Should You Age Disgracefully?

Special Guest Post by Jane Baskin









Jane Baskin, author of Jane of the Jungle, thinks you should.

“People say there’s something to be said for aging gracefully,” says Baskin. “Baloney. Between the longer lifespan and the economy, it’s time to age with attitude.”

• If it sags, lift it. 13.1 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2010. Why not?
• If it’s gray, dye it.
• If it’s baggy, throw it out.
• If it’s stuffy-sedate, avoid it.
• If it’s lonely, check out Meetup.com. (this is not a dating site)
• If it’s still lonely, run as fast as you can to the nearest saloon and talk to strangers. It’ll do in a pinch.

To the many seniors crippled by the recession, she says, “If your choices have been cut back, you may be bent, but you don’t have to be broken. Hit the road. Live cheap. Live in an RV, stay with friends, live in your car. Be like you were when you were young and carefree, and thumb your nose at misfortune.”

Mind you, Baskin is not trying to deny aging. “Of course we’re going to get older. But over the hill has become a very long trek these days,” she says. “We have to do it differently.”

Longer lifespans are becoming the norm. Social Security estimates that most baby boomers will live to an average 93 years of age.

“It used to be, you worked ‘til 65 or so, hit the rocking chair, and waited,” says Baskin. “In most cases, it wasn’t that long of a wait. But now, it could be 25 or 30 years or more. That amounts to 2,912,000 rocks for the duration of your retirement. Are you kidding?

“I believe in a whole second stage of life – ‘Life 2.0.’ Rather than becoming sedate, this is the time to kick up your heels. This is the time to not give a tinker’s damn what people think of you. It’s a second childhood, the last one you’ll ever have. If you really want to bake cookies, do it in between adventures.

So, skip the mumu and the rocking chair. Skip the tea parties unless the company is lively and the tea is spiked. Says Baskin, “Gray is for cars and gun barrels. Dye your hair. Lift your face if you want. Work out, run, dance, use it or lose it. With modern medicine, nutritional and exercise science, you can be healthier than some thirty-year olds when you’re in your sixties and beyond. So I ask you, why not?”

“And if some kid in the saloon where you’re playing trivia for free drinks calls you ‘grandpa,’ tell him, ‘Fasten it, kid. I’m old enough to really know this stuff.’ And then go ahead and win the trivia. You could take a snapshot of his face on your cell phone, but that might be nasty.”

About Jane Baskin
Jane Baskin is a former Boston TAB features writer and clinical social worker. She lives in the mountains outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband and their herd of dogs and cats. For more on the adventures of aging disgracefully, visit Baskin’s blog, Forever Kinda Young, at http://foreverkindayoung.blogspot.com

Seniors and Plastic Surgery

At one time about 5 years ago, I thought about having breast implants. My husband, however, convinced me I looked fine just the way I was. That's all I needed to hear to keep me from going under the knife. But what about those women 50 years old and older who don't have anyone to convince them breast implants aren't necessary? What about those women who truly believe breast enhancements will make them look younger and as appealing as they did 30 years ago? Certainly we all want to look as good on the outside as we may feel on the inside but what are we willing to risk in order to do it?

According to one cosmetic surgeon, as long as the patient is healthy there are no additional risks to the surgery nor a longer recovery time. As a matter of fact, nearly 85,000 people aged 65 and older are getting plastic surgery these days. Joan Rivers, at 78 years old, is one of them.

Here's my question, what is so bad about growing older? One would think it would be wiser to save your money to live well in retirement---not for the purpose of becoming well-endowed.

Baby Boomers Looking to God for a Hook Up

If you're over the age and 40 and still single, chances are you have probably considered online dating as an alternative to finding a good mate. But which site(s) do you consider?

The fact that more and more baby boomers have gotten into the online dating game has created a million dollar industry for a number of sites like Match.com and eHarmony.com, to name a couple.

Now it appears another dating site has sprouted up and directly targeting the Christian community. In a recent press release, ChristianMingle.com announced that nearly two million singles joined ChristianMingle this year in hopes of finding God’s match for them. Now, with over 5 million registered members, ChristianMingle is the largest and fastest growing online community for Christian singles.

“ChristianMingle believes that marriage is important, but also that relationships and community are important,” said Matthew Barnett, ChristianMingle Advisory Board member and lead pastor of Angelus Temple. “ChristianMingle serves as a great resource for singles looking for companionship in like-minded Christians who share the same belief system and interests.”

Online dating through ChristianMingle is a targeted, self-selecting experience, based on the premise that Christianity is central to whom a person is and, therefore, the driving force behind what Christians look for in a potential mate.

So whoever thinks the internet is the devil's playground may need to think again.

Baby Boomers at Risk for Hepatitis C

If you're a baby boomer who used heroin in the 60s, you may be at risk for Hepatitis C. Medical experts from the Montefiore Medical Center in New York are urging the general public to be tested for the Hepatitis C virus, especially baby boomers who, they say, could be most at risk for this disease. Baby boomers are more likely to have been exposed to dangerous risk factors decades ago, such as sharing a drug needle, being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools or receiving a tainted blood transfusion.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood borne infection in the United States, with 35,000 to 185,000 new cases diagnosed per year. Worldwide, 180 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C, with an estimated 3-4 million new cases reported each year. The disease particularly affects Hispanics, Asian-Americans and African-Americans.

Unlike Hepatitis B, there is no vaccine to prevent this disease. While the symptoms are similar, distinct differences exist between the two viruses. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse and is less severe.

Dr. Milan Kinkhabwala will be available for a live twitter chat to answer questions about Hepatitis C and liver disease on December 8, 2011 at noon. You can follow @MontefioreNews to discuss #MonteHepC.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving When Your Nest is Empty

Special Guest Post by: Kate Forgach, Baby Boomer consumer specialist for Kinoli Inc.


