Boomers bring their unique traits to housing markets

By: Dave Hodges / HomeFinder.com

Baby boomers, a generation of Americans who share numerous cultural and social characteristics, still do their part to shape the housing market, especially as they get older.

Just ask the Realtors, homebuilders and developers in the Big Bend, many of whom want to make sure they cater to this very active part of the market.

“The thing that I keep running across is they are a whole different generation and they have so much in common. It’s really interesting,” said Realtor Ann Cleare, an agent for new home builder Premier Fine Homes.

At Premier’s Velda Oaks community on Velda Dairy Road, the two model homes in the 48-lot neighborhood are attracting plenty of attention, especially from older buyers who’d like a bit less house to look after.

“It’s a steady stream of traffic out there. They are definitely looking,” said Cleare, who saw a similar boomer interest in Premier’s successful Adiron Woods community east of Tallahassee. There, the company expected young families to buy those homes and move in there, but 60-70 percent of the buyers were downsizers who liked the neighborhood, too, she noted.

Boomers are a demographic phenomenon described as Americans born during the post-war period from 1946 to 1964. They grew up in the 1960s and ’70s, raised children, built careers and businesses, and had a profound impact on the country’s population. Today they are empty-nesters, grandparents and are retiring at the rate of about 10,000 per day. 

One typical case for Cleare is a couple with a house of 4,000 square feet they intend to sell in favor of something around 1,700 square feet. It’s less space to clean, care for and it makes more sense as the occupants get older.

Velda Oaks residents will have their lawn care provided by the homeowners association. The two models that are three-bedroom, two-bath layouts range from 1,520 to 1,684 square feet. Premier may also offer a two-bedroom, 2.5-bath design as well.

“They are all very livable floor plans,” Cleare said. “The doorways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or a walker.” Floors are level, living spaces are open, and bathroom walls have extra bracing for grab bars to be added later.

Builder Noel Nash, who owns TriCon Builders Inc. with business partner Jason Crawford, has two projects underway now in which the owners are remodeling to incorporate features they’ll find more desirable as they get older, and to update their houses.

Nash says it’s a common occurrence. “There are plenty of times they come to me and ask what they can do in their current home as opposed to moving to a new place,” Nash said. “They are staying where they are and we are working within their budget.”

TriCon is also preparing for new single-family home construction this spring at The Preserve on Buck Lake Road. The company bought half the lots there and has baby boomers among the anticipated markets.

Nash says he has spoken with potential buyers who want to move closer to grandchildren and give up bigger houses. “That trend is still widely popular,” he said of the urge many homeowners have to downsize their residences.

Realtor Reggie Jahn of Keller Williams Realty in Tallahassee has observed much the same thing.

“I think that they are moving down. They are scaling down their housing. They are ready to get a smaller home because their kids are moving on and they have already had the big house,” Jahn said.

Each boomer client has individual preferences. “There are different houses that fit their criteria,” Jahn added, depending on where the buyers want to be. “Sometimes they want to get out and have some land. Other times they want to stay in the same neighborhood, just in a different house.”

Baby boomers, however, are not ready to park themselves in rocking chairs on the front porch. This active group of older adults is the basis for the Choose Tallahassee marketing push designed to acquaint boomers with the attributes of this area as a place to live.

Among the highlights of that campaign are Tallahassee’s trails, parks, sporting events and festivals, as well as its educational institutions, culture and arts.

Cleare noted that people often come back to Tallahassee because they have fond memories of their days at FSU and FAMU or of the college town where they once lived. Climate doesn’t hurt either. “I have a feeling that we are going to get more boomers because of our location. Tallahassee is a wonderful place,” she said.

Baby Boomers Push Medical Technology to New Heights

By: hitconsultant.net

Since they came into the world, baby boomers have been changing it. The U.S. Census Bureau defines a baby boomer as someone born between 1946 and 1964 — that makes them 75 million strong. Now that they are reaching retirement age at the rate of three million per year, baby boomers are poised to change the face of healthcare with technological advances that meet their demand for smart, savvy and easy solutions to cope with the issues of aging.

