Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Where will Baby Boomers Move?

Where will Baby Boomers Move?

Considering the turmoil in real estate markets, it’s no surprise that developers want to know where the aging population wants to live.

SURVEY: The preliminary results were released from a survey conducted among an undisclosed number of “younger Boomers” who will be age 50 in 2010 and “older Boomers” who will be age 64 in 2010. Respondents included current residents in the survey sponsor’s retirement communities.

FINDINGS: About one-third of respondents said they planned to move to a new house during retirement. Approximately 50% of those who plan to move during retirement will relocate to a different state; about 25% will move to a different city within the same state. “Cost of living” and “healthcare” were the most important considerations in selecting a location.

For people who turn 50 in 2010, the most popular destinations were: South Carolina (20%), North Carolina (16%), Florida (15%), Tennessee (9%), Arizona (8%), California (8%) and Virginia (8%). For people who will be 64, the most frequently mentioned states were: North Carolina (19%), South Carolina (16%), Florida (15%), Tennessee (12%), Virginia (10%), Arizona (6%) and California (6%).

SOURCE: Del Webb, 2010 Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey (February 2010)

Monday, March 8, 2010

Cellulite, Menopause and You

Cellulite, Menopause and You
by Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com


Medical Researchers have just begun to unravel cellulite’s dark mysteries in the past couple years, and the findings are both encouraging- and somewhat discouraging.

Cellulite is unfortunately quite common in women- but is also be found in a few unlucky men and teenage girls.

It also rather profoundly worsens with the onset of menopause- and it is only now becoming clear as to why exactly this is.

During the peri-menopausal hormone bounce of a woman’s 30’s and early 40’s, the female body prepares for the onset of full-blown menopause. What researchers have recently discovered about cellulite- and Menopause-sheds new light on the subject and provides key insights that were missing from the equation entirely prior to this point in time.

It’s long been known that cellulite can exist in women who have as little as 15% body fat. Consequently because of this phenomenon it is incorrect to think of cellulite as merely ‘a fat person’s issue’ or that cellulite is just ‘fat’ in general terms.
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It’s well documented that cellulite (also known as localized lipodystrophy) is a condition marked by a very telltale ‘orange peel’ dimpling of the skin on the hips, thighs and buttocks of folks suffering from this condition. What is often not known is that cellulite can also form on the chest, back of the neck, stomach and back of the arms.

But how does this unsightly and unsettling condition begin- and why does it get worse after menopause?

The body contains three layers of fat. It is the top layer of fat (the subcutaneous layer) that is affected by cellulite. This subcutaneous layer is comprised of fibrous connective tissue that resembles fine mesh. These fibers are known as septae.

Septae serve to form chambers in the skin that house fat cells and keep these fat cells tightly compacted. This compact fat then serves to provide insulation and structural support to the body.
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New scientific findings reveal that PRIOR to menopause, cellulite is actually a condition comprised of two basic issues: Decreased microcirculation deep in the skin tissues- and inflammation caused by free radical buildup and insufficient lymphatic drainage.

There are also other possible conditions and circumstances that serve to exacerbate the condition during this time. Some of these possible factors include: poor diet/sluggish digestion/no exercise/too much exercise and/or undiagnosed food sensitivities.

AFTER menopause however, another factor kicks in to greatly exacerbate the condition. This factor being: the dreaded hormone imbalances that accompany the menopause process-chiefly excess estrogen.

It’s now thought that excess Estrogen can cause the body’s connective tissues- and septae- to weaken. This weakening then allows fat deposits to collect and push to the surface of the skin in bundles. Coupling this Excess-estrogen-induced weakening of the connective tissue with the earlier mentioned poor microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, you have the Perfect Storm scenario for the development and progression of cellulite.

As hormones become unbalanced, a woman’s skin begins to thin. Collagen and Elastin also weaken. This causes further rupture and structural failure of the septae and consequently a profound worsening of the dimpled appearance of the skin as more and more fat bundles push toward the surface.
Traditionally, Cellulite is believed to form in 5 stages:
Stage One - the beginning of diminished blood circulation.
Stage Two - the progressive rupturing of veins and capillaries and increasing pressure mounting in the tissues where leakage is occurring.
Stage Three - the swelling of fat tissues due to fluid accumulation.
Stage Four - the formation of thick fibers due to congealed/hardened septae.
Stage Five - the formation of steatomes due to lack of circulation in the now-congealed septae fibers.

All is not lost however as new research indicates that certain things CAN be done to improve- though not necessarily prevent- cellulite.

While not all cellulite treatment products such as creams and/or lotions are legitimate, there are some that actually can -and DO-lessen the visible appearance of cellulite. Certain ingredients such as caffeine and key herbs and botanicals when used topically assist in this lessening effect.
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Also certain vitamins, minerals and herbs taken internally have been shown to assist in maintaining healthy blood flow and microcirculation.

