Meet OPAL. (No, it’s not the crazy lady down the street!)

I knew an Opal in my hometown – 60+ years ago. Nice lady, as I recall. As were most ladies in my little hometown of 800.

I also knew a Doris – but he was my girlfriend’s father. Small towns come with some weirdness – but I digress.

Today, I met a different OPAL and I want to introduce her it to you.

This OPAL is Optimal Physical Activity for Longevity.

An article hit my Medium.com feed today entitled “How Much Exercise is Optimal for Longevity.” (see it here). The author, Gunter De Winter describes himself as “Biologist. Philosopher. Voracious consumer of ideas. Word wrangler & concept cuddler.”

I like the topic Gunter chose to “cuddle.” Any article with longevity in the title catches my eye since I’m still refusing to relinquish this nutty goal of living to 112 1/2. (I know, I know – snowball’s chance – – – -).

What if I don’t care about longevity?

I get it. A surprising percentage of people are repulsed by the idea of even living to 100. I sense I haven’t deepened any relationships amongst my closest cohort by declaring my outrageous goal. I’ve found it to be a marvelous tool to shorten a boring dinner engagement.

According to a research project done by Dr. Ken Dychtwald of the AgeWave organization and published in his recent book “What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age,” (affiliate link) only 22% of respondents said they want to live to 100 or beyond. Among those over 65 and older, twice as many said no (35%) as yes (17%).

If you are in the 78% or 35%, the rest of this will be painful, so an exit is totally understood. I appreciate that you clicked on.

There’s bad news – and then there’s bad news!

The first layer of bad news is that the public health guideline recommendation of at least 150–300 minutes of PA [physical activity] at moderate aerobic intensity or 75–150 minutes at vigorous intensity per week is woefully short of doing anything to enhance longevity. Much more engagement in PA is necessary to achieve maximal benefits on longevity. Cap that with the fact that less than 25% of the U.S. population even achieve this moderate intensity. 

The second layer of bad news is that the O-P-A-L  is a real butt-kicker that, based on the general attitude toward health and longevity in our culture, isn’t likely to get much of a nod, let alone an attempt.

Based on cohort studies, researchers suggest . . .

Ouch! You’ve already done the math, right?

700/7.

350/7

100 minutes/day; 50 minutes/day.

Even freakier if you felt you could maybe find 5 days in the week for O-P-A-L. Either is a stretch for all but the truly committed.

Put down that voice-activated remote and slowly back away!

Don’t decisions get pretty basic with this type of information? As in back-to-back-to-back Ozark, Breaking Bad, and The Crown vs five extra years of healthy living?

Or two pops leading up to a meatloaf and gravy dinner.

Or selling out to the boss with an extra hour at the desk at the end of the day while your workout bag languishes in your car.

Or – well, you get the point.

As a culture (I’m talking mainly U.S. but also most western, supposedly “developed” cultures), we’re still given to “living too short and dying too long.’

We’re not very good at paying attention to the antidotes.

O-P-A-L is an antidote with a capital “A.”

How about more life in your years!

I understand if longevity isn’t your thing. I understand the impressions that have been seated in your head of walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen bottles, needles, and nurses.

But what if you adopted O-P-A-L for another reason. Rather than more years in your life, put more life into the years you have. 

The accelerating slope doesn’t have to be that severe. It could look more like this –

-with more life in your years.

I hear you saying: “OK, loudmouth.  How do you measure up?”

Kinda, sorta.

If you’ve tracked with me for a while, you know I’m a fan and advocate of “Harry’s Rules”, the appendix in the book “Younger Next Year”  (affiliate link) that was written by the co-author, the late Dr. Henry Lodge.

Here’s a refresher in case you haven’t yet invested in the book:

Harry’s Rules

Exercise six days a week for the rest of your life.

Do serious aerobic exercise four days a week for the rest of your life.

Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week for the rest of your life.

Spend less than you make.

Quit eating crap!

Care.

Connect and commit.

I’ve been coming pretty darn close to Dr. Lodge’s rules for the last 10-12 years. The pandemic screwed that up for a while, but I’m back on track at 24-Hour Fitness 3 days a week for 90-minute sessions that include aggressive strength training (alternating between free weights and machines and working all the muscle groups across the week) plus 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. I supplement the rest of the week with aerobic (walking, treadmill, elliptical) for 30 minutes (on a good day).

