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.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
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?
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?
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 21, 2011
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?
Friday, February 18, 2011
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.
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