Taking this newfound understanding of the role hormones play in cellulite formation, and then pursuing proper medical help to balance hormones during peri-menopause -and prior to the onset of menopause –is Key in improvement and prevention!
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About Carrie Pierce and Menopauserus.com
Carrie Pierce has worked exclusively in the skin care, health and beauty industry for over 25 years. She’s a licensed Aesthetician, is certified in Color Analysis and has built a solid, international reputation in the field of holistic, menopausal skin care; specializing in harmful cosmetic ingredients and industry practices. She is a recognized speaker and published writer- having written numerous articles in women’s health and beauty publications and she is Founder and President of Menopauserus.com - The ultimate natural help and support site for women in need of peri menopause and menopause relief.
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Carrie is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Sunday Funnies


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Best Boomer Towns – Starting Fresh and Watch Your Skin!



Best Boomer Towns – Starting Fresh and Watch Your Skin!
by Nancy Shonka Padberg

Best Boomer Towns highlights the best places to live in the U.S. if you are a boomer. Recent statistics show more people are leaving California than moving in, so where are they going? Here are towns with culture, airport access, low cost of living, university access – all which baby boomer’s find a necessity.
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Here, we highlight a couple towns and authors advice before you move. One thing to consider when relocating is start with a fresh perspective with your partner, Dr. Barton Goldsmith discusses getting past the anger. Another author, Mary Mills Barrow, discusses the role of skin cancer in our lives – most all Best Boomer Towns have a lot of sunshine!
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Dr. Barton Goldsmith, “Couples, Communication and Connection”
It seems counterintuitive, but when you're mad at someone you care for, the best way to deal with your unhealed anger is to talk about it. All too often, we don't feel like speaking to the person who has irritated us, no matter who it is. But clamming up or inappropriately venting will only cause more ill feelings.
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The truth is that shutting out your partner is only going to make him or her feel distant, punished, and unloved. The next time you engage in this behavior, ask yourself the question, "What is my intent and do I really want to hurt the feelings of the person I am sharing my life with, and if so, will the outcome be a positive one? Additional information http://bestboomertowns.com
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Mary Mills Barrow, “Protect Your Skin from Skin Cancer”
A young friend with a receding hairline recently asked if bald men are more likely to get skin cancer on their scalps. Unfortunately, the answer is yes, skin cancers are more often diagnosed on scalps of men who are bald than those who are not.
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However, according to an article by Dr. Ida Orengo, professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Mohs Surgery Center at the Baylor Clinic in Houston, a full head of hair does not necessarily protect you from getting skin cancer on the scalp. "Dark thick hair gives more protection compared to blond wispy locks, but some type of extra protection should be used at all times." For additional information http://bestboomertowns.com
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Two of our Best Boomer Towns Highlight Spring Events. Paso Robles, CA and Austin, Texas.
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Paso Robles Wine Country Runs
Sunday March 21, 2010 6:30am - The Wine Country Half Marathon & 5K is set in the heart of California's scenic Central Coast, an area famous for wineries, natural hot springs, pristine beaches, Hearst Castle and much more. More information http://bestboomertowns.com
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Paso Robles 2nd Annual Paso Robles Dog Jog
Saturday March 27, 2010 - Dogs can bring their owners for a 4K/2K run or walk through the beautiful Salinas River walk trail that starts and ends at the Kennedy Club Fitness in Paso Robles. The proceeds from this popular event will benefit North County Dog Parks. More information http://bestboomertowns.com
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THE AUSTIN POETRY SLAM - Mike Henry and a rotating group of slam ninjas captain the crew that has all the best of stand-up, rock & roll, and phone sex rolled into one cosmic-heat blast. You thought it rocked before, check out its new all-ages power in the Independent. Wednesdays, 8pm. The Independent http://bestboomertowns.com
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THE FLAMING IDIOTS - The three brainy acrobats (Pyro, Gyro, and Walter, by stage name) who conjure shows of pure entertainment are reunited and returned to Zach Theatre with their manic antics. Juggling, balancing, wacky shenanigans and impressive skills: Recommended for the whole family! Held over through March 28. http://bestboomertowns.com

PASO ROBLES
California has a place for you to stay - and the hotels and innkeepers of Paso Robles have created an organization to help you experience it yourself. Paso Robles is an affordable, world-class destination big on value, beauty and experiences - and a car ride away for most Californians.
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The Travel Paso Robles Alliance (www.travelpaso.com) was founded by a group of 19 area hoteliers in 2008 so business, leisure and group travelers can discover the Authentic California experience of the Central Coast. The organization offers information for the 1,076 luxury, value, budget, and specialty room choices available to area guests. Area attractions include: strolling and vibrant downtown, award-winning wineries, gourmet dining, equestrian activities, fairs, concerts, cultural events, Hearst Castle state park, outdoor recreation, early California missions, a gateway to beaches and the state's most beautiful recreation areas.

