Working Boomer remembers a few things that she would like to do again, but is grateful she has all she needs. Boomer Boomers Needs and Wants
Yes, I am 62. Do I like it? NO! Since I can’t change it, I will start by listing a few things that I want. This will be fun!
Do you remember Chubby Checker and his song, Do The Twist? Just for today I would like to hear that song and twist again like we did last summer. Yes, twist and take it ALL AWAY DOWN. I want to take it to the ground without loosing by breath but the pain from arthritis will not allow that.
Then I want to get the hula hoop and swing it around my waist; take it all away up my arm, back down to my waist and down to the ankles. Without loosing a beat, I want to bring it right back up to the waist and swing it baby, swing it! Since my hips and upper portion will not cooperate, forget that for today! The pretty pink hula hoop can be donated to my great grand kids.
I want to listen to Elvis Presley sing, Love Me Tender and Jail House Rock. When I sweat, I want to sweat for the reason that I did when I was Sweet 16 as I watched Elvis move HIS body and sing only to me on the big screen. Now I sweat just getting from my air conditioned car and walking to the Cinema.
Oh my, how I remember screaming when Tom Jones came on stage. I would love to feel and scream like that again. I dare not scream that loud or my lungs might collapse.
My childhood friends and I use to see who could do the best back bend. I want to do that again too. Now I know I must be dreaming on that one. It is a chore just to bend forward and touch my toes.
Now I am going to list a few things that might be possible if I keep a positive attitude.
Since I work, I would love to take a vacation to one of the small towns that I saw on smalltownretirement.com and DO ABSOLUTELY nothing! You got it! I am tired. We boomers need a break today!
If at all possible, I would like to be able to save enough money to live in one of those over 55 communities. I need socialization NOT isolation at my age.
Being single brings on another thought. Do I age in place or check out some skilled nursing facilities. At least I don’t have to do that today. I am NOT THERE YET! As I have said before though, I have to get busy looking into long term care insurance since Medicare does not fully cover skilled nursing in certain situations.
With a little planning it might just be possible to work nine months a year. Then I could write more blogs because I really like doing this. It is fun!
This is today, not yesterday or tomorrow so here is how it really is.
I am grateful for the health that I have. My sense of humor gets me through some tough times.
My children and grandchildren make me proud.
I have a wonderful employer.
Each day is different. Nothing is all bad or all good. It is just how it is.
I still have the ability to choose the type of person that I want to be.
Just for today, I may not have ALL that I want, but I have what I need. Tomorrow is a new day. There are many people out there in the world just like me. It is what is in our hearts that sets us Free! Remember the Love Boomers spoke of back in the day. We still have IT. We are still free to be!
An update on where will the baby boomer live in retirement. This is being answered everyday right now. Here is our take.
So where will be baby boomers live as they retire? That is the question that is being answered right now as 10,000 boomers a day turn age 65 like I did this year.
I spend a lot of time reading everything I can about the very same thing. Plus I am living this myself and see my friends moving for retirement. Here is my take.
Where Will The Boomers Live in Retirement?
The options are several but let’s just consider these:
1. move to an active adult community in another state
2. move to an active adult community in your own state
3. move to suitable home in another state
4. move to a suitable home in your state
5. stay where you are living now
From the way it looks now, the majority will stay in their own homes for many reasons, not the least of which is affordability. They make make some changing to their homes to make them more liveable as they ended up aging in place. This is option 5 above.
The next sizable tier, those who can afford it, may just move in a more suitable home in their own state. This is option 4. They may move from a large home to a ranch with a basement or a townhouse with master on the main and same level living areas. This may be to a location right in their current neighborhood because they like living there but just want a more suitable home for their retirement living. They may move a little closer to their children (grandchildren) and I see this happening quite a bit.
Some but a smaller group will elect to move to one of the 55+ places in their current neighborhood or one of the active adult communities on the edge of their metro area. This is option 2. I am seeing more of these 55+ communities being build in the suburbs where people are living now and I think this will become more popular as time goes on. These boomer communities will be smaller because of the land acquisition cost than those large Del Webb type active adult communities on the outer edges of metros.
