Woody's Retirement Blog » Active Seniors http://www.woodysretirementblog.com The Happy Retiree Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:01:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Retirement – The Downside and the Upside http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/retirement-the-downside-and-the-upside.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/retirement-the-downside-and-the-upside.htm#comments Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:28:20 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=648

Hi Folks,

I can tell you from experience that retirement isn’t always what it’s cut out  to be.

Some days it’s great being retired. Other days we wonder what the heck we’re doing and what we’re supposed to be doing. The dynamics of aging and retirement have changed so much over the past few years that it’s difficult getting our arms around being a senior. Shoot, we can’t even agree on when “senior” begins! 65? I don’t think so.  

I do know this, we have a wonderful opportunity to do the things we’ve always wanted to do and become what we’ve always wanted to become. Just think of all the good we can do and all the people we can help with the extra time  we have in our “second Age”. We should move into this new age with purpose and the determination to make a difference.

Come on, let’s go.

Woody 

Retirement – The Downside and the Upside of Life After Work

By Ruthan Brodsky

Retirement is around the corner and you are concerned. How are you going to spend your time? Before you know it what you feared would happen happens. You were told your services are no longer needed. Now what?

Our society is so very oriented to youth that it is easy to overlook the advantage of age. Advantages you ask? It was easier when we were younger and did not hurt so much. When you were thirty, age seemed so far away but it eventually catches up to us. The changes in our body and body shape seem to accelerate in our forties and fifties while the list of medications and surgical procedures grows longer.

Making you feel even worse is your services are no longer needed. You cannot play bridge or golf or fish all day every day. By now you are starting to feel lonely. Some of your family members and friends are ill and some have died. Reminders of your mortality are not what you needed just now. Besides you have bigger worries such as will your money last your life?

Feeling this sense of separation from a previous active life gives you a better understanding about why so many seniors are taking anti depression medications. It seems like your value to others as well as your own self esteem have dropped off the map. Where are the challenges, the fun, and the involvement? Life does not have much of a shape anymore and it is depressing. It is also scary.This is the down side of getting to retirement. Change is frightening for everyone. Sometimes we focus so much on what we lost or stand to lose that we forget to consider all that we can gain.

There is another side, however a very different picture of just as many people who do not spend time mourning about what they lost but welcome what they have now. All systems, including your family and friends and yourself resist change. Midlife and beyond seems to be the time when we renegotiate our feelings of worth, our relationships at home and with our children who have moved away.

The fact is we are healthier and more alive than people our age just 20 years ago. Medical science has extended our life and our levels of energy. Most of us are a lot more sure of ourselves than we were when we were younger. If you are not sure, think back to your years in Junior High.Time has given us the ability to use our experiences to solve problems and make judgments. Wisdom is the word many use to describe this ability.

One of the most important things that we have learned is the gift of time. We were careless about it in our youth. Reckless about it in our teens. Then too busy for the next 30 years to not pay attention to it so we never did the things we always wanted to do. Retirement has once again given us the gift of time.

There are professionals and business owners who love what they do and plan to continue their work. However, they want to see more of their children and grandchildren live 600 miles away. They have changed their work schedule to give them the time to make those visits and maintain local family relationships and friendships. Employees who are fortunate to work for companies that appreciate their skills and willingly accommodate the changing lifestyles of seniors, work out a flex schedule with management.

It is difficult to accept that our energy level and physical abilities are declining. However, that does not mean we cannot do the things we want to do. Even tennis players and marathon runners are grouped according to their age. After all, a heavy weight wrestler does not compete with a light weight wrestler in college athletics. Neither do Class A and Class C high school football teams compete.

Make a list of the things you absolutely love to do. If money is not an issue, how would you spend your perfect day? What do you want your physical setting to be? Who are the people you want to see? The places you want to go? The activities you want to do? The pace at which you want to move? Are you seeking relaxation or excitement? Your answers will give you a good foundation for your thinking.