For information on how to make the most of your stay, contact: (888) 988-PASO(7276), tourism@prcity.com.
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About Nancy Padberg
Nancy is president of BestBoomerTowns.com, is an MBA graduate from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. She is a guest speaker, published author, and former Big 12 golfer. Join Nancy each Thursday at noon (Pacific) for the Best Boomer Towns Talk Radio Show on VoiceAmerica, where she highlights a town each week.

Nancy is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Living Your Life On Purpose – Three Powerful Steps to Achieving a Thriving Quality of Life

Publisher’s Note:
In 2009, we began an initiative to serialize books of special significance – books on a variety of topics but all having one common theme. The content had to meet the fundamental objective: to provide high value content in real time that baby boomers can put to practical use in their daily lives. Not long ago, we were introduced to Kris Cavanaugh by our friend and colleague Carrie E. Pierce. The both of them are collaborating on a project, which you’ll hear more about in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, today is the second installment of Kris’ book “Living Your Life On Purpose.” Her book will be serialized on BB[KC]™ on the first Wednesday of every month. We hope you enjoy and find helpful her excellent insight and depth of knowledge. –Martin Diano
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Living Your Life On Purpose – Three Powerful Steps to Achieving a Thriving Quality of Life
A special book serialization by Kris Cavanaugh
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Part 3: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ACHIEVING A THRIVING LIFE?
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Before I go into detail about what it means to live your life “on purpose” in order to experience a Thriving quality of life, I’d like to share with you the benefits you’ll receive if you take a leap of faith in yourself and commit to doing whatever it takes to make that happen:

When you willingly choose to SHIFT your life, amazing things start to happen. You will:
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Gain more control of your personal & professional life.
o What would it be like if you could feel a deep sense of confidence that everything would fall into place in both your personal and professional life?

Spend more time with your loved ones.
o Can you imagine what your relationships would be like if you had the time to hang out with your family and friends more?

Enhance your ability to handle stress.
o How wonderful would it be to know deep down that no challenge would stress you out because you knew how to manage it in a healthy way?

Become more pro-active and not re-active.
o What would it be like for you to habitually take action from a place of peace rather than reacting from a place of fear or indecision?

Achieve your personal / professional goals and dreams.
o How amazing would it be for you to say “I want to do or be or visit X” and know without a doubt it will eventually happen?

Obtain the life you want.
o What would it be like if you could jump out of bed every day excited about all the wonderful things in your life?

Improve your time management and budgeting skills.
o Can you imagine what your days would look like if you learned how to make good choices with your time and how full your checkbook would be if you enhanced your budgeting skills?
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EACH OF THESE THINGS IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LIVE YOUR LIFE “ON PURPOSE” IN ORDER TO CREATE A THRIVING QUALITY OF LIFE!
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AN IMPORTANT QUESTION:
What Quality Of Life Are You Currently Experiencing?
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If you are "Existing" or "Living," know you are capable of having a much more abundant life! Choose to "Thrive" and invest in yourself to begin to SHIFT your life into exactly what you want it to be like.

If you are "Thriving," CONGRATULATIONS! I love it when people get to that stage of their life! The next step is to invest in any resources you need to stay at that level more consistently.
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REGARDLESS OF YOUR CURRENT LEVEL, HERE ARE THREE POWERFUL STEPS TO LIVE YOUR LIFE “ON PURPOSE” TO REGULARLY EXPERIENCE A THRIVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN ANY TYPE OF ECONOMY……
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In next month’s installment of my book I’ll be sharing the first of the three powerful steps to live your life on purpose to achieve a thriving quality of life. Thanks for taking the time to read my book. Have a fabulous rest of your week!
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About Kris Cavanaugh
Kris is the C.E.O. Catalyst & Coach with Shift Inc. (www.begintoshift.com). Her passion is empowering others to live their lives “on purpose” through cultivating a C.E.O. mindset so they wake up every day excited about the possibilities and maintain an unwavering belief that they can overcome any obstacles to achieve their personal and professional goals and dreams more easily and consistently. If you are ready to boldly take back control of every area your life, resulting in a greater sense of freedom, joy, and fulfillment, click here to schedule a Free Exploration Meeting.
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Kris is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

"TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$!" WILL PREMIERE ON MARCH 4TH ON CNBC


"TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$!" WILL PREMIERE ON MARCH 4TH ON CNBC
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CNBC will premiere a 2 hour documentary, "TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$!" on Thursday, March 4th at 9pm. In a two-hour documentary, Tom Brokaw tells the story of history’s wealthiest and most influential generation. From hula hoops to civil rights, in war and politics, Brokaw chronicles the extraordinary impact 78 million baby boomers have had on American society over the past six decades, and explores the challenges they face as they begin to approach the age of retirement. Click >> http://www.cnbc.com/id/34827568/

