New Seniors » Lifestyle

Life is truly a work in progress

a NewSeniors contributor — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:46:42 +0000

Dreams, seeded with a dose of reality begrudgingly gained through life’s experiences, eventually lead to the establishment of goals that drove this man’s life throughout the years. Now, a few months away from my 75th birthday, I can step back and evaluate what I’ve accomplished and what is yet to be achieved.

In childhood the focus was to have fun. No one said this was my purpose, but early on I discovered that doing the things boys do was most enjoyable. These things almost always involved other kids such as playing ball, roughhousing and just hanging out together. These activities, even board games and cards, were all stimulating and usually had one common goal: to win.

As an only child I did things on my own like read, listen to the radio adventure series or later watch TV, practice various sports and, of course, do homework. But being part of a group and succeeding within that community and competing with other communities is what I liked best. The team was my family and my support group, yet I wanted to be the star that shined above all others and receive the attention that goes with it.

This self centered, selfish attitude, which I preferred to call ambition, was with me during the growing years to college and beyond. When I first got into the business world, my eye was not on my peers but on the presidency of the firm. Being number one was not just a goal, it became an obsession. I vowed to do whatever it took to reach the top.

Such a strong desire for money, power and recognition was profitable for the companies I worked for and the clients I served; but it did little for my relationships, both in and outside of business. For a guy who once thrived on belonging to a community and being part of a team this misplaced commitment left me rather lonely.

One would think that these empty feeling lead to a change of spirit. However, the result was to push harder and win no matter what the cost. I finally received a degree of success, but it wasn’t enough because chasing after more always meant I wanted more. After many years this realization finally sunk in, it caused me to rethink my life and the self-imposed goals I placed on myself, which were actually restrictions.

Admittedly, I wasn’t a particularly good husband, father or friend for my first 50 years or so but have gotten better in all these areas, I believe. The few business dealings I have now are meaningful, because I try to do what’s right and deliver real value to the other person or company. And, I get real joy from just being part of whatever community I am in and make whatever contributions I can without expectations.

When it’s all said and done, today I’m pretty much having the fun like I did as a kid. Now, however, there are no preconceptions of needing to be the best. I am more than satisfied to be together with others and participate in life’s activities. The big shift is with my goals. I no longer strive to do great things; I just want to do good things.

Fun foods will not be advertising to kids any more

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:31:50 +0000

The current administration continues its fight against childhood obesity through healthier diets by “asking” that advertising of certain products be restricted. The hope is to keep ads for foods with high sodium, fat and sugar from reaching those under 18. How will this change the things promoted on TV, what’s available in stores and restaurants as well as the items found in America’s home pantries?

Proposed standards announced in late April are said to be voluntary. However, there will be a combined effort by powerhouse government agencies to get marketers to adhere to the administration’s wishes. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), CDCP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) are all expected to exert pressure in order to obtain compliance with this plan. Marketers realize the gauntlet has be thrown.

Food products marketed to children between the ages of 2 and 17 would need to have a “meaningful contribution” to a healthy diet. That means items such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lean meat while limiting sodium, sugar and saturated fat (no trans fats) in each serving to comply with the government guidelines or the product cannot be advertised. This will affect more than sodas and junk food. Staples like soup, juices, cereals and others that were once thought of as healthy foods may not qualify either, even though these products are not illegal.

Clever advertisers won’t be able to get around the issue by advertising to the parents, because the government wants to apply the rule (make that guideline) to all television programs were 30% of the audience is made up of kids between the ages of 2 to 11 or 20% of those 12 to 17. Where in the world did these percentages come from? According to trade groups, this includes some 1,700 programs.

There are those who believe cutting back on advertising opportunities is simply the first step in the eradication of all foods deemed by the government to not be healthy. Sort of a slow but steady prohibition. This movement starts by enlisting the gross offenders such as fatty snacks, sugary junk food and fast food to voluntarily stop advertising. It will likely continue beyond fun foods until all foods consumed by America’s children are in compliance with what will be new government standards in the form of laws rather than merely suggestions.

When New Seniors (those 65+) were kids, there were plenty of sweet, fatty and salty foods around. The differences were that in those days kids played hard every day, ate what was put in front of them and treats were an occasional bonus. There were no nutritional facts on labels; in fact, many products had no ingredients listed. And, generally, the decisions as to what we could or couldn’t eat were made by parents. It should be that way now rather than allow the government to usurp this responsibility. And it must be remembered, if the government can dictate what the children can or can’t eat, maybe adults will be next on the list.