I invite you to learn more about working in retirement including how to promote your business or profession online and offline at http://FromRetirementtoCareerChangeGuide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruthan_Brodsky

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/retirement-the-downside-and-the-upside.htm/feed 1 Make Retirement the Time of Your Life http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/make-retirement-the-time-of-your-life.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/make-retirement-the-time-of-your-life.htm#comments Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:53:49 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=561 Hi Folks,

Here’s a nice slant on active retirement activities – add to our accomplishments.

Most of us looked forward to retiring so we could have more time for pursuing the things we enjoy. Now, along comes this lady suggesting that we try something new. . . but not give up our favorite things.

Sounds like a good idea. Let’s see what she has to suggest :-)
Woody   

Make Retirement the Time of Your Life by Adding to Your Accomplishments

By Niamh Crowe

Retirement is the time for trying something different. That’s not always what happens of course. Keen golfers, for instance, often play more golf when they retire. Enthusiastic gardeners often plant new flower beds. That’s understandable but it doesn’t broaden minds or expand horizons. It’s well worth spending at least one day a week doing something that you have never done before.

Many newspapers have a “What’s on today” column with a list of local activities. These can range from an exhibition of paintings to a lecture on bee keeping. They cover local historical walks, charity sporting events and talks on subjects as diverse as training your dog to astronomy. You may not find the topics fascinating but choosing one and attending it might give you a whole new interest in life. At worst you can cut it off the list of things to do because you hate it! Retirement gives you the time to make such mistakes.

Many of us have health problems or have family members with such problems. There are all sorts of associations and bodies that provide lectures and seminars on these illnesses. If you go to one you may get help in dealing with the illness, knowledge about new developments in it or the name of a doctor who specialises in it. Retirement is a time for absorbing new knowledge.

There are all sorts of places where there are different activities going on. Your local library, for instance, often has the most fascinating speakers. They have groups practising languages or showing you how to trace your family tree. Other places where there is a whole lot going on are local resource centres, parish halls or community centres. Many of the activities are free of charge so all you need is an interest in the subject or at least to be open-minded about learning something about it. Retirement is a time to develop new interests.

Many of us when we retire simply do more of the same. That’s a pity because the world is full of fascinating subjects and places to see. Why not pretend you are a visitor to your own town? Then list and visit all the places of interest to tourists. Are they building a new road through a local beauty spot? Why not join or even start a protest movement? You may become an expert in town planning as a result! So visit the local aquarium, try going on the panel of listeners for radio join your local active retirement association. Retirement is, above all, a time for making new friends.

Niamh Crowe has written Retirement speeches for 20 years. She has written thousands of speeches for every event and occasion.

Niamh Crowe
Copyright Speechwriters 1994-2007
marketing@speech-writers.com
Tel. +353 1 8333599

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niamh_Crowe

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/make-retirement-the-time-of-your-life.htm/feed 0 An Introduction To The World Of Dating For Seniors http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/an-introduction-to-the-world-of-dating-for-seniors.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/an-introduction-to-the-world-of-dating-for-seniors.htm#comments Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:53:05 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=550 Hi Folks,

There are two common misconceptions about dating that society has held for so many years that they have virtually merged into unwritten rules. The first is that dating is for the younger generations only, and the second is that seniors are not only too old for it but they are past it. Seniors have an unjustified reputation for being set in their ways and thus it is frowned upon for them to accept somebody new into their lives, let alone into their beds! However, the Internet and more liberal attitudes are starting to change the perspective of society as a whole. There is a long way to go until the world of senior dating is fully accepted but everyone should have the choice. The question is, to date or not to date?

Seniors are renowned for having friendships with the opposite sex rather than actual relationships and, even though the former often merges into the latter, are always termed that way. Individuals into their fifties often date, but beyond that it is frowned upon for a variety of reasons. If a senior has been widowed, it may be a result of their existing family.