Monday, March 1, 2010

Distress Free Aging with Amy Sherman


Distress Free Aging with Amy Sherman

Part 6: How to Be Happy
by Amy Sherman, LMHC – BB[KC] Columnist
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Henry Ward Beecher said, “A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road.”
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A sense of humor is essential for healthy living. Do you worry about tomorrow and forget to live for today? Do you focus on what’s wrong with your life and ignore what’s going well? Happiness and satisfaction can be yours today, right now. All you have to do is decide to be happy. How you do this is by focusing more on the people and things that give you satisfaction.

Some strategies you can start immediately are:
1. Learn to laugh at yourself and perhaps your situation. Complaining, whining and moping just perpetuate more of what you don’t want. Therefore, enjoy the light side of life, because life can be fairly absurd and pretty funny.

2. Surround yourself with things that give you pleasure. Decorate your home with items you love to look at. Treat yourself to clothes you’d love to wear – and that make you feel good. Read books that teach and inspire joyfulness. These things boost feelings of well-being and bring about contentment in your life.

3. Find meaning and purpose by getting involved. People tend to be happier when they are giving to others as volunteers, mentors, support, and caring nurturers.

The happiest, most successful people in the world are able to maintain their optimism no matter what their circumstance. They do this because they take risks. They are comfortable with stepping out of their comfort zone to explore new avenues and techniques. They believe that it is within their control to shape the outcome of their lives and they do not fall victim to chance circumstances.
Happy people are willing to put in the effort necessary to make things happen for their greater good.

Ask yourself if you are the type to initiate humor or do you enjoy laughing along with others? Do you find jokes, one-liners, and sit-coms funny or are sarcasm and ethnic jokes your cup of tea? Are you able to be silly and fool around or are you too self-conscious to be the center of attention? Must you be in a good mood to laugh or can something amusing change your mood?

These questions can help you assess where you’re at in your “humor” rankings and if your humor quotient could use some boosting. A few minutes of frivolity every day never hurt anyone and it does reduce excess emotional stress that’s built up from the challenges of work and personal responsibilities. Also, try to be less judgmental and more tolerant so that the problems of life become subtle annoyances, rather than huge undertakings. You’ll then notice that your life will be less tense and more fun.
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Happiness is a journey and the benefits are priceless. Happy people cope better under stressful or challenging situations and have greater life expectancy. They have lower blood pressure and higher immune function. Happy people are more successful and create more long-term relationships.
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Even though some people are naturally more upbeat than others, you can learn to be happy. Just be aware of special moments with friends and family, how often you smile and laugh, how serious you take your life in general and whether your attitude is adding to or decreasing your life satisfaction.

Remember, it’s all about how you perceive your life that counts. Therefore, embrace your future with openness and excitement, optimism and hope and you will find you’ll be enjoying what lies ahead with more enthusiasm and joy.

Next month: Part 7: Get Rid of Irrational Thinking. Click HERE for Parts 1-6 of Amy’s Distress Free Aging column.


About Amy Sherman - LMHC
Amy is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice. Amy is the author of the ebook, “Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer’s Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life” and “The Joy of Optimism 10-Lesson eCourse. Visit www.bummedoutboomer.com for more information and to purchase Distress-Free Aging. Amy can be reached at amy@bummedoutboomer.com

Amy is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.


Saturday, February 27, 2010

React Quicker with HAPPYneuron

Friday, February 26, 2010

I Want My Money Back!

I Want My Money Back!
A Bit Ahead Of, It’s Time
by Patrece Banks – Aging in Place Columnist

In 2008 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) implemented a program called “Hospital Acquired Conditions (HAI)”. The concept is if the government stopped paying for preventable adverse events they would be reduced.

Doctor Would Not Listen
In, 2000 I went to a doctor that did biofeedback based on a friends recommendation and results she got with her son. I did biofeedback before so I knew what to expect but what I didn’t expect is what happened to me.

I went in for my first session and was impressed with the professionalism and knowledge. After a couple of sessions my head pain started to come back whereas it had been going away. I was also bothered by the marker pen used to put dots on my head. All of this was clearly communicated with the doctor on a number of occasions. The pen bothered me so much that I brought in my own eye brow pencil as an alternative.

It got to a point to where I told the doctor to slow things down during sessions. He would make adjustments and I would feel better. A few sessions later I started to feel bad after my visits, again.