Baby boomers are definitely embracing new technologies. According to a 2012 study by Pew Internet Research, 80 percent of baby boomers use the Internet, and 46 percent use a smartphone and are familiar with downloading apps. Up to 84 percent of them are using that Internet access to search for information on healthcare. As baby boomers age and face more health issues, including the treatment of chronic diseases, technology will be forced to grow and change faster than ever to keep pace.

Baby Boomer Technology Making the Rounds

In some cases, technology that has been around for years is getting an overhaul to meet the demand of an aging population. Remote monitoring has been in use for decades, but today it comes equipped with the bells and whistles that tech-savvy boomers enjoy, such as smart sensors that track their movement and send an alert if they fall, medicine bottles that “talk” to doctors if a dose is skipped and wireless monitors that track glucose levels, heart rates and other vital points of day-to-day life.

Some technologies that were designed for everyday use have found their way into the baby boomer toolbox, such as using email for communication with healthcare providers, mobile appsthat track fitness levels and patient portals that put everything in one convenient place for a healthcare team to access.

Telehealth programs have made an impact on both convenience and cost, as illustrated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The V.A. telehealth program, which includes video conferencing and smart monitors, has reduced hospital admissions by 35 percent. For those who are admitted, the program has cut the days spent in the hospital by 59 percent. This translates into cost-savings across the board; telehealth coordinator Adam Darkins told the Washington Post that the VA saves $2,000 for every patient in the program.

Emerging Technologies for Baby Boomers

Where the need for convenience, lower cost and high quality care meet, new technologies are born. These are just a few of the technologies that are already making life easier for baby boomers — and anyone else who has a need for health care.

1. Self-service kiosks. Very common in airports, banks and retail stores, when these kiosks appear in healthcare settings, patients seem to approve. Kaiser Permanente introduced 90 self-service kiosks in 60 medical clinics in southern California, and followed up with surveys of patients. It was a success: 75 percent of patients said that the kiosk was faster than checking in with a receptionist.

But even the relatively new self-service kiosk is already being tweaked and changed. The Mobile Patient Communicator, marketed by International Medical Solutions, offers an alternative has all the function of a kiosk but is lighter, more personalized, and at about the size of a tablet, easy to move around.

2. E-visits. In a world where almost anything can be had over the Internet, why not healthcare? E-visits provide patients with an opportunity to get answers to common questions, guidance on whether a problem is serious enough for an in-person visit and even a diagnosis of simple issues. E-visits often cost much less than a regular office visit, and those visits might be covered by insurance.

3. Wireless monitors. Getting in touch with a doctor used to involved calling a receptionist and making an appointment. Now it might be a matter of simply pressing a button or two. Monitors that track everything from blood pressure and heart rate to glucose readings can send the results instantaneously to healthcare providers, who can then make suggestions or changes in care within a matter of hours, not days or weeks. Faster adjustments could mean better health and peace of mind.

4. The smart home. Baby boomers want to age in place, but that can be tough when some medical conditions require constant monitoring. The solution is a home outfitted with the latest technology to keep patients connected. Smart homes can include motion sensors, pressure-sensing tiles, and beds that are wired to collect vital signs. A good example of things to come is the Health-e-Chair, which tracks a wide range of vital signs, including lung sounds and blood oxygen saturation.

Medical Technology of the Future

Implanted chips that hold all your medical information, vaccines and other medications delivered by painless laser technology, biosensors that measure glucose through the use of reflected light — these advancements sound more like science fiction than reality, but they are already here, being tweaked for use by baby boomers who demand the best in high-tech, quality care. As baby boomers age, expect to see even more high-tech medical technology moving from futuristic concept to reality.