Some will relocate to other states especially Florida, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas and other 55+ places.
Very few will move overseas for affordable retirement living, places like Costa Rica or South America. Some will move into their second homes which may be vacation or seasonal homes, but not many.
So as I see it this is what is happening right now answering the question where will the baby boomers live in retirement.
The ABC’S For Living The Baby Boomer Years lays out the full deck and everything you need to know is covered.
As a member of the Baby Boomer Generation, I find that I must keep things as simple as possible. Most of us have a lot on our plate. Folks make resolutions at New Years. This year I decided to just make a simple ABC list that I can refer to through out the years to come. So many times resolutions are broken. At times they can even be stressful if we think about them too much. Hopefully this list can be helpful to you as you continue your journey into your retirement years.
A. Avoid anxietyas much as possible. It causes stress and takes joy out of living. Beware of anger. It zaps healthy energy that you need to use on more important things. Feel it if you must, then let anger go.
B. Be thoughtful. You have the wisdom, so show it. Believe in yourself. You can do it. Show your inner beauty because that is what counts.
C. Have courage. It takes courage to live a good life today. Baby boomers have gone through many years of change.Create and keep your mind active. There are many activities at adult learning centers and Senior Citizens Centers that may interest you.
D. Remove doubt from your mind. Dream and work toward making your dream come true. Hang on to hope. If you are dreaming about small town retirement, start now to check out different towns. Most important, just make your dreams pleasant. Make believe that you are floating on a cloud or vacationing in a special place. De Stress!
E. Encourage others. Many folks need encouragement that are in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and even some may live next door to you. When you encourage others, joy will come into your own life. Exercise to stay fit. Exercise also helps one deal with depression, arthritis and many other things that are baby boomer health issues.
F. Have fun.There are many baby boomer entertainment and games that can be found on line. Enjoy a sun rise. Having fun can be done alone or in groups. It is up to you to find our what you truly enjoy.
G. Give! Baby boomers are giving to their grandchildren, children, and other relatives. Make sure that you take time to give to yourself. You have earned it. You deserve it. Treat yourself to something good when you need it. Keep your cup full as the old saying goes. Always be gentle and gracious.
H. Ask for help if you need it. Take care of your health. The healthier you are the happier you will be. Remember health is in four parts, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Keep a healthy balance. Balance can be achieved by striving to keep a positive attitude.
I. Act as If. There may be days when you feel like giving up. Those are days that you can act as if, so negative thinking does not take over your life. Remember that you are NOT inferior.
J. Jump for joy if you feel like it. Act silly. Let your enter child play.Join a group. Jog if you can. Just enjoy the journey. Reframe from jealousy. Be joyous!
K. Keep trying. Don’t quit. Practice kindness. Remember to be kind to yourself too.
L. Live,love, laugh and learn. These four L’s are free. Take advantage of them in your Baby Boomer retirement years. Even if you are still working, it is still possible to practice the four L’s. Practice to improve your listening skills. People enjoy being around a good listener.
M. For some boomers it might be a time to look for a mate. There are many single senior dating sites. Just get out and about when you can. Who knows when that special someone might enter your life. If you have a mate work on finding new ways to enjoy each other. March with a band if that is your desire.
N. Be nice. You are responsible for you, not others. It doesn’t take any more effort to be nice than it takes to have a nasty attitude. Let others be as they want to be. You deserve a good night of sleep. It is much easier to lay your head on your pillow at night after being nice. Find a new niche in life.
O. Keep and open mind. Narrow minded thinking gets a person no place.. Open your mind in order to grow in acceptance. Be open to new ideas. Share them! Openness leads to better communication with your family and friends.
P. Practice being Positive!You will be much happier and those around you will be happier too. Pace. Pacing is much healthier for your heart that rushing all the time.
Q.Learn to enjoy quietness.Quiet time can be a time for reflection and peace. Be so quiet that you can actually enjoy the sounds of nature. We baby boomers have been busy so it is time to enjoy our quiet time.
