Posts Tagged ‘seniors’

Retirement Planning Blues

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

My grandmother lived to be 101. I used to reflect on all the things she had seen in her lifetime and how she was able to adapt to change. I am not yet close to that milestone year, but in retirement I am learning that adaptability may be the key to successful living.

As you near retirement, you are told to plan. Plan for your expenses, plan where you want to live, plan for your health and plan on living life and having fun. Plan for the future.

Unfortunately, planning for the future based on today’s circumstances is a risky proposition at best. As older Americans we have learned that no matter how much we plan, the future is likely to be different. The adage “the future is now” has never been more true.

If someone had told me that I would see some of the auto companies go out of business, that my local newspaper might be a thing of the past, and that a major recession would change life for nearly everyone, I wouldn’t have believed it, and certainly would not have planned for these things!

A recent survey by AARP Magazine targets 45-64 year olds as “a high anxiety age group”. They are preparing for their retirement, but they are worried about other generations as well.

The AARP Survey called “A Closer Look” was last done about eight months ago, before the full effect of the recession was felt. New findings show:

  • 30 percent of those surveyed have stopped contributing to their 401 (k) or IRA
  • 18 percent have prematurely withdrawn funds from their retirement accounts
  • 12 percent say they have, or a family member, have lost a job in the last year
  • Nearly half, 49 percent say they are not confident that they will have enough money in retirement.

    • So, with those sobering statistics, it is more important than ever to plan. Chances are things will not go like you thought, but it is the successful plan that allows for change and our ability to adapt to it. Once you realize that you can react and adapt to your life’s many challenges, life becomes a very exciting journey.

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    Brave Aging

    Monday, June 23rd, 2008

    I hesitate to write this month’s column because people who know me, may now start looking a little more closely. However, in the interest of sharing ideas on retirement and aging, I submit the following:

    First, let me preface this by saying I have had no cosmetic surgery, not that there’s anything wrong with that. However, one of my friends has, and she invited me to an informational seminar at her doctor’s office one evening. Our area seems to have a lot of plastic surgeons who sponsor events to give you an idea of how much better you could look.

    There were about fifty other women who were also curious about what they could do to improve their appearance and the office manager gave us a brief overview of different options. There are many different things, from lasers to chemical peels that can reduce wrinkles.

    As the evening progressed they had a raffle for different prizes. When we arrived we were given three tickets and we had a choice of putting them in different bowls for a drawing. I had my eye on a gift basket filled with expensive skin care products, so that is where my first ticket went. My second ticket went into the bowl for a facial and eyebrow waxing. And my last hope was tossed in a bowl for a photo-facial, a procedure that reduces wrinkles and sun damage. As the drawing started, there were elated screams as people won Botox injections. My hopes were dashed as a name, other than mine, was drawn for the gift basket.

    A hush came over the crowd as the drawing for the most expensive gift, valued at nearly $2000.00 took place. Facial Fillers or injectables as they are called, held little interest for me. I had seen the demonstration earlier in one of the treatment rooms and the needles and pained expression on the recipient, had frankly scared me.

    And then all of a sudden I heard my name. How can it be me I wondered? Apparently, I had put my ticket in the wrong bowl. My immediate reaction was to say, please draw another name because I have no interest in the prize. But I didn’t. I wondered if there had been a cosmic intervention. Was there a reason I had won this prize I wondered?

    My friends congratulated me and my husband encouraged me to buy a lotto ticket to see if my good fortune held. But I agonized. I was scared. I didn’t know if I wanted this prize. I would look in the mirror and try to imagine how I would look without my prominent laugh lines. Certainly, I would look better, but did I really look that bad?

    Apparently, I did, because everyone encouraged me to go ahead.

    After many sleepless nights, I decided to call and make an appointment. Again, cosmic intervention: they had an opening that day and could do it that afternoon. And the rest, as they say, is history.

    My husband took me to my appointment and bravely sat in the treatment room as I had my procedure. I sat in a semi-reclined position as a nurse rubbed numbing cream on my face. Then she came in with a syringe and began making small injections into my laugh lines. It hurt a little, but certainly not a lot. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes. I was told to go home and put ice on it and rest. Other than that, no restrictions.

    I was done and it would take about three weeks to completely heal. Initially, I was bruised for a few days, but that was it. I don’t look that different to me, but when I look at the before picture that was taken, I can definitely tell a difference.

    It is expensive and I can see how it could become addictive. To me, when some wrinkles are diminished it is almost like the others become emphasized. But the reason I am happy I did it is because I was afraid. And sometimes it is just feels good to do something that is scary.

    I would encourage anyone that is not happy with their appearance to explore this option. Whether or not you decide to proceed, at least you will know what is available.

    And believe me, there is a lot.

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    Fitness First in 2008

    Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

    As we approach retirement age, most of us look at life in a different way than when we were younger. With age comes increased awareness about so many different things, but one that becomes very apparent is that life is what you make of it. For many people that were very involved in their work and have not developed hobbies or social networks outside of the workplace, retirement can be a difficult transition indeed. However, increasing research points to one thing that makes life easier and more enjoyable at any age and that is exercise.

    With the start of the new year, many people say January is the best time to make changes in your life. If exercise is not part of your daily lifestyle, this is the month to make it happen. It can begin with just thirty minutes a day.

    Exercise is simply sustained movement of the body, and at least 30 minutes of this sustained movement everyday is the key to an active lifestyle. Walking, bicycling, swimming, light weight training and jogging are just a few of the ways we can exercise for our sustained 30 minutes. Or better yet, combine several of these activities on different days or perhaps several in one day to make up your 30 minutes and you have an exercise program that can dramatically change your quality of life.

    Two doctors have made a commitment to get Americans moving. Bob Sallis, M.D. a family medicine doctor and Ron Davis, M.D. a preventive medicine doctor, have launched an initiative that they hope will make a difference in the nation’s health called “Exercise is Medicine“. Understanding that health is determined to a large degree by lifestyle choices, including physical activity, they hope to drive home the medical importance of exercise to physicians and other health care professionals. “Why physicians are so quick to accept research data on expensive medications while essentially ignoring even stronger data on the benefit of physical activity is at the core of this program,” Sallis says.

    Exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure, blood sugar and weight; improve cholesterol, sleep and bone and heart health while decreasing the risk of cancer. All of these benefits can be had for just thirty minutes a day by something as simple as exercise.

    As more and more baby boomers are nearing retirement and looking for ways to stay young and fit, it is essential to incorporate exercise into the daily routine. And what better way to start the new year?

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