Retirement

Grandboomers in the Workforce
Grandboomer Reunions
Getting Loved Ones to Accept Assisted Living
Retirement - Grandboomers Are Getting There
You and Your Retirement
Boomers Have New Options for Retirement Living
Let's Plant a Garden!
Name That Tune
What's in the Future For You?

Grandboomers in the Workforce

More and more, the media is covering the pending arrival of baby boomers to age 60. According to the Wall Street Journal, business is already addressing the pending moves of the 76 million Americans born between 1946 and 64 - about a quarter of the US population. At first glance, it looks like an opportunity for business to replace aging and well paid workers with younger staff with less impact on the payroll.

But, they are finding it's not that easy. As they examine the replacements, business is finding a lack of work ethic and the drive for success found in boomers. And, we Grandboomers have experience gained from years on the job; a stability that means we'll show up for work in the morning, and a sense of courtesy that, unfortunately, is noticeably small in our successors.

What does it mean? Companies are now reevaluating the chance to save a quick buck. Certainly, there will be attrition, but much of it will come from the choice of Grandboomers to retire and perhaps work "for the fun of it."

An article in the AARP magazine, notes that retailers and business-service companies are actively seeking workers 50-plus. Why? For the reasons mentioned above. We show up, interact well with the public, and have a great work ethic.

What's out there if you do get downsized from your current job? A career counselor, responding to the question posed by AARP says teaching, pharmacy work, medical assistance, retail sales, consulting and that old standby self-employment are good bets. Certainly from the "Help Wanted" signs we see around shopping malls, and the amount of classified advertising for medical jobs, these are valid areas.

For Grandboomers passing the big 6-0 who need the income from their jobs and fear they will be pushed out, all is not lost. For those who want to continue where they are, there may be a chance at the best of both worlds - part time work, or consulting to your present employer. Moving from your present occupation to another field may open up a more relaxed lifestyle for you, along with an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It's nice to know that there's cash value in your experience and work ethic...and a lot of employers who want your services.

Grandboomer Reunions

What's going on here? After years of relative quiet and lack of communication with former school and work mates, we've been deluged with communications about reunions. Maybe it's the Internet. It's much easier to find lost friends through the various people directories.

That's what happened recently when the phone rang and a voice my husband hadn't heard in over 20 years was on the other end of the line. He was rounding up members of the graduating class of his high school football team for a gathering in Florida. My husband, who was a "lost alumnus" up to that point, was tracked down by the son of the caller on Yahoo.

We signed up, as did all 20 other members of the team along with their significant others, and the reunion will soon take place in Florida.

Closer to home, an email from a former employer of mine brought news of a gathering of long-scattered coworkers. Once again, we were in intrigued with what had happened to everyone over the years. There was a good crowd at the party, and lots of stories to catch up on. Although almost 20 years had passed since we worked together, no one had aged so much as a day. In fact, one of my best friends looked better than ever. A couple years ago she decided to get in shape and now runs marathons.

There were sad moments, too. One of my husband's teammates and two of my former coworkers have passed on...much too young.

Every year, there are high school and college reunions, or gatherings like those above where friends come together to share their life experiences since moving on, and catch up on everyone else. My husband and I took a pass on all these gatherings until this year. Now, we've gone to one and plan to go to another. Is it because we're Grandboomers now, with a little more time to reflect, and we're starting to wonder what happened to many of our school and work friends? In both cases, we have a lot of happy memories of those times and we embraced the opportunity to bring them to the fore again.

Choosing to participate in a reunion is clearly a personal matter. Some people never want to see or hear from classmates and former coworkers again. Others relish the communication. Which leads us to wonder, is this a growing phenomenon in our age group?

If you've had a similar experience, let us know. Did you bother to go? Why or why not? And, if you did go, tell us about it.

Getting Loved Ones to Accept Assisted Living

by Jacqueline Marcell

Convincing elderly loved ones to move from the comfort of the home they've known for many years into an assisted living situation can be one of the toughest hurdles for families to accomplish. The best way is to start the conversation sooner rather than later, while your loved ones are still in good health. Getting them used to the idea beforehand will make it easier when the time comes. But what if you haven't already made plans for the transition? If it is time for your loved ones to alter their living situation, here's what you can you do.

Think Safety First
Keep in mind that your loved ones' safety is the most important thing. If you know that they cannot remain in their home safely, don't let your emotions override what you know needs to be done. Don't wait for a broken hip, a car accident or a crisis call before you step in. Recognize that when you were a child, your parents would have done everything possible to keep you safe. Now, as hard as it is, you have to be the "parent," and you have to make the best decisions for their safety.