Yep, falling a bit short of the O-P-A-L total, but, c-mon, not bad for a guy just 5 months short of stepping into his 9th decade.

Can I get to O-P-A-L? Sure. It’s just attitude and a decision.

  1. Plus overcoming temptations.
  2. Plus overcoming inherent laziness.
  3. Plus overcoming Netflix and loyalty to the Denver Nuggets or a crappy Broncos team.
  4. Plus overcoming soreness and discomfort.
  5. Plus overcoming a shallow commitment to prioritized planning.

Yeah, falling a bit short because that’s a tough list. But we all have a list of things to overcome.

#5 is the difference-maker.

Sorry, dear reader, but anything even close to O-P-A-L ain’t gonna happen unless it’s in writing on your calendar and seated firmly into your habit patterns.

As James Clear reminds us in his runaway best-selling and life-changing book “Atomic Habits”:

“The punch line is clear: people who make a specific plan for when and where they will perform a new habit are more likely to follow through. Too many people try to change their habits without these basic details figured out. Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity.”

Albeit tough, O-P-A-L makes it clear.

It helps to remember that nothing significant happens in the comfort zone.

Does anyone out there come close to O-P-A-L? What’s your routine? What’s working best for you? I’d love to have you share your method with the tribe. Leave a comment below. Thanks for reading. If you haven’t joined our group, jump on my email list at www.makeagingwork.com to receive my weekly post. I’ll send you a free ebook entitled “Achieving Your Full-life Potential.”

 

 

How Can I Stay Relevant in Retirement? Some Practical Tips to Consider.

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

Who doesn’t want to be relevant, germane, material, applicable, apropos?

It’s an important question if one is choosing to play the retirement game.

My first suggestion in answer to the question is to be sure you approach retirement with a plan that goes beyond the money. Most individuals and couples step into retirement without a non-financial plan for what they would like their retirement years to look like. They mistakenly believe that retirement will take care of itself when, in fact, there are always hidden surprises.

Much like the Titanic discovered when negotiating icebergs.

The question of relevance is important because it is one of the top four fears that pre-and early-retirees have about retirement beyond money.

  1. Boredom.
  2. Loss of identity.
  3. Becoming irrelevant.
  4. Deteriorating health

All of these concerns are addressable. Yet, most people drift into their retirement without a plan designed to deal with them. Items #1–#3 are intertwined and together they have a significant impact on #4.

Matter at Hand.

The question of relevance is a very individual thing. Ultimately, we define our own relevance by the way we view things and the way we are wired up. One new retiree may find his or her relevance in the dedication to and interaction with grandchildren. The next may only feel relevant only if he or she is continuing to drive big decisions or be building something.

A quick look at the definition of relevance tells us it is “bearing on the matter at hand, practical, and especially social applicability.” This brings to bear the importance of retiring into something, not just from something. In other words, what will be your “matter at hand” upon retiring?

In my experience as a career transition and retirement coach dealing mostly with healthcare professionals, I have found a surprising number of these talented professionals looking forward to retirement but unable to articulate what they expect, or want, to do upon retirement. They do express concern about going from 110 miles an hour, 50 hours a week down to near zero.

But, for most, the “what’s next” is fuzzy.

Start Early, Communicate

My suggestion to those who are struggling in this area is to start planning for retirement at least 3–5 years in advance of the anticipated retirement date and start putting things on paper.

And, if you are a couple, communicate, communicate, communicate! 

Early – and often!

Remember, fellas, she married you for better or worse but not for lunch every day. Kitchen drawer arrangements are off-limits and she is not your “retirement plaything.” In fact, that may be the farthest thing from her mind. With “grey divorce” i.e. divorces amongst couples over 50 skyrocketing, maybe we should be paying attention to communication early and often.

Practice

Practice may not always make perfect but some retirement practice can go a long way.

Successful retirees often include some “practice retirement” by experimenting with some activities that they think they may have an interest in post-career. That may come in the form of a sabbatical from work, or using accumulated vacation and PTO time to immerse into something on the curiosity list. Maybe a short-term apprenticeship in a business or volunteer opportunity to test it out.

Practice can be particularly important when it comes to location decisions. That practice can include living for a period in an area that is being considered for relocation, or for a second home. I’ve heard more than one story of regret of making a move only to discover the “personality” of the area was a bad match.

No cliff diving

There certainly is some excitement in being a risk-taker and jumping into something without a plan and let the chips fall where they may.