Have your children all flown the coop with nary a look backwards? For some, Thanksgiving is pretty lonely when your own flesh and blood can't make it home for even a brief visit. On the other hand, you might delight in your freedom from turkey tyranny. Either way, if you're a Baby Boomers lacking nestlings for the first time, you'll likely need to adjust holiday plans to better suit your new lifestyle.

After experiencing Thanksgiving without family several years, I came up with several ways to celebrate the holiday without feeling abandoned. Read on for six new Turkey Day traditions that might suit your needs. And Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Host an Orphan's Dinner
It really helps to remember you're not alone in this boat. There are plenty of people who'd greatly appreciate an invitation to socialize while enjoying a touch of turkey. I threw such a party last year and asked everyone to bring a dish to pass. The only thing I had to buy and prepare was the turkey, which made it even easier than being a parental unit in this scenario.

2. Retire to a Restaurant
Celebrate kicking the turkey habit by dining out at one of the many eateries that do all the work for you. You'll enjoy the football games much more if you don't have to leap up every 15 minutes to baste a bird. And, you can take advantage of cheap gift cards at such sites as GiftCardGranny to reduce your bill up to 30 percent.

3. Shop!
Black Friday has lately seceeded space to Grey Thursday. According to an article on FOXBusiness.com, more stores are offering doorbuster sales on Thanksgiving, so you could get some shopping done without facing the mass stampede to follow. Or you might hit the Internet and do some early cyber shopping. You can run price comparisons with a few mouse clicks and have gifts delivered directly to those ungrateful wretches to whom you gave life.

4. Spend the Day at a Shelter
One of my favorite Thanksgiving activities is cooking dinner at our local homeless shelter. Actually, I don't cook the turkey dinner itself, as there are plenty of people willing to do that. Instead, I use the leftovers to create future meals for the shelter. It just seems a huge waste to throw away all those bird bones when the makings for broth and casseroles are readily available. Visit HomelessShelterDirectory.org for a list of volunteer opportunities.

5. Brighten Someone Else's Day
The homeless aren't the only ones who could use your volunteer services. Many nursing homes and hospitals would greatly appreciate a visitor who will bring some friendship into what they may otherwise find a very lonely day. It's a win/win situation and you just might make some new friends. Check out this excellent blog post for some do's and don'ts when visiting hospitals and nursing homes during the holidays.

6. Get Out of Town
A childless couple I know make a point of leaving home for the holidays; usually preferring to spend the long weekend scuba diving. While part of the reason they skip town is to avoid miserable family gatherings, they also miss bad weather and crowds of shoppers. Not all of us can afford a sunny beach vacation, but you might team up with another singleton or couple and rent a cabin, or simply go for a long drive.

Baby Boomers and Obesity

Nearly one out of every three people ages 50-59 is now considered obese, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, compared to less than one in every five for people age 18 to 29. In addition, baby boomers are significantly fatter than their parents' generation, according to a study by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Boomers are struggling to exercise enough to combat their expanding waistlines. But only one in four gets the amount of exercise experts recommend for staying healthy, according to a 2011 poll of nearly 1,500 adults by the Associated Press and LifeGoesStrong.com.

Obesity can lead to serious health problems including diabetes and heart disease and that takes a huge toll on healthcare expenses. For example, a 65-year-old who has been obese since age 45 personally incurs roughly $50,000 more in uninsured Medicare costs than a normal weight 65-year old does, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Medicare and Medicaid end up paying for roughly half of the cost of obesity, which was an estimated $147 billion in 2008, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

So the question is how much will you cost Medicare and Medicaid and what are you doing to stay in shape?

Family is Good for Your Health

A new survey of 1500 older adults indicates health and well-being may actually depend, in part, on how much time they spend with their extended families.

The survey, commissioned by the National Council on Aging and Humana Inc suggests that family reunions and relationships inspire older adults to stay active and pursue their own well-being. It found that nearly 90 percent of those surveyed say they feel revitalized when they spend time with family and 70 percent say they wish they saw their families more throughout the year.

In addition, one-third of those polled say they see themselves as the "connector" in the family---meaning they believe their role is to encourage communication among other family members and help coordinate family gatherings and reunions.

For more information about this survey, visit www.Humana.com/family

Baby Boomer Criminals on the Rise

Of course when I saw that headline online, I had to read on. Much to my surprise, the story wasn't about American criminals. This story generated out of Sweden, where it appears baby boomer men over there are causing the crime rate to skyrocket.

In 2001, the number of suspects in criminal investigations over the age of 50 was about 11,000. By last year, the number had increased to 21,000.

Law enforcement officials blame the lawlessness on the fact that the older generation is more active because they're traveling more and getting married later in life. They also grew up during a time of large scale social upheaval with more drugs about and less social control

And check this out: Fishing offenses are at the top of the list of crimes committed by the more mature Swedish criminal at 42 percent.

Meanwhile, 33 percent are suspected of indecent exposure offenses and another 33 percent of drunk driving.

In addition, 28 percent have purchased sex and 19 percent are under suspicion for other various sexual offenses.

Only 1.5 percent of the mature suspects are involved in aggravated robbery and one percent are under suspicion of mugging or burglary.

Only two Swedes over 50 have been caught actively defacing public property.

Well, the Swedish boomers have nothing on the boomers over here. Did you know America's Top CEO's (all boomers) earned $5.4 billion in 2009 as a result of corporate greed?