Consider a Multi-Level Facility
Be sure to consider the benefits of a multi-level facility, which allows for additional services as your loved ones' health declines. This prevents the turmoil of having to move a loved one to a new location as more services are needed. Many seniors start out with their own private apartment, then progress through assisted living and eventually to skilled nursing and dementia care, all within the same facility. They may be able to bathe and take their own medications now, but as they need help, it is a blessing to know that services are available. Many times the friends they have made progress with them, which provides the comfort of familiar faces.

Get References
The best way to check out a facility is to talk to numerous families who already have a loved one living there. Drop in on the weekend when families are visiting and ask if they are happy with the accommodations, food, service, activities, cleanliness, reliability, personnel, etc. If they had it to do again, would they move their loved one there? What have they learned from the experience? What do they wish they had known when they were beginning the process?

Also ask the administrators if there are any liens or lawsuits filed against the facility. If they will not give you a written statement that there are no legal problems, keep looking.

Ask About Activities
Adult children are often filled with guilt for moving their parents out of their home. That is, until they see them flourishing in a new environment and participating in activities that they haven't enjoyed for years. Speak with the activity director to make sure that there are numerous activity options. Does the facility offer field trips, games, crafts, singing, dancing, gardening, cooking, exercising, etc.? Monitor the activities to make sure they are happening.

Create a Need
Once you have picked out the right place, ask the administrators for help in convincing your loved ones to move. The staff members are very familiar with this problem and deal with it daily. Ask a social worker to call your parents and develop a relationship over the phone. He or she may also be able to drop by while you are there to talk to your parents and invite them for a get-together. Later, take your parents out to lunch, then casually drive by the facility to say hello to that social worker who had come by to visit them. Seeing a familiar face is usually very helpful. Remember, any kind of change can be very scary for an elder. Take things slow, calm and steady, making their safety your goal.

Another idea is to have the social worker ask for your parents' help with "fixing" something. Could they, for example, go over to help out with the Bingo event or singing classes? Tell your loved ones that they are "needed" there to help entertain others. Giving them a "job" to do can ease the transition to moving there.

Reach for Support
Realize that everyone who has ever been lucky enough to have their parents reach old age has experienced the pain of watching their once-competent parents decline. We all know it is a part of life, but even with all that has been written, there are no words that can prepare us for the sorrow. Reach out for help from family and friends, and look into a support group. Don't even think you can do it alone!

Jacqueline Marcell is a former television executive who, after the experience of caring for her aging parents, became an author, publisher, radio host, national speaker and advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. She is is the author of Elder Rage or Take My Father...Please. How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents (Impressive Press, 2001).

Retirement - Grandboomers Are Getting There

The impact the stock market has had on investment programs may have a lot of Grandboomers rethinking their retirement plans. Jump in and take Social Security at 62, even though the checks were discounted, sounded pretty good when there was a sizable bankroll to back it up.

But, a lot of that's washed away now. And, you may be in for another surprise if you still think you can retire at 65 with full benefits. This is the last year you can retire at 65 and receive full benefits. For full benefits in the future, you'll need extra months, and ultimately extra years to qualify for a full check.

Albeit late, we came across a copy of the June 3 edition of US News and World Report. It's chock full of articles on retirement.

The cover story was written by Tim Smart and Paul J. Lim and gives a cross section of Americana from the very poor to those who play all day. With input by so-called experts, they note that "there are more than 34 million retired Americans, a figure that will swell to 69.4 million in 2030. And guess what? For the most part, they're enjoying it. Those who prepare for retirement both financially and psychologically view it as 'a whole new life' or a 'continuation of life as it was,' report 78 percent of people over 55 surveyed by financial services firm AIG Sun America."

They conclude that retirement, despite current concerns about meeting big ticket items like college bills, the golden years can be a time for "much happiness and exploration."

According to the article: "Earlier this year, aging expert Ken Dychtwald joined AIG SunAmerica and Harris Interactive in surveying 1,000 pre-retirees and retirees about their attitudes. Based on this work, the team grouped respondents into four categories: ageless explorers (27 percent), comfortably contents (19 percent), live for todays (22 percent), and the sick and tireds (32 percent). Among the survey's strongest findings: that those who had prepared for retirement, irrespective of their wealth or income, tended to be the most satisfied.