Sons and daughters, even though they are grown up and have lives and children of their own, often make dating difficult for individual seniors. The attitude that they take is that nobody can replace their mother or father and that no individual should actually step into their parent’s shoes. That applies to any potential suitor, regardless of how happy they may make the parent left behind. Children of any age are notoriously unforgiving if their parents should move on after a split or death, but the fact remains that it is your life to do as you please. Another issue may be greed, although most seniors refuse point blank to think of it in those terms. Children and grandchildren would view seniors’ dates as someone trying to get their hands on their rightful inheritance. Unfortunately, there have been many stories of conmen that have added credibility to this perspective, but that is not so in the majority of cases and everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt. However, it is up to individual seniors to make their minds up as to whether they can effectively ignore these arguments and date.

If seniors do decide that the time is right for them to move on and have someone, they have plenty of options as far as dating is concerned in this day and age. Simply joining senior groups will introduce you to likeminded people that you could form a relationship with. The key to an enduring and healthy relationship is a solid foundation built upon common interests. If you can talk to someone for hours, even if it is on the one subject, then you can translate that into a relationship. Dating as a senior is all about finding a companion to enjoy the rest of your days with after all.

Having said that, some seniors don’t actually settle for the one companion. They choose to date several men or women, depending on gender and sexual orientation, so that they have several relationships that can form a support network. This is especially common if they have been committed to one person for many years and feel that nobody else would offer the same security or sense of satisfaction that they had previously had. The people that they choose to have relationships with, therefore, are there to fulfil a specific individual role that a previous partner had fulfilled on his or her own.

Dating as a senior is not all about sex and should never be thought of in that way. The majority of seniors that do date choose to do so to find a companion and fill a void in their lives. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. It is a personal choice that should be respected, just as we respect the rights of younger individuals that choose to date. It should not be all about anyone but the senior in question. If he or she chooses to date, regardless of what other people think, then good luck to them!

Woody

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/an-introduction-to-the-world-of-dating-for-seniors.htm/feed 0 Volunteering: Helping others http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/volunteering-helping-others.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/volunteering-helping-others.htm#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:29:17 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=516 Hi Retirees,

As I have mentioned before in these pages, most of my retired friends live very busy, active lives. And most are in relatively good health. But I have some retired friends that are not living such busy lives and I have had some of them to tell me that if they only felt better they would become more involved in other things.

Perhaps that’s true, but on the other hand I wonder that if they would get involved in “other things” they wouldn’t feel better. 

In my exercise group (co-ed, three days a week) most of us share that there are lots of days we don’t feel like getting up and about but that a little “self-push” gets us out and that helps us feel better.  Sort of like having a built in life coach. :-)

And that is what today’s author is saying in this article. Volunteering and helping others takes our minds off of ourselves. Try it, it works. You can take it from me and a lot of my retired friends.

Happy Retirement,
Woody

Volunteering: Helping others could actually help you

 
(ARA) – We respect and admire volunteers for their devotion to a cause and their willingness to sacrifice their own needs for the needs of others. These selfless acts can often be life-changing for the person on the receiving end, but what about the person volunteering?

The health benefits of volunteering are well documented and include reduced stress and an increased feeling of self worth. It is no wonder that for many people with chronic conditions, volunteering can even help maintain or improve one’s physical health.

Hand in Hand for RA (www.handinhandforRA.com) is a national awareness campaign that encourages people with the painful chronic joint disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to learn about the benefits of volunteering and share their own inspirational stories.

“Volunteering is a huge part of my life that has really helped me through some tough times dealing with a chronic disease,” says Seth Ginsberg, cofounder and president of grassroots arthritis group CreakyJoints, a sponsor of the campaign. “Things as simple as getting involved with senior citizens in your local community – reading to them, driving them to the grocery store and even just talking with them – all help keep your mind off your disease.”

When Debbie McGrady, a 55-year-old mother of two and part-time bank teller, was diagnosed with RA, she decided she wasn’t going to allow the disease to take over her life. Debbie has gotten involved with Hand in Hand for RA and has found volunteering to be very rewarding and fun as she drives seniors to their doctor’s appointments, to the drugstore and on other errands.

“Helping others and giving back to the community has assisted me in keeping the focus on my life and not on my disease,” says Debbie. “Volunteering can be as simple as supervising children at an after-school program or coaching your children’s sports team.”