Here are the Top Ten Highest Pad CEO's according to Forbes magazine:

Richard Fairbank, age 55, Capital One Financial, earned $249 million

Terry Semel, age 63, Yahoo, earned $230.5 million

Henry Silverman, age 65, Cendant, earned $139.9 million

Bruce Karatz, age 60, KB Homes, earned $135.5 million

Richard S Fuld, Jr., age 60, Lehman Bros. Holdings, earned $122.6 million

Ryan R. Irani, age 71, Occidental Petroleum, earned $80.7 million

Lawrence J. Ellison, age 61, Oracle, earned $75.3 million

John W. Thompson, age 57, Symantec, earned $71.8 million

Edwin M. Crawford, age 57, Caremark Rx, earned $69.6 million

Angelo R. Mozilo, age 67, Countrywide Financial, earned $68.85 million

Is there really any comparison?

Boomer Humor

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation in Jerusalem . While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150 or we can have her shipped back home for $5,000. The husband thought about it and told the undertaker he would have her shipped back home. The undertaker asked him, "why would you spend $5,000 to have her shipped home when you could have a beautiful burial here, and it would only cost $150????" The husband replied, "Long ago, a man died here, was buried here, and three days later, rose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance!"

Baby Boomers Take The Money and Run

In a survey of millionaire baby boomers (of which I was NOT included), more than 50 percent said they had no plans to leave an inheritance to their children. One woman was quoted as saying she had made a lot of sacrifices for her children over the years, including paying her daughter's medical tuition.

Yes, we boomers have made sacrifices for our children over the years. I have gone without a new outfit on many occasions in order to make sure my daughter had clothes on her back and food on the table. I have passed up on exotic vacations so I could keep a roof over our heads. I spent my life working jobs I hated, often at the expense of my health or personal relationships.

It's funny---all of MY hard work, didn't make me a millionaire baby boomer.

According to the survey conducted by investment firm, U.S. Trust, some wealthy boomers worry that their kids will squander inheritance money or develop a sense of entitlement.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but many of the children of baby boomers that I've seen grew up believing that had a sense of entitlement because that's what their parents demonstrated. They were spoiled little rich kids who became intolerable young adults.

Perhaps this is a topic I'm not qualified to speak on because I don't fall into the "wealthy boomer" category and I do plan to leave my daughter whatever I have. Yes, I'm the minority--AGAIN.

To read the entire article, click here: No Baby Boomer Inheritance

Birthday Party Boomer Style

Thinking about what to get for your half-century-old spouse or friend. Why not throw them a birthday party? Baby boomers like to party just like the generations after them. It doesn't have to be anything lavish, according to consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch. With the help of Facebook, Andrea says you can throw a back-to-basics bash.

Here are her tips:

1. Discount Decorations
Dollar stores are your go-to place for party decorations. You'll save up to 70-percent off party store prices and the selection is equally nice. Dollar stores also are a great place to finding inexpensive wrapping paper and reusable gift bags.

2. E-invitations
Facebook is one of the best ways to create a simple invitation using the "Event" function, but not everyone uses the social network. Several websites, including evite.com and SmileBox.com, offer free electronic invitations that do the trick while providing RSVP feedback.

3. Serve Finger Food
A four-course meal takes a lot of time, skill and money. Instead, keep guests happy with simple hors' doeuvres created in your kitchen. You'll want to avoid the pre-packaged appetizers from your grocery or specialty store as they'll cost you 40 percent to 60 percent more than homemade.

4. Borrow Your Finery
Stepping out in a new outfit or dress shirt will surely impress your guests, but it'll do little for your budget. Borrow something to wear from a friend for that special birthday-outfit feeling. If that's not possible, check out second-hand stores for a bit of frugal frippery.

5. Booze as Gifts
Instead of bringing gifts to the event, ask guests to contribute booze for the celebration. Alcohol is the most expensive element of any adult party, especially if you've invited a rowdy crowd.

6. Skip the Cake
Store-bought cakes are often expensive and don't always taste the best. Instead, serve simple cupcakes, baked goods, ice cream or -- horrors -- make your own cake from a box mix.

7. Select a Strategic Time Slot
Plan the event for directly after lunch or dinner, when guests will already have eaten and won't expect much in the way of food.

8. Register with CardAvenue.com
Take the burden off friends by having the birthday gal or guy register for gift cards at CardAvenue.com. They can buy discount gift cards for the recipients favorite stores or restaurants and they'll never know the cards were purchased at less than face value.

9. Don't Stress Out
You're less likely to buy extras at the last minute if you don't sweat the small stuff. Your role is to be a good hostess and you can't do that with frayed nerves.

You can party like it's 1979!

Middle Age Texting Codes

One of the things I love about Facebook is there are quite of few of us baby boomers there sharing all kinds of information that's relevant just to us.

Recently, one of my connections posted on her status page a short list of middle age texting codes. I am sharing them here along with a few more I found along the way.

MIDDLE AGE TEXTING CODES:

ATD...at the doctor.
BFF...best friend fell.
BTW...bring the wheelchair.
FWIW...forgot where I was.
HFA...hot flash alert.
GGPBL..Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low.
GHA...Got Heartburn Again.
IMHO...Is My Hearing-Aid On.
LMDO...Laughing My Dentures Out.
ROFLACGU...Rolling On Floor Laughing And Can't Get Up.
TTYL..Talk To You Louder LOL
AARP...

What Happens When Baby Boomers Leave Corporate America For Good

Baby Boomers in the workforce are being replaced by young people who just don't match up. That's the sentiment of former Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, who refers to the boomer generation as "the most productive, highly skilled, educated part of our labor force."

Greenspan blames the problem on the educational system and I am a baby boomer who agrees with him. Personally, I think the entire educational system needs to be re-vamped. We have teachers in Atlanta resorting to cheating to get bonuses and producing kids with no academic skills. Colleges teach "theory" but don't prepare students for the REAL WORK ENVIRONMENT. There's something truly wrong.

Then we have parents who don't take the time to teach their children about manners, etiquette and respect. Oh, wait a minute. Aren't these baby boomers too? The same ones who may have been too busy working in Corporate America to deal with family values? Is this the boomer generation that thought it was cool to be their child's friend instead of a much-needed disciplinarian?