Boomers: 5 daily tactics to defy aging in 10 minutes or less

By: BPT

Determined, vivacious, passionate – a lot of words describe America’s estimated 78 million baby boomers. This spirited group is redefining their golden years, staying active by working, traveling and enjoying the great outdoors. They know that in order to live life to the fullest, they must make their health a priority, and many are dramatically affecting their personal well-being with a few key activities that take 10 minutes or less a day to complete.

Tavis Piattoly is a sports dietitian, expert nutritionist and co-founder of My Sports Dietitian. He stresses that small daily activities can have a cumulative effect on health, and therefore encourages baby boomers to consistently stay active and eat well.

He suggests five ways boomers can keep their health on track in 10 minutes each day:

1. Quick exercises

“Exercise should be enjoyable, so whether it is a brisk walk, strength training or participating in a sport, enjoying what you do will increase your chance of sticking with that activity,” says Piattoly.

He recommends boomers incorporate strength training into their workout routine to prevent loss of muscle tissues – a concern that increases with aging. Here are three simple exercises:

Chair squats – Use any chair and perform 10 to 12 repetitions standing up and sitting down. To increase difficulty, hold a light dumbbell to add resistance.

Wall push-ups – Place arms against a wall and perform 10 to 12 push-ups. If this is too easy, get into the push-up position on the floor, using your knees for support.

Dumbbell curls or soup-can bicep curls – Use a light to moderate weight dumbbell (2 to 10 pounds) and perform 10 to 12 bicep curls. Don’t have dumbbells? Substitute soup cans.

2. Nutrient-dense foods

It takes only minutes to eat a snack or a meal, and what’s on your plate fuels your overall health. Piattoly recommends starting with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables.

“As we age, our immune system is not as strong as it once was to fight off infections and illnesses, and fruits and veggies could play a big role in fighting off heart disease, cancer and age-related diseases,” he says

Next, Piattoly recommends eating lean protein like farm-raised eggs, extra lean beef or omega-3-rich salmon at every meal. “Since we lose muscle mass at a rate of around 1 percent per year starting at age 35, a diet rich in protein may minimize the rate at which we lose muscle,” he says.

Piattoly also suggests a balance of healthy fats. “Focus on a mix of healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios and natural peanut butter.”

3. Select supplements

“Omega-3 fatty acids, especially from fish oil, are beneficial for both brain and cardiovascular health,” Piattoly says, noting that multiple research studies have demonstrated that fish oil supplementation is linked with lower levels of beta-amyloid protein, which may lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, research shows fish oil supplementation can reduce arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, improve triglyceride levels, and increase HDL (good cholesterol). “I recommend taking between 2000 and 3000 mg per day of triglyceride-based fish oil. I personally take and recommend Nordic Naturals. They’re the leading manufacturer of omega-3 supplements and all their products are tested for purity and safety.”

Additionally, because between 50 to 75 percent of the population has a vitamin D deficiency, Piattoly recommends a vitamin D supplement. “Optimal levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease, as well as improve bone health. Shoot for 2000 IU per day but be sure to speak with your doctor to determine how much you should take,” he says.

4. Embrace technology

Numerous applications for smartphones and tablets make it easy to track your exercise progress, stay motivated and eat healthy. Best of all, most apps are free and only take a few minutes a day to use.

“I’m a big fan of MyFitnessPal, a nice fitness and nutrition app where you can track your activity and what you eat. You can visit www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app to your smartphone.”

5. Be social

“One of the best things boomers can do is form a social network of friends who enjoy living a healthier lifestyle,” says Piattoly. “Surrounding yourself with active people increases your opportunities for healthy activities. Habits are contagious, so associate with people who enjoy regular exercise.”

Los jubilados españoles, los vigesimonovenos que mejor viven del mundo

Por: Inés Calderón / www.invertia.com

Según un estudio de Natixis, España ocupa el 29º puesto en el Global Retirement Index, con el que miden la calidad de la vida de los jubilados. En general, España destaca por su sistema sanitario y por las condiciones sociales de sus retirados, aunque en materia financiera están por detrás de otros países. La crisis ha hecho que perdiera cuatro puestos en el ranking.