I suggest retirement isn’t one of those things. This is a potential 20-, 30-, 40-year experience with serious long-term implications. Front end planning can have a significant impact on health, longevity, and family stability.

I’ve heard of new retirees taking a transition year to travel, experiment, unwind, and develop a plan to follow for the balance of their retirement year. If finances permit, it’s a great transition plan.

Service and Relevance

My sense is that relevance will be found in living a life of service. We do know, from extensive research, that some form of work is vital to maintaining vitality and a sense of purpose through our retirement years, not to mention contributing to greater longevity. That flies in the face of the traditional leisure-based, consumer-only type retirement that we’ve been pedaled for the last 5–6 decades.

Happier, healthier retirees have something that motivates them to get up in the morning and that provides them a sense of relevance. The nice thing about retirement is that you now have the time and resources (hopefully) to be able to find that relevance, knowing that it may change through your retirement.

Be flexible and don’t let your relevance be dictated by the opinions of others. Be your own person and honor your inner self. It will ultimately let you know what is relevant for your life.

I had to wait until my seventies to make that discovery. I wish for you an earlier and easier discovery. Hence, start early.

Two quick stories:

Know your drivers.

I had the good fortune to share some of this pre-retirement planning insight in a workshop recently with a group of six successful Canadian entrepreneurs who have been meeting together as a sort of “mastermind” group for 15 years. Ranging in age from 57 to 64, they were at various stages of transition, with their businesses and their lives.

Their interest was in this very question: What’s next and how do we best plan for it?

One of the members expressed his fear of FOMO – fear of missing out on what this next phase could be. They all had a similar uneasiness about how to plan for this next phase which contained big decisions such as succession planning with family members and sell-or-stay decisions.

None of the six had financial concerns -their business prowess had taken care of that. Yet, even with day-to-day big decision ability, this question loomed large.

We covered a lot of ground over a two-day, four-hour Zoom workshop with six different topics. One of those topics was a “driver identification” exercise drawing from the content provided in the book “Don’t Retire, REWIRE! “ They were asked to identify their five strongest drivers from a list of 30 provided in the book. Drivers are described as what makes you tick as a human being because they go deep inside you, to your brain, heart, and ego. I asked them to reflect on how they have applied those drivers in their business, and then, more importantly, how they can carry those drivers forward into the retirement phase of their lives. The exercise essentially identified their “core”  – a core that doesn’t go away with retirement.

That proved to be the strongest take-away from our time together with them coming away considering how they can continue to apply those drivers but during this next life phase.

No quick answers there, but it moved the needle in setting the table for deeper reflection, more and deeper communication across the family spectrum, and, hopefully, a clearer definition of how those drivers can continue to be deployed in a different type of service.

I strongly recommend the book if you are at this critical juncture.

Follow your heart

The other story came from a Quora writer, Forrest Held, who answered the same question. Here’s his answer:

Get over it.

You miss the ego-boosting feedback.

You miss the pressure of producing on a schedule.

No one is seeking your input for weighty decisions.

That doesn’t mean you are irrelevant. You will find you are relevant to others and in other ways. New people need you. At retirement age, family and friends will need your help.

My first two years of retirement were spent taking care of my father in the latter stages of dementia. He didn’t know who I was, and he was in a facility. I spent my time making sure he was safe and well cared for each day. I took care of the estate and liquidated assets to pay for his care.

In his last year, I was known as the guy who would take him out to get ice cream. Like his father, it was his favorite treat. He had no real idea who I was.

I am glad I was there in the last years of his life taking care of him like he took care of me when I was young.

After my father passed, I volunteered for hospice with the company that had helped him. I learned a lot about life and death in that year. Suddenly those meetings and schedules seemed less critical. People who know they are dying have a way of sifting through all the crap.

You need to adjust to your new life.

Don’t relive the past.

Live for the future.

Take on new challenges.

Do things outside your comfort zone.

Enjoy time with your loved ones.

Reconnect with people you liked but have been missing from your life over the past three decades.

Say thank you more often. Be grateful that you have lived this long. Make the world a better place through your wisdom.

If you open your eyes and arms to the opportunities, you will find you are more relevant. Your relevance will be in areas that are more important than those you had during your career.

I don’t know where Forrest has ended up in his retired life, but I would guess that it doesn’t fit the off-the-cliff,  labor-to-leisure, vocation-to-vacation model. And the world is better for his view of relevance.