When baby boomers leave corporate america for good maybe they can spend some quality time with their children teaching them how to carry on the torch with dignity.

To read more of what Alan Greenspan has to say about the changing workforce, read here: Boomers

The Highs and Lows of a Baby Boomer Woman

Although this is the time when baby boomer women should be embracing the second half of their journey, it appears that many of us are finding ourselves struggling with the highs and lows of living.

According to the latest findings of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the average family caregiver is a woman in her late 40s who still has at least one child at home and works outside the home while providing an average of 20 hours a week of hands-on care for a loved one.

These women are reporting increases in sadness, stress, worry and lost sleep.

And if that isn't enough to depress you---the data also indicates nearly 70 percent of Baby Boomers are providing some financial support to their adult children and grandchildren. They are picking up the pieces as their sons and daughters lose jobs and bail out of over-mortgaged homes. Layer on top of that the cost of long-term health care for their parents, who are living into their 80s and 90s with multiple chronic illnesses.

I am no psychologist but the one thing I do understand at midlife is the following:

1) I can't be all things to all people

2) I am not Bank of America

3) Grown Children don't need hand-outs if they're making NO effort on their own

3) I am no longer going to bite off more than I can chew

4) I must take time for ME

So what advice do you have for someone who is facing similar challenges?

The Highs and Lows of Baby Boomer Women

At a time when baby boomer women should be embracing the second half of their journey, some of us are finding ourselves struggling with the cost of the travel.

According to the latest findings of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, reveals the toll on emotional health for women in the core group of Boomers -- now in their mid-40s to mid-50s -- has a significant effect on our economy and the health of our nation. An increasing number of women who still have jobs are feeling increasingly dissatisfied with their work environment. These women are reporting increases in sadness, stress, worry and lost sleep.

On top of that you have many boomer women who have taken on the role of family caregiver for aging parents, while . is a woman in her late 40s who still has at least one child at home and works outside the home while providing an average of 20 hours a week of hands-on care for a loved one.

AARP’S National Spelling Bee Winner from Georgia

Fifty-eight-year-old Tony Johnson (#7 in the photo) is a baby boomer who can spell. His ability to spell earned him $5000 and a five-year AARP membership as he was crowned champion of the 2011 AARP National Spelling Bee held in Cheyenne, WY last month.

Johnson, a practicing psychologist from LaGrange, Georgia, correctly spelled “uakari” in the 39th round of the competition that began with 40 spellers from across America. Johnson’s studying regimen for the last year: “I systematically went through the dictionary from A to Z.”

Sixty-six-year-old Michael Petrina, Jr., from Arlington, VA missed “uncinariasis” to place second, taking home a check for $500 and a 2-year AARP membership. Third place with a prize of $250 and a 1-year AARP membership went to Scott Firebaugh, 57, from Knoxville, TN, who incorrectly spelled the word “aphaeretic.” Spellers ranged in age from 50 to 81.

The 2012 AARP National Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, WY. Complete registration information is available at www.aarp.org/spellingbee or by calling 1-877-926-8300.

Additional finalists in this year's spelling competition include:

4. Norman Zucker, 64, from Petaluma, CA
5. Susan Hartner, 66, from Hillsboro, OR
6. Robert Moy, 54, from New York, NY
7. Jim Sherry, 69, from Troy, AL
8. Roxana Bradley, 62, from Albuquerque, NM
9. Kathleen Cramm, 68, from Parker, CO
10. Ron Lewis, 63, from Missouri City, TX
11. Linda Phillips, 71, from Newport, RI
11. Marlene Harry, 59, from Brownsburg, IN
12. Curtis Beckman, 65, from Denton, TX
12. Mary Ann Fenske, 63, from Wichita, KS
12. Kate Karp, 62, from Long Beach, CA

So what do you think---Can you spell well enough to win $5000?

AARP Internet Radio is a Boomer Hit

The AARP has decided to add a little pizzazz behind its name with the introduction of AARP Internet Radio.

The free streaming service with 18 channels went online July 3 for US and Canadian residents, offering music programmed for over-50 music fans as an easy-to-access digital music resource.

The online venture, referred to as "radio for grown-ups," is a partnership between AARP and the Concord Music Group and covers a selection of genres, from R&B, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Jazz, Latin and even an entire channel devoted to Paul Simon.

I tried it. I liked it! So after you tune into my radio show, The Boomer Beat on WCOM Radio, you can keep with more of your favorite music on AARP Internet Radio.

The Boomer Feud Between Tom Joyner and Tavis Smiley

"Why can't we all just get along?"

When Rodney King uttered those now famous words following his ruthless beating at the hands of police back in 1991, who knew that would be the same question many in the black community are still asking today.

This time President Obama is the one who is taking the whipping and it's coming from two unlikely sources: Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West. Here are two respected boomer men who, for whatever reason, have chosen to step outside the box and give plenty of ammunition to Obama-haters with their words---and even sometimes, with their SILENCE.

It's a funy thing about celebrity. Once you get a taste of it, some people will do whatever it takes to hang onto it---to keep their name in the spotlight so they can keep selling their books and making a name for themselves.

Well, it appears Tavis will have to find another media platform to use to smear the President, since he is no longer a part of the Tom Joyner Morning Show as indicated in this blog post by the FlyJock himself:




My New D-Word for Tavis and Cornel

Before I get to Mark Halperin, let me give you a little background.

They say that if you’re angry with someone, you should write a letter, get all the mean stuff out, and then tear it up or delete it. When you’re a little more calm, you write another letter or confront the person face to face.