"Dychtwald says the results of his research should serve as a 'wake-up call' for today's 76 million boomers, the oldest of whom, born in 1946, are beginning to enter the retirement world. If so, it will be just one of many. The generation of 40- and 50-somethings has led a life of instant gratification; and as they progressed through life's stages, they rewrote the rules of every phase from adolescence to parenthood. Now, they must begin planning for the day when work is no longer Job 1. And they are doing so amid the worst stock market and economy in over a decade. Still, Dychtwald thinks boomers will reshape retirement, preferring not to go quietly into the dark night, choosing to continue working some, starting new enterprises, and otherwise stretching out their transition years. 'They're beginning to take notice of their moms and dads and formulating which version of aging they're going to emulate,' he says.

"The toughest reality for boomers may well be their own unrealistic expectations for retirement. In a 1999 survey of boomer attitudes for AARP, researchers Roper Starch found that 80 percent of those queried said they planned to work at least part time in retirement. Yet the percentage of current retirees who actually work is far less, fewer than a third."

They have the statistics, but here at Grandboomers, we hear from a lot of you who are getting along just fine in this down economy. And, some of you are raising your grandchildren to boot! Sure, Grandboomers had it better growing up than the previous generation. Historically, that's what happens for each generation. Grandboomers thinks we're a lot tougher, more intelligent and resilient that than the experts give us credit for. We'll get through this with pride and be fine.

As a bit of comfort, another article, notes: "Perhaps the most encouraging fact is that you can probably get by on less than you think or than is often proclaimed. For a 65-year-old couple earning $50,000 a year to maintain their standard of living in retirement, they'd need pretax income of $37,000, given lower costs for such things as transportation and clothing, taxes, and other expenses, according to research by Georgia State University's Center for Risk Management & Insurance Research. Social Security should take care of nearly $24,000 of that for the typical 65-year-old couple, Georgia State researchers say. So, they would need about $13,000 a year from savings and other sources. 'One of the faults of the financial planning field has been that we keep saying you need $1 million to retire,' says William Gustafson, professor of family financial planning at Texas Tech University. Many retirees are relieved to find they don't need to be millionaires to live comfortably."

There are a number of web site references available at www.usnews.com/retirement, covering travel, health benefits, government benefits, bank rates, grand parenting, and gay retirement. It's worth the look.

You and Your Retirement

World War II ended. Soldiers came home. Peace. Prosperity. Love was a many splendored thing. For a period of 19 years, all births were recorded with a special membership card. If you were born in the United States on or between 1946 and 1964, you're a Baby Boomer.

In terms of numbers, the U.S. Census bureau says that as of the Year 2000 census, there are 82,826,479 Baby Boomers. Think that's a powerful figure? Consider this: that number represents 30.2 percent of the entire population of the United States. These and other figures used in this article are from the U.S. Census bureau and other sources we can provide upon request.

Obviously, Baby Boomers have and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the economy...not only of the United States, but of the world. Baby Boomers have money, spend, and continue to make more. Unlike our predecessors, few of us plan to stop working at 65. Seventy-four percent say they plan to continue to work "in retirement."

Why is there so much concern about the Social Security well running dry? Seven Baby Boomers will turn 50 every minute until the year 2014. As we grow older and live longer, we push up the median age of the population. In 2000, that age was 35.3 years, the highest in the history of the country. As we reach 62 and beyond, we are eligible for social security benefits. And, by living longer, we'll be collecting longer.

If all goes according to plan, 65 percent of us will continue to live without any change in lifestyle. The balance feel they will have to scale down some and of these, 23 percent think they will have to struggle to make ends meet.

We've always been an independent bunch and we plan to continue our ways in retirement. An AARP survey revealed that 70 percent of us don't want to depend on our children during retirement. We may have a boost from our parents. Cornell University conducted a financial study that revealed that Baby Boomers are in line to inherit in the neighborhood of $10 trillion through 2040. That means, we'll have something to pass along as well. So, maybe that Social Security check won't be as big a part of the retirement plan as it has been to past generations.

What are your thoughts about "retirement"? Continue work? Travel? Charitable work? Will you move or stay where you are? What do you think lies ahead in your future? And, what will your role be with your grandchildren...after all, you are a Grandboomer. Let us know with a note to letters@grandboomers.com. We'll add your responses to our mailbag.

Boomers Have New Options for Retirement Living

The New York Times has jumped on the Boomer bandwagon with a recent article entitled "Still Working, Boomers 'Retire' to Resorts.

Our parents either retired to the homestead or moved, usually to a warmer climate, for retirement years. However, a lot of those retirees were unhappy with their lot. Those at home faced the same maintenance costs and taxes on the large house...now with empty bedrooms. Many who moved regretted the loss of their friends and neighbors. Some were never able to adjust and made a second move back.