Los jubilados españoles obtienen una puntuación de 69 sobre 100 en el Global Retirement Index, elaborado por Natixis, en el que se analiza la vida de los retirados en 150 países del mundo. Destacan por la calidad de su sanidad (83 puntos sobre 100) y por la calidad de vida en general (79 puntos). Por el contrario, renquean en las cuestiones financieras (62 puntos) y materiales (57).

Suiza y Noruega empatan en cabeza del índice, con 84 puntos sobre 100 y también Austria supera los 80.

Dentro de la eurozona, España está en la media-baja de la tabla, ya que sólo seis países (Estonia, Grecia, Chipre, Letonia, Portugal, Eslovenia y Eslovaquia) están por detrás en la clasificación.

CLASIFICACIÓN POR PAÍSES

Además, España ha perdido cuatro puestos respecto al anterior índice, sobre todo por la pérdida de seguridad material. No obstante, las dudas sobre el futuro financiero de los jubilados no sólo se ciñe a España, sino que ha sido algo generalizado en la mayoría de países desarrollados por la puesta en marcha de reformas en materia de pensiones.

Según Sophie del Campo, directora general de Natixis Global Asset Management para Iberia y Latinoamérica, las reformas de pensiones realizadas “ponen de manifiesto a nivel mundial que para garantizar la seguridad financiera en la jubilación, los individuos tendrán que asumir el control de sus propios destinos y empezar a planificar y ahorrar para su jubilación”.

German Exports Grandmas and Grandpas Seek Homes Abroad

By: Medical Tourism Magazine

An elderly woman gingerly walks along a shopping mall in Berlin, looking to cross the street. Although the fall air has comfortably graced the autumn of her life, on this day she may soon find herself not reaching for the nearest curb, but rather beyond national borders to countries like Austria, Poland and Slovakia, among others in the European Union where some of Germany’s growing senior population are finding nursing care to be not only more affordable, but friendly as well.

Often too frail to live on their own, grandmothers and grandfathers across Germany are forsaking long-term care in their country of origin for the personal and round-the-clock attention that makes nursing facilities abroad feel more like home.

Long considered a pillar of the country’s welfare model, Germany’s extended care system is one of only a handful offered by nations worldwide – Japan, Korea and the Netherlands, the others – that provides financial protection to citizens who cannot live independently because of their age.

Cost and care are driving the early exodus from Germany. That there aren’t enough nurses to provide adequate treatment doesn’t help.

Nursing Shortage

The shortage is expected to increase. A study found that Germany will need to add capacity to accommodate 3.2 million patients entering nursing homes and in-patient facilities by 2030. The rapidly aging population will drive the demand for 371,000 in-patient beds, 157,000 more nurses and 331,000 additional health workers within the same period. The “2013 Nursing and Medical Home Report” by Accenture, Rheinisch- Westfalisches Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung and the Institute for Healthcare Business, shows Germany will need to invest between 54-73 billion euros to manage the influx of new patients entering in-patient facilities by 2030.

Caregivers speak German, the elevator announcement is in German, residents dine on classic German cuisine and German soccer stars race back and forth on a large-screen television.

The World Health Organization calls Germany a “demographic time bomb.” Alarmingly so, almost a third of all Germans — by 2050 – will climb to 65 years or older. Many will be in need of nursing care, a situation made more troublesome because nursing care, experts agree, is looked upon as a less than- attractive profession.

“Working in the nursing sector needs to become more attractive to meet the shortage of trained nurses,” said Sebastian Krolop, M.D., managing director of Accenture’s health business and co-author of the study. “However, this means the compensation needs to rise and health systems need to increase operational productivity so nurses can focus more on patient care.”