About a month ago, I wrote a blog about Tavis Smiley and decided to table it because I said some things I didn’t want to publish. You’re probably thinking I went too hard him, but no. In reality, I hadn’t gone hard enough – and I knew it. I said I’d wait until something pissed me off so bad that I would have the words harsh enough to express what I was really feeling about him and his side piece – I mean side kick – Cornel West.

Well, yesterday, when Mark Halperin – a well-respected journalist, employed by a well-respected magazine and a contributor to a well-respected news network – had the audacity to call the president of the United States a dick, that was all I needed.

While I am appalled at Halperin’s statement, I have no expectations of him as a man and know nothing about his character. I am appalled, however, that as editor-at-large of Time magazine, he is responsible for among other things, deciding what stories will be covered in that publication. As the person in charge of political content, it is upsetting to know that he probably has not been objective in his dealings with material I and so many people look forward to (until now) reading each week. Needless to say, I’ve cancelled my subscription to Time magazine and hope you will too.

But I’m even more disgusted with Smiley and West, two brothers who I did have expectations of – and thought I knew. These two have done much worse than what Halperin has done because they set the tone for it, opened the door to it, and must take much of the blame for creating a climate that would make a white, professional journalist feel comfortable verbally and vulgarly attacking the first black president of the United States.

When you think you know a person, when you’ve given a person a forum to present his views, when you’ve had a hand in a person’s success, you want to believe that he is the same person he always was.

Remember THAT Tavis – the one who could take any complicated political story that had an impact on black America and “break it down” for us every Tuesday and Thursday in less than five minutes. The one who coined the phrase “radio advocacy” and alerted us any time anyone – from a private business owner to a politician to a corporate giant – even thought about doing black folks wrong. The Tavis that loved black people so much that he would sometimes, during his commentaries, be moved to tears. Where is that guy? You know, the guy that would have been telling me, “Fly Jock, Halperin has got to go.” For a while, I thought he was still with us, even though people around me (and many of you) tried to convince me otherwise. “Tavis is a hater.” “Tavis is only about himself.” “Tavis is jealous of the president.” I wouldn’t believe any of it. I had so much respect for him before his primary goal became selling books, and, later, selling out.

As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, one that celebrates our freedoms, including freedom of speech, I wish someone would use that as a defense of what Tavis, Cornel and Mark Halperin have said against our president. When dangerous words incite and brew up hatred and violence, there is a line. And these three crossed it.

In case you believe I think Tavis and Cornel called the president an offensive name, I don’t. I think they did something even worse. Any black people with any sense know that racists on the job, at school, at church or on the bus wait for opportunities to feel comfortable enough to spew their evil thoughts. If a black person tells a racist joke in front of a racist or laughs at one, it won’t be long before the racist begins to fire off a couple of his own. Mark Halperin and others are no different. They hate the president because he is black, and Tavis and Cornel, by not having the sense to not give them the opening they waited for, went all in. And this is what we get.

So, yes, MSNBC, fire Mark Halperin. I hope he never works again. I’ve already fired Tavis and Cornel. There’s nothing either can ever do for me or with me again.

I’ve got a new D-word for the two of them: Done.

North Carolina Makes List for Aging Boomers

According to the Brookings Insitute, Raleigh and Cary in North Carolina are among the 10 most rapidly aging cities in America.

Over the last 10 years, the number of people over the age of 45 grew 18 times faster than those under 45. According to the Census Bureau, every day for the next 19 years, 10,000 boomers in the United States will turn 65. This year in North Carolina, more than 84,000 are expected to pass that threshold. (source: Charlotte Observer

The 10 Most Rapidly Aging Cities in America

10) Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton,Oregon

9) Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, TX

8) Riverside-San Bernadino-Ontario, CA

7) Alburquerque, NM

6) Madison, WI

5) Provo-Orem, UT

4) Colorado Springs, CO

3) Boise City, Nampa, ID

2) Raleigh-Cary, NC

1) Austin-Round Rock, TX

Baby Boomer Women Not Prepared for Retirement

The financial picture for single baby boomer women is looking bleak. According to the latest research, single female baby boomers are the least-prepared to financially navigate their way through their senior years.

About 40 percent of female baby boomers are single now -- up from 30 percent in 1989. Nationally, there are about 17 million single females ages 46 to 64; about two-thirds of them are separated, divorced, or widowed.

Although many baby boomer women stayed home, at least for a time, to raise their children, the generation brought the first sizable number of women to the workforce. But those who joined the work force earned less than their male counterparts, nationally about 77 cents to the man's dollar.

And many who devoted their prime to motherhood find themselves divorced and returning to a work force that doesn't have space or patience for them. These women have less time to build up their Social Security savings or 401(k) plans.

The Federal Reserve Board found in 2001 that only a third of single women had any sort of retirement savings account; at the same time, fewer than 10 percent of single women had pensions through their jobs.

The AARP says boomer women are ill prepared for long-term-care needs. According to a survey of boomer women, more than half of female baby boomers do not have a long-term-care insurance policy, and two-thirds said they couldn't afford the premiums.

Click here to read more: Boomer women and retirement

Baby Boomer Teachers Wanted

The Teacher Ambassador Program is looking for a few good baby boomers.

The “Teacher Ambassador Program” will train Americans for English-speaking positions at magnet high schools in 13 Chinese cities. It’ll differ from other programs by training participants in how to:

• Appropriately incorporate American styles of teaching (project-based learning, dialogue, critical thinking, etc.); and

• Identify and pursue culturally appropriate community service opportunities in and out of the classroom.

It’s run by United World College-USA (which operates schools and colleges around the world that’ve brought 40,000 students from 100+ countries to learn together, bond and work towards a more peaceful world) and the Ameson Foundation, a charitable organization in NY that focuses on cultural and education exchanges in China.

China is super hungry right now for American teachers (for various subjects, many of which are AP), and some of their best current teachers (in public schools) are folks in their 60s.