Photo by Erich Ferdinand via Flickr

Three in four Americans say exercise is important to daily life

a NewSeniors contributor — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:52:11 +0000

A significant majority of all age groups believe that exercise is very or somewhat important, according to a recent Rasmussen poll. Younger people are less likely to agree with this statement. This age group, therefore, has nearly twice the number of non-exercisers than any other group. Is it because younger Americans are generally healthier, too busy or don’t care?

A look into the study shows 62% of those18 to 29 claim that exercise is important. This jumps to 77% for those 30 to 39, 79% for the 40 to 49 group, 81% for those 50 to 64 and 77% for those 65+. Only 51% of men under 40 believe in exercise, but for those over 40 the number climbs to 78%. Younger women came in at 75% while 79% of those over 40 thought that exercise was important to daily life.

Fully 35% of the under 30 crowd never exercise compared to an average of 20% of the total sample who do not engage in physical activities. Interestingly, the 65+ group has the lowest number of non-exercisers with just 14%. Is this because New Seniors are more concerned about taking care of themselves as they age or a result of them having more free time? Based on the number of times and the minutes spent exercising, commitment to better health increases with age.

Most age groups exercise 1 to 3 times a week. But 39% of those 40 to 49 break a sweat 4 or more days a week followed by those 65+ at 30%. Time spent per session shows 39% of respondents exercise for 30 minutes or less, but nearly half the men 40 and older spend more time working out and do it more days of the week. So there is a strong indication that as men mature they want to be in top shape in order to compete in business or be prepared to enjoy life in general.

The research did not report the kinds of exercise engaged in by the respondents. However, cardiovascular activities are favorites among all age groups and sexes. Both men and women have their own specialties when it comes to elevating the heart rate and working up a sweat. Team sports are popular among men while exercise classes get the nod from women. Bodybuilding is also more male oriented, although it has a loyal core of female devotees.

Walking, jogging and running are activities that allow people of both sexes and all age groups to participate. It’s easy to get into this kind of exercise. The cost of entry is low, all that’s needed is a good pair of athletic shoes. There’s no need to join a gym or a group, but it is nice to do this with others. This way, exercising becomes a social activity as well as a way of helping those involved to stay involved.

No matter what people do, doctors will confirm that it is important to good health to do something. If the kids can be convinced that the “in thing” is to get away from their computers and enjoy some physical activity Americans will be a healthier and happier now and in the future.

Photo by Photos8.com

Will grandparents become part of the new core family?

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Fri, 27 May 2011 01:01:28 +0000

During the first half of the past century, having extended family members living in the same house was part of way life for many Americans. For a variety of reasons, this made emotional and economic sense. After WWII this way of life faded, but the extended family is making a comeback. And, the concept may have many built-in advantages for all involved.

The definition of an extended family household is one that has two or more adult generations or a grandparent and one other generation living together. According to a 2008 Pew Research study, 49 million Americans, 16.1% of the total U.S. population, are part of such a family. This trend is growing.

In 1940, 25% of the population lived in extended family households. This fell to 12% by 1980. At the early part of the last century, 57% of adults over 65 lived with their adult children. During the 1980s into the 1990s just 17% of those 65+ lived with their families. This climbed to 20% in 2008 and continues to increase.

Only 10% of the total population lives in a single person household. In 1980 nearly 29% of those living alone were over 65. More recently, this has dropped to just over 27%, even though there are more people over 65 than at any time before.

The wave of immigration that began in the late ‘70s, the ethnic makeup of the new multi-generational households reflects this phenomenon. Hispanics 22%, Blacks 23%, Asians 25% and Whites 13%. All segments have increased since the recession began. Of total U.S. households, 34% consist of one generation, 47% are two generation (parent with child), 16% are multi-generational and 2% are living in group quarters.

Another Pew study (2005) indicates that 56% of the public believes it is the responsibility of adult children to take in elderly parents, but a strong minority (39%) disagree. However, with economic uncertainty and an aging population, many families are forced to reconsider having grandmom and granddad move in. Often the elder family members are able to help with some of the expenses as well as the childrearing duties.

Establishing a multi-generational family is not easy. Is there enough room for one or two more people? Will an add-on room or separate unit be needed? How are finances and other responsibilities to be split up? What about privacy issues? And, most important, will the various personalities be able to get along?

Assuming all parties involved are willing to make an extended family household work, it can be a great experience for all. The grand parents bring family history and years of personal experience to the table. Mom and dad get some help and hopefully ask for advice. And the grandkids get the opportunity to receive adult guidance from someone other than their parents while learning about the roles of different generations. All-in-all, this is the kind of arrangement that can do much to re-establish family values in America.

