Thursday, April 4, 2019

WELLBEING IS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #79
WELLBEING IS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS

Most Baby Boomers have heard the term 'wellbeing.' What does it mean? Broadly defined, wellbeing is the ability to live a productive, fulfilling life - regardless of health status.

How do boomers maximize wellbeing? Mostly by making healthy lifestyle choices. We know this. And, we also know it is not easy to resist temptations to indulge in one or more unhealthy behaviors.

Ordinarily, it takes something serious to finally change unhealthy lifestyle choices. For example, it's common knowledge that smoking is harmful. Yet, some boomers still choose to smoke ... until a health scare panics us to finally quit. This type of scare is referred to as 'salience', i.e. We are more motivated to make radical changes when health warnings have personal meaning.

NOTE
Baby Boomers take a major step toward wellbeing by assuming responsibility for our health. An essential part of this process is becoming informed, activated health consumers.

STAY TUNED
Boomers Become Activated Consumers ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, March 28, 2019

DO AGING BABY BOOMERS FOLLOW HEALTH ADVICE?

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #78
DO AGING BABY BOOMERS FOLLOW HEALTH ADVICE?

Doesn't it seem impossible to count the times, throughout our long lives, that Baby Boomers have been advised to eat nutritious foods, stay active, regulate stress, get adequate sleep, be drug-free, curb alcohol use, avoid negative relationships ... yada, yada, yada ...

Typically, boomers (and everyone else) take the constant flow of advice seriously only when repercussions of unhealthy choices spoil life-satisfaction and threaten wellbeing. Then, we make pledges of good behavior. Doesn't it also seem impossible to count the times pledges get broken?

NOTE
A flippant phrase gains relevance for Baby Boomers when we assess our current health status: 'If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.'

A trite, but true response: 'It is never too late to begin!'

STAY TUNED
Wellbeing Is A Lifestyle Choice ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, March 21, 2019

HEALTH IS AGING BABY BOOMERS MOST IMPORTANT ASSET

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #77
HEALTH IS BABY BOOMERS MOST IMPORTANT ASSET

The older Baby Boomers get, the more we value excellent health and rank it as life's most important asset.

Most boomers sorrowfully watched as our parents went from healthy, fit, and independent to ill, frail, and dependent. One byproduct of this sorrow was a sort of mass delusion that tricked us into thinking our journey into old age would be different. After all, we're The Baby Boomers, i.e. forever young and essentially invincible.

Current reality has obliterated delusions and subsequent tricks and has made us profoundly aware of life's fragility. Every birthday confirms we are not at all young or invincible. Either we are personally suffering with age-related medical ailments or witnessing contemporaries suffering.

Healthy boomers can't help but wonder when our health will decline. Will it be sooner rather than later?

NOTE
Some Baby Boomers play this morbid guessing game: Should we worry more about mental decline or physical decline?
Let's choose neither!

STAY TUNED
Health Advice To Boomers ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, March 14, 2019

SUITABLE PLACES FOR AILING BABY BOOMERS TO LIVE

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #76
SUITABLE PLACES FOR AILING BABY BOOMERS TO LIVE

Needless to say, Baby Boomers with serious medical ailments have limited choices in places to live. Accommodations must be equipped to provide treatment and specialized care. Thus, there are only two feasible options.

One option for ailing boomers is to stay at home with the help of family members and/or hired caregivers.
The other option is moving to assisted-living facilities that are staffed with health-care professionals.

NOTE
As with everything else, finances determine options for ailing Baby Boomers. One of life's perpetual realities: The more money we are able to spend, the higher the quality of care we receive.

STAY TUNED
Health Is Boomers Most Important Asset ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, March 7, 2019

SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO OVER-55 COMMUNITIES?

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #75
SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO OVER-55 COMMUNITIES?

Is an Over-55 Community the 'perfect place' for retired Baby Boomers to live?

These communities vary in size, from dozens to hundreds of residents. A well-known one in Florida has a population of thousands. All offer group activities and other opportunities to socialize with fellow boomers. Many provide access to health services; some provide medical care.

A huge plus is facilities, amenities, and services are geared to our generation. Of course, the more money we are able to spend, the more luxurious the accommodations and features.

A huge negative, according to disgruntled boomers, is the extensive range of rules, Rules, and RULES!

NOTE
Apparently, Over-55 Communities are largely inhabited by married Baby Boomers, which may dissuade singles from moving in. Then again, marital status changes as we get older.
The grim reality is many marrieds, sooner or later, become widowed singles. On the other hand, quite a few singles meet new mates and become one of the marrieds.

STAY TUNED
Suitable Places For Ailing Boomers To Live ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com




Thursday, February 28, 2019

SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO RURAL LOCATIONS?

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #74
SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO RURAL LOCATIONS?

Should retired Baby Boomers live in rural locations? Yes, if we want a slower-paced lifestyle in a low-key environment.