After a few more visits, I told the doctor I was going to give it a couple more tries and again explained what he was doing that was hurting me. To no avail he didn’t listen and in essence belittled what I was telling him. I decided to call some other offices that did biofeedback because I could not take the head pain anymore. I found someone that could see me that afternoon. I went in and she explained how and why she got into this then she hooked me up to the system and did a 20 minute session. That session took the head pain away the other doctor was causing.

What I Did

I was tired of paying for services out-of-pocket that were not based on my needs and ones that hurt me. When I told my friends I wanted my money back they did not believe I would really ask for my $1,200 back. I wrote the doctor a nice but clear letter letting him what I wanted and why.

Days later I got a call asking if I would be willing to come in and talk to the doctor about what happened. He told he was stunned when he got the letter and that he had never received anything like it. I agreed to come in and discuss the situation.

The meeting went well and I got my money back. I went into this being well informed with the ability to articulate what he was doing that hurt me. The intent was to let the doctor know what he did and let him know I should not have to pay for a bad outcome especially when I was continually explaining what he was doing that was hurting me.

A Lesson On Many Fronts

Understanding what is going on in your body so you can express issues is important because even the best healthcare providers are not mind-readers.

You don’t have to accept a negative outcome. My thought was why should healthcare be any different that any other service. This scenario cannot apply to all situations but it can help us realize better communication on all sides is a way of preventing an adverse event. Luckily, these adverse events were easily reversed.

Hopefully it taught the doctor to listen to his patients a bit more than he did and it taught me to be more expressive in what was going on with me.
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Don’t forget healthcare providers are not mind readers and realize you as the patient will play a key role in preventing your own adverse event. It’s a win, win for everyone…


About Patrece Banks
Patrece writes and speaks about bed falls, fall prevention, design safety, aging in place, risk management, compliance, ageism, medical devices and assistive technology devices. In 2008 Patrece was recognized as one of the most innovative product designers. To learn more visit www.InvisibleCaregiver.com

Patrece is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Fit at Any Age and Any Size with Sherry Netherland

Fit at Any Age and Any Size with Sherry Netherland

Publisher's Note:
Fit at Any Age and Any Size with Sherry Netherland is regular column on BB[KC]. Sherry's column appears on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Sherry is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts. - Martin Diano

I Don't Have Time to Exercise!!
by Sherry Netherland


I love excuses for not engaging in a fitness activity almost as much as I like excuses for playing bad golf. Actually, I might like bad golf excuses more. I bring my list of bad golf excuses with me to the golf course then interject them into the conversation whenever I can. "Wow, these new golf socks are really affecting my stance," or "Darn, it's so windy." But, I never use the excuse, "I'm too busy."
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If I were to collect all the excuses people give for not being active, the one that would top the list would be, "I don't have the time." Strangely enough, unlike my sock excuse, that is a good reason. In fact, the toughest reason to deny and the one that causes the most frustration. You really, really, really want to be fit, but you are really, really, really busy. I believe you. But, are you too busy?
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You know the expression, if you want something done, ask a busy person. I'll bet you can squeeze in a favor for a friend at the drop of a hat. There is always more time in your day for that unexpected car pool request. It's like juggling. Once you graduate to four balls going to five is not that big a deal.
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There is one good piece of news - if you are that busy, you are probably on the move and moving is good. But if you feel tired, don't recognize yourself in the mirror, or feel your age you need to step up and create space in your day for you. Keeping fit and healthy is self-employment - only you can have that job.
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What about that time crunch? The first task will be to know how you actually spend your time. Keep a log of all your activities for two weeks. I have a posted a Time Tracker on my website, www.healthandfitnesshumorist.com. Open the Fitness Programs page and click on the link for Time Tracker. Track everything in your waking hours. Some amazing things will be revealed. One, you are probably more active than you think and two, windows of time may become apparent. Is there time in the day when you are just vegging in front of the television (my downfall), or maybe you wake up an hour earlier? A half hour?
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Seeing how you actually spend your time can be a real eye opener. What are your time thieves? Sometimes our time thieves are things that we can do without, reschedule, or just get someone else to do. Make an appointment with yourself to engage in physical activity. Actually putting it in the calendar might be just the step you need to kick start your program.
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It is not always about finding the time, it is about priorities and the number one priority has to be you. Investment specialists will tell you to pay yourself first and that makes sense. Your flight attendant will tell you if you are traveling with a small child, you have to put your oxygen mask on first, then the child's because you can't help anyone else if you have not taken care of yourself.
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Taking care of yourself does not mean you are selfish. It will mean that you have the energy to care for yourself and your loved ones now and in the future. Your level of fitness and good health will serve to compress your years of disability in old age. You will reduce the number of years that you will need care. In fact, if you take care of yourself, you will be healthy your entire life and then just drop dead. There now, don't you feel better?
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About Sherry Netherland
Sherry motivates sedentary individuals to become physically active. She is a professional public speaker who combines her healthcare and physical fitness expertise with her experience on the stand-up stage to get her audiences laughing and moving.She is particularly interested in Baby Boomers who are feeling their age and want to turn back the clock She promotes lifestyle changes that increase physical, mental and spiritual well-being through activity and laughter. http://www.healthandfitnesshumorist.com/, http://www.fitatanyageandanysize.com/



©2010, Sherry Netherland

Monday, February 22, 2010

Meet Boomer Authority™ - Barbara Miller

Meet Boomer Authority™ - Barbara Miller

@BoomerAuthority is a free Twitter-based communications service that places Baby Boomers in direct contact with over 1000+ professionals for timely advice. Barbara Miller is a member in our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.



