Workers Stay on the Job Longer

Work Zone“More older Americans nationwide are choosing to remain part of the workforce than they were a decade ago, according to data by the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether the reason is financial necessity or personal satisfaction, one thing is certain, workers are going gray…The average American expects to retire at 67, according to Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance survey, conducted from April 9 to 12. That’s up from 63 a decade ago and age 60 in the mid-1990s…[Queens, NY, District Attorney Richard] Brown said he believes many seniors continue to work because it gives them a sense of purpose, self-worth and personal satisfaction, even if their work consists of volunteer activities.” Read more here.

 

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Community Photo Album: April

Activities at our busy communitites in April included gardening, exercising, and decorating hats for spring. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

 

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The Benefits of Reading

Business Technology“Your Brain on Books: 20 Proven Benefits of Being an Avid Reader” was posted HERE on Best Colleges Online, but 19 of the benefits cited, for example, improve memory, enhance creativity, and stave off dementia, are equally important to older readers. The 20th benefit? Better test scores, which will also benefit older students!

 

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St. Louis Monsanto YMCA Computer Classes Attract African-American Elders

Inner Life Of Numbers“The St. Louis Monsanto YMCA has the largest population of participating African-American seniors out of any YMCA in the country…One of the biggest attractions… is the computer classes for seniors, said Mildred Boyd [81], who organizes the classes and sometimes leads them.” OASIS, a national nonprofit that provides educational and volunteer opportunities to seniors, has taken over the teaching role. “‘[Mildred] was doing it all on her own,’ said Sharon Hales, community outreach manager for OASIS. ‘We were able to provide her with evidence-based curriculum.’ In 2011, nationwide enrollment into OASIS’ technology classes topped 7,700 in 90 locations.” Click here to read more in the St. Louis American.

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Super Senior James Gray

SPORTSLos Angeles area readers can see James Gray, 92 years old, on channel KCET’s television show “Your Turn To Care,” May 9th at 8 pm or May 10 at 2:30 pm! Mr. Gray is a resident of The Grove Senior Apartments in Garden Grove, one of the communities EngAGE serves. See a preview of the show below:

“James Gray is a firm believer that age is just a number.  Widowed after 30 years of marriage, he spends his days playing golf.  His love affair with the links began when he first picked up a club over 50 years ago.  Mr. Gray hits a bucket of balls and works on his putting almost every weekday.   And every Saturday he meets his friends at a public course for 18 holes, proclaiming he ‘eats, sleeps and thinks golf!’ The sport he loves gives him plenty of exercise, socializing and pure enjoyment.”

 

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Older Americans Month and the Bealtaine Festival

There are two special celebrations of aging in May: “Older Americans Month: Never Too Old to Play” in the U.S. and the “Bealtaine Festival: Celebrating Creativity as We Age” in Ireland. Click the links to learn more about each one. Enjoy the video below about the Bealtaine Festival. ~ Do you know of others? Please leave a comment!

Video link contributed by Maureen Kellen-Taylor.

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You’re Never Too Old to Learn

Business TechnologyTwo stories of mature college graduates:

CINCINNATI — “Clell Elliott knows what he’s talking about when he tells anyone wanting a college degree to never give up. The 89-year-old Ohio man will graduate Saturday [5/5] from a university in southern Ohio where he began as a freshman more than 50 years ago…He was the only one of a dozen siblings to attend high school, but his sharecropper father insisted he drop out as a sophomore in 1938 to work the 201-acre farm in Carter County where the family grew tobacco, corn and other crops…Elliot’s three children – ages 69, 62 and 59 – will be there to see their father graduate. ‘We’re very proud of him,’ said son Terry Elliott, also of Franklin Furnace. “It’s awesome to be 59 and preparing to attend your father’s college graduation.'” Read more here.

LISMORE, Australia — “An  Australian who got into the Guinness World Records by getting a degree in law at  91 has done it again with a master’s at 97…Allan Stewart was to receive his degree in clinical science Friday [5/4] from  Southern Cross University, The Australian reported. It is his fourth degree,  achieved 72 years after he graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree  in dentistry.” Read more here.

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