New Seniors » Get Involved

The New Seniors movement means much to our country

-NewSeniors Editorial — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:34:03 +0000

Having reached the age of 65 carries no promises with it. This simply means you lived long enough to learn a few things along the way and had the good fortune of not dying. The real achievement will come when you put the experience and beliefs gained over the years to work for someone else.

New Seniors have much to offer trailing generations as we continue to travel the road of this great adventure called life. If ever there was a time for truth and wisdom in America it is now. That’s why if you’re 65+ you must be willing to give back to the country that was so good to you through a commitment to service.

However, there seems to be a resistance to making waves or getting involved in unfamiliar areas at this phase of our lives. Sure, New Seniors continue to serve on church boards, participate in the activities of service organizations or engage in some other ongoing volunteer work. But, you may say, “It’s only natural after 65 to resist tackling something new.”

New Seniors who are making a difference in their communities are finding this kind of thinking to be far from reality. After all, you’re 65, you’re retired (or soon will be) and you’re capable of doing just about anything you put your mind to. So ask yourself, “What am I going to do with the remaining third of my life?”

You have lots of experience, lots of energy and plenty of time that could be devoted to worthwhile ventures. How much golf can you play, how many books can you read, how many trips can you take and how much television can you watch before getting bored and asking the question, “Is there a meaning and purpose in life after 65?”

More than any time in your life, this is when you can dream about what you’d like to do and then go do it without restrictions. And the beauty of service work is you are helping others rather than focusing on yourself. The sense of accomplishment expands when you help another person, and it may well be the incentive to cause that individual to help some one else. And the chain gets longer and stronger.

If you’re 65+ think about what you learned from parents, teachers, coaches, clergymen, bosses and other leaders – those things that were so freely given to you. Then consider where and how you can apply this knowledge to make life better at home, in the community and across the country. All that remains is for you to take the appropriate next steps.

These kinds of commitments are what constitute the New Seniors movement. It’s not an organized effort, rather it’s people like you and me trying to do the right thing and make a difference in the lives of others. If you’re already doing your part, tell us about your activities. If you haven’t started, investigate the possibilities and don’t be afraid to jump in. You’ll find lots of other New Seniors ready to help you be of service.

Why we need a friend from the Greatest Generation

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:04:33 +0000

Fortunately, I have a 94 year old friend who is much like a surrogate father to me. Our relationship started while my dad was still alive. We became closer when dad passed on 5 years ago and have remained that way ever since. It’s a blessing to have an older person in your life to learn from and gain prospective about today’s world based on the experience they have by going through difficult times in the past. And, the beauty of it all is they don’t expect a thing in return.

My friend was a neighbor when we met. We got to know each other by working on a community project together. To discuss the work, we had lunch several times and soon discovered we had plenty more to talk about than the project at hand. He had been the founder and manager of several businesses. His experiences as a youth, then struggling through the Great Depression and serving in WWII before finally getting the opportunity to succeed in the recovery period in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s helped make him a man I admired – much like my father only in a different way.

His stories were enlightening and often funny. But there was always something to learn from the memories he shared. The way he sacrificed to pursue his dreams. The manner in which business relationships were built and sustained. And the things he wished he had done differently where all laid out on the table for discussion. It was obvious that he was smart; but more important he was, and still is, honest. This meant I could question decisions he made without fear of upsetting him or not getting a straight answer.

What a refreshing change of pace he is from the guarded, uptight ways of many modern business people. Through our relationship, I learned how to enjoy retirement and seek out something meaningful to do with my God-given talents. That’s what brought me to become an advocate for those 65+, start my blog and later found the online magazine, NewSeniors.com. At the same time, I was able to help him through the decision process of moving to assisted living. And, recently, we talked about him giving up driving. He already stopped driving at night but fears this next step would substantially restrict his freedom. So I related how my father did it. This seemed to help.

Mentoring each other seems natural as we grow older. There’s nothing to prove. No control issues. And no financial considerations. Just open, one-on-one discussions about whatever is on our minds. The results are wonderfully therapeutic and amazingly helpful. So I suggest all New Seniors be open to this kind of relationship. There are many people from the Greatest Generation who would welcome the opportunity to have us as friends.

There are people at your church or temple, senior centers, study groups, community organizations and anywhere people volunteer to help others. Maybe the most significant help you can give is to be available for the folks from the generation that give us so much. They won’t be with us forever, but the time you spend together will create memories that last forever.

Is health care as we know it over for boomers turning 65?

