Paul Grissom, Creative Director for Meaford Haven, was in town yesterday to meet with representatives of the Meaford and District Chamber of Commerce, business people, and representatives from Meaford Council and the municipality.

After mingling with guests, Paul made a presentation in which he discussed the marketing of Meaford Haven, and he noted that number one on most people’s list when searching for a retirement community is location. If you’ve dipped into this blog now and then, you know that Meaford’s got that sewn up.

Guests also learned more about the philosophy behind the first Three Seasons Community (the phrase Meaford Haven has trademarked term to describe this unique approach to retirement living.)

“It seems like the entire marketing community has carved up the retirement category according to age,” said Paul, “But it’s not about ages, it’s about stages – and there are three distinct stages we all go through but not all at the same pace. We call them the three seasons of retirement.”

The first season, which Paul called the “current darling of marketers”, includes the Boomer-Zoomers, 50-plus retirees who are looking for an active lifestyle, with plenty of healthy outdoor pursuits and involvement in the local community. Meaford Haven’s location and the wealth of surrounding recreational opportunities positions this community nicely for this group.

“But this is where the age basis for defining an audience begins to crumble,” said Paul. “Because some us are robust and active well into our 70s and 80s, while others of us begin to feel our physical limits in our 60s. The second season begins at no set time; it just kind of creeps up on you. You can’t run or play tennis anymore, but you still have the energy for a good power walk. You’re mentally as fit as ever – even with the ‘senior’s moments’. You’ve just come to that stage where ‘you would if you could, but you can’t, so you won’t.’ Your age when you realize this is only a coincidence. Still, you may prefer smaller quarters in a comfy condo apartment instead of your somewhat larger bungalow. What’s cool about Meaford Haven is you’ll be able to move across the street. You won’t have to change neighbourhoods to accommodate your changing lifestyle needs.”

What makes Meaford Haven truly unique

But how Meaford Haven caters to the third season is probably Meaford Haven’s major point of difference, said Paul. “It serves an area that’s overlooked. Before society institutionalized aging it was taken for granted that we would all look after the elders in our community and help them to grow old among their friends. And we expected the same for ourselves.

“Today’s culture has forgotten how to do this. We take the elderly away from everyone when they begin to need assistance and put them in a home somewhere across town. This only happens to about four percent of us, but why should it happen at all? Why should anyone have to leave the people and the place they’ve invested their lives in just because they can’t do for themselves anymore?

“We believe the solution is simple – create a place that’s attractive, liveable and reasonably priced, and attract people who are willing to live the promise to look after each other to live there. Volunteerism will be an integral part of the community culture.”

Meaford Haven is a community for all three seasons, he concluded. “It’s in a beautiful area that’s loved as a vacation playground, and for its gentler way of life. It’s going to be social, by design. Homes will cluster around a community center. There will be a medical facility – a building made to accommodate doctors offices, dentists, yoga, physiotherapy, plus hair salon, cleaners, maybe a convenience store and a coffee shop. This will be right on the site with easy access for all. And there will be an assisted living residence right on site as well.

“You may need to move across the street at some point, but you won’t have to move away.”