A huge plus is that costs-of-living are typically lower than most cities. Housing is comparatively affordable for retirees who rely on limited fixed incomes.

But ... a huge negative is potential loneliness. Rural homes tend to be somewhat secluded and isolated. Will it be too much seclusion and isolation?

And ... are boomers willing to cope with scarce or non-existent public transportation? To get basic essentials, medical care, et al., we must own a car and be able to drive it - no matter the weather conditions, e.g. heavy snow, bitter cold. Otherwise, we are dependent on others for transportation.

NOTE
So, where should Baby Boomers live as we journey into old age?
Some of us are choosing small cities or suburban areas as compromises between urban and rural living. These locations are fairly serene and relatively affordable, yet provide adequate access to necessities, entertainment, and activities.

STAY TUNED 
Boomers Move To Over-55 Communities ...

Thursday, February 21, 2019

SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO BIG CITIES?

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #73
SHOULD AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES MOVE TO BIG CITIES?

Retired Baby Boomers are searching for the 'perfect place' to live as we journey into old age.

Should boomers move to big cities? Yes, if we want an action-packed environment and appreciate countless entertainment and dining options.

A huge plus for boomers who do not own cars or drive is that nearly every food we crave and item we need is reached by walking or public transportation. Nearby stores provide (mostly) prompt front-door deliveries of groceries, medications, laundry, et cetera.

But ... are retirees able to afford city-life? A huge negative is the expense, especially housing costs. Homes in desirable neighborhoods are absurdly over-priced and unaffordable for retirees who rely on limited fixed incomes.

And ... are we willing to cope with crowded streets crammed full of nonstop traffic, phone-zombie pedestrians, and reckless bike riders, accompanied by constant noise?

NOTE
Disturbing reality hits when older Baby Boomers notice we've slowed down a step-or-two. We are no longer nimble enough, speedy enough, or attentive enough to always keep up with the fast-pace of city living. Disturbing indeed!

STAY TUNED
Boomers Move To Rural Locations ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com


Thursday, February 14, 2019

AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES ARE LEAVING HOME

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #72
AGING BABY BOOMER RETIREES ARE LEAVING HOME

Are you leaving home? Lots of Baby Boomers are doing it.

Why?
Most retired boomers are on the move because what we once considered forever homes, towns, and cities no longer fit our present needs or future plans.

Where?
Some of us have definite destinations. The rest of us are searching for the 'perfect place' to live. Is there such a place? 

Outcome?
No matter where we land, we're going to feel a bit disoriented and dislocated, probably for a while. Obviously, those feelings will be stronger and last longer if boomers are living alone for the first time in our adult lives, either due to deaths of spouses, divorces, and/or grown-up children emptying our nests.

NOTE
Once Baby Boomer widows and divorcees adjust to the disconcerting changes in living conditions, the majority does quite well. Over time, most new singles wind up enjoying our privacy and treasuring independence. It is refreshing to do what we want, when we want.

STAY TUNED
Is A Big City 'Perfect' For Boomers ... 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com 


Thursday, February 7, 2019

AGING BABY BOOMERS ARE ON THE MOVE - OR NOT

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #71
AGING BABY BOOMERS ARE ON THE MOVE - OR NOT

Once the retirement decision is settled, Baby Boomers turn our attention to current places of residence.

Should we stay put or move somewhere else?
And: Where is the best place to go? Who will accompany us? What will we do when we get there ... wherever there is?

On one hand, some boomers believe fresh starts are liberating. New surroundings, new people, and new opportunities perk up our lives.
On the other hand, some of us are hesitant to move away from family, friends, neighbors, and all that is familiar.

It's natural to have moments of doubt and anxiety, even when we move with a spouse or a friend.
What about doing it alone? Would you? Could you?

NOTE
The growing trend among retired Baby Boomers is testing out various types of residences in a wide array of locales, on a temporary basis, before planting roots and making permanent moves.

STAY TUNED
Boomers Live The Solo Life ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com




Thursday, January 31, 2019

MARRIED AGING BABY BOOMERS RETIRE TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #70
MARRIED AGING BABY BOOMERS RETIRE TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY

As we all know (and may secretly envy), single Baby Boomers are free to choose post-retirement goals and future plans, independent of anyone else's preferences.

Conversely, married boomers need to make joint decisions and reach consensus. Spouses with in-synch retirement plans and goals enter post-working lives in harmony - more or less.

In contrast, out-of-synch couples struggle to find common ground. Ideally, differences are resolved with a bit (a lot) of give-and-take.
Not always.

If spouses do not settle differences, retirement-related conflicts may escalate to the point of breaking-up marriages.
Again, not always.

Some out-of-synch, financially secure boomers are experimenting with part-time, long-distance, dual-household marriages.