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:20:29 +0000

If you are one of the millions of boomers turning 65, better brace yourself for changes in medical care thanks to the new health care legislation. About half the dollars to insure the 32 million new people to be covered under the new law will be generated by reducing fees paid to hospitals and health care providers participating in the Medicare program. This cost is pegged at $500 billion and will have long-term and far-reaching affects on how New Seniors receive medical services.

To begin with, there are 44 million Americans on Medicare. Of these, more than 25%, 11.3 million are covered by Medicare Advantage. Those with this plan will start experiencing cut-backs in 2012. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that if Medicare and Social Security are not changed, these programs will account for 50% of all federal spending by 2035.

The news is particularly disconcerting for boomers turning 65 next year. This generation will turn 65 at the rate of one every ten second and continue to do so through 2030. Many of the retiring baby boomers, even those who planned for the future, will rely on Medicare and Social Security to live with some degree of comfort in the years ahead.

Some in Congress say the only way to avert the future budget fiasco is to cut-back Social Security benefits, raise the retirement age and institute means testing to determine which retirees get what and how much. It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that this kind of thinking will be applied to health care benefits as well.

It’s possible that the boomers turning 65 in 2015 and later will be the first to suffer. Retiring baby boomers in the future might have to wait until they are 75 to receive Social Security and Medicare coverage could be delayed until age 70. Expect a redistribution of funds within Social Security system, while every Medicare recipient will feel the affects of budget cutbacks in the quality and extent of care and services.

We paid into Social Security all our working life. We accepted rate increases and paying on a greater percentage of our salaries as our incomes increased. We paid our taxes and through this helped fund Medicare since its inception in 1965. We were promised by our elected officials that our dollars would be spent wisely and be there when we reached retirement age. We were lied to by the very people who told us we needed these benefits.

It’s too late for folks who are already retired to go back and make the money we might need to offset changes in Social Security or Medicare – just as we will never be able to replace the money in our IRAs and other retirement investments that fell by a third when the current recession hit. It’s up to the New Seniors, those born between 1930 and 1945, to lead the way in getting the politicians to understand and do something about the problems we face. And it’s up to those boomers turning 65 next year or in the near future to join us in this effort. Together we can, and will, make a difference.

You make a difference

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:56:26 +0000

The flame from a single candle lights up ones own little corner, but the flames of many candles light up the world. What we believe can have an illuminating affect on our immediate surroundings such as family and friends. However, what we do in our communities and beyond shines a spotlight on ways to make a difference and cause positive change while attracting others to join us in these efforts.

Most of us 65+ have led an active and involved life, both on the job and at home. Now, in retirement or getting prepared for it, we are faced with the possibility of having idle time on our hands. Something the pre-boomer generation is not used to. At first, this seems like a happy dilemma, but too much leisure time does little to stimulate the mind and can lead to a feeling of low self-esteem. Besides, who wants to do nothing when you can get great satisfaction from being of service?

“What can I do?” you ask. Anything you want! After all, you did this throughout your life, why stop now? Think about the dreams we New Seniors had when we were young. Being the best we could be in the areas where we had interest received encouragement from our elders – parents, teachers, coaches, scout masters and other leaders. And we carried this with us upon entering the workforce and, to some degree, throughout our careers. It’s time to dust off those memories and apply them once again, because America needs our knowledge, experience and guidance more than ever.

The nation is in a state of fear-based, self-centered apathy. If it doesn’t affect us directly, we tend not to care; so don’t make waves. Gone is the spirit that helped people survive the Great Depression. The spirit that united us against common enemies in WWII. The spirit that built a post-war economy second to none. The spirit that fought social injustices and prevailed. The spirit that placed men on the moon. The spirit that outlasted the threat of the Soviet Union. The spirit that created the Internet and the technology boom. The spirit that re-united Americans after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

Has the life gone out of this great country, or are we just taking a breath before rising up and redirecting our efforts to ignite the spark once more? Are you ready to carry the torch the spreads the light of freedom and the opportunities that will bring America back from the lonely darkness that separates us and help bring people back together again?

This action can begin to take place immediately, but the road back is long and up hill. Don’t let that deter you. New Seniors can make a difference in the way government works and let those in elected positions know who they work for by being active during the period leading up to the November election. Without regard to party affiliation, those 65+ are expected to account t for nearly 30% of the votes cast this fall. So get involved.

While this is going on, look for ways to be of service in your community. Recruit other New Seniors to join you in making a difference. Tell your friends that you intend to make a difference. And, demonstrate to your family what it means to make a difference.

Why we need town hall meetings again this summer

-NewSeniors Editorial — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:12:21 +0000

Remember the way people flocked to town hall meetings to listen to what the politicians had to say about health care? Even more exciting was how these elected representatives were confronted by angry citizens protesting the programs the government was trying to push through. Although the wishes of the voters were widely ignored, this is an election year. So any such gatherings should prove interesting.