The website, if you’re interested: http://www.uwc-usa.org/tap

Baby Boomers and Infidelity

Men cheat for a single primary reason: sex. That's the explanation given by the website InfidelityFacts.com

Last week the baby boomer world was in shock when Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced they had separated. This week we now know why. It was revealed Schwarzenegger fathered a child more than a decade ago with a woman on his household staff.

And let's not forget about baby boomers Elizabeth and former democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who also called it quits when it was revealed he fathered a love child while his wife wss dealing with breast cancer.

So what is driving baby boomer men into the arms of someone else?

According to Infidelityfacts.com, some men cheat because of the sense that there has been a breakdown of fun or spontaneity in the relationship. For example, to men in long-term relationships sex will become routine or mechanical. Not an adventure as it once was, but simply as a means to an end. And so they seek that adventure, that adrenaline rush, with another woman (or women).

To get more InfidelityFacts, click here: Baby Boomer Infidelity

Reinvent Yourself at Midlife with a Divorce

Maria Shriver and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have become the latest casualties of baby boomer wedded bliss. After being married for 25 years, they have decided to call it quits.

Surprising? Maybe to some because the media always painted a picture of them as a couple who managed to stay happy in spite of their political and, perhaps, social differences.

The truth of the matter is, aging for women brings about more changes than just in the physical sense. Mentally, we go from being a starry-eyed young woman into a fully-bloomed flower, that is no longer content with remaining tight inside the bud. I was married for nearly 18 years before I had my wake up call.

With children grown and husbands paying less attention to our needs, the desire to breakout of that shell becomes even greater for some baby boomer women. The desire to live for yourself, instead of others, tugs at your heartstrings.

The truth of the matter is, not every marriage is God-ordained. Not every marriage has a happily ever after ending but, sadly, there are still wives everywhere hanging on to their marriage vows. Some choose to remain in bad situations because it's easier to stay and tolerate than to pack up and try to start all over again.

I say to hell with that! I would much rather reinvent myself at midlife with a divorce and give myself the opoortunity to travel on a new journey--than to be married and miserable until death do us part.

Here's another great article about baby boomers and divorce: Why are so many baby boomers divorced?

The Impact of Social Media on Baby Boomers

In case you haven't heard, the baby boomer generation has taken social media by storm. According to a CBS News report, half (47 percent) of internet users aged 50-64 use social media now, an 88 percent growth from the previous year. The number of Facebook users in the U.S. aged 55 and older grew from around 1 million in early 2009 to 10 million in early 2010, according to istrategy.com, a website that tracks Facebook data.

Social Media is having a tremendous impact on just about every aspect of our lives. Check this out:

1.Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web

2. More than 1.5 million pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared on Facebook…daily.

3. 1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. in 2008 year met via social media with baby boomers leading the charge to the altar or Justice of the Peace.

4. 2009 US Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students out performed those receiving face-to-face instruction.

5. 1 in 6 higher education students are enrolled in online curriculum. By getting an online degree baby boomers are discovering they can stay where they are and attend school anywhere they want.

6. Percentage of companies using LinkedIn as a primary tool to find employees….80%

7. The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females.

8. Generation Y and Z consider e-mail passé…so if you want to reach out and touch your grandchildren, you better learn how to TEXT MESSAGE.

Baby Boomer Moms Need a Wake Up Call

There's a new survey out indicating more than half of baby boomer generation mothers support adult children financially. Of the women with children over age 18, nine percent said they had adult children living back home for indefinite periods. Twelve percent were primarily responsible for their adult child or their children's financial well-being and 31 percent said they had children who returned home, relied on them but expected to become independent.

The survey, based out of Orlando, Florida by The Kitchens Group only polled 441 women, which is a very miniscule number when you take into consideration there are nearly 40 million female baby boomers in the United Statessiut

So the question is, is this survey really a reflection of what is happening between boomer women and their grown children or is this a symptom of a weak economy? Or did some boomer parents give their children too much growing up, while failing to teach them how to get out and survive on their own terms?

AARP Calling All Baby Boomer Spellers

Is your 401K leaving much to be desired these days? If you can spell, you might want to consider a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the 16th annual AARP National Spelling Bee. You could win $5,000 if you beat all of the other boomer spellers.

I was the fourth grade spelling champion at my school. I wonder how far that would get me.

Meanwhile, here's the official press release:


CHEYENNE, Wyo. (April 4, 2011) – Visit Cheyenne for a SPELL while the city hosts the 16th annual AARP National Spelling Bee, June 17– 18, 2011, at The Little America Hotel and Resort. Open to anyone age 50 or older, the Bee attracts spellers from all over the United States who compete for gifts and prizes. New this year, the top speller winnings have increased to $5,000.

In celebration of the competition, Cheyenne is offering city-wide events and attractions all weekend long, as well as a special hotel rate. In addition, a free pre-Bee workshop, Gray Matters: Training the Grownup Brain, will feature interactive sessions that explain the impact of diet, fitness, and relationships on brain health, and answer your questions. The workshop begins Friday at 8:30 a.m., includes lunch, and concludes at 1:00 p.m.

Whether you enjoy reading the dictionary to keep your mind sharp or just to meet other like-minded adults, the AARP National Spelling Bee always proves to be exciting and highly competitive,” said Tim Summers, AARP Wyoming Director. “Many of the spellers prepare year-round for this competition, and we’re pleased to be able to provide the forum for folks to test themselves. And while they are here, they can also enjoy Cheyenne’s many attractions and events that coincide with the Bee.”

In addition to these events, visitors will enjoy exploring historic museums and hotels, and nearby attractions; shopping at western-themed stores; or finding a special treasure among the many art galleries. The Laramie County Library, named Best Library of the Year in 2009 by Library Journal magazine, is a popular attraction for spellers. Visitors will receive a special rate at Little America Hotel and Resort, which includes a free round of golf, by calling the hotel directly at 800-445-6945 (rate NOT available online). Details of all Cheyenne events and attractions, and additional lodging options, are available online at www.cheyenne.org.