About Barbara Miller
Barbara is a writer, speaker and seminar leader. Barbara's topic is taken from her book, You Lost Your Marriage Not Your Life. Barbara shares her own journey through divorce, financial loss and despair, then provides examples in how to move forward and celebrate your best life yet.

Barbara resides in Naples, Florida with her husband David. She is a member of The Florida Writer's Association, The Naples Press Club, and Toastmaster's International.


You can ask Barbara a question right now @BoomerAuthority.

Or click the Boomer Authority™ association site for more details and how to access other members of the community.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Sunday Funnies


Friday, February 19, 2010

Cohousing: An Old-Fashioned Neighborhood

Cohousing: An Old-Fashioned Neighborhood
Intergenerational and senior cohousing are all about being a real community
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Cohousing is intergenerational, which appeals to older adults wanting daily contact with children and younger adults. For seniors who prefer being around older adults, there’s a newer option: senior cohousing communities.
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By Susan Hindman - Silver Planet Staff Writer
Special to BB[KC]™
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For some, aging in place can be a lonely thing. Neighborhoods may have turned over so many times that you don’t even know who’s living next door—especially if health has slowed your ability to get outside and see the new faces. Some neighborhoods are nothing more than resting spots for busy residents who venture from house to garage to car, to embark upon tightly scheduled days.

If you’re the kind of person who loves being involved with your neighbors and would rather age around ones you consider friends, cohousing might be a better fit. These small-scale neighborhoods average between 12 and 45 homes—with residents ranging in age from babies to the very old—and balance privacy and socializing. Neighbors are committed to living as a community, and even the design makes it “easy and natural” for them to interact,” said Lisa Poley, president of the board of the Cohousing Association of the United States.

Houses don’t face the street; the street is behind the house, along the periphery of the village, and that’s where all the cars are parked. Homes, clustered together and small, open inward toward each other and the sidewalks and courtyards, leaving more room for open space, which is shared. There are common play areas for children and community vegetable gardens, and informal group meals a few times a week as well as meetings for business and pleasure. All of this leads to stronger bonds among neighbors.

So, “If somebody just wants a place to live and doesn’t want to commune with their neighbors, this is not for them,” a 68-year-old resident of one cohousing community told USA Today.
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Cohousing is intergenerational, which appeals to older adults wanting daily contact with children and younger adults. There are more than 100 completed intergenerational cohousing communities, and another 100 more in the process of development. For seniors who prefer being around older adults, there’s a fairly new option: senior cohousing communities. Only three are up and running—the first opened in late 2005—and two more are nearing construction starts. Others are in the discussion phase.

It sounds ideal in many ways. But cohousing is not always ready and waiting for you to hop aboard. Communities are the creation of their future residents and take a lot of time—and consensus—to plan, design, and construct. Land must be purchased, and workers hired. From the time the group begins meeting to the completion date can take between two and four years. “It can be taxing and exhausting,” Poley said. “It’s a lot of work unless you hire a developer to take on the whole thing, in which case there is a cost consequence.”

And when the cohousing community is built, the residents’ job isn’t done. They continue to work together to run their new neighborhood, solving problems and developing policies. There are no homeowners association boards making all the decisions, Poley said. In cohousing, “everybody has to sign on.”

Sense of Purpose
Cohousing can be found in rural and urban areas. Some were formed from warehouses retrofitted into apartments with common spaces. Some are condos, and some are small attached or single-family homes. But most communities follow the six core principles that distinguish cohousing from other types of collaborative housing: the participatory process, a neighborhood design, common facilities, resident management, nonhierarchical structure and decision making, and no shared community economy.

Each community has a common house, the centerpiece of cohousing. It’s the community’s social center, with a dining room, kitchen, lounge, recreational facilities, laundry facilities, guest rooms, and other features. It’s where the group meals (prepared by the residents) are served and the meetings are held. Neighbors also gather there for celebrations. If you want to throw a party or put up guests, the common house is equipped to do that. Having this larger common space allows the individual homes to be built smaller, which helps hold down the cost of utilities and maintenance.