Volunteering also is a way to connect with others and offers people living with RA an opportunity to talk about their disease and communicate with people going through the same things.

To take advantage of what your community may offer or to find ideas, try visiting your local recreation center, YMCA or town hall. These places post community activities and list where volunteers are needed. Also, visit the Hand in Hand for RA website to learn about how other RA volunteers are giving back.

Other tips on volunteering for RA patients include:

* Participate in a beautification project by planting a garden.
* Get involved in a local fundraiser for a good cause; or create one.
* Deliver meals to seniors in town.
* Help paint a local house in disrepair.
* Mentor youth.
* Volunteer at an animal shelter.

Before starting on any new activity, it is important to talk first with a health care provider about what volunteer activities would be the best to pursue based on your individual health status.

For more information on how to get involved with Hand in Hand for RA visit www.handinhandforRA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/volunteering-helping-others.htm/feed 0 Woody’s Retirement Blog http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/woodys-retirement-blog.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/woodys-retirement-blog.htm#comments Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:46:39 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=499 Hi Folks,

I haven’t been posting to this blog  recently but have been concentrating on my “Retirement on a Budget” blog and working on some information sites. But now I notice that the folks that come to Retirement on a Budget.com are primarly interested in the financial side of retirement and rarely click on all the good and positive items that are also available on that site. But the folks that visit Woody’s Retirement Blog  (even though I haven’t been adding new items lately) are reading the positive items archived there and then clicking on over to Retirement  on a Budget and reading the financial articles.      

Sooooo, being that I love the positive side of retirement and senior living and like to talk and share about the wonderful, fun and exciting things about being a senior, I’ll start posting to Woody’s Retirement Blog again.

I hope you enjoy the articles I share with you here.

Happy retirement,
Woody

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/woodys-retirement-blog.htm/feed 0 Rethinking Retirement! http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/rethinking-retirement.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/rethinking-retirement.htm#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:51:38 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=448

Hi Folks,

This message is for all seniors - those that are retired and those planning retirement. 

Retirement is not for everyone! Some retirees are in hog heaven, others are just plain miserable. I am one of the Hog Heaven Group. I am so busy that I have considered going back to work just so I could get some rest. :-) I now have the time to get involved in things I have been wanting to do for years. And that is wonderful!

Most of my friends are in the “Hog Heaven Group” but I do know folks that are just plain unhappy in retirement. 

The following article by Grant Cardone addresses retirement’s affect on seniors. And I will have more to say on this subject in the coming days. So, if you are interested, subscribe to this blog or check back often.

Have a great day,
Woody   

Retirement Will Kill You!

By Grant Cardone

I was on a plane with Academy award winning actor Ernest Borgnine, 93 years old, (202 movies to his credit) as he was on his way to Toronto to shoot a movie with Bruce Willis. We got into a conversation about work and retirement and he said, “retirement will kill you, work gives you purpose.”

The American dream of retiring one day, never having to clock in, golf and beach all day may be overrated. Statistics actually show that retiring could actually be the worse thing a person could do in life and continuing to work, the best! Work gives us purpose, motivation to be creative, the opportunity to solve problems, relationships that we might not otherwise have, and challenges to overcome. Imagine life without problems, challenges, obstacles to overcome, co-workers to love and criticize, customers that you can never figure out and the likes. Just the idea of that depresses me.

Men and women need challenges and are stimulated and thrive on solving problems. Look at any infant 9 months old and watch their interest as they try to consume, manage, control and overcome every challenge surrounding them. Then look at your sixty-five year old grandmother who with no purpose each day, no work, sits home and watches TV with no sense of purpose. She may spend the next thirty years living her life like this. You are observing the difference between living life and just slowly dying from not living life. Consider all the millions of people labeled with depression when they may just have a lack of purpose and motivation. I was labeled with depression in my twenties when the issue was not some immeasurable chemical imbalance but a lack of purpose and direction in my life. Once I clarified my purpose the sense of depression completely disappeared.

