Living Gems residents share their New Year’s resolutionsEach year, resolutions are set on or before 31 December by millions of people worldwide, yet by the morning many are already rethinking them. So, how do we achieve our personal goals in 2023?Tina Austin Amber by Living GemsTravel: As much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can. Life is not meant to be lived in just one place. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey! Not I – nor anyone else, can travel that road for you, you must travel it for yourself. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do, so throw away the doubts, sail away from your safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover.Where to: Our club house!!!! Europe in winter with snow falling. I will be in Antarctica on New Year’s Day 2023, then...

If you’re a senior who doesn’t do boring, then this list is for you! Whether you’re creative, sporty or a deep thinker, there’s a new skill for every senior to learn. Drawing and painting  Helping to improve your fine motor skills, learning to draw or paint is great for sharpening your cognitive function and dexterity in your hands, fingers and wrist. It’s a slow, easy and low-impact activity that can be meditative, social and give you a wonderful sense of accomplishment.  Photography  Photography is a creative activity that offers a range of benefits to seniors. Not only does it improve cognitive function, but it can help you unwind, lower stress and is a great form of exercise. Plus there are always things to learn – new techniques, challenges and styles.  Musical Instrument Research suggests that playing a musical instrument is one of the best ways to stay agile – both mentally and physically. Learning an instrument can increase your mental processing, helping you complete tasks quicker....

From the moment Lex and Jenny Van Der Stoep popped into Living Gems for a look around, they couldn’t steer away from this amazing lifestyle on offer. Leaving the busy suburb of Bracken Ridge for a more relaxed, tranquil lifestyle, Lex and Jenny have found their dream home at Living Gems. They had always planned to get out of Brisbane, and when they heard about Living Gems, they knew they had to go and have look. They were not disappointed. “We came for a look and paid a deposit straight away. It has such a good vibe about it, it just blew us away. Every now and then, we still think this is our holiday home,” says Lex. A better climate and a better lifestyle The Van Der Stoep’s love that the weather is pleasantly cooler in Toowoomba and that the humidity is much lower than it is in Brisbane. The couple have a property west of Toowoomba where they like to spend time in...

Did you know that your wardrobe staples, makeup and jewellery should evolve as you get older? To ensure your accessories are always complementing you, here are our top styling tips for women over 50. Summer wardrobe staples Linen shirt Completely versatile, a linen shirt is flattering, offers you great coverage while also keeping you cool in the warmer months. Whether you want to dress it up with a skirt and heels or are looking for a more casual look with jeans and sneakers, this is a must-have!  Bermuda shorts Sitting just above your knee, Bermuda shorts are the perfect length for women over 50. The polyester-cotton blends have a lovely stretch, enabling your skin to breathe. Paired with a linen shirt or classic tee, these shorts give you a neat, casual look.  Dress Comfortable, feminine and easy to wear, summer dresses are a lovely addition to any wardrobe. Beautiful styles for women over 50 include caftans, t-shirt dresses or the classic maxi dress. Choose a dress that...

‘Tis the season for festive crafts! And, because we like to keep things simple here at Living Gems, we’ve put together 5 easy Christmas craft ideas for you to make at home.  Snowflake Coasters  Made from white pipe cleaners, these Snowflake Coasters are perfect for your Christmas cocktails! All you need are pipe cleaners, scissors and a hot glue gun. Learn how to make them here.   Copper Christmas Trees Create a stunning centrepiece for your table with these Copper Christmas Trees. You’ll need flat aluminium wire, a pair of wire cutters and paper or foam cones for shaping. Learn how to make them here.  Brass Ring Wreath  Add a touch of elegance to your Christmas this year with these Wreaths. Made from brass rings, they are decorated with dried flowers, pine cones and greenery. Learn how to make them here.  Origami Christmas Trees  Super-cute, you’ll need a few shades of green paper, a pair of scissors and focus to create these Origami Christmas Trees. Learn how to make...

Whether you love attending Christmas Carols, are looking to enjoy some outdoor festivities, need to find the perfect gift, looking for an activity with the grandkids or would like to donate your time to a charity – we have the perfect idea for you!  Here are our favourite Christmas Events in Brisbane this year.  1. Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols  Saturday 10 December, 6pm (gates open at 4pm), Riverstage  Sing along to all your Christmas favourites at Brisbane’s premier annual event, The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols.   Hosted by Naomi Price, this year’s Carols will feature a brilliant line-up of stars, including Sheppard, Johnny Manuel, Stefanie Jones (Mary Poppins) and Swing on This featuring Luke Kennedy, Bert LaBonte, Matt Lee and Ben Mingay.  There’s also Jem Cassar-Daley, Eva Kong, Irena Lysiuk, Alinta Chidzey (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) along with an all-star gospel line-up of Lai Utovou, Carmen Smith, Rachel Everett-Jones and Angela Fabian. Plus, of course, The Jingle Belles will return to the stage with 18 elite...

