People who once used computers to interact have just shut them down or left them behind in their last move. “Can’t be bothered, or don’t want to do than anymore,” is often the reply. And yet I see the computer and the internet as a saving grace for the elder with limiting physical abilities and increasing isolation. I’m advocating for facilities to install access for hook ups to every room/apartment in a facility and to encourage, through planned activities to help elders stay in touch with their families, make new internet friends and stay current in what is happening in the rest of the world.
I’ m also aware of the predators who are on line and the vulnerability of this population. But we learn to protect ourselves when we live in the world outside of retirement homes/villages, why not teach the retirees to be protected?
___________
I think she's got a great point. Nothing more important than staying in touch to help maintain a sense of community and a feeling of connection. What do you think?
16 March 2009
09 March 2009
Excellent Op-Ed (Australian) based on Leisureville
Leisureville has been released in Australia and New Zealand. Here's a really thoughtful op-ed in a leading newspaper that discusses the book and its ramifications.
http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/retired-boomers-who-reject-children-live-in-an-unhealthy-world-20090222-8eq8.html?page=-1
Short excerpt:
"A community that refuses to invest in the future sends a message that there is no value in giving back to society unless one directly reaps the rewards. Not only is this selfish, but it is self-destructive. A successful society demands co-operation. It demands that the rewards reaped from the work of past generations are repaid by investing in future generations. Turning your back on young people contributes to the very fragmentation of social values about which you complain."
http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/retired-boomers-who-reject-children-live-in-an-unhealthy-world-20090222-8eq8.html?page=-1
Short excerpt:
"A community that refuses to invest in the future sends a message that there is no value in giving back to society unless one directly reaps the rewards. Not only is this selfish, but it is self-destructive. A successful society demands co-operation. It demands that the rewards reaped from the work of past generations are repaid by investing in future generations. Turning your back on young people contributes to the very fragmentation of social values about which you complain."
Author on Dennis Miller Live
Andrew Blechman is featured on Dennis Miller's coast-to-coast live radio show: http://radiotime.com/program/p_123379/The_Dennis_Miller_Show.aspx
Geritopias: Aging Badly (reader email)
Dear Mr. Blechman,
Just read one of your articles published in the "Arizona Republic" today entitled: Retirees glide to the finish on 'playgrounds'
Years ago as a much younger woman working in the banking industry, I was transferred to a branch located in Sun City West. I had been to Sun City before and we visitors always marveled at how neat and tidy everything was there - much unlike our "lived-in" communities - and Sun City West was no different, just newer.
By that time Sun City was 20 years old and the original residents were by now, 20 years older. Patterns were already becoming evident. People who had retied in the beginning with good health and good resources had experienced some unsettling changes over time. They had often developed life-altering illnesses and because of unforeseen economic conditions, their solid economic base had eroded and they no longer has very solid financial setting. For some, their illnesses required very costly treatment and medication that they hadn't anticipated on.
The young crop of retirees in their late 50s who were healthy, wealthy and active, were drawn to the new Sun City West. They didn't want to live in Sun City which was much slower and too insulated. It was interesting to observe that about-to-be-oldsters didn't and do not want to hang out with official oldsters because they see what the future will be bringing to them and they don't want to face it or to know the realities.
Therefore, since Sun City did not draw or attract newer retirees to replenish the fading popluation, the aging population continues to grow. It is a downward spiral. Add that to the fact that they don't want to invest in the future. Why should they when it won't benefit them? And they need their money now. The fact that spending money today will help forestall some unpleasant realities down the road, eludes them. They bought a false reality. They had earned their money. It was their's. If they lived in a walled-in complex and separated themselves from the outsiders, then they wouldn't have to be paying for things like elementary schools since they didn't have any in their complexes. There would be no loud noises like the ones that kids make and no messes like kids make. It is really like a warped "Stepford" like existence. There was even a horrible quote from one oldster-ette in a recent newspaper article, "All the taxes we do pay, we want to keep and spend on ourselves".
I found them to be very unloving, unaccepting, judgemental and critical. We would often hear of people turning in their neighbor's to the local association for real or unreal infractions - like having a cat outside who dared to invade their back yard.
Sad to say, the few that are really vocal tend to get the recognition which then unfortunately tends to create the appearance that all oldsters are alike when that is not true either.
Sincerely,
Penny M.
Phoenix, AZ
Just read one of your articles published in the "Arizona Republic" today entitled: Retirees glide to the finish on 'playgrounds'
Years ago as a much younger woman working in the banking industry, I was transferred to a branch located in Sun City West. I had been to Sun City before and we visitors always marveled at how neat and tidy everything was there - much unlike our "lived-in" communities - and Sun City West was no different, just newer.
By that time Sun City was 20 years old and the original residents were by now, 20 years older. Patterns were already becoming evident. People who had retied in the beginning with good health and good resources had experienced some unsettling changes over time. They had often developed life-altering illnesses and because of unforeseen economic conditions, their solid economic base had eroded and they no longer has very solid financial setting. For some, their illnesses required very costly treatment and medication that they hadn't anticipated on.
The young crop of retirees in their late 50s who were healthy, wealthy and active, were drawn to the new Sun City West. They didn't want to live in Sun City which was much slower and too insulated. It was interesting to observe that about-to-be-oldsters didn't and do not want to hang out with official oldsters because they see what the future will be bringing to them and they don't want to face it or to know the realities.
