Contemporary Retirement
Retirement is changing. The type of retirement that their parents enjoyed is no longer enough for the baby boomer generation. Today’s retirees are younger, richer, fitter, healthier and better educated than previous generations of retirees. They also have much higher expectations. The aim of this blog is to help you get the vital, healthy, prosperous, productive and fulfilling retirement that you really want (and deserve).
Monday, July 31, 2006
Taking care of your aging parents
'Taking Care of Your Aging Parents' is a new course from Barnes and Noble University which starts on 7 August. The course is free - all you need to do is buy the two books on which the course is based. Here is the course description from the
B & N University website:
Today, with life expectancy longer than ever, there is a good chance that you, like most adult children, will be looking after your aging parents in some way in the near future. The key to doing this successfully is first to recognize that you have or will become a caregiver, whether you handle the care directly or not. Next, it is helpful to understand the issues you are grappling with in this added role. Fear not! It is possible to learn to handle your many worldly responsibilities and to care for yourself as well. No matter what your family history, you can learn strategies for making this a beautiful time that balances the joy of deeper relationships alongside any sorrows of potential loss.
This course will guide you through the entire caregiving cycle, from recognizing the warning signs that help is needed to making wise decisions at all stages. You will analyze your own situation to determine if, when, and how far to step in. You will learn the steps involved in customizing a plan of care that includes medical, financial, legal, housing, and end-of-life issues. You will learn how to use local and national resources for caregivers and care receivers. You will learn how and why personal wellness is tantamount to giving care to others. You will come to know and appreciate yourself as a caring human being, and thus gain life improvement skills. Finally, you will share your feelings in an online support group so that you are not alone on the journey.
Audience: Whether you anticipate caring for an aging parent or are already deep in the throes of it, whether you are a woman or man, whether you live near or far, or are sandwiched between child care and elder care, you will find the help you need in this course.
Know what steps to take, and when and where to go in making wise caregiving decisions.
Recognize the realities of your present life situation so as to balance your responsibilities.
Create a flexible plan of care for your parents that incorporates periodic change and honest communication.
Begin to forgive family history and work with members more effectively in present time.
Understand the importance of your own self-care and begin to make healthful lifestyle changes.
See the value and beauty of who you are as a caregiver, despite loss and grief.You can enrol on the course by clicking on the following link:
http://educate.barnesandnoble.com/educate/bn/home/catalog/overview.jsp?productId=19358&z=y&nhid=bn
Friday, July 28, 2006
Wisdom of the Ages: Hospitals seek out older volunteers By Jill Canada
According to a US News article by Jill Canada, hospitals across the US are actively trying to recruit retirees as the number of adult hospital volunteers steadily declines. Read the article here: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/060709/17vol.htm.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
7 Reasons to Get Off the Couch Already! by Gabrielle deGroot Redford
Still need convincing of the benefits of regular exercise? How about:
- you'll live longer
- you'll remember where you left your keys
- you'll heal faster
- you'll increase sexual function
- you'll have fewer hot flashes
- you'll reduce muscle and joint pain AND
- you'll save money?
Read all about it in an article from the AARP magazine at http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/seven_reasons.html.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Coming soon - The Retirement Detox eCourse
Did you retire recently (say within the last 2 or 3 years)?
Did you take some much-needed time off to relax but find that you're getting bored now?
Does it feel like your purpose in life retired when you did and that you're floundering around in your retirement? That golf and time with the family isn't enough for you and you want and need to do more?
When you envisage the remainder of your retirement years, do you see only more of the same or do you want something different? Something better?
Do you still have things that you'd like to accomplish? Do you still want to travel? Explore? Experience?
Are you ready for a retirement detox?
Well, if any of the above sounds like you, I have some great news - the Retirement Detox eCourse is coming to an email box in your vicinity soon!
A little while ago, I bought the domain name RetirementDetox.com as I intend to start offering Retirement Detox retreats in 2007. The retreats will be held in beautiful, inspiring locations in England, Ireland, the European mainland and Florida. As I was doing my research for the 'workshop' part of the retreat, I realised that although there are many 'retirement preparation' courses available, there seems to be no real support out there for those people who are maybe feeling a little disillusioned with retirement and are wondering, ''Is this all there is, then?'
