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Inspiring Opportunities Free E-Newsletter |
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For most of his adult life Jack Yampolsky has been a numbers guy, but his life took a different turn when he started writing, and at the age of 81 he published his first book, a novel called Boardwalk Story.
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Learn Being engaged in the second chapter of life usually means learning new things. Whether by embracing a new hobby or returning to more formal education, keeping the mind and body active helps maintain health and well being—and a chance to meet new people and have some fun, as well.
What's Your "Take" on 70?
David Brooks, New York Times columnist and author, is asking a favor. If you are over 70, he would like you to write a brief report on your life so far--an evaluation of what you did well (and not so well) and what you learned along the way. His reasons are: he believes we have too few formal moments of self-appraisal in our culture, and more importantly, that these essays will help the blessings of young people understand how careers and families evolve and modern adulthood. So, collect your thoughts and get your reports to dabrooks@nytimes.com. Watch for some columns around Thanksgiving.
Thanks Steve!
While Apple's iPads have been all the rage for the younger set, a Florida nursing facility is using this technology to jump-start residents' memories, mobility, and social skills that have diminished through age and various forms of dementia. Steve Jobs' creation provides a way for people of all ages to communicate throughout their lifetimes -- quite a legacy! While there are devices that monitor an older person's movements and remind them to take a pill, the iPad is the first that directly interacts with them. Residents can run their hands across the tablet's smooth surface to play games, read, and communicate with others. Click here for more.
Speaking of the encore years, here is a review of Marc Freedman's latest book, The Big Shift, that is both a call to action and a blueprint for creating a new stage after midlife, which Freedman calls the “encore stage.” He is the founder and CEO of Civic Ventures, a nonprofit think tank on boomers, work, and social purpose. Since people are living longer and healthier lives, this encore stage could span half a lifetime. The author believes that this underutilized resource can be a real force in meeting society’s challenges. To learn more about this book,
Getting Grandma to Tweet
Some might say that the older crowd is not Twitter-friendly. Or probably more correctly, don't see what all the fuss is about. What with the hashtags and abbreviated ways of sending a message, this form of communication is a long distance from a past of writing letters and talking on the phone. Well...it seems that the author of this article has identified 5 strong reasons to get older adults involved in this social media phenomenon, not the least of which is having control over what you receive. See if you are convinced...
Library Programs Lure Boomers
Libraries throughout the country are realizing that older adults are fast becoming the majority of potential users. In fact, by 2014, about 65 percent of U.S. library patrons will be 50 to 75 years old. So, its time to figure out what will keep the boomers coming back to the stacks. This article suggests a wide range of services being offered. Locally, the Free Library of Philadelphia has established a designated Senior Services area in its Central Branch and has established a Speaker's Series that is gaining a following. To learn more, click here.
Woody Allen Films: A Magical Misery Tour
At once prolific and profound, at times unnerving and uneven, Woody Allen's films lead to lots of interesting conversation and agreement on one point: no other filmmaker has spun so much cinematic gold from his own neuroses. Join this four-session program (10 a.m-1 p.m. on March 23, 30, April 6, and 13th at the Gershman Y (401 S. Broad St., Philadelphia) with Andrew Douglas, Education Director at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. The course will take you on a journey through Allen's forty-year career, with stops to view his paradigm-shifting Annie Hall (1977) to a look at his "comeback" film, Match Point (2005.) $125. To register, call (610) 527-4008 x107 or click here.
Keep Learning, Keep Working
This article speaks persuasively about the need for people to be lifelong learners. In fact, the author feels that it may be the most important personal trait any individual can have. What does it mean to be a life long learner? Most importantly, recognizing the need to keep your skills and knowledge current and marketable. With the many changes in the economy, in technology, and possible ageism in hiring, the motto is "change or die." To find out more, click here.
Holy Enrollers: Boomers as Divinity Students
Boomers are the fastest-growing demographic at U.S. divinity schools, according to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The under-30 crowd may still be the largest cohort of students, but the 50 and older group has grown from 12% of students in 1995 to 20% in 2009. Are boomers finding religion? Or are there other reasons for this encore career choice? By the way, this article is written by Melba Newsome, the nationally-recognized author of "Work Gives Meaning to Life," a chapter in the new Coming of Age e-book, The Age for Change.
Are You a Young or Old Boomer?
Call it a generation gap within the same generation. The Baby Boom stretched over 19 calendar years, from 1946 through 1964 -- enough time for the first and last Boomers to have lived through dramatically different experiences. The older crowd, coming of age in the fifties, remembers JFK's assassination, Martin Luther King's speeches and the Vietnam War; the younger crowd relates to hip hop, The Clash, and starting their driving career in gas lines. To better understand the differences...socially, demographically, educationally, and in other areas, click here.
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