About the Spelling BeeThe AARP National Spelling Bee was created in 1996 by a group of AARP members in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who wanted a fun way to challenge their peers to keep their minds sharp as they age. The competition has been held every year since, and always in Cheyenne. A group of dedicated volunteers select the words, write the sentences, organize, and promote the event. Spellers travel from across the United States to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate their years of experience.
Registration is available via www.aarp.org/spellingbeee or by calling 1-877-926-8300. Pre-event registration is $40 for spellers and remains open through June 11, 2010. Walk-in registration costs $50. A complete schedule for the two days, sample word lists, contest details and official rules, can be found online or by calling the AARP office in Wyoming at 1-866-663-3290.

U.S. Life Expectancy is on the Rise

Life expectancy in 1930 was 58 years for men and 62 years for women according to the Social Security Administration.

Nearly 80 years later, the life expectancy has reached an all-time high, according to the Center for Disease Control..

Life expectancy at birth increased to 78.2 years in 2009, up slightly from 78.0 years in 2008, according to a newly released report from the Center for Disease Control.

Of course, this increase may, very well, have to do with the fact that many baby boomers are much more conscientious of living a healthy lifestyle which, in turn, is resulting in a longer life span.

On a not-so-good-news note, life expectancy for black males (70.9 years) and females (77.4 years) remained unchanged in 2009. The gap in life expectancy between the white and black populations was 4.3 years in 2009, two-tenths of a year increase from the gap in 2008 of 4.1 years.

Boomers Can Protect Their Memories With Foreign Languages

Baby boomers may be able to lower their risk of developing memory problems if they speak more than two languages.

According to a newly released study by researchers at the Center for Health Studies in Luxemborg, people who speak four or more languages were five times less likely to develop cognitive problems compared to those people who only spoke two languages.

The study involved 230 men and women with an average age of 73 who had spoken or currently spoke two to seven languages.

Researchers say based on their findings it appears that speaking more than two languages has a protective effect on memory in older people who practice foreign languages over their lifetime or at the time of the study.

People who spoke four or more languages were five times less likely to develop cognitive problems compared to those people who only spoke two languages.

People who spoke three languages were three times less likely to have cognitive problems compared to bilinguals. In addition, people who currently spoke more than two languages were also four times less likely to have cognitive impairment. The results accounted for the age and the education of the participants.

Come se llama? Me llamo es Beverly. Como estas? After taking Spanish for a total of 3 years, that's as much as I know so I'd better brushen up on my second language skills and add a third language if I want to improve my memory.

To read the entire report, click here: Newswise

Baby Boomer Mom Gives Birth to Her Own Grandson

Sixty-one-year-old Kristine Casey has a new grandson and it's one she gave birth to herself. The baby boomer mom gave birth to Finnean Lee Connell, her first grandchild, by way of a Cesarean section last week at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illionois after undergoing special hormone therapy leading up to the in-vitro fertilization.

Casey’s 35-year-old daughter asked her mother if she would carry the embryo she and her husband created from their own egg and sperm after several of her pregnancies failed to come to term.

Casey, who went through menopause 10 years ago, may have unofficially become the oldest woman in Illinois history to give birth after serving as a surrogate for her daughter, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Question is: Would you be a surrogate for your daughter in yur 50s or 60s?

70-Year-Old Busted in Prostitution Ring

A tip from Crimestoppers in Port Charlotte, Florida has led to the arrest of four women for allegedly being involved in a prostitution ring. Included among them was a 70-year-old woman.

According to authorities, a client would pay a fee at the door of the Mandala Health Spa to enter and then "tip" a woman for alleged sex acts.

The 70-year-old was identified as Elaine Pyzikiewicz, who police say was a licensed massage therapist.

I guess Miss Elaine must have been giving very special massages.

The other women arrested were 22, 28, and 37.

The Obesity Epidemic Requires New Dietary Guidelines

More than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the latest information from the Department of Health and Human Services. As a result, we have been given new guildelines to follow in order to cut the fat.

I guess this is where I should say "Thanks mom and dad for contributing to my weight issues. I remember all those times you told me to eat ALL the food on my plate and I was forced to obey."

The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on balancing calories with physical activity, and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains.

The new guidelines offers these tips:

Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines is available at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

What You need to Know About Medicare in 2011

Special Guest Post By: Ross Blair, CEO, PlanPrescriber.com

Whether you enrolled in a new Medicare Advantage plan this year, or you didn’t change the plan you had last year, now is the time to review your coverage and be sure it meets your needs.

In 2011, people eligible for Medicare have just six weeks (January 1 through February 14) — last year it was three months — to be sure the coverage fits their needs and maximizes their cost savings.

There are also fewer options for changing coverage during the new Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (“MADP”) if you’re unhappy. Here are the changes you can make:

- People with a Medicare Advantage plan or a MA-PD plan (Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage) can switch to original Medicare and enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan (PDP). If you go without the PDP, you’ll pay a penalty if you ever try to enroll in a PDP during another enrollment period.
- People cannot switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. This is new for 2011.
- People with a Medicare Advantage plan and a stand-alone PDP can switch to original Medicare, but they must keep their PDP.
- People already covered by original Medicare and a PDP cannot make any changes.

It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin, but anyone on Medicare who doesn’t take the time to research their options and choose the plan that best fits their needs could leave hundreds of dollars in annual premium savings on the table. In fact, according to a recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, only about 10 percent of Medicare participants change plans annually1.

Keep in mind that deductibles, co-pays, and prescription drug coverage can change every year, so even if you didn’t change your plan this year, your plan may have changed on you. Staying put and not investigating your options could impact your yearly health care costs.