There’s never a dull moment at Amber by Living Gems. With the new clubhouse currently under construction, our wonderful residents are creating different ways to socialise and have a blast together. Check out their latest capers! The ultimate sausage sizzleThe social committee put on a regular sausage sizzle at Amber by Living Gems, which is a simple yet excellent way for everyone to catch up, meet new neighbours and have a feed. And it’s not just for residents.“At our last sausage sizzle, we had lots of children and grandchildren join us – which was fantastic. We held lots of different games, which everyone got involved in and had a ball,” said local resident, Tina.Yes, everywhere you looked at this recent gathering, there was a game to be played – from a bean bag toss and quoits to lawn disc bowls, dominos and Jenga. And then, there was the next-level crowd-pleaser, a game of crazy challenges… yes, they created their own Minute...

These dance classes for seniors are an awesome way to keep fit, while having funDancing is a wonderful form of exercise, whether you’re a toddler, teen or senior! Every time you dance, your body releases endorphins, triggering happy feelings and a positive outlook. Dancing also helps keep you fit, healthy and strong. It improves balance and coordination, while reducing stress. So, when it comes to dance classes for seniors, which ones are the best?Let’s delve into some of the more popular genres. Jazz Dancing Jazz is a high energy dance, incorporating cardio, strength, technique and fun choreography. A wonderful activity to do with friends, you can also choose to go solo. While it’s lively and dynamic, there are many studios around south-east Queensland that offer beginner dance classes for seniors. If you’re lucky, you may even have dance classes offered at your resort! Psssst. If you know a dance teacher, why not invite them to teach a class or two? And always remember...

When it comes to insurance for over-50s, it’s important to make sure you’re fully protected for peace of mind and financial security in retirement. Because insurance policies can vary based on a number of factors, including age, circumstances and history, it’s wise to do your research for the most comprehensive and flexible over 50s insurance options before committing to one.  Here are a few types of insurance to look into and a general guideline of things to consider when you decide between multiple providers.   Health Insurance Unfortunately, private health insurance doesn’t get any cheaper as you get older. However, it can pay off when you really need it. Taking out health insurance essential for managing sky-high medical costs or if any unforeseen circumstances arise. Prioritise private health insurance policies that cover things that will most likely affect you as you age. For example, you may want to look at health insurance policies that cover vision impairment, dental needs, chronic illnesses, and other common conditions that are associated with ageing. If you know there are pre-existing conditions in your family, such as diabetes or certain types of cancer, be sure to take this into consideration as well.  Life Insurance Whether or not you need life insurance as a senior is dependent upon your individual circumstances. The premium does increase as you...

Companion pets can totally change your life. They are loving, faithful and protective. But the benefits go a little further than this. Yes, your devoted furry friend will keep you company, give you a sense of purpose, help you stay active (hello daily walk) and is great for lifting your mood. They truly are amazing and here are our six of our favourites.CavoodleCavoodles make wonderful companion pets. Lively and affectionate they are also gentle, loyal and people-orientated. They can be easily trained but are also very curious by nature. You’ll need to provide plenty of stimulation for them – which is a bonus as it will keep both your body and mind (very) active.Persian CatKnown for their sweet and gentle personalities, Persians love to sit on your lap. These beauties prefer a calm and quiet environment and love routine. Sometimes playful, they are generally well-behaved and love nothing better than to spend time with you. Miniature SchnauzerMiniature Schnauzers...

As you get older, it’s important to ensure you’re incorporating a healthy diet and exercise plan into your daily routine. By eating well and staying active, you’re not only taking care of your body, but you’re also looking after your mind. Make healthy food choices Eating a well-balanced diet provides you with the nutrients and energy you need to embrace life and live it to the fullest. It also helps you stay strong and keep illness at bay.So what should Over 50s aim to eat each day to stay fit and healthy? The Australia Dietary Guidelines advises to:Eat a variety of fresh foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables (aim for 5 servings per day), legumes, wholegrains, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy. Drink six to eight cups of water every day. Limit foods that are high in saturated fat. We’re looking at you cake, biscuits, pies, burgers, pizzas and chips! Put these on your ‘sometimes’ food list. Swap out...