As a reminder, please join us at the San Jose – King Library for the 3rd Annual Author / Book Fair from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 15, 2015. We’ll be at a designated table with our books on the 2nd floor at 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112. Then in Room 225 from 2:50 to 3:15pm we’ll participate in a panel discussion called “On the Road” to discuss how we Boomers established our encore careers while living and working in Africa. We are thrilled to have been invited to this event.
And speaking of Boomers, PBS’ Next Avenue recently published a list of what it believes are the top 50 influencers on aging. According to the PBS article, “Roughly 10,000 boomers are turning 65 each day, but the ‘baby boom’ is only the beginning, as people around the world live longer lives in greater numbers. Questions concerning the effect of aging on our future health, work, finances, lifestyle and communities are more pressing than ever and affect us all. The remarkable people named to Next Avenue’s first annual Influencers in Aging list are tackling these questions and finding new ways of living longer, healthier and happier lives.”
These influencers range from university professors to health care professionals to directors of nonprofits focused on aging/health to engineers inventing tools and robots to help us as we age. Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, was named Influencer of the Year 2015. All influencers were asked, “If you could change one thing about aging in America, what would it be?” Their answers are fascinating and as varied as their areas of focus. One simple formula was stated by 91-year-old “wunderkind” Barbara Beskind who said, “I recommend good posture and a brisk 30-minute walk daily from early childhood on. This builds bone density and balance reflexes that reduce the rate of falls and injuries in later years.”
Dan Buettner, longevity researcher & author recommends to “Shift more of the $2 trillion we spend annually on sickness and spend it more on keeping people healthy in the first place.” And one of my favorite quotes, James Firman, CEO of National Council on Aging (NCOA) says, “ It’s time to create new norms and expectations for people age 60 to 100. Baby boomers and older adults can continue to shape society. Let’s not squander our longevity!” Indeed, Boomers: let’s continue to pioneer productivity in our next chapter, whether it’s through volunteering or an encore career!
