFIDEL on 12/06/2022 - 17:05
        
        @try2bhelpful: Oh shutup😄
        Good info - have bookmarked advice. Will add yours.
        
        try2bhelpful on 12/06/2022 - 17:34
        
        @INFIDEL: Best way to look at train travel in Europe is look at this site
        https://www.seat61.com/
        
        We, normally, get a rail pass and then look at individual days. I’m sure there are cheaper ways but we like the convenience. First class normally means more glass.
        
        INFIDEL on 12/06/2022 - 20:59
        
        @try2bhelpful: It's on my list, but not for at least another year. Will bug you then.
        
        try2bhelpful on 12/06/2022 - 22:54
        
        @INFIDEL: No probs, happy for you to IM me and I will give you what information I can. Start trawling through Air BnB. One thing to keep in mind with Switzerland everything is expensive. We decided to get premade soups, pasta, and cakes from the supermarket instead. Food in Switzerland isn’t a high point.
        
        INFIDEL on 13/06/2022 - 12:06
        
        @try2bhelpful: Planned to visit Switzerland to see friend there in 2010. So was expecting it to be costly. But a great experience. Next time - will have the money not to be so concerned💰
        
        Flew to London then with Air Asia ($650 return & stayed in Malaysia for a few weeks). Found all transport to Europe booked out. Was trapped in UK! Icelandic volcano had erupted. No planes in the sky!
        
        So 8 exciting weeks in Europe became a very slow, quiet exploration of South Coast & a lot more of London.
        
        Am experienced in changing plans. So I don't plan ahead, but have vague ideas. Sometimes team up with others doing interesting things. If I like a place or what is going on, I might completely change my trip.
        
        (On morning I arrived in a dusty village in Myanmar, saw an American doing volunteer work. Noticed how locals respected him, so teamed up. Stopped for 8days of my 4wk max Visa, conducting some training. Was so welcomed. He organised a party in the middle of the Irrawaddy River, with traditional music & dancers. I paid the bar bill. So memorable & enriching.
        
        Travelled on up the River with a British Journalist, illegally in Myanmar.
        
        Earlier lucked out getting 3day "sold out" tickets from the British Embassy… to the First International Writers Festival in Yangon . Written censorship had just been lifted! Many had been jailed for their writing. Attended talks with local authors & Aung San Suu Kyi.
        
        It was way into a culture, to experience it at a deeper level - so why not alter my plans!)
        
        try2bhelpful on 13/06/2022 - 19:18
        
        @INFIDEL: Absolutely. Doing something nobody else you know has done. Especially if you can make a difference.
        
        INFIDEL on 14/06/2022 - 09:56
        
        @try2bhelpful: It's the way I travel.
        
        The issue with "make a difference" is it may not really make a difference, or the difference made is not in the best for the people. It can change the social structure. It's very complex!
        
        Alleviating a problem, rather than the community deciding what they want - is a typical "do-gooder" solution.
        But it takes power from the community. It's something I became aware of early in community development work. I spend time living with the community to learn from them, listening to their needs & requests, building the community up.
        
        Still 8 days handing out mandarins etc, & training locals who asked for help, is not long enough to cause much harm, hopefully!
        
        In poorer communities (eg slums in Japan), I've gathered surplus clothes from Foreigners leaving the country, to distribute to those sleeping rough. But giving can cause dependency & they may hassle other Foreigners for handouts…
        (Giving clothes is not likely to build dependency. It's a practical gesture that is appreciated. And Japanese do not accept charity - a relationship must be established first. Their dignity needs to be respected.)
        
        The reason why an outsider is doing it is often treated with suspicion or misunderstood!
        
        Gave away dumplings I ordered at a restaurant in Mandalay. A woman with a baby was begging outside in the cold. Staff thought "how generous" & smiling brought another serve of dumplings. I had to eat their free offering - how could I explain - I just didn't like them!
        
        Plus, as I've learnt to my cost, it may not be appreciated by authorities!!
        
        Was invited into another country long ago to train & help communities develop, but was detained by soldiers & accused of attempting to overthrow the Government!! I was potentially a threat to the (political) status quo, so was removed. Being detained & deported was painful lesson.
- Wardaddy on 09/06/2022 - 16:55
  
  That's the Springfield high security retirement village where Homer's Dad is.
INFIDEL on 09/06/2022 - 16:57

Tip: Houses up for auction are good for free food & drinks. Pop in at an "open house".

Agent just asked me to pop down street for champaign, cheese & nibbles!

No sales pressure (unlike this Deal) - he just wants the seller to be impressed by how many people they can get to view the property.

Bye🍸
- jackspratt on 09/06/2022 - 20:03
  
  Nothing to drink then?
  
  Champaign - a city in Illinois.
  - INFIDEL on 10/06/2022 - 16:00
    
    Was domestic bubbly - hence not spelt same as genuine champagne!
    
    Champagne - a region of France 🇫🇷
    
    And not according to my phone's spellchecker that corrected my spelling😉
    
    Filled my pockets with lots of cherries & ate the salami & hummus. Was a friendly gathering of neighbours.

This was posted 1 year 10 months 18 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

Enjoy a Complimentary Meal and Warm Company with Us - RSVP Required @ Aveo Retirement & Aged Care

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