If you’re retired, how are you finding relevance? We’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below or email me at gary@makeagingwork.com.

Did You Choose Your Parents Wisely? Doesn’t Matter!!

The parents I chose (circa 1943)

Mom died at 56.

Dad beat the national average at the time by a couple of years – dead at 81.

Mom – cancer.

Dad – COPD, heart failure.

I’m guessing genetics had little to do with their demise. We don’t really know because, during their halcyon years (’30s-’60s), we barely knew how to spell the word let alone use it to predict health or longevity.

What I do know is that if genetics were at play with them, they didn’t help much as they lit up their Luckies day in and day out.

I have to confess to similar naivete on the topic for many of my earlier years. I smoked for 18 years also, shedding stupid finally at age 37.

I remember, probably 35-40 years or so ago, my wife and I read an article in Parade Magazine that suggested you could determine your longevity by averaging the age-at-death of your parents and grandparents.

We bought into the pitch and did the math over breakfast. The numbers we came up with didn’t leave any deep impression because – well, it was Parade Magazine and the numbers were far off in the future. Plus the eggs were getting cold.

Based on my best recall of the results, I’ve been dead for about 11 years now. She? About the same.

Why should you care about genetics?

Today, it’s a pretty big deal. Lots of talk of genetics. Lots of progress in getting our arms around it and what it is/does and isn’t/doesn’t do.

But, I’m not sure we are getting the right message.

A century ago, we fell off the mortal coil at an average age of around 50. Our equivalent of a genetic explanation then was that it is was “God’s will.” Or, “fate,” if you will.  Choice hadn’t really caught on because science was just beginning to get a foothold in understanding our biology.

I think you and I should care because there remains an entrenched remnant of acceptance of “God will” and genetics as the main determinant of our longevity and long-term health.

I believe that’s a problem.

Please don’t confuse me with a geneticist or medical expert – –

– – but, you see I have this genetic predisposition (did I just say that?) to read a lot. I inherited it from my daughter. Except I read dry stuff like about health and wellness and longevity and diet and exercise and brain stuff (she just reads simple stuff for enjoyment, like Tolkien and “Lord of the Rings”).

On any given day I may read someone (amongst the uninformed) saying that your key to longevity is to “pick your parents wisely” and that genetics is the main determinant.

The next day I may read experienced medical experts that take a firm stand that genetics as a determinant of longevity is “encapsulated in a layer of myths in our society – and include a confusing blend of truth and fancy.” Those are the words of John W. Rowe, M.D, and Robert L. Kahn, M.D. co-authors of the seminal book “Successful Aging” that reports the results of the acclaimed McArthur Foundation Study, one of the most extensive, comprehensive studies on aging in America.

The authors go on to say (my bolding):

“True, there is a meaningful connection between genetics and aging. For instance, it has long been recognized that the length of life of non-identical twins varies much more than that of identical twins. But while the role of genetics in aging is important, it has been tremendously overstated. A common error is to assume that one’s genetic predisposition is equivalent to genetic “control” of life expectancy, and that we are all preprogrammed for a given duration of life. Our MacArthur twin studies leave very substantial room for factors other than genetics in determining life expectancy.”

Or, in my third reading of “The Roadmap to 100: The Breakthrough Science of Living a Long and Healthy Life” by one of my heroes, Dr. Walter Bortz, retired Stanford geriatric physician, I come across this highlighted statement:

“Further studies of identical and fraternal twins indicate that heredity accounts for as little as 15-20 percent of the difference in human longevity. A study of Swedish twins published in 1998 seems to establish an upper limit of the genetic contribution to 33 percent. It is more generally assumed that the genetic contributions to our overall health and our prospects for longevity fall within a range around 20 percent to 25 percent.”

Let’s roll with the docs!

– at least on this topic.

Drs. Rowe and Kahn point out that “as we grow older genetics becomes less important, and environment becomes more important. The likelihood of being fat, having hypertension, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and the rate at which one’s lung function declines with advancing age are, by and large, largely not inherited.”

Ever been at a dinner party with “folks of advancing age” and hear the statement from an attendee: “I’m lucky. My grandmother lived to 102, my dad to 95, and my mom to 90. So, I’m from a good gene pool.” And in the next breath state that exercise is overrated or too difficult and that all this business about a meat-based diet being bad is all a bunch of hooey.

