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Baby Boomers Realize Childhood Dreams at MLB Fantasy Camps

aadmin — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:53:30 +0000

Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach, I feel it in the air, the summer's out of reach: The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Fantasy: Psychologists describe it as an escape mechanism to deal with the rigors of daily life or label it as reverie to cope with unfulfilled dreams. Boys imagine facing a fast ball or slider from a Major League pitcher but never realize their aspirations in real life. As aging adults, they cling to youthful hero worship of Mantle and Maris , Clemente, Mays, Aaron, Yastrzemski.

2014 finds large parts of the USA and Canada in the deep freeze of a polar vortex. Spring training in Florida and Arizona begins in late February but seems like never-never-land. The boys of summer seem too far off to even consider.

Major League Baseball Fantasy Camps

Some mature adults have taken matters into their own hands. For those who can afford it - $3.5 thousand to $5.5 thousand - retired men in their 50s and 60s can be play for 5 to 8 days at MLB Fantasy Camps against former greats, like Wade Boggs for Red Sox aficionados; George Brett and Bret Saberhagen for KC Royals die-hards; Vida Blue and Gaylord Perry for SF Giants fans.

Boomers faithful to The Bronx Bombers can be coached by former professionals like Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez from the Yankees 1977 World Series Champions and suit up in iconic pinstripe uniforms. Participants receive personal lockers, professional training, autograph sessions, and dream games against former MLB players.

A lot of the fantasy camps are ending, but aging Detroit Tiger loyalists can still play ball from January 26 to February 2, 2014 in Lakeland, Florida and meet Mickey Lolich, 1968 World Series MVP. Other MLB fantasy camps are available, too. See Baseball Fantasy Camp Directory - www.baseballfantasycampdirectory.com.

Athletic Conditioning for Baseball Fantasy Camps

Middle-aged fans of “The Bronx Zoo” who want a head start on fantasy camp have discovered year-long conditioning with Dana Cavalea, trainer of The Yanks for 7 years - 2007 to 2013 - who has added an adult training component to his ML Strength training facility in White Plains, NY.

Cavalea’s 65-year-old father plays in Florida fantasy leagues and has approached his son for year-round health tips.

During his years as the Yankee trainer, Dana was approached by many people about health-related issues. “I saw the older demographic predominated with their questions, especially about the aging process and injuries.” he said.

For Cavalea, working with professionals is not substantially different than working with Baby Boomers or the population at large. “It’s the same recipe, dialed down for each person’s level.” He’s helped clients rebuild their activity level in a similar method to MLB players by focusing on balance, coordination and body control.

The ML Strength program is broken down into three levels.

Training camp. Group-based classes for 15 to 18 people.
Pro Training. Individualized attention for 4 to 5 like-minded people.
ML elite. One-on-one training where a client teams up with a personal coach and a detailed program.

Baseball Fantasy Camp lovers can achieve fitness with a ML Strength trainer, and then head out to fulfill their boyhood dreams with the boys of summer.

Let's play ball.

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Five Tips for Selling “Really Active” Retirement Communities

aadmin — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:08:25 +0000

The best active retirement housing communities are those taking a holistic approach to their program offerings. They are adding new ones, eliminating those that have lost their steam. But, most importantly, they continue to be creative and listen.

After judging the MOMBA awards for www.retirementhomes.com, I saw first-hand the exceptional work being done by many to attract active retirees.

Maybe it’s time to take a look at your programs, or more importantly, your marketing philosophy to attract new residents. Here are five points you can use:

1. Continuing to focus on the Boomers’ generational DNA. It’s different than the generations that came before and those that follow it. The main characteristics are the desire for independence or autonomy. For Boomers, it means freedom; having choices. They say, “When I retire I want to do the things I want to do, and live the way I want to live.” They don’t take what comes; they want the very best that older age can offer.

2. Understanding personal and spiritual growth and the need for self-fulfillment. It’s what makes the Boomer generation so individualistic. Acknowledge their desire through your active retirement programs. For example, they may say they really want to work with disabled children. How can you connect them to local opportunities through agencies and health and human services organizations?

3. Saluting Boomers’ need for a life of balance. In a few words, helping them master their second act by balancing rest, relaxation and recreation. You might reach out to them to discuss and research programs that help them create equilibrium in their lives. Start with their thoughts. Lean on them for input. They will help you manage the opportunities especially when they believe in them and can see that their input counts.