Recent research suggests that actually retirement isn’t that good for you:

1. Health. According to findings reported in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. “Being engaged in some meaningful activity, whether in paid employment or unpaid volunteer activity, is likely to have beneficial health effects when one retires,” says Kenneth Shultz, a professor at California State University-San Bernardino.

2. Purpose- Work and the challenges and obstacles that come with it give life a purpose. Challenges are critical to keeping life interesting. The overcoming of challenges and solving problems gives a person a sense of accomplishment.

3. Marriage. When you promised to stay with your spouse for better or worse, that didn’t necessarily mean either of you signed up for 24 hours a day with that person. Without having challenges at work, you may find yourself actually creating problems with your spouse to create challenges in your life.

4. Delay taxes. Minimum withdrawals from most retirement accounts don’t become required until age 70½. Why not defer taxes for an extra decade if you can and take advantage of more time to compound, tax deferred. Higher Social Security checks. Social Security eligibility begins at age 62, but your checks are reduced by 25 to 35 percent if you sign up at this age. For each year you delay signing up for Social Security between ages 62 and 70, your benefit will increase by 7 to 8 percent.

5. Live Longer than your Savings. Let’s face it. You probably haven’t saved enough to retire. The average Fidelity-administered 401(k) plan held just $60,700. That’s not nearly enough to pay for 20 to 30 years of retirement if you don’t have other sources of income. Only 26 percent of workers age 55 and older have $250,000 or more saved for retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Based on these statistics most of us will outlive our finances making retirement fear filled rather than days of golf.

Because of the implosion of retirement accounts and loss of equity in home ownership, Americans are forced to reevaluate the viability of retiring. Each of us should look at whether retiring is just some perpetuated fantasy that is actually not good for our well being, sense of purpose and mental and physical health. Work gives us purpose, challenges, opportunities and relationships that would not be available with retirement. We are all going to die, the question is, while we are alive will be live a life of purpose and direction, motivation and meaning.

Grant Cardone, Author and CEO

Grant Cardone, author of Sell To Survive, is being called The Entrepreneur for the 21st Century. Starting from modest beginnings, he is now the founder and owner of three multi-million dollar companies: a successful software company, a sales training and consulting business, and a real estate company with a portfolio valued at over 100 million dollars. Cardone also speaks internationally to industry leaders, managers, CEOs and entrepreneurs on sales, money, finance, business strategies and business expansion. visit http://www.grantcardone.com
]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/rethinking-retirement.htm/feed 0 Social Networking on the Internet for Seniors http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/social-networking-on-the-internet-for-seniors.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/social-networking-on-the-internet-for-seniors.htm#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:37:45 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=439 Hi Folks,

We seem to have  replaced the back fence, front porch and church socials with email, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. We used to call it visiting but now we call it social networking. Sort of like bringing the front porch indoors.  :-)

I have a few friends that refuse to get involved in “that old computer stuff” but for the most part my senior friends have embraced the internet for a wonderful way to keep in touch with family, friends, people with simular interests and, believe it or not, neighbors.

If you are interested in moving beyond email for keeping in touch with folks, this article is for you. Many thanks to Bottom Line Publications for all their wonderful publications (both email and hard copy).

I hope you are having a great day. I’ll see you at the church social tonight.

Woody  

Social Networking on the Internet: The New Way to Make Friends and Have Fun

By Susan Ayers Walker
SmartSilvers Alliance

Want to know which South Florida nightclubs have a senior-friendly reputation? A member of the social networking site Eons recently put together a list. Meanwhile, several AARP networkers shared opinions about dentists in Los Angeles. And would you like to meet some nearby singles in your age group? Members of the Gather social networking site regularly swap information on the subject.

These are a few of the thousands of ways that seniors are exchanging information, making new friends and keeping up with older friends on the Internet’s social networking sites.

Networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, sprang up several years ago, largely for Web-savvy young people. Today, there’s a growing number of social networks specifically for adults who are interested in travel, health, dating, politics, second careers, movies and hundreds of other subjects.