It’s easy to hide behind the “gene pool” myth and use it as an excuse to avoid the real elements behind increasing the odds of extended longevity.

  • Proper diet
  • Exercise
  • Social engagement
  • Continuous learning/mental challenge

It’s all about “gene expression.”

You and I carry a bunch of bad genes.  We all do.

Bad genes don’t count unless they choose to express themselves.

The public perception that specific genes control specific functions and determine specific health outcomes, such as the onset of a great many diseases, doesn’t hold up because genes must be expressed. In Dr. Bortz’s words “–they are like switches that must be turned on in order to perform their designated functions.” Maybe more like a dimmer switch with variable responses, not just simple on or off.

There are no guarantees genes won’t express but no need to help the bad ones get vocal. That’s where our lifestyle comes into play, early or late. (See the list above.)

It’s never too late to start, but always too early to quit.

If you are counting on your impressive gene pool while loving your voice-controlled remote and Netflix 49 hours a week (the U.S. national average for TV viewing by men over 65), I believe you are inviting some nefarious genes to wake up and express.

That’s in the choice category, not fate.

Fate left the conversation a half-century ago.

What is your bad gene expression action plan? What are your thoughts on this topic? Have any interesting stories to tell on this topic? Tell us with a comment below. We’d love to hear them. If you aren’t on our list to receive our weekly article (FREE!!), join us by going to www.makeagingwork.com, sign up, and get a copy of our ebook “Achieving Your Full Life Potential.”

 

Is There a Vertical Pasture in Your Future?

Photo by James Day on Unsplash

I drive by a vertical pasture every Wednesday on my return home from my weekly senior men’s golf league encounter (I call my golf an encounter because after 40 years I still don’t have “game”).

You’ve seen them. You probably have one close to you. If not, chances are fairly high that one will eventually be under construction in your vicinity.

Vertical pastures have increased over the last couple of decades into a multi-billion dollar industry with significant growth forecasts because of shifting age demographics.

You won’t see them labeled or advertised as vertical pastures – that’s my (perverted?) description. The industry calls them Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) or the newer label, Life Plan Communities (LPN).

I’m guessing the LPN tag has emerged to accommodate the declining appeal of the concept of retirement amongst the CCRC/LPN target market – baby boomers. Much like AARP presciently changing its name to just AARP, no longer the American Association of Retired Persons.

Perversion explained

OK, why vertical pasture?

In our youth-obsessed culture, it’s common to hear the “youngsters” suggest that older people, like you and me, should be put out to pasture, disappear from the mainstream, get out of the way, and stop using up valuable space and oxygen.

Unfortunately, many of us of advancing age seem to be quite accommodating of the idea.

My wife and I have had conversations with friends of retirement age who are planning to accommodate this banishment by finishing out their years in one of the rapidly expanding CCRCs in our area offered up by one of the for-profit companies that have become very successful at exploiting this mindset.

It’s a pretty straightforward concept. You sell your home of 20,30,40 years and use the equity to “buy” an apartment in one of their large buildings and enjoy “free” dining, exercise facilities, a heavy selection of social activities. access to 24×7 healthcare, and a glide path to the cemetery (I don’t think the headstone is included).

That promise of a smooth transition through to your terminal frailty and demise accommodates a business plan built on turning over your apartment to the next person(s) attracted to the same glide path.

Not cheap, as you may imagine, but attractive nonetheless. According to commercial real estate service firm CBRE, the average initial payment is $329,000, but it can top $1 million in some communities. Once a resident and depending on the model, monthly maintenance or service fees in some CCRC models may run from $2,000 to $4,000.

I will admit, when you check out websites and other promotional material, it sounds like a pretty comfortable way to finish out. What’s not to like about not having to cook or do yard work and house repair, to have access to mind and body stimulating activities, to be steps away from healthcare professionals, to be able to hang with lots of other “olders?”

Oops!

That’s where the appeal diminishes, for me at least. To be clustered and sequestered in a compact area devoid of anyone that’s not inclined to want to talk about anything other than colonoscopies, hip/knee/shoulder replacements, arthritis, (I call them “organ recitals”) or bore me with their pictures of their grandkids and myriad travels to exotica.

Sorry, it just doesn’t resonate with me.

But, I’m reminded by my roommate of 50 years that snootiness becomes me.

It’s a vertical pasture

I’ve been witnessing the growth of one of these facilities in our community. What started out 20 years ago as a couple of two-story facilities, has grown now to 15 massive buildings, most of them six or seven stories high. They have one more seven-story facility planned before they complete their master plan.

