Information and Inspiration for the Solo Retirement Community
80 is the new 60by Jose Pujalte Jr. for Manila Bulletin
April 30, 2017
“’To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.’
— Bernard Baruch (1870-1965), U.S. Financier Quoted in The Observer (London, Aug 19, 1955) on his 85th birthday
Before any brickbats are hurled my way, let me qualify.
“Orville Kelly was diagnosed with lymphoma in his early forties. One day when he was sitting in his doctor’s waiting room, he thought to himself that he should start making better use of his time, since he did not know how long he may live with his cancer. He started talking about ideas of positive thinking to other patients in the waiting room and they formed a small support group. As a result of this experience, Orville founded the organization, Make Today Count, with the simple purpose of bringing together people who are learning to live with cancer. The following are suggestions for making each day count:
Talk About It
Family and Friends
Read more and find helpful resources
© April 27, 2017. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
April 28, 2017
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
“Older Americans are our Nation’s memory. Some of today’s grandparents and great-grandparents were born during the Great Depression, lived through the Second World War, witnessed the rise and fall of Communism, fought in Korea and Vietnam, marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., and watched the first man walk on the Moon. Now, they surf the internet and share family photos on their phones in a world that is richer and freer than the one into which they were born. Listening to the stories of our older citizens allows younger Americans to appreciate the country they inherited and gain the wisdom necessary to make it even better for their children and grandchildren.
Road Scholar Learning Adventures Combine Camaraderie and Discovery
March 29, 2017
“Each year thousands of baby boomers take to the roads, cities, countryside and waterways to explore and learn with Road Scholar. From learning about Puebloan rock art in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park to exploring Diocletian’s Palace in Split while sailing Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, nearly a quarter of Road Scholars are venturing out on their own to experience learning adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries worldwide. Road Scholar makes these robust learning adventures exciting and comfortable by taking care of all the details and creating a community in which traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling on your own. Women, in particular, are venturing out as solo travelers, seeking challenging and rewarding experiences as opportunities for learning and growth. (Watch a video about solo travel for women.)
‘Many solo female travelers, in particular, choose to go with Road Scholar because they feel they’re part of a close group on our educational travel programs,’ says JoAnn Bell, senior vice president of programs at Road Scholar. ‘Our adventures offer unique opportunities for people to engage both intellectually and socially while exploring and learning new things, all in a comfortable, safe environment.’
Jill Swaim of Carlsbad, Calif., started traveling on her own with Road Scholar several years ago — by happenstance. Originally, she and a friend planned a learning adventure in New Orleans, but the friend had to cancel at the last minute. Jill went anyway and soon discovered that traveling solo would be more than just OK.”
Read more about opportunities for solo travel
Road Scholar is the nation’s largest educational travel organization for adults – a true university of the world. This not-for-profit educational organization offers 5,500 extraordinary learning adventures in 150 countries and 50 states. Check out their blog at blog.roadscholar.org.
Donna, a neighbor and new friend of mine, sent me the following story via text message after I was fretting about not getting to spend time with my family as I would like for various reasons…
“Many years ago, a newlywed young man was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to his father.
As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son. ‘Never forget your friends,’ he advised, ‘they will become more important as you get older.’
After about three months of experiencing retirement, I realized I wasn’t ready for the drastic adjustment. I had worked full-time as a high school teacher so I decided to embrace retirement by working part-time as a substitute teacher to help with the transition. I loved the flexibility and the ability to continue working with young people. Rob Peters was in a similar situation…
By Kim Blanton, Squared Away Blog
April 20, 2017
A new body of research indicates that continuing to work but gearing down to a lower-intensity job is often good for older Americans, because it reduces their stress, increases their job satisfaction, and is an encouragement to continue working and preparing financially for retirement.
“Rob Peters’ approach to retiring wasn’t much different from hitting the road in 1975 to help drive a college friend from New York to California. He didn’t really know where he was going.
When he first laid eyes on California, he was captivated by its beauty, as well as the left-leaning politics absent in the conservative Long Island community he grew up in. But Peters, equipped only with an English degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, bounced around for years among the various part-time and full-time counseling jobs available to him in his new paradise.
Not until age 38, after earning a master’s degree in counseling and 13 job interviews, did he land his dream job at Diablo Valley College, a community college serving mostly low-income and minority students. He stayed more than 26 years, as a student adviser, program facilitator, and instructor.
He took a blind leap into retirement, too. Again, finding his place was a process. Within four months of retiring, at the end of 2014, he contacted Diablo Valley College. Yes, they would welcome him back as a counselor for four hours in the morning, two days per week in the spring and three days in the fall.”
Lily, my cat, came to live with me in 2009 and my dog, Goldi, in 2010. I adopted them as adults from the Humane Society. They both give me something to care for, a companion for walks, and a security alarm. Don’t tell the possible intruder, but Goldi’s bark is way worse than her bite, as she is a very gentle dog.
The following article describes some of the benefits of owning pets:
Kentish Homecare, April 12, 2017
“Studies have shown that owning a pet may help you live a longer, healthier and happier life thanks to the complex ways that animals can affect human emotions. A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society suggested that elderly people who live with pets tended to be healthier both physically and mentally than those who didn’t. Plus, the experimental residential home Eden Alternative has filled their facility with over 100 birds, cats, dogs, rabbits and chickens and has proven to have a 15% lower mortality rate than other traditional nursing homes.”
More details about the benefits of owning pets