Sonja Miskulin can’t remember the nine-hour trip she took to Poland from the German home she left behind forever. Dementia has gotten the best of the wheelchair bound 94-yearold, who was sent north by her daughter in the hope of a better life and less expensive care.

Global Dilemma

Exporting grandmas like Miskulin has global implications beyond Deutschland, where one in five seniors already consider traveling abroad to culminate their lives in a nursing home. All countries are aging. The United Nations estimates that the world’s population over 60 years of age will grow to 2 billion by 2050. By that time, Germany will have the oldest population in the world (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), second only to Japan. As life expectancies increase in industrialized nations like Germany, Japan and Italy, the cost of nursing care is becoming prohibitive for a global generation of baby boomers entering old age.

In Germany, where the price of senior care is softened by government assistance, spending on the elderly is expected to increase from 1.4 percent of gross domestic product to 3.3 percent of GDP by 2060, the European Commission reported. Long-term nursing insurance in Germany is predicated on the equal contribution between employees and employers — roughly 2 percent of an individual’s income. But, the model, designed by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck 120 years ago, has exposed limitations with its own age.

Leonard Tegls sits among a group of German and Polish residents at a nursing home in Szklarska, a mountain town in Poland. As he moves Scrabble pieces, Polish workers serenade him with hugs, smiles and encouragement. Tegls told NPR that his stepdaughter brought him to Poland, 500 miles from the German town of Moenchengladbach, after he could no longer fend for himself and she did not have room to take him. He is one of 10 German seniors at the Sun House, and that number is expected double soon.

“Our treatment isn’t different than what is offered in Germany,” Helena Grab, director at the Sun House, said to NPR. “But, what German relatives of the patients tell us is that it’s much more warm-hearted. We treat them in a friendly and hands-on manner. We knock on the door before we go into rooms. This approach appeals to our patients’ loved ones.”

Not all on Board

Not all Germans are on board with their seniors packing up and leaving. A TNS Emnid poll found that more than 4 of every 5 Germans reject the idea of elderly citizens spending their final years in Poland or nearby Slovakia, another country to which seniors are moving. Munich’s leading newspaper Suedeutsche branded the trend as “gerontologic colonialism and featured a cartoon depicting Germans traveling eastward on walkers, in wheelchairs, and on hospital beds.

Klaus Pawletko, of the Berlin-based Friends of the Elderly, blames the German senior migration on inexpensive facilities abroad and relatives determined to protect their inheritance. He said sending elderly Germans to a foreign country makes them feel cast off.

As seniors exit, the German economy prods along. One in 10 Germans are unemployed. Jobs once considered life-long are expected to be gone before new ones emerge. The search for employment has broken families, meaning more women have to work and are unable to care or look after older parents like their mothers did. A new generation of retirees will have more problems than planned for.

While nursing home costs have escalated, to some $3,800 per month in Germany, pensions have relatively remained the same. Arthur Frank, founder of the Senior Palace in Slovakia, told the Christian Science Monitor that his five homes cost between $1,300 and $1,800 per month. Germans can either get their nursing home costs partially covered or receive a lump sum, of roughly $910, that can be used by relatives. A good number of relatives opt for the larger sum and forgo nursing home care.

Free Movement: EU Reality

European Union law forbids German insurance funds from establishing deals with nursing homes abroad, in part, because regulating quality of care then becomes difficult. But, free movement is a reality in the EU. Experts say the number of people traveling to other countries will be limited – about 5,000 per year – but is still a worrisome sign. Small steps to lift obstacles that keep the elderly from remaining independent could curb the exodus, but not all are on the same page.

Polish entrepreneurs and owners of resorts look at elderly Germans with money in the bank and see opportunity. Facilities that once saw better days, now welcome Germans with a little bit of Germany.