How they work: Social networking sites typically ask you to create a profile about yourself that includes basic information, such as the city where you live, your hobbies and other interests, as well as a network nickname by which members can refer to you. Members usually include pictures in their profiles. There’s rarely a charge to join a network, but most sites have lots of advertising.

Once you register on a social networking site, you can search for people with similar interests, location or hobbies. You can get in touch with other members by posting a message on a person’s profile, or by joining a discussion group. Only the site has your real e-mail address unless you give it to another member — which you may want to do after developing a trusting relationship. Social networking sites usually have blogs that let users post comments, exchange views and ask for advice on a wide variety of subjects.

Examples: One member of a networking site recently asked for information on jobs for seniors in the Chicago area. Another wanted advice on repairing a wooden sailboat, and many more were still exchanging views on the November election.

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Some of the best social networking sites for adults…

Eons (www.eons.com) is a social network for older adults interested in leading healthy and fulfilling lives. One of the most popular features of the site is the Longevity Calculator, which asks a series of health-related questions and then estimates your life expectancy. Among the popular social groups at Eons are those that discuss spirituality, pop music and saving money.

AARP Online Community (www.aarp.org/onlinecommunity) is a new feature of the country’s largest organization for seniors and is growing strong. As it grows, the social network will connect more and more adults interested in such subjects as entertainment, education, health, careers, sports and volunteering. You don’t have to be an AARP member to take part in its social networking.

Gather (www.gather.com) is a social network with an especially large number of interest groups, including those for adults interested in horror movies, baking bread or writing poetry. When members use Gather, they build up credits that can be redeemed at retailers such as Amazon.com, the Gap, Starbucks and Target.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Many social networking sites are now aimed at people with specific interests…

Literature.At Goodreads (www.goodreads.com), you can network with people who love to read books and want to exchange information about authors, best sellers and publishing industry events.

Women’s issues.iVillage Connect (http://connect.ivillage.com) is one of the few social networking sites devoted solely to women, covering a wide range of topics from health, careers and relationships to shopping and style.

Careers.Of the many sites for career-minded networkers, LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is one of the most popular. Members exchange information about career interests and skill sets, post their résumés and invite people they have met in business to join their online network of business colleagues. Your network expands as you are introduced to other businesspeople — a bit like exchanging business cards, except it is done online in this network.

Personal finance.ValueForum (www.valueforum.com) is one of a growing number of specialized networking sites that charge for membership. For about $21 a month, members exchange information about their personal experiences with a wide variety of timely investments, including municipal bonds, energy-related stocks, real estate, foreign equities and gold.

Language learners.LiveMocha (www.livemocha.com) is a network for language learners, allowing them to connect with native speakers throughout the world. LiveMocha supports learners of English, French, German, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish and is expected to add more languages.

To find other social networks on the Web, enter “social networking” into Google or another search engine. To find a site for people with a specific interest, add the name of that interest in the search box. Example: “Social networking cooking.”

SMART NETWORKING

With so many social networking sites available, it’s difficult to choose the ones that are right for you… and then to use them to your best advantage.

Visit one or two networks frequently for about a month to decide whether you’re connecting with like-minded people. If the site is not for you, remove your profile by deleting all the information you provided, including pictures.

But if you do like the site, be sure your profile includes a picture, either of yourself or something that represents your hobby. If you don’t, the profile won’t attract many interested networkers.

Be cautious about giving out your phone number, street address, real e-mail address or other personal information. Though the majority of networkers are honest, a few disreputable people always sneak in, sometimes to sell you a product or lobby a point of view that doesn’t interest you.

It’s usually best to remain online friends with a fellow networker unless the person can provide references that you can check (mutual friend, church or club affiliations).

Bottom Line/Retirementinterviewed Susan Ayers Walker, technology journalist and consultant who advises companies on technology applications for older adults. Her company, SmartSilvers Alliance, is located in Menlo Park, California, www.network.smartsilvers.com.