R. Relax! Enjoy your retirement age years. Listen to music, take a walk,sing a song, run naked in your house if you choose. Read a good book. Rest. The Baby Boomer generation has earned R & R. Now find the time to treat yourself and do it! Face reality. The time is now!
S. Be responsible with your money. Save when you can. It is okay to be a frugal Boomer. If does not mean that you are cheap, just smart. After all we boomers earned our wisdom, so let’s use it. Maybe you would like to do service work. There are many opportunities and places to volunteer. Practice safety.
T. Trust but know how far to go with it. If it does not feel comfortable, step back a bit. then try again. Learn to trust your own judgement. It is your life. Lead by example. It is a great way to teach others if they choose to notice.
U. Usecommon sense. Over thinking every issue or trying to control other’s is a waste of your valuable time. Be useful and understanding. Never under estimate the good things that you can bring to life.
V. Venture out into the unknown. Experience life. Think outside of the box. Do something that you have always wanted to do. It is time. Go for it! Visit that friend that you have not seen in years.
W. Write because it is healthy, fun, and a way to release many things from your mind. Writing is a way of sharing with others too.
X. OK, so this is a difficult letter. Challenge yourself. Look up Generation X and see what they are all about.
Y. Say yes to love and happiness every time that you get the chance. Your life is yours. Do not waste a single minute of it.
Z. Keep your zest for living! Keep it simple! Make the best of your Baby Boomer years!
There you have it. The ABC’s for living the baby boomer years. I bet that you can add many other things to each letter. Please share a letter and an idea with us. What do you have to contribute to the ABC’s for living the baby boomer years?
The business magazine Forbes, says more baby boomers are renting to be closer to their children who have jobs in the city and because they want more amenities and even concierge services.
They continue that boomers want a unit maintained for them while they travel, they want their groceries delivered, they want their pets watched.
The author of the article sold the big home in the suburbs and moved to an apartment in the city, giving a reference to his article. He says traveling is easier with city retirement because of the transits offerings. Also apartments in the city tend to be closer to restaurants and shopping, allowing us baby boomers to stay close to home while getting our essentials.
The author says apartment developers should focus on baby boomers because we are high earners resulting in low rent burdened renters. Also once we move, we stay put.
What Do Boomers Really Want And Need?
So my take is the author has it right about what baby boomers want, but I don’t necessarily agree that apartments are the answer,although it could be in a temporary situation.
So what do boomers need?
1. Move close to children. I agree, seeing that many of my neighbors in my 55+ community moved for exactly that reason.
2. Want less home maintenance. Yes.
3. Want to be close to restaurants and shopping. Yes.
4.Want some concierge services. Yes, some do.
Another way to get all boomer needs taken care of is to move to a 55+ community.
As I mentioned, many of my neighbors here in a Del Webb 55+ Community, did move to be closer to their children.
Also there is less home maintenance with landscaping taken care of, a newer one level ranch home and plenty of vendors that are knowledgeable about our community and ready to take care of any problem.
Some 55+ communities have restaurants that you can drive to in your golf cart and some even walk to. Most have many restaurants close by serving the larger 55+ communities. As far as shopping, one word: Amazon. Well also there is usually a regional mall within 6 miles. The 55+ community developers do a great job on site selection and that is considered in planning.
Concierge services are available in our 55+ retirement community via several vendors. Available services include home health care, pet sitting, plant watering, handy man services,ride sharing and really whatever you need. You don’t have to live in a downtown apartment to have concierge services.
In conclusion, I agree with the boomers needs presented by the author. I also agree senior apartments could be the answer for some folks, but 55+ retirement communities offer as much and more.
Baby boomers are not all the same and we do not all fit in one box. We have different needs and wants.
We are each different individuals. This is true of Baby Boomers, Generation X and every human being on earth. I have never been one to fit in another person’s box. Lately in the news, I have read articles encouraging Baby boomers to continue working. I have read articles telling us that we may live to be one hundred. The economy is uncertain. There are many opinions about social security and the health care system. The housing market is up and down. Jobs are not plentiful. Budgets are being cut. Then someone writes about why we should work until we are eighty years old. There seems to be a lot of loose ends. We are not all the same.