Those 65+ must get online or the world will pass them by

a NewSeniors contributor — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:44:02 +0000

Communications is moving faster than most people perceive, this is especially true with New Seniors. As television brought the Vietnam War into America’s living rooms and the Internet put worldwide news at our finger tips, social media is making all events personal. The recent revolution in Egypt and other Middle-East countries was fueled by reports and calls-to-action through Facebook and Twitter.

Individuals connecting with other individuals through the Internet grew to critical mass, fast. Bloggers provided the background information and promoted unrest. Traditional media, such as state-run newspapers and television, could not keep pace with the tweets and other forms of messaging that used the Web to connect with protesters in spite of the government shutting down the Internet for a time.

Comparisons have been made between the early colonial pamphleteers and modern-day bloggers as the grass roots communicators of their respective periods in history. Many claim that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense,” was instrumental in bringing the colonists together in 1776. It was read in public gatherings and was the most discussed writing leading up to the revolution.

While Americas are not trying to topple a regime, we are involved in a fiscal crisis that could result in a revolutionary change in the powers of federal, state and local governments as well as those working in the public sector. And, while 24-hour cable news outlets will stay with breaking news, they won’t be the newsmakers. The action is online; this is the place to be for news before it becomes news.

Those reading this article already go online. Connecting with news Web sites is easy and the favorites should be bookmarked. However, for those not using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, there is a gap between personal observations and the more general news reports.

For those wanting to get an idea as to what the next generation of newsmakers is thinking get exposed to social media. It’s the way to secure an inside view of what’s happening. Enrollment is fast and easy. Just go online to the network(s) you want and sign up. It won’t be long before you move from being an observer to that of a participant.

Those of us 65+ didn’t spend our lives sitting on the sidelines. Being a spectator is okay, but being in the game is even better. So why not continue to do that now, when so much is going on? Get online and surf around until you find what works for you. Keep informed daily. Then start letting your views be heard. You have the experience to evaluate what is going on, and there are many folks out there who will appreciate what you have to say.

Things that are going the way of the buggy whip

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:12:20 +0000

Old fashioned TVs, Yellow Pages, land-line telephones and film cameras are a few things that come to mind. Changes are happening faster than at any time in history, thanks to the age of technology. Businesses are looking for opportunities to cause a sea change in the products and services we use. Younger Americans embrace this progress, but older consumers feel they are losing old friends.

Who would have thought newspapers would be dying a slow but certain death. Or that daily mail delivery might become every-other day. Where have the travel agents gone? Soon there won’t be cigarette lighters, since tobacco will go up in smoke. Fountain pens have become collectors’ items. And, old standbys such as photo albums are also on the growing list of things destined to be extinct like the dodo bird.

The music business has gone through epic changes over the years. Today’s New Seniors (those born in the ‘30s and later) saw the single records go from 78 RPMs to 45s (albums were 33 and1/3) to tapes to cassettes to CDs to down-loads on iPods and the like. The latter wrecked an entire industry’s distribution system to say nothing about the toll it took on the manufacturing and retailing segments as well as the recording artists.

Motion pictures also experienced several upheavals since the 1950s and the industry is settling into the next phase of transition. But, we can expect this form of entertainment will be with us in some way or another. Whether at theaters, at home or on the move, Americans like their movies. So, new content will be needed in order to fill the pipeline.

Products and services are not the only things going out of vogue. Patriotism, and manners hold little value in today’s fast moving, self-centered, narcissistic society.

Go to a sporting event and most New Seniors will be troubled to see a large number of spectators disengaged from the ceremony of singing the National Anthem. Hats are not removed, hands are not placed over hearts and few make an attempt to mouth the words. Unfortunately, the majority of these offenders are younger people.

The same demographic tends to cut in front of women and older citizens, does not open or hold doors and show little respect for people in general. Are they to blame for not learning the responsibilities we have for others in our society? Or, is it their parents (our children) who, for whatever reason, refused to teach them? In either case, the New Seniors are the ones who fell down on doing their jobs. We did not teach them the basic principles nor keep reminding them to fulfill their social and civic responsibilities.

Are we going to let our grandchildren go through life oblivious to what it means to be part of something bigger than them? Are we going to let an anything goes attitude prevail? Or, are we going to teach them what we learned back in the olden days when products were simpler, service was expected and people were not taken for granted?