Cohousing communities often have missions, which are determined by the residents. “Some place the environmental ethic very high,” said Poley. “Others place affordability and diversity very high.” At Winslow Cohousing near Seattle, the aim is to have “a minimal impact on the earth and create a place in which all residents are equally valued as part of the community,” according to the Cohousing Association’s Web site. Tierra Nueva Cohousing in Oceano, California, exists “because each of us desires a greater sense of community, as well as strong interaction with and support from our neighbors.” ElderSpirit Community in Abingdon, Virginia, “is a participatory membership organization for older adults that provides opportunities for growth through later life spiritual programs and through the formation of communities and residential centers.”

ElderSpirit, opened in 2006, is one of the three senior cohousing communities. The first to open was Glacier Circle Community, in December 2005, in Davis, California. Silver Sage Village opened in Boulder, Colorado, in 2007. As of December 2009, two more senior cohousing communities were nearing the construction phase: Washington Village in Boulder, and Wolf Creek Lodge in Grass Valley, California.

Silver Sage Village’s design earned McCamant & Durrett Architects the Silver Award for Best of Senior Living by the National Association of Home Builders in 2008. Husband-wife architects Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett introduced cohousing to the United States in 1988 in their book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves after studying the concept in Denmark. Durrett applied the cohousing model to senior communities in his 2005 book Senior Cohousing, A Community Approach to Independent Living—The Handbook. One reviewer called that book the “gold standard for anyone interested in this subject.”

Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities have been around since the early 1990s. Wonderland Hill Development Company began its focus on cohousing at that time and has since built 16 cohousing communities. Nationwide, the numbers are inexact, but overall another 60 to 70 intergenerational communities are in the talking stages.

The Cohousing Association, a nonprofit going on its 10th year, is a place of networking, which Poley considers “vitally important” because of the grassroots nature of the movement. It gives people the resources and direction for starting their own cohousing communities and helps raise awareness about cohousing “as a viable housing option.”

“A Wonderful Way to Live”

Poley lives in Shadowlake Village Cohousing in Blacksburg, Virginia. She visited many cohousing communities as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. “Across the board, people who live in these neighborhoods are thrilled with it,” she concluded. “I’ve lived in one for 10 years. It’s a wonderful way to live.”

Before moving in, she had fears about living that close to her neighbors. But she has been struck by how different life is now compared to her previous traditional neighborhood. “There I knew my neighbors enough to say hi at the mailbox,” she said. “Here I have such a wonderful sense of community around me. For me, I don’t think I desire to live in a regular neighborhood again.”
Though younger families like Poley’s are missing from senior cohousing, those communities often want a balance of young and old retirees. “The younger ones go in fully knowing that a big part of their life is supporting and caring for members of their community,” she said. “Everybody has that commitment to going through the stages of aging in place and helping those older, and then being helped later.”

What if an elderly resident is becoming too frail to be alone? “When someone gets to the place where neighbors and friends can’t support them, there’s a sense of solidarity in helping that person figure out what to do,” she said. It’s part of what being in a real community is all about.
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Related Links
The Cohousing Association of the United States [http://www.cohousing.org]
McCamant & Durrett Architects [http://www.mccamant-durrett.com/

McCamant & Durrett Architects video on senior cohousing [http://www.mccamant-durrett.com/media.cfm#]
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Wonderland Hill Development Company [http://www.whdc.com/]
Sources
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El Nasser, Haya. Seniors at home in co-housing. USA Today, May 4, 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-05-03-co-housing_N.htm?csp=34
Kennedy, Christine. Aging in Place: Cohousing: An alternative for America’s Older Adults. Cohousing, 2008 posting. http://www.cohousing.org/2008/pgrogramming/older
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Senior Cohousing: Press & Book Reviews. Review of Senior Cohousing (written by Charles Durrett) by Alice Jacobs. http://seniorcohousing.com/senior-cohousing-book-review.htm
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About Silver Planet®
Silver Planet® empowers boomers and seniors to make informed decisions about aging in place and housing options. Silver Planet’s team provides the latest information on scams, housing, financial planning, caregiving, spirituality, elder law, health, and new tech tools for staying at home, thus providing the information you need to make aging with choice a reality.
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Silver Planet staff writer, Susan Hindman, is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Having Enough to Retire On – What We Can Learn From Squirrels

Having Enough to Retire On – What We Can Learn From Squirrels
by Alisa Singer – Boomer Humor Columnist
Special to BB[KC]™


Back in the days when we were all fat and comfortable, wrapped in the security of our bloated brokerage accounts (who knew then that it was bubble wrap!), people would talk about the “Number”. In Baby Boomer parlance the “Number” is the amount of money you need to have in the bank to be able to retire and still maintain the lifestyle you so richly deserve and to which you have become accustomed. Of course that’s all academic now since none of us will be able to retire, ever, but back then I tried to think whom else do we know that faces similar issues that might be able to provide a guiding philosophy for this thorny question. And I thought of squirrels because they are obliged to make decisions like this every year during their entire adult lives.