Those before us had worries too. We are just experiencing life as it is today. Therefore each of us can take what we want and leave the rest. Some have good suggestions but we must evaluate our own situation when making a retirement decision. No one knows the exact moment that one is going to die. There is no guarantee about tomorrow and there never was.
I am one that has to keep it simple and fit in my own box. Therefore my choices may differ from yours. The one thing that is true is, each of us has but one life to live and that living moment is Now. This is my box today which contains needs and wants. Some things I have control over and others I can strive to obtain. I have thrown away the crystal ball because it serves no purpose. The main ingredients for this list is hope, perseverance, wisdom and the will to accept life on life’s terms knowing that my needs are far most the most important. If you can use any of these things then please do. If not then make your own box because in the end it is your life and it is up to you live it.
Work! Yes, I want to work as long as possible but not full time but it might be necessary for me to do that. As a single boomer, that is where I am. My dream would be to have a home of my own near the ocean or in a peaceful place near nature. I have seen these places in many states as I viewed houses for sale in 55 plus communities. They offer a life style that I would love to experience such as activities for boomers and seniors. As we all know, it is important to engage in these activities as we age. It is a way to meet new friends and enjoy life. This is not in my box due to my financial situation so I am looking at other alternatives such as apartment living for seniors 62 and older. Hopefully this need will come true. I am doing my part to fit it into my box. If you can do it though then maybe you should. Why not? You earned it.
Reality today is that I must have health care. It is a few years before I am eligible for Medicare. In the mean time, I am living as frugal as possible to save for that day when I can retire. It is always good to not be wasteful but if you have the money then use it to enjoy life. You are the only one that knows what you would like to do. Fit pleasure into your box.
It is possible to change jobs at age sixty-three. Also having a job that one enjoys and is able to perform is important. I have worked all my life. I am one of those if given a choice, I would travel, experience places that I have never seen. Then for once in my life, I would like to just prop my feet up, listen to the ocean waves on a sea shore and enjoy the sunshine as the wind blows across my body while reading a book. One of my favorite escape dreams is watching a beautiful water fall, listening to the birds sing, watching wildlife as it scurries around in nature. Also there is the dream of a fishing pole, a shade tree, and a lazy day on my own farm where I take in homeless dogs and raise them. As it is now my box consists of finding a senior apartment near a senior center or adult learning center in an area that has great parks. At the senior center, I can participate in activities with others my own age. I can take a trip with some of the folks I meet to view sites and places in the area that I have not experienced before. I can watch nature at the park. Also if I choose just right, the area in which I reside, will have a small waterfall in that park. On sunny days, I can go there for peace and tranquility. I can listen to the birds sing. Then there is the dog pound where I can visit. There I can volunteer and maybe even adopt a loving pet to be my special pet friend. After all, I have lots of love left to give and I can still enjoy receiving love too.
It would be wonderful to have my own personal trainer for good health but that does not fit in my box. Is it a need? Not really. I can walk on a trail, join the other folks my age at the mall and do mall walking. If you can do it with a trainer, I hope that you take fitness seriously and do it.
Most of my family has passed on to include parents, siblings and others. Yes, I wish I had them back but that does not fit in my box. Instead, I can reach out to others that I meet and share with them. That is in my box! Some of my computer friends and co workers I call brothers and sisters. No, they are not real family but each one is dear to me.
I want to be healthy. Yes, that is a want and also a need. I have control over changing to healthy life style changes as far as exercise, eating and removing bad habits. As of today, I still have the ability to get up and move. I like my new reclining chair but it will be for relaxing only not a full time place to sit and waste precious moments of my life.
As a member of the baby boomer generation, I want to leave this world knowing that I lived and did not just survive. It is up to each of us to look at our box and fill it with what we can. There are many baby boomers needs and wants. But after all, life is reality and it is ours to live it the best way that we can. Be good to yourself and others while enjoying the journey. IT IS ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE!