So, since there aren't that many opportunities for already-retired people to attend a training course in order to 'detoxify' their retirement, I decided that I would write an eCourse that would help them do just that at a fraction of the cost of hiring a retirement coach or attending a seminar.
The Retirement Detox eCourse will consist of:
- at least 40 daily lessons, emailed directly to the privacy of your email box (I haven't decided on the final number of lessons yet - I keep adding extra lessons to the course)
- extensive back-up materials, resources and exercises to help you detoxify your retirement and keep it that way
- Recommended reading - An opportunity to explore in more depth some of the concepts you will learn about on the Retirement Detox ecourse
If you are interested in the Retirement Detox eCourse or if you know someone whom you feel might benefit from it, either keep an eye on this blog for further announcements or contact me at retirement@annharrisonlifecoaching.com if you would like to register your interest or receive further information.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Music therapy 'can aid healing' by Pallab Ghosh
Listening to music makes us feel better - but many doctors are now beginning to believe that it does much more.
There is emerging evidence that it can bring about physical changes to the body that can improve our health.
Read the rest of this article on the BBC news website by using the link below: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5194884.stm.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Would you like to comment?
So, what do you think about the Contemporary Retirement blog? Do you love it or hate it? What would you like to see on here? What am I missing? What am I doing well? What am I doing badly? Please feel free to let me know... You can either leave a comment on the blog itself or you can email me at retirement@annharrisonlifecoaching.com.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Weight loss can herald dementia - BBC news article
According to a BBC news article, researchers at the US-based Mayo Clinic have discovered that women who developed dementia had experienced a period of weight loss as early as a decade before the commencement of their memory loss. You can read the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5179230.stm.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
MPs attack 'mess' of NHS charges - BBC news article
Most of us in the UK are either being treated for some medical condition or other, or are connected to someone who is being treated. Many of us will have visited someone in hospital and been shocked at the car park charges or will know someone like my 79 year old mother-in-law who needs a knee replacement operation but has no chance of getting one on the NHS because our local trust is vastly overspent.
A health select committee report has now called for a review of the existing system and you can read about it at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5187740.stm.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Maca - a.k.a. Nature's Viagra by Karen Knowler
Karen Knowler is
The Raw Food Coach, author, presenter, MD of The Fresh Network (The UK's raw and living foods organisation), founder of The Fresh Festival and creator of Get Fresh! magazine. I just spotted an entry about Maca - a plant related to the radish, on
Karen's 'Living in the Raw' blog which you may find interesting. Apparently, Maca is nature's alternative to Viagra and has beneficial properties for both men and women. You can read the full posting here:
http://karenknowler.typepad.com/living_in_the_raw/2006/06/maca.html#more
Monday, July 17, 2006
Church bulletin humour
My thanks go to Philip Humbert who included the following excerpts from church bulletins in his newsletter this week and brightened up my Sunday morning (he promises that they are real announcements):
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight "Searching for Jesus."
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth Into Joy."
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Activity doesn't have to be strenuous to be beneficial for older people...
A new report indicates that just doing chores and other mundane activities around the house 'translates into a 50% reduction in the mortality' in adults aged 72-80. Read more about it in a U.S.News article by Lindsey Tanner here.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Are you a juggler or a surfer?
An Australian study, undertaken by global research companies A C Nielsen, Nielsen Media Research and Nielsen//NetRatings has revealed that the baby boomer generation can be divided into two distinct groups: Life Jugglers and Life Surfers.
A Life Juggler is someone who
• is seeking work/life balance – attempting to balance the multiple demands of work, life and family commitments
• is focused on the short-term rather than the long-term – they still see retirement as being a long way into the future
• has strong family ties – they value their relationship with their children and they are focused on wealth building and the reduction of debt
A Life Surfer is someone who
• has reached the ‘zenith’ of life - they are riding the crest of a wave
• has a clear and strong set of values based on life experiences
• is seeking to prolong their lifestyle plateau before ‘old age’ (i.e. a decline in their physical and mental well-being) hits
• is enjoying their ‘me time’; the opportunity to focus on themselves
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Retire to the sun...