4. Understand that Boomers are “information junkies.” That’s especially true with educated, affluent Boomers. They are on a perpetual “voyage to the interior” They relish the wonderful life of discovery. Peter Spiers, senior vice president of the nonprofit Road Scholars and a good friend, has highlighted the Boomer journey in his book, Master Class: Living Linger, Stronger and Happier.

5. Recognize their defining idea is freedom from the responsibilities and obligations of 40 years of work. So, you spell that out for them in specific ways. You find ways to portray your retirement location as creating more “freedom experiences.” You find ways to show them how their residency will result in new experiences and learning new things.

You show them your facility’s proximity to learning centers, back-to-college experiences and how your retirement housing stresses educational advancement. You foster an environment that stresses “cultural immersion” travel experiences allowing Boomers to learn holistically.

You form a Successful Aging Council of residents to help you think through ways to advance the idea of more freedom. You want to show residents and potential ones in this age group to learn how to do in retirement what they could not do during their working lives.

As a rule, the Boomer generation doesn’t take what comes – they want the best old age can offer. They will help you build a “more active” Active Retirement Housing Community. All you need to do is ask!

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ElderChicks.com: A weblog for active living seniors

aadmin — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:04:08 +0000

Active living senior women looking for a place to hear and share stories with like-minded peers now have a blog to add to their favorite links. ElderChicks.com is a web log run by two senior women. It is a place where they share experiences and encourage their readers to write and participate in their website.

"We are part of the fastest growing part of the population: senior women in their retirement years.

Senior women living in a world most of our mothers and grandmothers didn't imagine, let alone inhabit," reads the front page of the site.

The site is run by Dr Thelma Reese and Dr Barbara Fleisher, both grandmothers with extensive career histories. The site is aimed to help bring older women together on topics such as lifestyle, entertainment and personal stories. A large part of the content on the website comes from other active living seniors who are eager to contribute to the discussion through advice or reflection.

The internet can be an excellent resource for seniors who are looking to connect with other people in their age group. This blog is just one of many sites tailored to active living seniors.

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Utah Symphony joins Alzheimer's Association to use music as therapy

aadmin — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:04:11 +0000

The Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera are partnering with the Alzheimer's Association to provide special programs to seniors suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and those who care for them. This is the first time the organizations have partnered together, and they will be hosting special programs throughout the month of May, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Though Alzheimer's affects memory, those with the disease are still able to enjoy music. Dr Norman Foster, professor of neurology at the University of Utah, told the source "It's important to realize that many cognitive and emotional abilities are spared and remain undamaged."

He stressed the importance of focusing on the abilities of those with Alzheimer's, rather than the things they cannot do.

The month of events is titled "Making Sense of Alzheimer's", aptly named as much of the programming is centered around heightening the senses of those with dementia. In addition to music, attendees of the events will receive chocolates, or touch and smell intricate costume pieces, according to the source.

The events are also an opportunity for the caregivers and family of those with the disease to connect with one another, as well as share in the music and experiences.

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Good News for retirement living seniors: Social Security sites receive high ratings

aadmin — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:04:09 +0000

A new report shows that three of the online services offered by the U.S. government's Social Security website rank high when it comes to customer satisfaction. Both the online retirement estimator and the benefits application received a rating of 90, which is higher than the private sector's top scoring website, Netflix.

User friendly websites are a major benefit to seniors, whether they are adept at navigating the internet or not.

Michael J.

Asture, commissioner of Social Security, made a statement commending the office's performance. "The internet provides the public with the ability to conduct business at their convenience and at their own pace, without the need to take leave from work, travel to a field office, and wait to meet with an agency representative."

Asture also remarked that the sites allow Social Security employees to expediently process customer information.

For many seniors who are disabled or do not have viable transportation, the internet can be a very useful tool. The ability to access information and receive customer support via the web is a way for many to avoid the hassle and bureaucracy that inconvenience many retirement living seniors.

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Love of learning key to long life for retirement living seniors

aadmin — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:04:09 +0000

Retirement living seniors who tend to shun pop culture news and the latest technological advances may want to consider giving the modern world another try.