We still like our movies, but the way we watch them has changed

a NewSeniors contributor — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:18:43 +0000

Americans have enjoyed motion pictures for more than a century. Movies have gone from a novelty to entertainment to an art form. They helped us forget our troubles during the Great Depression and our fears through the war years that followed. And, to this day, people can leave the real world outside while concentrating on what’s happening on the screen. The question is where do motion pictures fit in today’s lifestyles?

A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 55% of Americans rarely or never go to the movies. This is true for the majority of all age groups except for those 40 to 49 where the number drops to 48%. Among those 65+ the negative response jumps to 63%.

Occasional movie attendance, which means less than once a month, is 34% for the total sample. Those 40 to 49 are highest with 42% and New Seniors are lowest at 28%. Regular theater goers, once a month or more, represent just 10% of all respondents.

So who is watching movies and where? About 44% of the people are viewing movies at home once a week or more. Another 41% are doing this occasionally, and only 14% say they rarely or never watch movies in their homes. The 30 to 39 age group is most likely to do this (57%). Those 65+ are least likely (34%).

Excluding those who rarely or never watch movies at home, 59% say they watch it on a premium cable channel or regular network TV. The number is lower for the youngest age groups, 18 to 29 (35%), and increases with age, 65+ (65%). Conversely, 35% of the total rent movies for home viewing. Nearly half (47%) of the youngest demographic do this, while only 16% of New Seniors are renting movies.

What people watch also varies significantly by age. Comedies are twice as popular as any other film genre, with 37% of respondents preferring them compared to 19% for dramas. With those 18 to 29 this type of movie was selected by 42% while among New Seniors the category was only 29%. On the other hand, the older group selected dramas first with 30%, and with the younger audiences it was on 8%

Action films ranked third overall at 15%. As might be expected it was highest with the young crowd at 20%, twice that of the older demographic. Science Fiction was fourth with 10%, but 22% of the 30 to 39 group selected it. Musicals barely made the list; however, 13% of New Seniors chose them.

The survey did not ask about watching movies online, on an iPad or a smart phone. But it’s safe to assume that this is a younger audience. The most important thing is there are cost effective ways to enjoy movies. But it is nice to go to the theater, buy some fresh popcorn and a soft drink then sit back as the lights dim and the curtains open to reveal characters that are literally and figuratively bigger than life. That’s the way to lose oneself in what’s playing on the screen. That’s what the movies are all about.

If it seems unbelievable it probably is

-NewSeniors Editorial — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:19:46 +0000

How many emails make their way around the Internet each day? How many do you get? How much of what in those emails is actually true? Most of these snippets of information come from friends and associates we know and trust, so we believe what we see. We often forward these messages to those in our computer address books because we want to share. However, communicating like this can cause the spread of misinformation.

Yes, sharing information via email can be likened to connecting with friends via telephone or perhaps mailing notes to them. However, the ease of email means we often quickly forward messages to a lot of people without checking the facts. Our recipients in turn do the same thing.

The emails that pop up in my inbox cover a wide range of subjects. Some are informative. Some are provocative. Some are funny. Some are sad. Some are tender. Some are frightening. Some are designed to motivate. And, others fall some place in between. This makes checking my email an interesting task. But the information in forwarded emails often plays it fast and loose with the facts.

This problem is not limited to partisan political articles, as one might expect. It encompasses most every area. There are warnings about everything from diseases being transported into the country via foreign visitors to all sorts of conspiracy theories against America to little known facts about a variety of things that will affect my life in some negative way. Usually there is a plea at the end of the message to send the information to everyone I know.

If I believe the article might be of interest to others, I check the facts. It’s easy to do on Google. Just search using a couple of unique words from the email, or even a whole phrase or sentence. I have found that the more outrageous the email, the less likely it is to be true. If and when I ascertain the information is correct, I can feel free to pass it on to friends, or share it with the NewSeniors.com editorial committee for further checking. This is what reputable newspapers, magazines and broadcast media have done for years. Why shouldn’t online services do the same?

It would be easy to dismiss this phenomenon and say it doesn’t really matter, but the actual consequences are more serious than that. Scary and untrue messages diminish our sense of freedom and security. False political messages distort our perception and cloud the issues that should be getting our attention. Even simple misattribution of a quote or an editorial may be an unwelcome embarrassment for the one who gets credit, and theft of intellectual property of the true author.

My associates and I believe you are entitled to the same kind of editorial truth from us as you would expect from other trusted news and information sources. We will to continue checking the facts on the material we publish. You can be confident sharing what you see at NewSeniors.com. This is our pledge.