Today, Boomers are experiencing a new option...planned residential resorts that cater to your every whim. Living space that fits your needs, without lawns to mow and gutters to clean.

In the Times article, a Grandboomer couple "strolled into the sales center at the resort in Ocean County, Greenbriar Westlake, (New Jersey) and signed the papers on a $400,000 house far smaller than the six-bedroom home they own in Manalapan, just a half-hour to the north. What they got for their money is a gated neighborhood of quiet cul-de-sacs and tightly packed homes where children are permitted to visit but not live."

You'll note the phrase "where children are permitted to visit but not live." Grandboomers like to see and spend time with the grandchildren, but, it's also nice to have some quiet time when they leave. Plus, these communities offer other amenities for Grandboomer that complete an attractive package.

This community "has an 18-hole golf course, two pools, an expansive clubhouse and, most important, maintenance-free living." Andrew Jacobs, author of the Times article continues, "In a trend sweeping the building industry, tens of thousands of older Americans are forsaking the sun-and-sand colonies of Florida, Arizona and California and choosing to stay closer to home in so-called active-adult communities that combine luxurious, suburban-style living with the amenities of a country club.

Unlike traditional communities for older adults, these enclaves eschew the word "retirement" and supply a dizzying array of distractions to keep residents busy and healthy."

While not blessed with the instant wealth of the .com generation (or poverty as the case may be), Grandboomers appear to be fairly affluent, making these planned communities a popular choice. New Jersey appears to be a leader in the construction of these areas, although, one can expect that the trend will continue throughout the northern United States from East to West Coasts.

A generation ago, housing tracts like this were places dotted with jungle gyms, station wagons, above ground pools, driveways littered with toys and sidewalks defined with chalk art. Today, without the children, the area tends to remain more pristine and orderly. Builders see this as the next housing boom.

From the Times article:

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," said Kira McCarron, vice president for marketing of Toll Brothers, a luxury-home builder that is developing two age-restricted communities in Ocean County and another two in metropolitan Detroit and Washington.

Like other builders, Toll Brothers is tapping into a bulging population of aging homeowners drawn from metropolitan New York and Philadelphia, where soaring real estate values have turned middle-class suburbanites into well-off empty nesters, experts say.

"People who paid $30,000 for a Bergen County ranch in the 1960's can sell it for $300,000 and live the life they never had when they had kids and bills," said William Becker, a consultant to the age-restricted housing industry. "Most of these people are paying cash for their new places, which is why it's such a hot business."

Unlike many in their parents' generation, aging boomers do not want to be far from family and friends, and do not want to skimp on creature comforts, builders say. They want cathedral ceilings, two-car garages, big closets and big windows overlooking the golf course.

Many are opting for basements and second floors, features unheard of in retirement communities a decade ago. And they want space to entertain and an extra bedroom for visiting grandchildren. "They don't want to make sacrifices to move out of their homes," Ms. McCarron said. "They want to retire gracefully."

DIFFERENCES

One of the principal differences between Grandboomers and our parents is that we don't want all out retirement. Most of us want to continue to work. But, we also want time for outside activities like exercise, socializing and travel. It's doubtful you'll find a shuffleboard in one of these new communities. Maintenance of lifestyle is paramount. Grandboomers aren't looking to slowdown or trade down from our current lifestyle...a defining difference from our parents.

Marketing of these communities, the Times notes, emphasize "biking, swimming and swinging 9-irons -- or the grandchildren." It continues that the "R" word...retirement...is out; as is any reference to medical facilities.

Find a place close enough to your present address and you don't even have to find new service providers. You can have the same doctor and shop at the same grocery store or at least with the same chain. If your children and grandchildren lived in reasonable driving distance before...there won't be much difference now. And importantly, from a Grandboomer point of view, the proximity keeps the family closer together.

From the Times article:

With the share of the United States population age 65 or older expected to reach nearly 20 percent by 2030, demographers and builders agree that the market is ripe for such communities. "It's a huge tidal wave, and it's no surprise that developers are responding to that market," said James W. Hughes, the dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Builders have been catering to the boom generation since the 1960's and 70's with garden apartments, then the town houses of the 80's, and in the last decade, large single-family homes packed with top-notch appliances and features. Although "people may want to scale down a bit," Dr. Hughes said, "they still want the Jacuzzi and the granite countertop."

Adult complexes are good not only for developers, but also for the town governments that approve their construction.