The tide changed last year when in location after location overflow crowds of people showed up chanting and holding signs, all with a desire to be seen and heard by those who were soon to cast their votes for or against health care reform. Supporters of the bill were outnumbered at first, but soon political organizers arrived and began to drown out the opposition visually and vocally. This political tactic proved effective, since the town hall meetings ended up on the news on a daily basis.

The folks at home saw what the cameras saw instead of the reality of the various gatherings. First hand observations in Southern California, for instance, showed that those arriving prior to the start of the town hall meeting were primarily local residents, mostly 50 and older, armed with homemade signs. Some supported the bill, which at the time was a single-pay plan, but there were about twice as many against the legislation. The crowds lined up across from each other cheering and jeering as group leaders worked up their constituents. Emotions ran high, but people were generally well behaved.

Minutes before the session was to formally begin, crowds of younger people brought in from outside the area appeared carrying professionally printed signs. These pro-health care supporters pushed and shoved their way into the anti-legislation crowd waving their signs and shouting as the people moved out of their way. The TV cameras picked up the action after the infiltration was completed, thereby giving those at home the impression that many more attendees were for rather than against the reform measure.

The Congressman holding the town hall meeting did not come prepared to listen. Instead, he assembled a group of “experts” all of whom were going to promote various aspects of the bill with the politician closing the session with a final sales message. But the crowd would have none of this. They realized if they didn’t force the issue, the whole thing would end up as a political PR event. While they didn’t get clear answers, the anti-bill folks did register their points and some of this was picked up on TV.

So what’s the lesson to be learned? New Seniors must insist that their representatives hold town hall meetings throughout the summer recess so the politicians know what we want. The economy, government spending, taxes, Social Security, repealing the health care bill, Medicare cuts and other specific issues that must be addressed. Most politicians will want to hide, so write letters, organize a phone campaign or show up at their local office with a group of friends to show support for town hall meetings. New Seniors will cast about 30% of the votes in November, don’t let the elected ones forget this. If they are not willing to listen and respond through a public forum, vote them out.

Will New Seniors make their voices heard at the ballot box?

-NewSeniors Editorial — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:00:44 +0000

An unrepresentative form of government, or one that treats the majority of Americans that way, may be the reason behind the President’s plummeting approval rating and why so many Congressional incumbents facing re-election in November are likely to be sent home rather than back to Washington. Less than 18 months after the new administration was seated, citizens are dissatisfied with the direction in which the country is going, especially those 65+.

According to Gallup polling, the President’s approval as of June 13 dropped to its lowest rating of 46% compared to 67% during inauguration week last year. The youngest group, 18 to 29, was the only one to give the nation’s chief executive a positive grade of 56%, while those 65+ ranked the President’s job performance at just 38%.

Only those making less than $24,000 annually showed a favorable majority for the President, 52%, and this is down from a high of 72%. In addition, married people and church-goers had lower approval ratings for the President than their counterparts.

For Congress, the numbers are bleak. Rasmussen reports an overwhelming 65% of likely voters polled June 9 to 10 say the country would be better off if incumbents were defeated. The results for those 65+ came in slightly higher at 67%.

When asked if there would be a noticeable change in the lives of Americans if the a GOP gains control in the fall, 42% said, “Yes.” A sentiment that was shared by 51% of the New Seniors. However, 67% don’t believe the GOP has done a good job in representing Republican values or have lost touch with the voters, 73% of those 65+ agree. For the Democrats, the numbers are 52% for the total survey and 59% for those over 65.

This results suggest that most politicians are in trouble regardless of party affiliation. That the core voters of the country, those with a greater sense of moral values, tradition and a belief in the American way of life are more upset with what’s going on in Washington than the general population. And, since these sub-groups are more likely to vote than any others in a mid-term election, those not representing our interests are liable to be on the outside looking in come November.

Now, more than ever, New Seniors must be aware of the power we represent at the polls. There are more than 30 million of us born between 1930 and 1945, which is greater than the entire adult Hispanic population, legal and illegal, living in the United States. Also there are more New Seniors than African-Americans of voting age. Yet, we are regularly pandered to at best and ignored at worst by politicians on both sides of the aisle.

We will account for as much as one-third of the total votes cast in the upcoming election. That’s enough to swing virtually every election nationwide. So pick you candidate. Get together with other like-minded folks in your community, and do your part to elect people who will respond to the needs of all New Seniors.

How do you know you’re a New Senior?

