What's New

Aging Drivers Present Challenges

Boomers have basically "driven" transportation planning throughout the country since getting their licenses in the mid-sixties. It was the boomers who made "his" and "her" cars the norm when they started their families and helped spread a housing explosion to the suburbs. Traffic grew when boomer women commuted to jobs. But, what is going to happen as boomers move into a new phase of life? Will there be less travel or will boomers defy expectations and remain more mobile into their "encore years" than previous generations? To read more, click here.

Posted on Nov 13, 2012

Caring for Caregivers

Topics: Caregiving, Resources, Support

CARES (CAregivers REducing Stress) is a new program, funded primarily by the Pew Foundation, for anyone caring for an older family member or friend in Philadelphia. Lutheran Settlement House (in Fishtown), will provide support for caregivers who are prone to specific kinds of stress and health risks in their role. The program offers individual and family counseling, support groups, resources, and a lecture series, all for free to low-income families! To be eligible, you must be unpaid and caring for someone 65 or older. House calls are available. Contact Virginia at (215) 426-8610 x 207 or by e-mail: vharr@lutheransettlement.org.

Posted on Nov 13, 2012

Exercise...and Cut Down on Sitting

Topics: Exercise, Health

It probably comes as no surprise that the more time someone spends sitting, especially in front of the television, the "less robust" his or her life may be. One recent study isolated the effect that sitting has on people’s life spans and the findings were sobering: every single hour of TV watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer’s life expectancy by 21.8 minutes. So, consider cutting back on TV time and look at the rest of your day and find ways to walk, stand, and move around more, even if you are in an office. This article points out that sitting less doesn't take the place of exercise. Both are needed to maintain good health.

Posted on Oct 29, 2012

"Unfriending" May be a Healthy Act

Topics: Aging, Connection, Friendship

Well-known age 50+ author Suzanne Braun Levine takes on the question of how to shed old friends and keep those that enhance our lives as she is researching her new book, "Why Your Girlfriends Are Good for Your Health." She confirms the increasingly meaningful role that friends play as women age and face transitions. But, research also suggests that while supportive, intimate friendships are life-enhancing, toxic or simply tired friendships are a drain on our well-being. So, she posits, unfriending is as important as a daily workout. Add your thoughts on this topic in the comment section of this Huffington Post blog.

Posted on Oct 29, 2012

Making Your Age a Plus in a Job Search

Topics: Ageism, Jobs

As some 50-plus job hunters are sadly discovering, age discrimination is alive and well among hiring managers. But, there are ways to overcome the perception that age trumps ability...and persistence, resilience, and resourcefulness are central to making it happen. The best way to combat age bias is to make sure that interviewers have no doubt that you've got the drive, enthusiasm, and focus of a younger employee and the skills that come from experience. Read this Next Avenue article to learn seven things to say in an interview that will play up your strengths and get you the job.

Posted on Oct 29, 2012

Size Counts...in Calories and Clothing

Topics: Diet, Health, Weight

All of us are label conscious. We feel good ordering the "small" drink thinking that we are saving calories and rejoice when we can fit into a "smaller" dress. What we don't realize is that restaurants and manufacturers actually have free rein to mark their food products...and "relabel" their clothing...to please their customers and promote a better self-image. This NPR video and article is an eye opener! A University of Michigan study has called for standardization of portion sizes across restaurants to address rising obesity and improve public health. Getting rid of "vanity labeling?" Now that's another story!

Posted on Oct 14, 2012

Boomers' Job Gain...An Election Changer?

Topics: Boomers, Employment, Politics

The September unemployment figures for boomers - the country's single largest voting group - are the most encouraging in more than three years. For workers 55 to 64-year-old, the figure is 5.7%, the lowest since December 2008. Companies looking for experienced workers see boomers as a savings in training dollars and workers with seniority. Yet, when an older worker loses a job, it takes longer to find a new one. But, that time has also decreased: the present 33.4-week average was 43 weeks a year ago. With boomers making up 37% of voters, the jobs uptick may have impact on this election.

Posted on Oct 12, 2012

What to Study if You Need a Job

Topics: Education, Jobs, Online Courses

If you are not among those mentioned above, this Smart Money article has some good suggestions to consider. Educational institutions are playing a large role in helping older workers get back in the game. The recently launched American Association of Community Colleges’ Plus 50 Initiative offers those 50+ an array of classes at community colleges across the country, including workforce retraining courses. Click here to read about which study areas might be most effective. Other ideas: contact your alma mater's career services office and go online and visit empowered.com and lynda.com--online course sites.

Posted on Oct 11, 2012

Test-Driving Retirement

Topics: Retirement, Transition

While boomers are pretty sure that they don't want their parents' version of retirement, many of us are not ready for what lies ahead. This article points out the need to understand your finances and your emotional needs before leaving the workplace. A free online tool from T. Rowe Price called "Practice Retirement" can help you figure out how much longer you need to work to be financially secure and recommends a gradual transition to retirement. Equally important, is the emotional transition that retirement brings. Pre-retirement is a good time to begin considering next steps...jobs, travel, time with friends...and taking the time, as Coming of Age believes, to "Explore Your Future."

Posted on Sep 18, 2012

Tips for Women Looking for Nonprofit Jobs

Topics: Encore Careers, Jobs, Nonprofits

Kerry Hannon, a personal finance writer, has seen a rise in the number of women in their 50s and 60s thinking about, and making the switch, from a corporate job to one in a nonprofit. Why that is happening for many in that age may be the realization that there is more to life than making money or, perhaps, the question of what to leave as a legacy. For those gravitating to the nonprofit world, issues of job flexibility (flex time, job-sharing), more opportunities for women (less men apply), and a more collaborative workplace (plus altruism) may be key reasons. These 9 tips and resources are a great starting point. Check out encore.org to learn more about Encore Careers.

Posted on Sep 16, 2012

Get Inspired
	Sign up for Inspiring Opportunities Email: Zip:

Four Ways to Explore Your Future NOW
	Click here for four great ways to explore your future NOW!


	Find Coming of Age on Facebook! Check in for quick updates on events, stories, opportunities, and friends.