The newest New Seniors are not ready to retire just yet

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:03:44 +0000

Most of those over 65 are retired. Although some wish they were still bringing in a paycheck. Others chose to work part-time or are looking to do so. The younger New Seniors and the baby boomers turning 65 starting next year are not prepared to make the big jump into the retirement pool, at least not for a few more years.

A survey conducted in September by Sun Life Financial found 80% of unretired workers saying they need at least 3 years to rebuild retirement savings because of dollars lost during the recession. This represents an increase of 16% from the previous year’s study. However, about 20% of respondents believe they will never recoup the lost dollars.

Only 42% of those surveyed are very confident that they will be able to take care of basic living expenses in retirement. And one in four strongly believes they will be able to take care of medical expenses. About 65% of these boomers have less than $50,000 in retirement assets. And half of them have $10,000 or less put away, making it too late for cutting-edge boomers to prepare for retirement and keeping them in the work force.

The rule of thumb is that the average person needs about 80% of their working take-home pay to maintain a similar lifestyle in retirement. The reductions occur in basic costs associated with working including: transportation, clothing and lunches along with fewer payroll deductions, taxes and contributions to 401Ks. Medicare kicks in at 65, and supplemental insurance is usually significantly less than regular medical insurance.

For someone earning $50,000 a year, now needing about $40,000 in annual replacement income, about half the dollars will come from Social Security and the rest must come from retirement savings, a pension fund or both. Since many people are not financially prepared to live for another 15, 20, 25 or more years, they have little choice other than to keep working as long as they can.

There is no way to turn back the clock on the savings process. If someone did not save in at least their forties and fifties, there is no way they will have enough money to retire in their mid-sixties. In some instances, older, mature, experienced workers can be an asset for a company, even though their salaries and benefits may be higher.

Sooner rather than later younger workers, with new skills and new thinking, will be more affordable in the short-term and ultimately be a greater value to the company’s future. At this point, the 65+ worker might be reduced to part-time work or will have to go into the marketplace and compete with other for jobs, often for less money.

Fortunately, there are new attitudes regarding working beyond the traditional retirement age. Some like to work because they like the structure, others like the freedom of extra income and some must do it to survive. No matter what the reason, people are living longer, so why shouldn’t they work longer?

How do you rate your life, today?

-NewSeniors Editorial — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:46:03 +0000

People claim their early adulthood, 18 to 39, as the best years of their lives, according to a recent Rasmussen survey. When asked to rate their own life today, 61% say it is good to excellent, although this is seven percentage points lower than six month ago. Whatever the age group, from 18 to over 65, a solid majority of respondents agreed with this positive assessment. How would you describe your life?

Younger Americans tend to look at the previous decade along with the ten year age group in which they find themselves believe as the best years. This is understandable since they have not yet to experience life. The poll further indicated that as folks get older the popularity of various decades spreads out, undoubtedly based on events that occurred during these periods in the aging process. After 30, aside from their own age bracket, the 40 to 49 years are rated the best by every group except one, that being the 65+ group.

The worse years, according to all age groups, was 65 and over. Interestingly, 35% of those who had already reached this age named it the worse years of life closely followed by the upcoming 50 to 64 group with 32%. About a quarter of all other groups considered 65+ to be the most undesirable years that lay ahead.

Men rate their lives better (65%) compared to women (54%). Digging into the data uncovered other significant findings. For instance, 65% of married respondents rated life today as good to excellent compared to 52% for those not married. However, children living at home evoked a positive answer from 54% of respondents versus 66% for those with no children, also know as empty nesters. Income had an escalating effect on ratings, increasing from 69% believing life is good to excellent for the $50K-$75K bracket to 82% for those making $75K-$100K and rising to 89% for those earning $100K or more.

Employment status determined response ratings too. About 60% of government workers indicated their lives as good to excellent. This increased to 68% for those employed in the private sector and dropped to 57% for retired people. Yet, the highest percentage (63%) answering this question by saying life is good to excellent was those 65+.

New Seniors, those born between 1930 and 1945, seem to believe in the adage that people are about as happy as they allow themselves to be. Active people tend to be happier people. Of respondents 65+, 45% felt is was better to work part-time and 47% volunteered for church, community or charitable groups within the past month. This group also believed, by a margin of nearly four to one, that living according to a religious faith would make America a better place.

Younger age groups will gain from life’s experiences, and in the years to come may develop similar attitudes as today’s New Seniors. Those currently 65+ will be there for the boomers as they start turning 65 next year. All the while these New Seniors will continue to be of service with family, friends and in the community; because they accept the responsibility to give back to others what was so freely given to them.