It’s a community of 2,800, soon to go well beyond 3,000.

How is this not a vertical pasture?

  • Layer-upon-layer of warehoused folks of advancing age all turned out to pasture and seeking sequestered sameness.
  • Choosing to limit the opportunity for extended engagement with anyone under 40.
  • Isolating from GenX or GenY energy, technology savvy, cultural awareness, and perspectives.
  • Accommodating the cultural indoctrination that says 65- or 70-plus requires a wind-down.
  • Abiding the ageist attitude suggesting a move to the sidelines.

A land-locked cruise ship

I once engaged a resident of one of these vertical pastures and asked what it was like living there. His response: “It’s like being on a cruise without the motion.”

I’ve heard them referred to as “Disneyland for Adults.” I suspect there is no limit to the monikers that creative marketers can tag to these facilities.

That idea will appeal to a lot of people.

Count me out.

You won’t catch me on a cruise. Squeezed into a 10’x10′ room on a floating virus petri-dish with 5 times more people than the town I grew up in? Well, I’ll continue to pass, thank you. Growing up with mega-elbow room in rural Wyoming still dogs me.

For this resident, however, it seems the only difference between the cruise and the vertical pasture is trading in a two-week 10’x10′ for long-term 1500 sq. ft. and no Dramamine.

Why so harsh?

I know – I’m guilty of criticizing an experience I’ve never had.

I’ve witnessed and fully appreciate the damaging effect of loneliness and isolation. This environment can rightfully claim a solution for that as its deepest benefit.

Perhaps the strongest marketing appeal is their core slogan: “We create instant community.”

My issue with this whole concept is that it seems to exploit the one remaining unacknowledged “ism” -ageism. The “-ism” that says “You’re done.” “You’re stale.” “You’re slow.” “You’re in the way.” “Go away.”

Part of me resents that we stack millions of hours of this wisdom, talent, and experience on top of each other and reduce the outlet for its potential to advance an ailing culture.

I resent that we choose to profit from sequestering accumulated talent, experience, and wisdom and disconnect it from youngers that can grow and benefit from that accumulation.

Maybe there is more that goes on in one of these facilities than I know.

Maybe I’m missing something.

Guess what? There is! And I am!

It occurred to me that before I start dumping any more vitriol on this concept that I better do some research.

So, I arranged a visit at the vertical pasture that I drive by every Wednesday. This past week, I had a two-hour tour and conversation with a very professional, veteran sales associate at this upscale facility. I was impressed – and somewhat blown away.

This is one impressive facility!

Gorgeous grounds. Incredible amenities. Pools, spas, exercise facilities, restaurants/cafes at every turn, meeting rooms, amphitheaters, all of top-notch quality and atmosphere.

Resort quality.

$500/sq.ft.

The amenities need to be good because, at this facility, you’ll pony up from $300-$500/sq.ft. to get a place to sleep. $900,000 for a 1700 sq.ft., two-bedroom plus den. They claim that all but 10% of that will come back to you in the end. They provide the services and make a profit on the 10% they keep, as I understand it. I’ve probably got that wrong, but, any way you slice it, that ends up being a pasture for pretty well-heeled participants.

Plenty of youthful interaction?

I had to broach the issue of interaction with the younger generation at this facility.

My tour guide assured me that, with 800 staff, many of which are high school age, that there was plenty of interaction with the younger set.

I can imagine the extent of that: “Did you want the broccoli with your sole? Or do you prefer the mixed green salad?”

I’m skeptical that there is an effort to promote extended, non-transactional interplay between residents and younger generations.

But maybe someone who has been a resident in a similar facility can set me straight.

It’s right for many.

I ‘spect I’m on the outside on this. These vertical pastures seem to me to be the epitome of comfort, convenience. and the unfortunate conformity that takes tons of talent, experience, and wisdom to the “north 40” and out of circulation.

A sexagenarian/septuagenarian/octogenarian is a terrible thing to waste.

How far off base am I? Let me know your thoughts – or experiences –  with a comment below or an email to gary@makeagingwork.com.

If you haven’t joined the tribe, join our list to receive a new article every week at www.makeagingwork.com and receive a free ebook “Achieving Your Full-Life Potential: Five Easy Steps to Living Longer, Healthier, and With More Purpose.”