At the nursing home in Zabelkow, a Polish town once ruled by Austria’s Habsburg Empire and by Prussia, caregivers speak German, the elevator announcement is in German, residents dine on classic German cuisine and German soccer stars race back and forth on a large-screen television. Fabrice Gerdes, who managed the opening in March, told Bloomberg News that the home has filled its 34 beds and is finishing six more rooms that are already spoken for – in German, of course.

“We have significantly beaten the goals we set for ourselves,” said Gerdes.

Young, yet Restless

In the end, sending grandma and grandpa across the border may spring more problems than an early frost. Good care in the Czech Republic can mean a 10-year wait. How soon before the natives in Slovakia get restless is only a matter of time – in the Europe Union, in Japan, or – for that matter – anywhere in the world where elderly populations grow and sound, affordable care diminishes?

Dimitrios Kalantzis says his 82-year-old grandmother is unable to care for herself. She spent the majority of her adult life in Germany, where she moved to from Greece decades ago to work in a factory with her husband. Kalantzis says his grandfather died in 1994 and his grandmother traveled to the United States to live in Brooklyn with his mother.

There are about 10 million people in the United States taking care of elderly parents. Dimitrios Kalantzis said being a full-time caregiver can take a toll on someone who already has a full-time job. He knows. His mother does both.

Why Boomers Are More Likely To Succeed as Entrepreneurs

By: Alexandra Levit / business2community.com

A study by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation reported that the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity over the last few years is not Gen-Y upstarts, but Baby Boomers in the 55-64 year age group. In fact, Boomers are actually driving a new entrepreneurship boom as they retire from their traditional corporate jobs and seek more meaningful sources of work.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60 percent of the country’s workforce is currently made up of senior employees, but long-term employment has fallen dramatically for people ages 35-64. Since the first Internet-era recession, transaction costs and barriers to entry have fallen for entrepreneurs of every age. And with longer life expectancies and greater health in later life, older generations are starting new firms and mentoring young entrepreneurs in record numbers.

According to Jeff Mariola, the Boomer CEO of online marketing firm Digital Brandworks, Boomers are also more likely to succeed as entrepreneurs. When I asked Jeff why this was the case, he provided four compelling reasons.

Greater emotional intelligence

The rapid growth and constant change environment inherent in a start-up business requires steady and consistent leadership. Boomer CEOs have worked through countless change management initiatives over the years. They can provide their coworkers with the guidance, inspiration and motivation required to get everyone focused on the vision of the business while acknowledging that the road to get there will naturally be filled with anxiety, fear and exhilaration.

Savvy talent management

The long term success of a start-up relies heavily on the recruitment of the best talent. Boomer CEOs have learned through painful trial and error the artful process of finding the right people. Having made a few bad hires in their time, they understand who to bring on and who to pass on – and why. They have also learned how to get the best work out of existing talent.

Networking that’s finally paying off

Experienced CEOs have a better understanding of how to manage critical external relationships with banks, investors and board members. Credibility is key in these relationships, and the fact that Boomer CEOs have “been there and done that” is reassuring to outside stakeholders. Also, most Boomers simply have bigger networks and thousands of valuable dormant ties as a result of decades of networking.

Financial experience and extra capital

Most start-ups fail because they run out of cash. Boomer CEOs fully understand the significance of cash flow and how to manage and protect it. They have a more accurate picture of what things will cost and how long it will take to turn a profit. Also, most Boomers have more savings to safely invest as capital in their business to give it the best fighting chance. In general, this is how the rich get richer in business.

If you think about it, the qualities and seasoning that make Boomers great entrepreneurs make them great employees and intrapreneurs as well. I always jump at the chance to work with a Boomer because I know I will learn a ton. I have numerous Boomer mentors who I tap for advice periodically. I drink up their experience and perspective like a sweet cocktail, and my efforts are always better for it.

Boomers sometimes get a reputation for being stuck in their ways. But sometimes, it’s because those ways work. So the next time you are tempted to be ageist, recognize that the Boomers have advantages that you don’t and thus should be an essential component of every team.