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For years, I have been using the phrases with students such as "baby boomers rule" and telling them that baby boomers will dictate the conditions of so many things and we will set the terms because there are just so many of us. If we want it, we will most likely get it because of our numbers. We don't want to be considered "senior citizens," but special citizens.
I often like to use places where people often retire (regular readers will know that that I don't like the word retire or retirement) as examples. When my grandmother was living several years ago (she lived to be 102 years of life experience), she lived in what was typically called a nursing home. Now we call places retirement villages. But if you have visited some of the newer ones, they are closer to what we call country clubs. The students laugh when I tell them that baby boomers want "Happy Hour" and so these places have bars and you order off menus. My grandmother did not have a menu!
Now Jane Pauley is AARP's (now they use the acronym not the words because baby boomers don't like to be referred to as retired persons and I agree) "Ambassador of Your Life Calling." She helps Americans age 50 plus remain productive as they move through life. AARP and NBC have teamed up to bring Pauley back to the Today show for a monthly series featuring older adults who have reinvented the way they work and live. Then on the day of each broadcast, AARP members can join Pauley in a live, hourlong chat at www.aarp.org/jane. And each segment is posted online. Pauley will also write a new column in the fall for AARP The Magazine (seriously one of my favorite magazines) and make appearances at AARP events throughout the year.
MORE Magazine has as part of their mission to help women "discover and reinvent themselves and their world." The Wall Street Journal has a section called "Second Acts" that looks at the varied paths people are taking in their 50s and beyond. Tom Brokaw has a special series focused on the boomers.
Do you think that those of us committed to sage-ing and growing in wisdom are onto something? I think the emphasis on reinvention and recareering is evidence that people are questioning what to do with the rest of their lives. If it was logical, easy, and straight forward, we would not need to be reading or listening to how others are doing it.
But it is not easy and not necessarily intuitive unless we are really in tune with ourselves. Are you in tune with what you want to do with the rest of your life?
Doc, Yopu need to do a little extra research before you start defining your subject matter. A ' nursing home ' is usually subsidized or funded by a government agency. Most of the one's now are ' non-profit '. All of the residents that stay there cannot provide for themselves, do not drive and are in need of some kind of medical care and special food. Manned typically by nurses with doctors making regular visits. Most residents are indigent, bedridden, in poor health with no family to care for them. Next up on the food chain is an ' Extended Care Facility '. Many of these are privately owned, can screen and accept new residents based on a list of criteria that is approved by the state regulatory agency in charge. They have physical therapy services, registered dieticians, religous services of every denomination, an events director ( movie night, bingo, card parties---to name a few ) nurses specialized in geriatric care and a MD on call 24 / 7. They also enlist the services of ' Candy Stripers ' ( female high school volunteers ) and ' Gray Ladies ' senior citizen volunteers ). Often times these facilities have a community room offering pool tables, card tables and a small kitchen for the more active seniors. Next : Section 8 Housing: These are usually 3 story bldgs with one bedroom efficiency apartments that include a refrigerator, stove / oven and a microwave. They are for seniors that have no need for health care services, they often still drive and in most cases are the sole remaining spouse. They cook, clean and for the most part can take care of themselves. These are highly regulated by the Federal government and often have a waiting list to be accepted. Why ? Rent control. If you are healthy and ONLY have social security as your income; you may live here for about 30 % of your monthly SS stipend and they pay for your heat. A typical resident pays about $ 340 to $ 380 a month. Next: Multilevel Senior Housing This is a sprawling complex that usually have 3 lifestyle levels : 1) 24 / 7 care and feeding, and rehabilitaion. 2) Active seniors needing intermittent care ( often refrerred to as ' assisted living ' 3) Seniors living on their own. These are Medicare sanctioned and managed. Finally, what you accurately described as a ' Retirement Village '. Basically, it is a retirment resort for rich seniors, costing as much as $ 10, 000 / month. And contrary to what you have been told, AARP is not a friend of the seniors, even though they pretend to be. Doc, for someone that is so knowledgeable about sageing, I'm surprised you know so little about housing for the aged...
Posted by: dg | June 19, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Doc, If you are wondering where I got my data from, it was from my father who passed away last March. From 1962 through 1997 he either owned or managed everyone of the examples I posted...
Posted by: dg | June 19, 2010 at 12:36 PM
For all of my readers, I hope you read the comments from a faithful reader DG. He adds a lot of value because of his life experience and research in the area of care facilities. I appreciate his insights and for sharing on my blog.
I still think this is a topic for all of us to think about either for ourselves or our parents. It helps us to make informed decisions. Thanks.
Posted by: Jann Freed | June 20, 2010 at 01:22 PM