Here are a few tips to help you determine whether or not you have the best plan already, or if you should look in to available options:

1) Watch the calendar: In the past, Medicare gave you from Jan. 1 - March 31 to change your Medicare coverage. In 2011, those three months have been cut down to just six weeks, and the deadline to make a change in 2011 is Feb. 14, unless you qualify for a special election period.

2) Check it before you wreck it: Before you drop a Medicare Advantage plan, be sure the coverage you’re considering provides the benefits you need. Medicare Advantage often covers a portion of your doctor visits, as well as eye exams and other services. Also, make sure your doctor will accept the new coverage to which you’re switching.

3) Review your prescriptions: Compare the cost of a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that covers your medications with the Medicare Advantage plan you’re currently on. It’s critical to make sure your monthly budget can handle the cost of drugs on your new plan versus your old plan. It’s easy and free to compare plans side-by-side on a website like PlanPrescriber.com.

4) Consider Medicare supplemental policies: Original Medicare has cost-sharing requirements and other benefit gaps, so some people who enroll in Original Medicare also purchase Medicare supplemental policies, also called Medigap. Medigap is offered through standardized plans, labeled A-N. Plans offered by different health insurers with the same letters offer the same benefits, but the costs can vary widely depending on age, community, inflation and other factors.

5) Don’t put off filling prescriptions: The drugs that are covered and how much they cost can change each year on a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. If you’re ordering 90-day supplies of medications to save money, or having them sent to you through the mail, be sure you see the bill for a new order placed in 2011 before Feb. 14. Don’t find out too late that one of the drugs you’re taking is no longer covered or that the co-pay has increased.

You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or Your Medicaid Office (only required for pieces referencing Part D benefits or cost-sharing).

In general, beneficiaries must use network pharmacies to access their prescription drug benefit, except in non-routine circumstances, and quantity limitations and restrictions may apply.

1 RWJF-Funded Study Finds Medicare Part D Too Complex for Many Doctors: Published Jul 29, 2010

Ross Blair is president and CEO of Plan Prescriber, Inc. www.PlanPrescriber.com ), a leading provider of comparison tools and educational materials for Medicare-related insurance products. PlanPrescriber.com offers free and unbiased online advisor tools to help you find the optimal plan and save money.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information

Baby Boomer Women are Not Perfect

According to a new survey, baby boomer women have a clear and distinct advantage over the women of Generation Y. For those of you who don't know, baby boomer women were born between 1946 and 1964, while the women of Generation Y, also known as Millennials, were born between 1983 and 1997. The women in this group are the children from my generation.

Okay, so now that we have that straight here's what the survey says: Generation Y women are unable to master the chores their mothers and grandmothers did daily.

Only 51% of women under 30 can cook a roast, compared with 82% of baby boomers.

Traditional skills outside the kitchen are also slipping with only 23 percent of Generation Y women able to grow a plant and only 54% know how to sew.

I might add here that this survey was generated out of Australia by social researcher Mark McCrindle so it's very possible that those numbers would be even lower in the United States.

If the younger women don't have these skills, the question is why? Didn't their mothers pass on the knowledge that was passed on to them as they were growing up?

Amazing how some boomer women spend thousands of dollars for a perfect cosmetic look but fall short when it comes to teaching their own daughters a thing or two about life.

Silence May Be Hazardous to the Health of Boomer Women

A new survey indicates too many baby boomer women may be giving their doctors the silent treatment when it comes to talking about their health.

Although boomer women find themselves with increased personal health needs as they enter midlife and beyond, only 16 percent indicated they are likely to discuss those symptoms with a doctor, according to the new Boomer Women's Health survey of women aged 45 and older in North America sponsored by SCA, the maker of bladder protection products and services under the globally-leading TENA® brand (www.tena.us) and conducted by Harris Interactive.

The survey also revealed that over two-thirds of baby boomer women (67 percent) are less likely to see a physician if they think the symptoms they are experiencing are a "normal part of aging" and therefore may not seek solutions which can improve their quality of life. Furthermore, over a quarter (26 percent) feels uncomfortable, embarrassed or judged when discussing even common personal health issues with their doctors.

Women, however, aren't the only ones being quiet. The survey also demonstrated that doctors are not initiating conversations with women about these "sensitive" health topics either. Although bladder weakness and low sex drive were ranked as the top two most embarrassing topics to discuss with your doctor, they also ranked as the two issues that had been brought up the least by their physicians.

We, as women, owe it to our doctors to tell them what's going on.

You can read more about the lie I told my doctor that almost cost me my life in my new book, Don't Ask and I Won't Have to Lie available on Amazon.

The State of the Baby Boomer Union Address

I wonder how long it will be before the President of the United States will hold a live news conference to tell us the plight of the baby boomer generation. I imagine it will go something like this:

Good evening my fellow Americans. I come before you this evening to shed light on an epidemic that we have identified as a Silver Tsunami. We have known about this for quite some time but failed to act. As result of this tidal wave, we are facing the following disasters:

#1 As of January 1, 2011, 10,000 baby boomers will reach age 65 every day for the next 19 years.

#2 According to one recent survey, 36 percent of Americans say that they don’t contribute anything at all to retirement savings.

#3 35% of Americans already over the age of 65 rely almost entirely on Social Security payments alone.

#4 According to another recent survey, 24% of U.S. workers admit that they have postponed their planned retirement age at least once during the past year.

#5 Approximately 3 out of 4 Americans start claiming Social Security benefits the moment they are eligible at age 62. Most are doing this out of necessity. However, by claiming Social Security early they get locked in at a much lower amount than if they would have waited.

#6 The Healthcare System is overloaded as a result of all of the cosmetic surgery that is now catching up with the boomers.

Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves because this is just the tip of the iceburg. Good night and may God bless America and the baby boomers.