Reprinted with the permission of:
Bottom Line Publications
Boardroom Inc.
281 Tresser Blvd., 8th Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
www.BottomLineSecrets.com

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/social-networking-on-the-internet-for-seniors.htm/feed 2 Great Retirement http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/great-retirement.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/great-retirement.htm#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:45:12 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=435 Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a great day. But if you are not having a good day, or if you are . . . the following article is definitely for you.

Woody

How to Retire Ungracefully

By Janet Houghton

If you look up retirement in Thesaurus, you will find it includes such words as aloneness, aloofness, desolation, detachment, hiding, reclusion, reclusiveness, remoteness, retreat, seclusiveness, separateness, separation, solitude, withdrawal.If you believe what you read, all retirees are rather a sad bunch, sitting around by themselves waiting for the inevitable. NOT SO! One of the top searches in Google Keyword Tool is “Retirement Communities”, which if you visit the one just down the road from me, is chock full of 60-100 year old men and women having an extremely social life. In fact I know one couple in their 80s who if you want to visit them, actually consult their ‘social diary’ and if you’re lucky they can fit you in ‘next week’!

So what do they all do? Well, in this particular village, they have bowls, tennis, swimming, dancing, boot-scooting, 2 restaurants, a bar, bingo and last but not least, lots of friends to do all these things with. So I certainly wouldn’t describe the majority of retirees as reclusive or desolate.

However, if you do find yourself going into a decline or missing work (really, there are people who do), but you’re not ready to go into a retirement home just yet, here are a few suggestions to get the mind and body active again.

  • You could join a club – walking, dancing, darts, swimming, tai chi – the list is endless How about becoming a volunteer – op shops, church groups, schools or even the local radio station are always looking for helpers
  • Become a surrogate grandparent to children who don’t have a family unit close to them (that’ll keep you busy!)
  • Plan a regular trip out with a friend to the movies or theatre and shout yourself lunch or dinner as well
  • Do as I did, and learn something completely new – internet marketing. This has the bonus of not only keeping your mind very active, but can also make you money – lots of it.  

Hope you’ve enjoyed this rather tongue-in-cheek article – a bit different to my normal style – but there are some serious bits in amongst the silliness! So all that’s left is for you to go and have fun in your retirement

Janet works from home in Tropical North Queensland as a business coach and entrepreneur in network marketing. Her office overlooks the magnificent rain trees, iron barks and ghost gums on her 5-acre property, which is home to lots of wildlife such as kangaroos, frill-necked lizards and many different bird species. She is passionate about both her business and helping others to also achieve their dreams. The marketing platform she uses has assisted in the success of some of the top earners in the network marketing industry including people like Gregg Davison and Michael Force. For information on the business, click here http://www.wealth4lifeonline.com or to find out more about Janet, check out her blog at http://janethoughton.wordpress.com 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Houghton  
]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/great-retirement.htm/feed 0 Seniors Staying Active and Healthy http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/seniors-staying-active-and-healthy-2.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/seniors-staying-active-and-healthy-2.htm#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:50:07 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=420 Hi Folks,

This past Saturday 30 members of my Senior Group, “Happy Hearts“, drove over to Anderson, SC, to enjoy the Anderson Senior Follies. Many  of us have been attending this annual show for years.

What a show it was! No wonder every show is sold out with bus loads coming from all over South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Seniors dancing, singing, acting and doing comedy routines. What a wonderful example of what seniors can do when we stay healthy, have the right attitude, and want to stay active.  

To learn all about this wonderful group and to be inspired and encouraged go to http://www.andersonseniorfollies.com/.

Well, nice weather has returned to upstate South Carolina so it’s out in the yard for me. I’m going back to square foot gardening this year so I have to get busy building my raised beds. If any of you are interested in square foot and/or raised bed gardening drop me a line so we can share our fun with others.

Growing things is a wonderful way to stay active and interested. Whether your garden is a dish garden, window sill garden, container garden or a full fledged garden, you can hardly tend to it without humming and breaking out with a smile. And sharing with other gardeners that are interested in the same type of gardening as yours is like putting icing on a cake. 

