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Inspiring Opportunities Free E-Newsletter |
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Longtime friends Jane Brooks and Joyce Burd decided to combine their skills, Jane as a writer and Joyce as an arts administrator, to bring ballroom dancing to 5th grade classrooms in Philadelphia.
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Family A dynamic and evolving part of our lives that provides an anchor and challenges us to meet new needs is our family. From caring for aging parents to finding housing -- coping with adult children, to reveling in the role of grandparent, it’s good to know that there are many resources to help.
Classes for Grandparents
So, you are a new grandparent and can't wait to get your hands on that darling bundle lying in the crib. But, you notice that there aren't any bumpers in the crib, the baby is wrapped like a mummy and is on her back. What's going on? Well, some baby care issues have changed and this interview on NPR will help fill you in on the latest thinking and the best approach to being the kind of grandparent who gets invited to check the new diapers that have a "pee" line. And there are classes for grandparents that your children might insist that you attend!
DPT Shots: Not Just for Kids
It seems that doting grandparents and those who are health care providers are being urged to get the T.D.A.P. vaccine, short for tetanus, diptheria and acellular pertussis, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is usually family members that pass these diseases on to very young children (under a year old), particularly pertussis (aka whooping cough) that effects people of any age. The cost of the vaccine is around $35 plus the cost of the injection and the only side effect is a sore arm.
The "Village" People
The "village" concept is a growing movement among older adults determined to stay in their homes. The idea of "aging in place" is not new, but what the 65 active villages offer are the perks that residents of retirement and assisted-living communities receive primarily from volunteers. Rides to the doctor or grocery store, someone to do repairs, personal care, and more. The downsides include keeping them financially viable and serving those outside cities. Philadelphia's villages are: Penn's Village (pennsvillage.org) in Center City and East Falls Village (215-438-7479). They'd be happy to share what it takes to be a "village!"
I've Earned It and I'm Keeping It!
Selfish? Me? That's not how some boomers would see it. Many have already made it known that they will be spending their remaining money on themselves and enjoying the golden years without thought to providing an inheritance to their children. According to this Los Angeles Times article, a growing number of boomers realize that they have built businesses, careers, and assisted children through all levels of school, often at the expense of personal health or relationships...and that they have had enough of the "giving" mantra. Now..."it's all about me!"
Men and Assisted Living: Where's the Cigar Bar?
The situation is that your father needs to be moved to a rehab or an assisted living facility and your first impression of the places you visit are of potpourri and frilly curtains. Where do the guys meet to play poker or watch sports on TV? Is there a bar or pool table available? While it’s tough to find an institution that caters to all needs, it is clear that men, the minority in these places, are not always top of mind. And with increasing longevity for both genders, more men will be living in assisted living housing in the future. How can they be made more gender-friendly? Click here to read more.
Learning the Power of Compassion
Award-winning author, Gail Sheehy, wrote an article in USA Today about Lee Kravitz, a 54-year-old "master of the magazine publishing universe," who unexpectedly, ""brutally," lost his job, but managed to find a silver lining...and discover an invaluable life lesson. Following the initial shock, the realization that he had lost contact with his family...and himself...while totally immersed in his work, hit home. Lee began a journey into the next phase of his life that included a true understanding of the word, "compassion," a focus on connecting in many different ways, and a book chronicling his transition.
Never Too Late for Love
So you are getting hitched. Congrats! Now, before starting this exciting journey, make sure to check on the legal issues that affect late-life marriage. Above all, consider the impact on your income and assets, and consider a prenuptial agreement that protects both of you. After the wedding, update all your estate planning documents — wills, living trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies — to reflect your new marital status and any new decisions you’ve made. To learn more, click here.
Downsizing...and Raising Some Cash
As boomers consider leaving their homes for smaller spaces, one of the most formidable tasks is figuring out what to do with all their "stuff." For years, Americans have been gathering and collecting at an amazing pace, filling homes that over the past half-century have more than doubled in size. And even that hasn't been enough to contain our nation's overflow of furniture, knick-knacks, antiques and kitsch. With some 8,000 Americans turning 65 every day, millions are facing a massive purge. And many don't want to just give away their treasures...after all, this "stuff" is valuable!
Laughing at Death
Funerals and the word "solemn" have always gone together. But, as more and more mourners are turning to friends and relatives to tell the story of their loved ones, there are smiles amidst the grief. While clergy still officiate at most of these services, those close to the deceased are providing a personal, and often humorous, glimpse that brings tears of laughter, as well as sadness. As one person who spoke at his 39-year-old friend's funeral put it, "A rabbi's eulogy tells what someone was. I wanted my eulogy to tell who he was."
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