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:59:53 +0000

If you think you know what its like to be 65, how about answering these questions. What’s it feel like to be retired? Do you remember how old you were when you realized you were 65? How far into the future do you make plans? Have people gotten up so you can have a seat? When was the first time someone called you an old-timer (fogey, coot, geezer or as a senior) ? If you haven’t experienced any of these just wait. It’ll happen.

When they stop asking for your opinion at work, the phone stops ringing or the boss starts asking what you’re looking forward to most in retirement. It’s time to consider getting out, moving on and finding your new niche in life – especially if you have a retirement plan in place that will allows you to do this with some degree of comfort. After all, the worst feeling one can have is to be edged out through innuendo, the cold shoulder or downgrading. You didn’t work all your adult years to end up with the feeling of being less than.

On the other hand, if you’re already out of the workforce, you may be having a different kind of identity crisis. Many of us were so involved in our jobs that it became a struggle to accept this new found freedom. Those who, before retirement, were asked, “how are you doing,” and told the questioner about work fall into this category. Walking away from all the responsibilities of life or diving into as many activities as possible, including the seeking of a new job, are two favorite extremes of the newly retired. But these problems will balance out over time. They really will.

Whether you are from either end of the spectrum or someplace in-between, there is a clear need for the experience, knowledge and maturity that New Seniors offer. It can be in pursuing a hobby you never had time for, taking what you learned in business and apply it to activities that help individuals (it could be others 65+ but less fortunate than you) or it may be right to reinvent oneself and going back into the workforce. The latter option may be least satisfying of all. Take time to evaluate the options. It may take time to discover what fits your temperament, interests and schedule. Experiment, you have plenty of time. Look at it like an adventure; start off and see where the path takes you.

Of course, if you have been a New Senior for several years, chances are you’ve tried all, or most all, of the activities mentioned above. Finding your groove is very satisfying. But if you’re still seeking something new, go for it. And while you’re doing that, consider how much you experience you’ve gained getting to this point in life. Often knowing what you don’t want to do is as important as having a bunch of paths to pursue.

If you’re new at being a New Senior, log onto http://www.NewSeniors.com and see what your peers are doing. Tell us about what your thoughts are for the future and we’ll share it with others, anonymously if you wish. Read about the activities others are engaged in. Connect with those who are doing what you want to do, and find out how they got started in making a difference with family, friends and their community. You’ll see how vital and helpful we all can be. And, welcome to the neighborhood.

New Seniors are the nation’s new architects

-NewSeniors Editorial — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:18:10 +0000

Don’t be put off by this bold statement, but don’t dismiss it either. The plans for this country were drawn up by the founding fathers. Our ancestors who came here believed in the promise America offered and found a place where they could be free to pursue their dreams. They built the country. Now it’s time to remodel.

Through all kinds of conflicts, including a civil war, we learned and grew. Two World Wars with a Depression in the middle, tested our character and tenacity; and, as a people, we became stronger. The age of convenience followed. Soon, this peace dividend was interrupted by social unrest sparked by the civil rights, women’s rights and anti-war movements. Another long period of peace-time prosperity and the tech/information age made everything rosy.

Then, the wheels fell off. The tech bubble burst, terrorist attacks and a financial meltdown occurred. Except for a brief period of time, when we came together following the 9/11 disaster, the country has been divided and the battle of words is inflammatory.

New Seniors can’t fix the nation’s problems alone, but we’ve seen enough to know what worked and what didn’t in the 65 years or more that we’ve been around. We know that the entire country needs to take a deep collective breath before engaging in more mud slinging, character assassinations and never-ending name calling. We cannot debate our current situation and what the future holds if the various sides of the issues are not part of the discussion. In short, we won’t get anywhere unless we are inclusive and civil.

Hurt feelings and blind ideology must be put aside if reason is to prevail. Some say there are too many single issue advocates pushing their own agendas. Others blame the lobbyists and their greedy clients. And, there are politicians addicted to power who are willing to do what their party demands rather than what the people need and want.

It all starts when two people talk with each other and find out what they have in common. It’s amazing how much common ground can be found when folks have honest discussions. Friends, neighbors, relatives are good to begin with. Telling another about your personal concerns opens the door for them to reciprocate. Once some agreement is reached, the two of you need to go find two more people and repeat the process. Encourage these recruits to do the same thing. And, before long there is a virtual army of people marching on common ground.

The concept of multiplication is simple, but implementing it is not so easy. But, New Seniors are fortunate. There is an online forum where those 65+ have the opportunity to be heard about any subject you believe other New Seniors might be interested in. You can connect in a civil way with the community, by name or anonymously. Get the discussion going, logon now and tell us about what’s on your mind. Together we can be the architects of today and help build a better tomorrow for our children and their children too.

