Halifax Book Launch

Check out photos from our Halifax launch here.

The Housing Boomers Book/Study Club

In The Perfect Home For a Long Life, I discuss reasons for optimism when it comes to housing ourselves for the future. One reason is the wave of retirees who are applying their expertise to senior housing issues. Pat Kipping is a perfect example. She is using the skills she developed through a career in community and fund development to spur people in Nova Scotia to develop creative housing options for an aging population. Pat was the catalyst for the book launch held last week in Halifax, hosted by reBoom, a program of the Northwood Community Centre. The evening was a spirited discussion with a group of some 60 people. The icing on the cake was a splendid acapella performance by "Mom & I" (Pat Brennan-Alpert and daughter Katie Guitton) who had scoured the musical landscape for songs about our home. At the event, Pat invited people to form a "Housing Boomers Book/Study Club" and signed up about a dozen enthusiastic participants. 

Here's some feedback from the evening. "One friend had read both of your books by the next day. She is in the throes of making some very difficult decisions about her retirement, which she is already two years into. Reading your books helped move her to think in ways that her friends have been trying, unsuccessfully, to do for a few years. I'm sure there are thousands of stories like that. This book will help move our whole generation!"

Reader Review: "Great Resource"

"I have just finished reading The Perfect Home For a Long Life. You have done an amazing job of laying out the stark realities of aging and accommodation with optimism and hope for people moving into this period of their lives.  I particularly liked the examples in the final chapter where you show how one's whole life is in fact a preparation for your growing needs as you age - the projects one puts effort into, the caring for others and the building up of a community. I am sitting on the board of my condo and finding out how things run. As I am interested in doing some renovations to join my two units together I realize that the Condo needs a defined process for something like this to happen as it has an impact on the 'Common Elements'. By being on the board and learning more about how a condo works I can shepherd such a bylaw through the next AGM  and so clarify things for myself and for others down the road. All of this takes time so I can see that I am doing some of the forward planning that you recommend.

I also work with Cornerstone here in Ottawa which is the reality of what you described in the section Religious/Ethnocultural/Spiritual Communities.

I have spoken of your book to many of my contemporaries - many have read your first book and are anxious to read this one.  I think it is a great resource. You have included many practical solutions but it is the voices and experiences of all those you interviewed that make it more than a handbook of facts."

Peggy Lister, Ottawa 

The Perfect Launch for The Perfect Home

Over 80 people gathered last night at the beautiful University of Toronto Art Centre to launch The Perfect Home For a Long Life. It was May Day, spring had finally arrived in Toronto, and the excited buzz in the room was a celebration of new beginnings. As one guest said, "Your launch is part of the joy and beauty of spring." Much credit for the joy-filled atmosphere goes to the talented jazz singer Shannon Butcher and her pianist Michael Shand who filled the room with hot sounds. Great music, provocative art, smart company - the book was launched in style.

Check out photos from the launch here.

Advance Praise for The Perfect Home

The Perfect Home For a Long Life is being shipped to bookstores across the country and we're planning book launches from coast to coast. Please keep an eye on Events for the details. I was delighted to receive the following feedback from one of the book's early readers, Cheryl Snider the Manager of Calgary HomeShare. Here's her book review.

“It is excellent reading – engaging and informative. Nothing works for everyone and I think that is the reason so many of us are opposed to the idea of “nursing homes”. This volume describes many options that people can consider for their homes. The examples and personal stories that Lyndsay includes give a good sense of what can work for different people. I was also impressed with the number of resources included with each option. I am certain that many people will find this a helpful and inspiring Book of Merit.”