Aging Must Be Politically Correct

It seems as though I won’t be aging gracefully as a “little old lady” like my Big Mama (grandma) did. She, by the way, lived to be 100 years old and in my eyes she was a “sweet, little old lady.”

There appears to be a rallying cry from an ageism campaign group out of California to ban descriptions like “old” “elderly” and even “senior” when making reference to those of us over the age of 50. The International Longevity Center has gone as far as to create a new media guide.

According to Dr. Robert Butler, President and CEO of the Longevity Center, the guide “is an important step in overcoming ageist language and beliefs by providing journalists and others who work in the media with an appropriate body of knowledge…”

Here are some of the words they want eliminated:
• Ancient
• Biddy
• Blubbering idiot
• Dirt ball
• Crotchety old man
• Dirty old man
• Fogy
• Fossil
• Geezer
• Hag
• Little old lady
• Old fart
• Old goat
• One foot in the grave
• Over the hill
• Prune
• Senile old fool
• Sweet old lady

As a working journalist over the age of 50, I know better than to use those words and I would certainly hope that my younger colleagues know better too. Sometimes I even question why we use the word "baby boomer" to describe our generation, although I do understand how the terminology got its name.

The guide also suggests that “attributing physical decline to age erroneously suggests that age itself is the cause of decline when, in fact, illness is often the cause. Further, diseases that manifest themselves later in life are often caused by behavior and environmental exposure early in life.”

So I guess the middle age spread I am now in a battle with must be attributed to all that pizza I ate in my teens and twenties and not the result of the slowing down of my metabolism. But how does one explain arthritis, wrinkles and sagging breasts?

Boomers with Health Issues May Be Unlucky at Love

If you're single with Shingles, high blood pressure, arthritis or some other aging-related health issue, your chances don't look too good when it comes to finding romance.  That's because a survey conducted by the online dating site OurTime.com has revealed more than 50 percent singles over the age of 55 say they would not date someone with health problems.

That would surely rule me out of the dating pool since I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at the age of 49.  Fortunately, my husband chose not to make it an issue since he married me the following year.

But never fear, if you don't look all that hot with your aging face and body, that's OK because, according to the same survey, 68 percent of adults age 55 and older say they would be willing to date someone they felt was less attractive.  

Other key points of the survey:

Some 70 percent of men and 59 percent of women say they are willing to date people of other religions.

65 percent of people 55 or older said dating more than one person at the same time was fine.

60 percent said they would date someone outside party lines.

46 percent of adults 55+ said they were open to dating someone of a different race

Where do you fall in line with this survey?

Nearly Half of Baby Boomers May Die Without a Will

Remember that old saying: "Up the creek without a paddle." Well, it appears some baby boomers may be swimming in the deep end of the pool when it comes to leaving a last Will and Testament.

According to RocketLawyer.com, nearly half of Americans are taking a big risk with their family's future by not having a Will. When it comes to protecting digital assets (Facebook account, online photos, passwords), 63 percent of respondents say they don't know what happens to their digital assets when they die.

Sixty-one percent say they don't believe its important to provide for a pet in a Will.

If you die without a last will (known as dying "intestate"), the state will decide how your property is distributed. In community property states, this means that your community property will be given to your spouse (or domestic partner in some states.)

According to legalzoom.com, any property that is not given to your spouse will be distributed to the following people, in this order:

Your children, or if they are not alive, their children
Your parents
Your brothers and sisters or, if they are not alive, their children
Your grandparents or, if they are not alive, their children (i.e., your uncles and aunts)
The children of your deceased spouse
Any relatives of your deceased spouse
The state of your legal residence

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.

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.