What's New

The Best and Worst of Retirement

Del Web, the nation's largest developer of retirement communities, just released its 2010 Boomer Survey. Here are two survey questions that you may find interesting.

 

"What aspects of retirement have you particularly enjoyed?"

• No time clock
• No alarm clock, sleeping in
• Doing what I want, when I want
• Less stress

"What aspects have been disappointing?"

• Not being around people
• Missing co-workers
• Finances, the economy
• Getting lazy
• Boredom

Stress-Free Flying

Jean Williams has been on the go ever since she retired as the Director of the Newark Senior Center. She's been exploring the world, visiting far-off family and consulting around the country. You don't do that much traveling without learning a thing or two. In this article she shares some of that hard-won wisdom with you. Continue Reading

The Art of Conversation - 50+ Style

I love to hear bright, articulate people 50+ discussing what's next in their lives. If this sounds exciting to you, too, then be sure to check out "Reinventing Retirement: Second Acts," a Merrill Lynch webcast that was first broadcast this June. The panel features Marc Freedman, a thought leader in the field of aging; Anna Quinden, a retired journalist; Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist; and Sallie Krawcheck, an investments expert. Listen to some rich conversation about the shift from "freedom from work" to "freedom to work", finding happiness after 50, plus some fascinating thoughts on why women may find it easier than men to adjust to retirement (men live their lives like a "ladder"; women like a "circle").

Out and About in Delaware - July

Some things to do in July off the beaten path:

• July 15, 2010. This Old House: Researching the History of an Older House. South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach. Delaware Archives staffer reveals how archival records can be used to trace the history of an older home. 2:00 p.m. More information.
• July 16-31, 2010. Delaware Shakespeare Festival. Rockwood Park, Wilmington. Macbeth under the stars. More information.
• July 17, 2010. Romance on a Summer's Night. St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Bethany Beach. Well known Washington artists perform a concert of love songs. 8:00 p.m. More information.
• July 22, 2010. Delaware Today Magazine's Best of Delaware Party. Dover Down's Hotel & Casino, Dover. 85 exhibitors, live entertainment, plenty of food and drink. More information.
• July 31, 2010. 16th Annual People's Festival Tribute to Bob Marley. Tubman-Barrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington. Live music, food, children's activities and more. 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. More information.
• August 2, 2010. Eat, Pray, Love. Kent County Public Library, Dover. Discussion and food related to the popular book. 2:00 p.m. More information.

Transitioning to Retirement: Part 2, A Professional's Perspective

In the second installment of her series "Transitioning to Retirement" Sheri Ackerman reports on a meeting with Carolyn J. Grover, a Sussex County Life Coach and Psychotherapist. Read her informative article and save yourself a $100 visit to a therapist! Continue Reading

What is Happening in the Middle-Aged Brain?

Now that you are in the kitchen...what did you come for?  Is this forgetfulness the beginning of the great decline?  Barbara Strauch, the health and medical sciences editor at The New York Times and author of The Secret of the Grown Up Brain, acknowledges brain loss as we age but also provides examples of boomer cognitive growth and social expertise. Strauch's NPR interview and book excerpts will make you proud of all the ways we are smarter than the 20-somethings.

Brilliant Thoughts

There is a kind of wisdom that comes with age. Wise older people, in my experience, refuse to look at life in strictly black and white terms. And they tend not to take themselves so seriously. For me, the author and cartoonist Ashleigh Brilliant is a wise old man. In case you haven't encountered Brilliant (yes, that's really his name) here are some examples of what he has to say about life and aging, mostly from his book, I Have Abandoned My Search for Truth, and Am Now Looking for a Good Fantasy:

"Inside every older person, there's a younger person wondering what happened."

"Could it be that I'm allergic to growing older?"

"If you are careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you."

"It took courage to do some of the things which I now wish I'd never done."

"When I find true wisdom, I will let you know (if letting you know still seems important).

"Everything I am today I owe to people whom it is now too late to punish."

To learn more about Ashleigh Brilliant check out his website here.

Out and About in Delaware: June

Some fun things to do in Delaware this June. Find more ideas at DelawareScene.com.

 

 

• Various dates and location. 2010 Summer Concert Series. Delaware State Parks. Free concerts at Bellevue, Wilmington, White Clay Creek and Killens Pond State Parks. More information.
• June 6-13, 5:30 p.m. weekdays, 2:00 p.m. weekends. St. Anthony's Italian Festival. St. Anthony of Padua Church, Wilmington. Huge festival this year focusing on the Umbria region of Italy. Authentic cuisine, entertainment and Midway Carnival. More information.
• June 18, 7:00 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Freeman Stage at Bayside, Fenwick Island. The best professional musicians led by Maestro Julien Benicho. More information.
• June 18-19. Delmarva Chicken Festival 2010. Delaware State University, Dover. Family entertainment, carnival rides and a 10-foot frying pan! More information.
• June 26, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. 20th Annual African American "Positively Dover" Festival. Legislative Mall, Dover. Family-oriented event promoting awareness of African American heritage and culture. Jazz, steel drums, gospel, bluegrass and more. More information.

New Guide to Services Available

Are you caring for an aging parent? Do you have an elderly friend you are concerned about? Or, are you searching for services for yourself? An updated guide is now available that can answer all of your questions related to services for older adults and persons with disabilities. "The 2010-2011 Guide to Services for Older Delawareans and Persons with Disabilities" is published by the Division of Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. It is free and can be downloaded here. Hard copies will be available soon. Call 1-800-223-9074 to inquire about availability.

Transitioning To Retirement: Part 1

Many people look forward to the day they will retire with much anticipation. This is especially true for those of us with jobs which pay the bills but don't engage us, challenge us or feed our souls. Much of this anticipation revolves around getting away from the stress and other issues involved with our jobs; but do we really know what retirement will look like on a day-to-day basis once we get there?

In a series of three articles, we will look at the transition from full-time work to being a retiree, and some of the issues and feelings that this transition often raises.

Continue Reading