Month: October 2022

Recently retired me has started to uncover a whole new world of resources to explore. I am not the only person getting older and dealing with issues. There are 46 million adults age 65 and up in the US alone, facing some of the same problems that I am. So there is help out there, and finding out about available resources is comforting (and empowering too). 

There are specialized groups like AARP (American Association of Retired People at https://www.aarp.org.), National Council on Aging (https://www.ncoa.org), Administration on Aging (https://acl.gov/about-acl/administration-aging.), Senior Corps or AmeriCorps Seniors (https://www.americorps.gov.), National Institute on Aging (https://www.nia.gov.)…. and many more. 

There are groups addressing specific senior issues such as poverty, hunger, or injustice. Justice in Aging (https://www.justiceinaging.org.) is fighting senior poverty through laws. Meals on Wheels is well known for its outreach meal delivery services (https://mealsonwheelsamerica.org.) addressing senior hunger and isolation. Pension Rights Center (https://www.pensionrights.org.) strives to protect and promote retirement security.  Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://www.alzfdn.org.) helps seniors and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s/dementia. National Center On Elder Abuse (https://ncea.acl.gov.) works to ensure that all older adults age with dignity and honor.

There are organizations only focused on helping certain segments of seniors. For instance, the Alliance for Retired Americans (https://www.retiredamericans.org.) exists solely for retired trade union members.

Additionally I discovered that there is even an Honor Flight Network (https://www.honorflight.org.)- a network of non-profit organizations that works to honor US veterans with all-expense paid trips to the memorials of the respective war they fought in- how wonderful is that?

For example, in May 2022 Honor Flight Network hosted 85 veterans and their guardian companions on a three day trip to Washington DC to visit military memorials there. 101-year old Army pilot Dudley Gladding was the oldest Honor Flight veteran on that excursion. “I had 40 missions over the Philippines and the Pacific,” he reminisced. Gladding modestly failed to mention that the enemy shot him down on his 31st mission, yet he simply continued on with his brave service. Like so many other veterans of what has been called the Greatest Generation, these free trips to historic sites mean the world to them. They are such a small gift for these surviving veterans’ incredible patriotism. It is wonderful to find such dedicated organizations out there.

For improving skills, there is a non-profit education company called SeniorNet (https://www.seniornet.org.), that specializes in computer and internet education for adults 55+ or for those in need, with impairments, or veterans. Who does not need to improve their computers skills in this tech age?

By the way, there are other classes available (e.g. AARP website) for free too. I have taken a few (e.g. “Remote Workplace”, or “Creative Writing of Children’s Books”). They were fun to do (and I even got Certificates of Achievement for completing them). There are community classes, free or inexpensive out there as well- you just have to look around for all those opportunities.

A whole new world indeed! It is just a Google search of “senior organizations” away. Retired me is so glad there are many resources available in what can sometimes seem a lonely journey as a retiree facing new challenges.

Reach out, there’s a world of help out there.

The proverbial bucket list.  It’s that summary of accomplishments that people often put together as life goals, beyond the day-to-day grind. Such a list might include world destinations, life benchmarks, or personal goals.  A bucket list can have lots of goals on it. They can range from the academic (learn a new language) to philanthropic (obtain school supplies for 1000 needy kids) to experiential (go skydiving).

There are actually mental health benefits to creating a bucket list, providing motivation and inspiration.  It is not surprising that people who identify with a faith or as spiritual, were 95% more likely to have a bucket list (https://www.arraybc.com/benefits).  Some element of faith has to go hand-in-hand with any bucket list.  This is because accomplishing something on such a list involves a faith-filled step out of a comfort zone.

Retirement is a great time to work on bucket list goals (and makes for a wonderfully creative retired life too).  First, a retiree often has more time to focus on a bucket list. And second, retirees often have gained more appreciation of time now. That life benchmark of retirement is a great motivator to work on goals, after looking back and seeing how quickly life has already passed.  

Since I worked in the travel industry for years, my bucket list is heavy on travel-related ambitions. Comedian Bob Hope said it well, “I love flying. I’ve been to almost as many places as my luggage.” Like “Old Ski-Nose” Hope, I have been fortunate to travel the world, often with my luggage. I love travel, and retired me now plans and saves with specific bucket list travels in mind.

Like lots of people, I have viewing the Northern Lights high on my list. The otherworldly Aurora Borealis (“light of dawn”) can be seen well in specific places around the world. Some good viewing spots are Fairbanks, Alaska; Tromso, Norway; Orkney, Scotland; Jukkawjarvi, Sweden; Churchill, Canada; Yellowknife, Canada; Reykjavik, Iceland; Mackinaw City, Michigan; and Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota.   

Economics and ease of getting there are my primary motivators for picking a spot for my Northern Light viewing. I quickly ruled out Churchill, Manitoba.  As fascinating a place as it sounds, its remote location makes getting there complicated.  Plus it is not beyond the realm of possibility that I could be eaten by a polar bear while visiting this “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. So Churchill was off my bucket list quickly. 

Reykjavik, Iceland sounded interesting, as I have never ventured to the island of Iceland (or nearby Norway, Sweden or Denmark either). Reykjavik, Iceland is supposed to be more temperate than people expect, around 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius) in the summer and 32 degrees (zero Celsius) in winter. Locals do grudgingly admit that wind and rain can somewhat impact their weather. Sorry, I do not care how they spin it, but most photos of Reykjavik look beyond cold. And that is before I would trek to whatever remote locale necessary for good sky viewing.

Distance is also a factor (lots of flying to get to Reykjavik).  Then I stumbled across a foodie program showcasing Iceland’s favorite national dish of fermented shark called hakarl. Eating Icelandic hakarl was described like consuming a jellied cube of ammonia. It smells so bad it has to be kept in sealed jars. Call me a wimp, but I crossed Reykjavik off my bucket list. 

Fairbanks, Alaska seems like a good spot for Northern Light viewing.  Who would not like a place that has panning for gold, dog sledding AND a Santa Claus House at North Pole AK?

Mackinaw City in Michigan sounds charming, and has the Headlands International Dark Sky Park for best viewing.  (Who knew there are actually over 60 dark sky parks in the US?) Voyageurs National Park in International Falls, Minnesota is a more complicated destination- you must BYOB (“Bring Your Own Boat”).

Anyway, my research continues. I am sure I will find a wonderful spot for viewing gorgeous Northern Lights. Just make sure to keep your own bucket list going, whatever your aspirations are.  It is good for the soul.