You see, when squirrels gather acorns and nuts for the long winter they hide them either in one huge hole or, as the common gray squirrel does, in several hundred different places, exercising behavior known as “scatter hoarding” (what investment advisors would call portfolio diversification). The purpose of the hoards is to allow the squirrels to rest quietly in their nests during the winter, leisurely cracking nuts while watching reruns of American Idol, without ever having to shovel the walk or put up with unpleasant commuting conditions. Snuggled together, they leave their nests only as necessary to “carry out” from their various food caches (presumably the ones that don’t deliver).

The specific thing I wondered about squirrels is how they calculate their “Number”. In other words, how does a particular squirrel figure out how many acorns and nuts he needs to maintain his standard of living during his season of “retirement” and can we borrow this instinct to help us to calculate when we finally have enough “nuts” so that we can stop hoarding and head home to our own comfortable nests.


I proceeded to research the subject in the way all of the finest academicians do, I Googled “squirrels gathering nuts”. The result was disappointing. Rather than relying on some extraordinary scientific phenomenon it appears, according to Almanac.com, that squirrels simply “…gather food until there’s no more to gather. They are rather greedy.” (Yet another parallel to humankind, but not what I was hoping to find.) Okay, so the squirrel doesn’t know any more than we do when it’s time to get out of the rat race, even though he is, more-or-less, a rat.


It’s amusing to try to imagine how the squirrel might handle the unanticipated loss of a significant portion of his portfolio of savings as a result of a forest recession or other Act of God. Would he immediately cut back on berries and nuts and switch to fungi, twigs and bark? Put the second nest up for sale? And is there such a thing as a bailout for squirrels and, if so, what would that look like? Would “They” somehow replenish the caches of squirrels that had imprudently loaned their hoards to other squirrels who wanted to buy nice fur-lined nests they couldn’t afford and, if so, exactly who would “They” be? (Those are trick questions. The truth is there is no “They” since squirrels have no federal government to fall back on, which is bad news for them but then again, they presumably keep 100% of their income.)


There are other interesting facts about squirrels that I came across in my research, and I found the comparisons between male squirrels and male humans to be especially striking. For example, it appears that, like men, male squirrels require twice as much time as females to groom themselves. (Squirrels are the cleanest of rodents.) I can just see the female squirrel now, front legs folded, tapping her little paws and swishing her tail irritably – “You ready yet Rocky? Mother’s been waiting in the hollow of the tree for twenty minutes already!” And, this next tidbit will come as no surprise, the male squirrel also seems to be “commitment challenged”, abandoning the female promptly after mating, leaving her to raise the young alone. (He doesn’t even hang around to do Lamaze class with her or cut the umbilical cord.)


But the most impressive information I unearthed about the squirrel is that, though his brain is roughly the size of a walnut, when spring arrives he is generally able to locate approximately 50% of the hundreds of places where he hid his hoard of nuts during the previous fall! I’m sure you can guess where I’m heading with this. How can this rodent, with his teeny hippocampus, remember where he hid all those teeny nuts six months earlier when you and I can’t remember half the time which section in the mall parking lot we left our giant SUV, even though it was only an hour ago and we didn’t hide it under several layers of dirt.
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But surely the squirrel’s enhanced memory skills are not an indication that he is more highly evolved than we are, because if that were the case, he would not be leaping from one treetop to another, kamikaze-style, without the benefit of a net (or at least a bungee cord), not to mention life insurance. But come to think of it, perhaps the average squirrel is slightly more intelligent than mankind. After all, his investment loss ratio is roughly equivalent to what mine has been over the last year, and his fees are definitely a lot lower.

At the end of the day, sadly, it does not appear there is much we can learn from the ubiquitous squirrels that share our backyards, parks and the occasional attic. But there is one pretty important lesson we humans could certainly teach those squirrels, and they would do well to listen up. It goes like this: when you’re standing on your hind legs in the middle of a road and you see four large round black rubbery things rolling towards you at an alarming speed, don’t just stand there staring - drop the nuts and run like hell!



About Alisa Singer
Alisa Singer’s humorous essays have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines across the country and in Canada. She is the author of the books I Still Wanna Be A…, an illustrated collection of whimsical poetic fantasies in which she “morphs” herself into her childhood heroes, and My Baby Boomer Memory Album, an album to memorialize the first grand child, social security check, chin hair and other milestones of the second half of the boomer’s life. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website: www.AlisaSinger.com
or contacting her at ASingerAuthor@gmail.com.
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Alisa is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.
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Picture Source: Squirrel illustration by Alisa Singer