NOTE
An example of a Baby Boomer part-time marriage:
One spouse retires and moves to a distant location. The other spouse stays put and chooses to keep working. 
Both agree to connect with frequent phone calls and video chats, in-between regular visits to each other's residences.
Time will tell whether these marriages survive.
Do we need time to tell?

STAY TUNED
Boomer Retirees Are On The Move ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, January 24, 2019

RETIREMENT IS DIFFICULT FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS IF ...

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #69
RETIREMENT IS DIFFICULT FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS IF ...

Post-retirement life can be wonderful or difficult or somewhere in-between. Of course, all Baby Boomers want our retirement years to be wonderful, but some of us have difficulty adjusting to jobless lifestyles.

A number of boomers blame adjustment difficulties on the pre-retirement assumption that post-retirement leisure is sublime. We never imagined that excessive leisure could lead to boredom, lethargy, melancholy, et al.

Usually, boredom, et al. surface if retirees lack compelling interests, exciting passions, and ardent causes to pursue in post-retirement - and no clue where to find them. Wouldn't it be fantastic if there were specialty shops that provided custom-made clues?

The solution for boomers who struggle after retirement may be found at local colleges. Enrollment is often free or discounted for older adults. Sign up for a variety of classes and keep an open mind. It is possible that a class will spark curiosity and ignite passion for ... something.

NOTE
At the very least, this solution presents opportunities for Baby Boomers to structure time, participate in a group activity, and expand our knowledge base. Isn't it worth a try?

STAY TUNED
Married Boomers Retire Together Or Separately ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com


Thursday, January 17, 2019

RETIREMENT IS WONDERFUL FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS IF ...

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #68
RETIREMENT IS WONDERFUL FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS IF ...

Baby Boomers who thrive in post-retirement believe it is never too late to pursue aspirations and achieve meaningful (to us) goals.

Thriving retirees occupy work-free time with causes, interests, and passions. For example, we volunteer for charities, get involved in civic associations, paint gorgeous landscapes, or write steamy novels. Some of us take classes, acquire new skills, and start encore careers.

Alternatively, many retirees fulfill long-standing travel wish lists. Work-free time is spent planning, packing, and then journeying to myriad destinations.

Affluent boomers take luxurious trips, while those with limited funds find budget-friendly places of interest. Road warriors drive far-and-wide in RVs. Adventure seekers explore distant, unfamiliar locations; less adventurous retirees prefer revisiting favorite spots.

NOTE
Cruises are popular among Baby Boomers and attract couples as well as singles. By the way, singles are not the only solo travelers. Quite a few marrieds travel alone because spouses choose to stay home. Bon Voyage!

STAY TUNED
Retirement Is Difficult If ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com


Thursday, January 10, 2019

CAREER STATUS INFLUENCES WHEN AGING BABY BOOMERS RETIRE

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #67
CAREER STATUS INFLUENCES WHEN AGING BABY BOOMERS RETIRE

Regardless of occupation, Baby Boomers report that career status influences retirement decisions. In this case, status is identified as either the 'sweet spot' or the 'sour spot.'

The 'sweet spot' is the rewarding stage of employment when we have mastered the ins-and-outs of our jobs, are respected by colleagues, no longer have to prove ourselves, and just glide. Generally, gliding boomers tend to delay retirement.

In contrast, the 'sour spot' is the dreadful stage of employment when we are worn-out from the stress, aggravation, and/or boredom of daily workdays, and just burnout. Generally, burnt-out boomers feel an urgency to retire.

NOTE
Burnt-out Baby Boomers who still need to, or want to, continue working use creativity and determination to find new employment opportunities. It often entails switching gears and trying something different, an encore career. 
Many boomers have gone through this challenging but worthwhile endeavor, and have succeeded. Yay us!

STAY TUNED
Boomers Thrive In Post-Retirement ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

Thursday, January 3, 2019

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS TO RETIRE?

WELCOME TO BABY BOOMER MEMOS
BLOG #66
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS TO RETIRE?

Retirement is a huge life-changing milestone for Baby Boomers. How do boomers know when the time is right to retire?

For many, the right time is determined by money, money, and money. Do we have sound financial resources - sufficient pensions, investments, and/or savings - to support a comfortable post-retirement lifestyle?

For some, the right time is determined by well-defined plans for post-retirement. Do we have compelling interests, exciting passions, and/or ardent causes that will keep us engaged and focused?

Although experts agree that boomers should have post-retirement plans firmly in place before retiring, unsurprisingly, quite a few of us scoff at experts' advice and prefer to 'wing it.'

NOTE
Sometimes, the timing is wrong, but circumstances compel Baby Boomers to retire. 
For example, personal medical issues prevent us from effectively carrying out work responsibilities.
Or, family members' medical issues require us to devote increasingly more time to care for them and less time to be available to do our jobs.

STAY TUNED
Career Status Influences Boomers' Retirement Decisions ...

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com