According to Reuters, the key to a long and happy life may lie in embracing technology and current events. The news source reports that a recent study, which surveyed 100 centenarians, found that several retirement living seniors reported constant use of iPods and text messaging.

"If I could leave any message, never stop learning. Period. That's it," said Maurice Eisman, a centenarian who lives in Maryland, told the news source.

One surprising result of the survey is how much the 100-year-old participants kept up with pop culture. When asked who they would like to invite to dinner if given the chance, the most popular response was Betty White.

There are other ways to achieve longevity for those retirement living seniors who aren't able to adopt a technological way of living. Yahoo! Health advises people to eat healthy, drink clean water and practice tai chi in order to promote longevity.

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Personality may affect chances of Alzheimer's Disease

aadmin — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:04:09 +0000

Most retirement living seniors are concerned about Alzheimer's Disease, but new research suggests that one's personality may have an effect on being diagnosed with the mental illness.

Psychologists at the University of Washington in St.

Louis conducted a study on 79 individuals between the ages of 44 and 88. The team performed MRIs on the volunteers and discovered a noticeable difference in brain matter between people who were considered neurotic and those who were even-tempered.

"There are lots of nonhuman animal studies that suggest that chronic stress is associated with deleterious effects on the brain, and this helped us form the hypothesis that we'd see similar effects in older adults," said Jonathan Jackson, the study's co-author.

However, the researchers also noted that it's the brain changes that may be influencing one's personality, and not the other way around.

"Right now, we can't disentangle those two," said co-author Denise Head.

Alzheimer's Disease remains one of the most serious mental illnesses amongst retirement living seniors. According to the Alzheimer's Association, over five million people are currently battling the illness in the United States.

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Retirement living seniors set to fly solo around the world

aadmin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:04:08 +0000

Some active living seniors set out to accomplish something new when they retire. Those who are passionate about writing a novel or running a marathon often discover they suddenly have the time to commit themselves to an exciting goal.

According to the New Straight Times, one retirement living senior has sky high aspirations for his golden years.

The news source reports that Captain William M.

Charney, a Vietnam War veteran, is planning on flying solo around the world. The 74-year-old active senior will attempt to circumnavigate the globe, but will be doing it without a time crunch.

"I am not racing against anything. This is a personal challenge and adventure for me as I am able to meet many people and see many world heritage sites. And what better way than to do it lying low level," he told the New Strait Times.

The first person to fly solo around the world was Wiley Post, who accomplished the task in 1933.

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Aspirin may be harmful for some retirement living seniors

aadmin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:04:08 +0000

While some people believe in the age-old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," other retirement living seniors rely on their daily dose of aspirin to remain healthy. The over-the-counter medication is widely believed to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Now, a new study may shed some light on these ideas.

According to the AARP Bulletin Today, the risks of taking aspirin, which includes bleeding in the brain and stomach, far outweighs its benefits.

"That's not a trivial side effect," Michael LeFevre, a professor of family medicine at the University of Missouri, told the news source. "We're talking about people who get hospitalized."

The news outlet reports that retirement living seniors over the age of 80 should think about refraining from taking aspirin as part of their everyday health regimen. However, not everyone should immediately discount the miracle pill.

"Aspirin is a lifesaving medicine in patients with established cardiovascular disease," Jeffrey Berger, a cardiologist at New York University, told the news outlet.

Retirement living seniors who are concerned about their cardio health may also consider a regular fitness routine and eating healthy as ways to prevent heart disease.

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Retirement living seniors to be featured in new reality show

aadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:04:08 +0000

Reality television may be all the rage now, but shows such as The Jersey Shore and the Real World are filmed with the younger generation in mind. Now, the WE channel will be producing a reality series that highlights the daily lives of a group of active living seniors.

Sunset Daze, which follows a group of active seniors between the ages of 61 and 70 years old, premieres tonight on the women's cable channel.

"So many people watch those other shows," cast member Linda Durkee-Quigley, 64, told the Sun Times.

"But we have all that stuff on our show, too."

The reality series is set in a retirement living community located in Sun City, Arizona, and will follow the active living seniors as they go drinking and dancing, and enjoy each other's company in a hot tub.

"From my point of view, the show is trying to let everybody know that whether you're 55 or 65 or whatever, life doesn't end at that age," Durkee-Quigley told the news source.

According to Neilsen.com, the average American watches four hours of television every day.

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