OlderWiserWomen

OlderWiserWomen is lucky in that women contact us all the time about their writing, their stories, the work they are doing and the businesses they run. The more visible we all are, the better in my opinion. Here are a few blogs/websites that have been brought to my attention…

• a little red hen: peace, politics, yarnlife after 60
• Pet Portraits by Diane
• Wise Women Resources
• Inspiring Woman
• Talk to Bev

Enjoy!

When I was growing up, I never thought about the idea of middle age so much, and certainly, old age described my grandmother’s age. But then…getting older is not what it use to be!

Certainly as we’ve all gotten older, we have changed our definitions of what middle age and old age are - but for most of us, it’s still rather a vague number. While our average life expectancy in the US is around 76 years for women, it makes no sense to me that middle age would be 38. I certainly didn’t feel middle age at 38. May now at 51…but not at 38.

And “old age”? I’m not even sure when that’s suppose to begin. For me, it’s not really a number, but more of an attitude. In my practice, I see women in their 30’s and 40’s who are “old” - their health, their beliefs, their looks. At the same time, I see women in their 70’s and 80’s who cannot possibly be “old”.

How do you define middle age and old age?

Well it’s finally official…those of us who are single can be happy too! For years many women have been plagued by the notion that we “had” to be attached to someone in order to find happiness in life. I’m starting to see studies published that say “not so!”. Here is one article that addresses not only the issue of women being alone, but our financial future as well…..

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“Single women are doing OK, AARP survey finds”

Single women of a “certain age” used to be considered almost pathetic. Whether widowed, divorced, or never married, the older woman was perceived as being lonely and financially insecure.

Well, the stereotypes are wrong.

The AARP polled more than 2,500 women aged 45 and older for its AARP Foundation Women’s Leadership Circle Study. The results, says AARP author Sarah Mahoney, indicate that older women are in a much better place than thought.

For one thing, while having a “significant other” is still important to many single women, it is no longer key to their happiness. Eighty-one percent polled said they were comfortable with the prospect of being alone as they age.

You can read the entire article here.

Baby boomers, your adventures are only just beginning.

The Peace Corps believes that no single group has more to offer in terms of experience, maturity, and demonstrated ability. Because there’s no upper age limit to serve, it’s never too late. In fact, Volunteers who are well into their 80’s have served and continue to serve. Join us for an evening of pictures and stories about Peace Corps service for the plus-50 Volunteer. Neal and Judy Hansen will be our keynote speakers. They served as Peace Corps Volunteers in their 50’s. Judy was responsible for establishing a new creativity program. Neal worked with small business and helped establish export opportunities.

Thursday, Sept. 21
7 to 8 p.m.
University of Washington
Waterfront Activities Center (Behind Husky Stadium) Montlake Boulevard and Pacific Avenue NE
Seattle, WA

Prospective applicants and other interested members of the general public are invited to this upcoming event. Please feel free to bring additional guests.

Everyone is welcome. RSVP’s encouraged though not strictly required. RSVP with the total number of people in your party to seattle@peacecorps.gov, specifying “RSVP Retirement Redefined - Sept. 21 Event” in your subject line.
Or simply call 800.424.8580 and ask to speak to someone.

Website: www.peacecorps.gov

As we get older, we begin to think of our living situation…for ourselves and for our parents. No one WANTS to eventually end up living with others, yet living or being around family memebers and/or close friends far outweights the possibility of moving into an asissted living type of home or a nursing home.

More and more, people are making choices to remodel their homes so that Mom and Dad can live at home longer. See what others are doing? Does it spark any ideas for you? If not about your parents, what about for yourself?

Feeling Much Safer At Home

We boomers are at a stage in life where we would prefer things to be easier. Taking care of a single-family home can be lots of work, and in younger years, gardening and home improvements are proud and gratifying accomplishments. But if you’re thinking of simplifying things and moving into a condominium where everything is taken care of for you, know what to expect before you sign on the dotted line.

First, who runs the association? If you’re buying a new condo or your new condo is under construction, the developer is probably still in control. If that’s the case, realize that the developer subsidizes many of the expenses of the association as a regular part of business. Lawyers, contractors, plumbers, etc. are all services that the developer routinely pays for. When the association is turned over to the membership, the members will have to foot the bill, and the quarterly or monthly maintenance fee will undoubtedly rise.

If the membership has already taken over the association, who is the president and who are the members of the board? What are their qualifications for running a corporation? That’s what a condo association is—a living, breathing corporation and it needs people at the helm who are capable of guiding the association properly. Watch out for “this is my territory” board presidents, too. Meet the board to decide whether they’re in it for the good of the community or whether they’re in it just to suit their own needs. Try to attend a board meeting, and notice how well things proceed.

After determining that you’re moving into a condominium with a responsible board, the next thing to consider is the reserves. How old is the association and how much money have it saved to repair roofs, fix the swimming pool, maintain the roads, etc. If the reserves are low or nil, expect assessments. These costs are in addition to your maintenance fees and can mean thousands of dollars in expense that will have to be paid almost as soon as they are billed. Non-payment will result in legal action, liens against your property, and potential foreclosure. If you don’t find that sufficient reserves exist, find another condo.

You should also check to see how many of the units are rented out, either seasonally or annually. A ratio of higher than 10% is not conducive to keeping a stable neighborhood. Transients don’t maintain units the way owners do, and aren’t as concerned about the common areas because they don’t own them. Make sure that a maximum limit is recorded in the condo documents. Banks may not make mortgages in a condominium where too many of the units are even available for rent.

Do some research about the property management company who runs the finances of the condominium, too. Are they reputable? Have they ever been involved in a lawsuit? How long have they been in business? Are their community association managers licensed? (Licenses aren’t required in some states.) Be careful. Unscrupulous management companies have been known to abscond with community funds. Be sure your association uses a stable company with a good reputation.

Condo living is far different from living in a single-family home. Everyone has to work together to maintain the condominium in top condition, and that means you can’t do just what you want to do all the time. Unit owners own only the space within their walls. Everything outside the front and back door belongs to everyone in the community and so does the pool, the tennis courts, or any other amenities on the common property.

You may not be able to display the gnomes that you brought from your woodland home in front of your condo. You may not be able to fly a flag, except the American flag. You probably won’t be able to work on a car in your driveway or park a commercial vehicle on the property overnight. Your dogs will have to be leashed and you will have to pick up after them, and you can’t play loud music at the pool.

Yet, you will probably make some of the best friends of your life. Though condo living has its restrictions, it also has its perks. Neighbors get together for parties often, and you’ll never have to cut the grass or trim the hedges again. You won’t have to clean the pool. And you won’t have to paint your buildings or replace windows when they get broken, for whatever reason.

Every set of condominium declarations and by-laws are different. The last important thing you have to do is to READ the prospectus and be sure to get your own copy. Know what the rules and regulations are. Understand what the membership can and cannot do. Study the condominium laws specific to your state because buying a condominium is a big decision. Be sure to make it wisely.

Pat Marcello, has been a condo president for more than 5 years and owns OVMarketing (http://ovweb.net), OVEditing.com, and OVBlogger.com.