If you're considering retiring to mainland Europe, Morocco or Egypt, have a look at the Retire to the Sun website at www.retiretothesun.com. You'll find useful articles such as 'Is retiring abroad right for me?', 'Can I afford to retire abroad?' and 'Currency risks when buying abroad' together with currency converters, information about import permits, removal companies and tons more...
Monday, July 10, 2006
How 'old' just got older...
Old age now begins at 66, according to the 'Retirement, Health and Relationships in the Older Population in England' report which was published on Saturday. Previously, middle age was usually defined as 40 to 59, but many 50-somethings now believe that they will remain middle aged until at least the age of 63, with the healthiest and wealthiest believing that their middle age will extend to 66.
Friday, July 07, 2006
New courses for July from Barnes and Noble University
'Backyard Astronomy', 'Exploring Herbal Medicine' and 'Web Pages Made Easy' are all included in the list of free courses starting in July at Barnes and Noble University. All you need to do is buy the book on which the course is based. New courses and reading groups starting July 10th are listed below:
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Woman gives birth to twins at 59
At 59, most people are looking forward to big changes in their lives, but how does the thought of being a new parent of twins appeal to you? A 59 year old American woman is believed to have become the oldest woman in the world to have given birth to twins, and, get this, she already has an 18-month-old daughter! Read the story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5144208.stm.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Don't fry too close to the sun by Michelle Andrews
Apparently, yesterday, it was hotter in the South of England than it was in Miami. If you're looking for a way to stay safe in the sun (and let's face it, we all should be), check out an article entitled 'Don't fry too close to the sun' by Michelle Andrews from USNews.com. You can read the article here: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/060703/3sun.htm.
Oh, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the Neutrogena sunscreen that she mentions. If you hate the usual heavy, sticky feel of sunscreen on your skin, try their UltraSheer dry-touch sunblock - within a couple of minutes of application, it feels almost powdery to the touch and it goes up to SPF 55 - I find it absolutely perfect for my face.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy Independence Day
To all our American readers,
Have a great 4th of July!
Good quotations...
'This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.'Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Give yourself a financial detox
If you're living on a fixed retirement income or if you're in the last few years before retirement and you want to sock away some extra cash, you could do worse than sign up for a free 21-day Financial Detox ecourse from http://www.financialdetox.com/. Here's part of the course description from their website:
How will it help me?
When you join Financial Detox you'll discover ...
- How to get out of debt and into credit
- How to find your 'Cappuccino Factor'
- How to use the amazing Power of Compounding
- How to control and get more from your spending
- The difference between assets and liabilities
- How to have the lifestyle you desire
- How to organize your finances
- How to manage your credit cards
- How to improve your credit record
- How to reduce your credit card payments
- How to make the most of your money
- How to earn more money
- How to retire rich
- How to save a fortune from everyday expenses
What do I get when I sign up?
When you sign up to be a Financial Detox Community Member, you'll get a free 21 Day Financial Detox Program packed full of information designed to help you take control of your finances.
We'll send you regular updates about what Financial Detox can do for you and how you can make the most of your money.
Here's what's included in the 21 Day Program.
- A full e-course giving you everything you need to start your own Financial Detox. You get it all in your 21 Day Financial Detox Program delivered directly to your inbox.
- Daily emails providing you with information, actions, tools and resources to make your Financial Detox work
- Plenty of pictures and diagrams to help explain the topics.
- Simple and clear personalised worksheets to help guide you through the programme at your very own pace.
- Free Resources to make it easy for you to succeed.
- Daily Actions for success.
- Downloadable worksheets for managing your finances.
- A Frequently Asked Questions Section to make sure that you never feel out of your depth or confused and you're supported at every stage.
- Access to our expert coaching programmes where you can sign up for personal coaching designed just for you.
- Loads of hints and tips to help you save and make money.
- You'll also get personal invitations to our fantastic live "Financial Detox Seminars" where you'll get to meet other members and get even more control of your finances.
Archives
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
July 2006
August 2006
September 2006
October 2006
November 2006
December 2006
