Aging Can Be an Active Time If You Make Yourself Ready for the Opportunity

There was an article in my local newspaper this past week which really caught my eye. The article was entitled ‘Active aging’ at 50, and focused on the number of opportunities that will be available to those who choose to serve a 50 years of age and older population in the coming years. There were many predictions around the need for more in the way of wellness programs, personal trainers, age-friendly cities, “green exercise” and the re-engineering of industries to accommodate a healthier older market. Additionally there would be a redefinition of retirement with workers retiring far later than preceding generations, not just because they want to earn additional income, but also to feel useful and productive.

These are very encouraging forecasts for the Baby Boomer generation and those generations to follow it as they get older. In many ways the Baby Boomer generation is the first to have these opportunities be available to it. If you go back to just before the turn of the 20th century, the average age that people lived to was 46 years of age. Even in the United States in the 1930’s the average life expectancy was 63 years of age. Today, life expectancy for a person turning 65 years old this year has them living well into their eighties. Additionally, when you factor in the sheer number of people turning 65 years old this year, (the first of over 78 million Baby Boomers over the next 18 years), predictions of services and products to support their needs more than makes sense.

If you are part of this demographic of actively aging individuals you have power. The share number of individuals who will fall into this age demographic itself makes it a powerful entity. However, it is more than just numbers that will push these trends. Being able to take advantage of advances in health and medicine alongside with better lifestyle choices will fuel much of the change. In addition, individuals having the desire, commitment and willingness to put in the time to both enjoy and achieve in additional areas other than the primary ones they focused on in their formative years will also foster much of the change. If those who currently provide the services will not meet the demand for what is needed, the generation of individuals moving into the 50 plus age range are as likely themselves to provide the service or product than waiting for established businesses to provide it.

The opportunity is there for those of you at midlife to take advantage of it if you wish. What are you doing to prepare yourself to seize it? Are you looking for opportunities to learn new skills? What efforts have you made to live a healthier lifestyle or to eat a healthier diet? What type of planning have you done for your future? If you have made a financial plan have you also made a lifestyle plan? Even if you are not ready to leave your full-time work career, what steps are you taking now toward planning for that next major work activity or recreational activity in your life?

Yes, you may still have responsibilities to address for your family. Your financial position may not be what you desire it to be. And, you may even wonder if you’ll ever be able to reach a point that you feel your life is truly yours to do as you wish. However, whether you’ll be at a point to pursue your “active aging” years five years from now, a year from now, or next week, you will never be able to take advantage of them if you don’t start preparing. And, if you do reach the point you can begin to pursue what’s next in your life, and still don’t find what you want, remember it won’t be for lack of opportunity.