Education, as New Seniors knew it, is dead

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:59:40 +0000

Surveys indicate that today’s parents are afraid their children will not have a life as good as theirs. As grandparents and great grandparents, the pre-boomers have the time and the experience to help solve this problem by getting involved with their local school board and volunteering to help at the individual school level. After all, don’t these kids deserve the opportunities past generations gave us?

Pre-boomers grew up in a time when a “good education” was what every parent hoped their children would get before going out into the world. They preached, and rightfully so, that armed with knowledge and understanding we could realize our dreams and enjoy a better quality of life than they had. Today, academic curriculums and common sense training have changed to were students are less prepared for what lies ahead than when our generation graduated. What went wrong?

My education spanned two decades from the early ‘40s through the late ‘50s. I learned early on to respect my teachers and get along with the other kids. Otherwise, it was down to the principal’s office or my parents were called in to discuss behavior problems. Talking back to teachers and being disrespectful was not tolerated. And those kids identified as discipline problems were relegated to special classes or sent to a school that handled the difficult cases.

Those who did not receive a passing grade had to repeat the grade or the class in question. Summer school was also an option, but it was not easy and certainly could not be considered a sure thing for just showing up. We were in school to learn and parents were expected to help support the teachers and the administrators to assure each student had the opportunity to learn and not interfere with the progress of the others in the class.

Some place along the way, things began to change. Was it the baby boom explosion after WW II? Two parents working? Single mothers raising children? The flight to the suburbs? Permissiveness? Or was it that parents simply abdicated their responsibilities for their children’s education and left all aspects of the job in the hands of the schools?

More than likely it was a combination of these things that slowly, almost imperceptibly, caused change and worked its way into our schools over the past 50 years. When we finally became aware of the problem it was too late. Here, in Southern California, we went from having the best public school system in the country to being at the bottom. And the more money we poured into the schools, the worse they get? This was compounded by more and more families moving to better school districts or opting for a private education, leaving less affluent students stuck in failing schools.

This situation was, and still is, repeated throughout the country. It’s as if “the inmates are running the asylum” with the students rights trumping those of the teachers. Discipline is a bigger problem than learning. This will put many, probably most, of our kids at a disadvantage when they graduate and try to compete in the world-wide marketplace.

New Seniors have the voting power to cause real change

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:08:08 +0000

It’s a fact, New Seniors play an important role in the election process. While accounting for about 13% of the population, in this year’s primaries and general elections, we are expected to cast 30% of the ballots. Yes, New Seniors have the power to change the outcome of many elections. The question is, “do you believe it’s time for change?”

Judging from recent polls, most Americans believe Congress does not have their best interests at heart, does not listen to constituents and that most incumbents need to be turned out of office, without regard to party affiliation. The citizens are angry and can be expected to demonstrate this displeasure at the ballot box in upcoming elections.

According to Pew Research, only 25% of respondents have a positive view of Congress and just 22% trust the government. This survey refers to the federal government, but for those of us living in Los Angeles the satisfaction level for state and local governments seems to be pitifully low as well. The growing size and power of government is a worriment for people. This is confirmed by a wide-range of surveys where the majority of respondents say the politicians’ have their priorities wrong, which has resulted in an overall negative impact on the lives of the average citizen. No wonder incumbents are hiding or, when confronted, resort to finger pointing rather than offering suggestions about how to fix things.

When it comes to elections, those already holding office have a distinct advantage over challengers. After all the incumbent has name recognition, is usually better financed than the newcomer, knows the ins and outs of Washington, has done some good for the community over the years and is probably from the same political party as the majority of voters within a particular geographic area. These attributes may be acceptable under normal circumstances, but not when there is runaway spending, an ever-increasing national debt, the prospects of significant tax increases, a struggling economy, plus deep and continuing unemployment to name just a few of the current problems.

If you are satisfied with the way government is handling things, by all means, send the current representative back to the House or Senate. But, if you believe a vote must be earned and that the incumbent is likely to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution, maybe it’s time for new blood. Fresh thinking, new ideas, enthusiasm, a commitment to listen to the voice of the voters and a willingness to get the job done on behalf of the constituents rather than what the party bosses want are more important than how many years a politician has been in office.

Check out the track record of the people running. Do you agree with what the incumbent has been doing? How about what they have done lately? Are you satisfied with the direction in which they are going? Then, take a look at the other candidates. Have they been involved with community affairs? Will this carry over to a bigger job? Are they someone you can trust based on their character? You have important choices to make in the upcoming elections. So do your homework, and vote wisely.