Municipalities that fear the extra services demanded by standard subdivisions are actively courting age- restricted projects, which produce tax revenue but create no demands on school districts. And because the streets are privately policed and maintained, there is minimal need for police, fire and snowplowing services.

THERE ARE THINGS TO CONSIDER

Participation in one of these communities is much like owning a condo. Your home may be a freestanding building, but you are part of an association and there will be a monthly dues to cover the costs of the amenities. Rules and restrictions may apply that are abrasive to you. And, there's the flip side of the no-children coin.

Some Grandboomers say the absence of the sound of children is deafening. Whether you chose to retire to one of these communities or not, it's nice to know that the boomer generation continues to have the power to dictate lifestyle changes and that we'll have plenty of alternatives if we choose a new living environment.

Let's Plant a Garden!

There are a number of plants that offer aromatic foliage while providing zest to your home cooking. And, they don't seem to care whether you grow them in your outdoor garden or in a window box or even a pot. We're talking about herb plants. They're easy to grow most anywhere.

Local garden centers can get you started with packets of seeds or seedlings. You can have some fun since there are more than 125 varieties available. If you're growing outdoors, you may prefer blooming herbs or other types that reach out and create ground cover. But, keep in mind that you can also use your herbs for a number of uses. Historically, herbs have been with us for hundreds of years and have been ingredients in medicines, seasonings, teas, fragrances and even clothing dyes.

Here are a half dozen popular herbs that are easy to grow indoors or out and you'll find useful. All of these varieties love the sun and are happy with partial shade. When dried and shredded, all can be used for teas, or food seasonings.

Rosemary. Best when grown in containers or hanging baskets. This evergreen herb has pine-scented leaves and is popularly used to flavor meats, vegetables, and breads along with vinegar and teas.

Thyme. (I just had to list these together). This is a creeper and makes a good ground cover. Has a nutmeg scent.

Sage. Also known as Salvia. The vibrant blossoms make it a favorite of gardeners. Spikes of purple and red flowers announce the arrival of autumn.

Lavender. This silver-gray foliage has dark violet flowers and is especially prominent in sachets and potpourri. Gardeners find this variety makes a nice edge for their perennial gardens.

Chives. Possible the most popular of the herbs. Provides your garden with rose flowers during May and June. It's widely used and highly appropriate as a garnish for any vegetable dish.

Catnip. You can use catnip as a tea flavoring. However, don't tell your cat about it. The leaves drive cats crazy. In your garden, lemon-scented leaves are also favored by bees and birds.

OK, so indoors or out, get some herbs and start your garden.

Name That Tune

If you're like me and my spouse, you played a musical instrument as a youngster. These youthful experiences vacillated from a the first stepping stone to a career as a musician, to you cringe whenever you see the instrument you played.

Chances are, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. You played well enough to sound pretty good. Maybe picked up some money playing in a band at school and other dances; thought about a musical career, but never followed through. Or, your public performances consisted of Mom or Dad forcing you upon unsuspecting dinner guests.

In any event, now that you're a Grandboomer, playing a musical instrument may be something you want to return to. Any instrument is great for manual dexterity, and all provide some degree of exercise. The health factor aside, what you may find is that the beats and sounds that escaped you as a youth, are now easier to perceive as an adult.

Recently, after a basement search, my spouse was delighted to find her old music books. It was a journey that had been stimulated when I purchased a portable pump organ at a local antique store. The instrument only has about a third of the keyboard, but my wife was delighted and started playing tunes from memory. Armed with her music, she has since started playing in earnest again only to be frustrated by the lack of keys. Can a grand piano be far behind?

I was amazed at how quickly she regained her playing ability. I am now screwing up the courage to take my clarinet down from the closet shelf (yes, I kept it all these years) and see if we can become a duet in both music and marriage.

If you played an instrument, consider starting over. If not, it's never too late to learn.

What's in the Future For You?

You're moving forward, like it or not, to retirement. Some of you may already be retired, or cutting down on the workload. A recent poll in Time Magazine notes that 20 percent of seniors between 50 and 75 work for pay. Of that group 42% do not consider themselves retired, but plan to do so. On the plus side, 60% of those polled say they perform volunteer work. We'll get into that in another article.

Today's senior isn't about to sit back and relax (although 28% claim they do), a whopping 68% are using retirement as the opportunity to start new activities ranging from tennis and golf, to travel and the Internet. Keep active, keep young seems to be the mantra.

How about you? What's changed in your life since you turned 50?
Let us know by sending your thoughts to letters@grandboomers.com