The purpose of this book is to celebrate a unique generation, ther multitude of 70+ seniors of the 21st century, who lead purposeful, rewarding and independent lives in specially designed retirement communities. The authors, in their early 80's, "live it up" each and every day in their chosen community. With humor, wistfulness, seriousness and common sense, they introduce some of their neighbors and provide a bird's eye view of active life after retirement. With its congenial anecdotes and pithy insights, this volume can give enjoyment to readers of all ages, but will be of most interest to the 70+ folks and their families, who have been wondering how mom and dad will spend their later years. It will answer questions, such as why, when, where and how to choose a community, and give an overview of varied activities in the residents' daily lives. Topics include extending one's perspective, a typical day, pet care, exercise, semi-retirement, coping with illness, forming relationships, and many others. The whimsical illustrations, created by resident, Shirley Walters, depict everyday retirement activities. We invite you to visit our community by leafing at random through the pages of this book. Enjoy! Renate Donovan and Patricia Haensly

A Unique Generation: 70+

Living "it up" in a retirement communityBy Renate Donovan Patricia Haensly

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Renate Donovan and Patricia Haensly
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-0189-4

Contents

1. Why a Retirement Community?................................................12. A Day in the Life of a Super-Senior........................................53. Relationships..............................................................114. Changing the World One Favor at a Time.....................................195. Extending One's Perspective................................................256. Spirituality and Religion: Important Pursuits..............................317. Learning a Second Language.................................................378. Reading: Nurturing Mind, Soul and Body.....................................419. Fabric, Artistry and Nimble Fingers........................................4710. Painters, Poets, and Other Creators.......................................5311. Music Makes the World Go Round............................................5712. Woodworking Beauty and Imagination........................................6313. Exercise for Physical and Mental Health...................................6914. Let's Play a Game ........................................................7515. Coping with Illness.......................................................7916. Gardening and the Landscape: Linking Earth and Beauty.....................9317. Pets: Special Companions..................................................9918. "Ninety" and Living Fully.................................................10519. Not Fully Retired Yet.....................................................10920. Traveling Here, There, and Everywhere.....................................11321. Technology – Tools and Challenges...................................11922. Selecting Your Ideal Community............................................12523. Our Sense of Humor........................................................139Epilogue: Finding the Joys of 70 and Beyond...................................143

Chapter One

Why a Retirement Community?

As we started to write this book, we thought of including everyone, those of us who are in our 70's and beyond. But the numbers are tremendous, too big for the scope of this book. The authors have chosen this life style and we think it will interest our readers, especially those who don't know what to expect. This includes fear of leaving our homes, fear of the unknown, fear of how we'll fit in, and just being afraid of change. Moving to a retirement community can be a difficult decision. Many will never make this choice. However, it can be the beginning of something big. It can change your life, give you a new reason for living, a challenge for the future.

We have talked to a number of members of the "unique generation," who have decided to become part of a particular retirement community. We have also discussed how each of us arrived at this decision. We call ourselves "super-seniors." Come with us as we tell our stories, so that you can learn more about us. You might find some surprises.

Betsy is an attractive, perky 75-year old widow. Her view reflects the way many of us look at life in a retirement community. Please note, we do not call our new living arrangement a "retirement home." We are a community, a neighborhood of citizens in their 70's and beyond. Here is Betsy:

"I have just passed my 75th birthday and have moved into a retirement community. Why did I come here? To be near my children? Yes! To place myself in an environment with less responsibility and less pressure, where I could relax and be at peace for the rest of my days? Yes! But, much to my surprise, I found LIFE!!"

The wonderful seniors, 70 and up, up, up, are so alive – they are looking forward to their future. Now there is time to learn new things, experience excitement, have fun, travel, find new friendship and, yes, love.

"Since moving here I have learned to bowl wii® – am, in fact, captain of my bowling team. Also, I won a gold medal in the Area Senior Olympics for Washer Pitching.

"I entertain my new-found friends and neighbors more now than I ever did in the past. Of course, many of us get together in the morning over coffee to solve the world's problems. After all, with all of our experience, we are certainly qualified.

"Since I've been here I danced for the first time in nine years, and, no, I had not forgotten how. I just haven't thought about dancing in a long time. What fun it is!

"I am continuing to grow. Not only from learning through shared experiences, but by attending seminars and workshops. I just bought a computer.

"Now I am focusing on staying alive (after all, I'm having a ball) by taking better care of myself through exercising my body and my mind.

"Seventy-five has become a new beginning for me. I leap out of bed in the morning (almost literally). I cannot wait to begin my day.

"My family appreciates my new-found happiness also. Now, when they talk about their adventures, I have interesting tales to tell. It's been a win, win for us all."

Other comments we have heard frequently from super-seniors emphasize the feeling of independence, freedom, and the ability to live life fully, perhaps for the first time in their adult years.

Shirley says: "I wanted to lift that burden from my children's shoulders. I wanted to make my own decision about where I would live the rest of my life. I did not want my daughter to have to find a suitable place for me when the time came to move. I found this wonderful community, I have new friends, I am never lonely. I can be alone when I want to be and I can have company when I feel like talking. I can play games, or bridge, or listen to music, or read a good book. It's all up to me."

Chapter Two

A Day in the Life of a Super-Senior

How do we, super-seniors, spend a typical day? You might think we spend most of it on the telephone, contacting our loved ones, or perhaps resting and taking naps, as couch potatoes, watching television and some such restful non-activities. Far from it. Even our restful days are full of activities. Let us peek in on some of our fellow residents for a review of an ordinary day. The first one we'll visit is Helen. Helen is 85 years old and lives in a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor of a four-story building in her retirement community. She has a lovely patio that looks out on a large grassy ground with trees and a lake in the background. She rises daily at 6:00 a.m. Today is no exception. She fixes herself a cup of coffee and takes it out to the patio to admire the sunrise and watch some of the other early risers walk their dogs or just walk. Her husband, Keith, rises a little later. She takes time to putter in her small garden that surrounds the patio. Helen is very proud of her garden. She grows mostly shrubs and flowers, but also tends a tomato vine which is growing healthy fruit. She and Keith have placed a trellis on one side of the patio and have planted a butterfly vine to climb on the trellis. This gives them some privacy without obstructing the view. Although Helen was a nurse before she retired, she is an avid gardener. I had never heard of a butterfly vine, but Helen explained to me that, not only does the vine have beautiful yellow blossoms, but after the blossoms bloom, they take the shape of a butterfly. She showed me both the blooms and the butterflies....