May I suggest that if you are not into growing things, that you begin today. Getting your hands dirty is good for you. :-)

Woody


 

]]> http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/seniors-staying-active-and-healthy-2.htm/feed 0 Who Says an Old Dog Can’t Learn New Tricks? http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/who-says-an-old-dog-cant-learn-new-tricks.htm http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/who-says-an-old-dog-cant-learn-new-tricks.htm#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:59:27 +0000 Woody http://www.woodysretirementblog.com/?p=406

 

 

Hi Folks,

Today I have a post for you that is a “must read” for every senior.

Please read this article by Judi Cogen and then read it again. It’s the sort of article that we should read every day. . . .  Encouraging and uplifting.

Happy retirement days,
Woody 

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

By Judi Cogen

This is one cliche that makes my teeth hurt. Not only is it untrue, it is anti-canine and ageist, and I don’t support either.

Our dog-referred to as Puppy in all public communication-is not really a puppy anywhere but in my heart. He is somewhere between 5 and 6 years old (being a rescue dog, we can’t pinpoint it any closer than that).

The point is that while he is no longer quite as youthful as he once was, he is still quite adept at learning. Puppy learns all kinds of new things. Recently, he learned the sound of a banana being ripped off the bunch. Puppy LOVES bananas and now never misses an opportunity to share a bit of the fruit. Especially if I’m the one with the banana, since I’m the one Most Likely to Share with Puppy. He knows. If Hubby gets a banana, it might warrant opening an eye to determine whether any hits the floor. If I pull a banana off the bunch, four legs fight to see who can propel his long body to me first.

“But learning to love sweets is not what we’re talking about,” I hear you say. No problem. Puppy has also learned to clean up his toys (he’s much neater than the kids), clear his dishes after he eats (ditto), and most recently how to “high-five.” I frequently teach him new tricks and behaviors precisely because I think it’s important for him to continue to learn throughout his life. Besides, it’s really cute.

“You still don’t get it, Judi,” you continue undaunted. “The point is about people learning new tricks. Dogs are merely a metaphor. Think Aesop.”

Fine. I still don’t buy the cliche.

After they retired, my formerly unathletic parents began all kinds of adventures. They learned to snow shoe, to handle sea kayaks, and hike on a quasi regular basis. I know other people who at retirement age have learned to type Braille, speak another language, or begin an entirely new career.

Other people venture into new technology. Cathy loved her job in customer service. For years, she had been happy to let the computer generation pass her by, seeing no need for her to learn “those things.” People offered to teach her various computer skills, but she politely declined, content to do her job with the high attention to detail she’d always managed without a computer. Eventually, however, it became clear that technology was here to stay and that in order to remain in her function, Cathy would need to catch up to the computer generation. She wasn’t excited about it, but she was determined. In record time, Cathy became so proficient at the software required for her position that she became the “go to” person when there were questions. Her exceptional performance without the technology translated rapidly to the new platform.

Penny Heneke, “a senior with time on her hands,” decided age was not a deterrent to taking violin lessons when she learned the studio also had two 92 year olds taking instruction. While not yet a virtuoso, she can proudly play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and various other pieces (see Making Music Magazine for more about Penny).

At 48, Troy learned to use a sewing machine. At 82, Marie learned to play the piano. At 73, Robert learned to golf. At 67, Marc learned to be a zoo docent. At 58, Rebecca learned to swim. The list goes on and on.

Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks? But for that matter, who gets to define “old dog?”

Judi Cogen is a Principal with J Grace Consulting and an expert in reducing unwanted organizational turnover. Her Selection Strategist Program helps companies reduce turnover and take the guesswork out of hiring by using proven conative testing and company specific analytics to select the right person for the right position. J Grace Consulting also offers Youth Strategist, a program to help 10 to 17 year old kids understand their conative attributes for more success in life and school. Learn more about Selection Strategist and Youth Strategist at http://JGraceConsulting.net. You can read Judi’s blog at http://JudiCogen.wordpress.comor follow her on Twitter at @JudiCogen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judi_Cogen


 
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