Therefore, since Sun City did not draw or attract newer retirees to replenish the fading popluation, the aging population continues to grow. It is a downward spiral. Add that to the fact that they don't want to invest in the future. Why should they when it won't benefit them? And they need their money now. The fact that spending money today will help forestall some unpleasant realities down the road, eludes them. They bought a false reality. They had earned their money. It was their's. If they lived in a walled-in complex and separated themselves from the outsiders, then they wouldn't have to be paying for things like elementary schools since they didn't have any in their complexes. There would be no loud noises like the ones that kids make and no messes like kids make. It is really like a warped "Stepford" like existence. There was even a horrible quote from one oldster-ette in a recent newspaper article, "All the taxes we do pay, we want to keep and spend on ourselves".
I found them to be very unloving, unaccepting, judgemental and critical. We would often hear of people turning in their neighbor's to the local association for real or unreal infractions - like having a cat outside who dared to invade their back yard.
Sad to say, the few that are really vocal tend to get the recognition which then unfortunately tends to create the appearance that all oldsters are alike when that is not true either.
Sincerely,
Penny M.
Phoenix, AZ
HIV up among people over 50
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/06/28/older_hiv.html
Villagers begin to awake from financial slumber....
Hi Andrew:
We have resided in The Villages for approximately 2 years and are currently in the process of selling this home in order to move to a smaller Senior Community in Ocala with no bonds and a great deal of homeowner partcipation in its operations.
When I began reading your book, I was extremely pleased to discover that my Husband and I were not the only people who believe that The Villages is a MONEY ORIENTED VENTURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MORSE FAMILY! This was our primary reason for initiating the sale of our house. From the very beginning, all things (property sales, newspaper, re-sales of houses) deals with an extreme amount of "Brainwashing". "How wonderful it is to live in The Villages". This is a bad concept for those of us who are educated, can think independently and ask questions.
Your book "put into context" facts that Villagers should know and should care about before it is too late to relocate!
Thank your for writing it!
Diana P.
We have resided in The Villages for approximately 2 years and are currently in the process of selling this home in order to move to a smaller Senior Community in Ocala with no bonds and a great deal of homeowner partcipation in its operations.
When I began reading your book, I was extremely pleased to discover that my Husband and I were not the only people who believe that The Villages is a MONEY ORIENTED VENTURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MORSE FAMILY! This was our primary reason for initiating the sale of our house. From the very beginning, all things (property sales, newspaper, re-sales of houses) deals with an extreme amount of "Brainwashing". "How wonderful it is to live in The Villages". This is a bad concept for those of us who are educated, can think independently and ask questions.
Your book "put into context" facts that Villagers should know and should care about before it is too late to relocate!
Thank your for writing it!
Diana P.
Interest letter from a reader who deals with geriatrics
Andrew-
I am an RN in Maine, who does admission and scheduled wellness updates on clients in an independent retirement community.
I have noticed an increase in concerns about ability to remain in the apartments where clients now live due to loss of income from investments. “Where am I going to go, when my investments don’t give me the income?” “Will I become homeless?” These were questions one man voiced as he was trying to reach his financial planner in Florida at Christmas.
Rents for all apartments went up 6% in Jan.2009.
Decrease in occupancy as some families take parents into their own homes to save money.
A client planning to move into assistant living facility even though he is independent in his needs, because he is about out of money and MaineCare will pay for assisted living if income qualifies.
Clients not obtaining dental and podiatry care or hiring added services or additional meals in the community dining room, since they are watching their savings decrease and shelter is more important.
Many of my clients lived in those Florida and Arizona communities prior to the Maine relocation. They returned to Maine due to loss of spouse, to declining physical and mental abilities, often brought unwillingly by their children.
What happens to the person who has no family to help financially? What about the people who can not meet community fees and rents and have no where to go after living in the active retirement communities for 5-25 years-it is their home!
Many of my clients miss the warmer client, the social opportunities, and the homes and sometimes the pets, they had to leave behind. Depression, at least one suicide and increasing isolation are very evident after the move north.
Interesting times for this segment of our population. And interesting personally, since I am part of this cohort.
Maybe another book? –Revisiting Leisureville During the Current Economic Meltdown!
Isabelle M., RN
I am an RN in Maine, who does admission and scheduled wellness updates on clients in an independent retirement community.
I have noticed an increase in concerns about ability to remain in the apartments where clients now live due to loss of income from investments. “Where am I going to go, when my investments don’t give me the income?” “Will I become homeless?” These were questions one man voiced as he was trying to reach his financial planner in Florida at Christmas.
Rents for all apartments went up 6% in Jan.2009.
Decrease in occupancy as some families take parents into their own homes to save money.
A client planning to move into assistant living facility even though he is independent in his needs, because he is about out of money and MaineCare will pay for assisted living if income qualifies.
Clients not obtaining dental and podiatry care or hiring added services or additional meals in the community dining room, since they are watching their savings decrease and shelter is more important.
Many of my clients lived in those Florida and Arizona communities prior to the Maine relocation. They returned to Maine due to loss of spouse, to declining physical and mental abilities, often brought unwillingly by their children.
What happens to the person who has no family to help financially? What about the people who can not meet community fees and rents and have no where to go after living in the active retirement communities for 5-25 years-it is their home!
Many of my clients miss the warmer client, the social opportunities, and the homes and sometimes the pets, they had to leave behind. Depression, at least one suicide and increasing isolation are very evident after the move north.
Interesting times for this segment of our population. And interesting personally, since I am part of this cohort.
Maybe another book? –Revisiting Leisureville During the Current Economic Meltdown!
Isabelle M., RN
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