Coming of Age Philadelphia
Get Inspired

Sign up for Inspiring Opportunities

Email:

Zip:


Four Ways to Explore Your Future NOW
Find Coming of Age on Facebook! Check in for quick updates on events, stories, opportunities, and friends.

What's New

A Thank You that Finally Got Said

Those who listen to storycorps on National Public Radio (NPR) know how poignant the stories can be. This piece (with audio of the interview) is about John Cruitt, 62, who spent decades tracking down his third-grade teacher. He wanted to tell Cecile Doyle how deeply she touched him when his mother died of multiple sclerosis in 1958. Their conversation shows how certain memories are indelible and how meaningful it is to let someone know when they have made a real difference in your life...even after 50+ years!


Exit Lines

Dealing with the imminent death of a family member or a dear friend is difficult at best. Knowing what to say (or not say), what words would be meaningful to the dying person and to you, and whether it is the right time to say goodbye are among the questions that Bruce Feiler, the author of this New York Times article sensitively addresses. He divides his thoughts into topics: "Say Nothing," "Say Something Before It's Too Late," "Say the Obvious," "Say it with Deeds," and "Say it Even if They Can't Hear You." This article makes it clear that there is no one way to say goodbye...and that it is among the hardest things to say. 


Boomer Women vs. the Cosmetic Industry

Boomer women are very disappointed with the cosmetic industry, according to this article. Women continue to feel beautiful as they age, but want some help with issues that accompany getting older: yellowing teeth, hair color, skin texture, and uneven skin tone. Yet, the cosmetic people seem to think that this group of women only care about anti-aging skincare products, whose effectiveness are the hardest to prove. To read more about what women actually want from the "beauty" industry, click here.


Purpose Prize Winners...Amazing Encore Stories

The Purpose Prize, awarded by Encore.org, is the nation's only large-scale investment in people over 60 who are combining their passion and experience for social good. The Prize awards $100,000 each to five people in encore careers creating new ways to solve tough social problems. In their 60s, they are changing the world, and with it perceptions of what is possible for millions of others flooding into the second half of life. Click here to read about recent winners and fellows. Nominations for the 2013 Purpose Prize will be open in January. Check here for details.


Exercise Improves Attitudes about Aging

We have all heard about how important it is to exercise, especially as we age. What we probably haven't considered is that exercise can actually improve a person's attitude toward aging and make them feel happier and fulfilled. The researchers gathered 240 sedentary women from ages 70 to 93. They were divided into three groups and were studied over a 6-month period, with the first group following an exercise routine, the second learning computer skills, and the third going about their lives as usual. By the end of the program, the physical exercise group showed significant improvement in their positive attitude toward getting older compared to those in the other groups. The findings are illuminating and very positive... keep reading for the details.


Top 5 Boomer Health Trends

Topics: Aging, Boomers, Health

Last month, CNN took an in-depth look at baby boomers and came up with the top five trends in health and wellness for those born between 1946 and 1964: boomeritis (high rates of tendinitis, arthritis, tears, and fractures); the positives of brain games in improving memory and attention; increase in sexually-transmitted diseases; hepatitus C (often undiagnosed); and free preventive care for hepatitus, mammograms, counseling services, flu shots, and other kinds of care that are covered by most insurance plans. To learn more about each of these areas and see an informative video, click here.


Caregiving by the Hour?

How often have you wished that you could call your father's home care agency and say that you will need his aide for the normal two hours on Monday, but just a half hour on Tuesday to drive him to the doctor's office. It makes sense to hire someone to help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, errands for only as many hours as an older adult needs help. But, it is rare that home care companies will provide a flexible schedule for these services. This article talks about a company using this approach. The jury is out whether others will follow suit. Would you use this kind of hourly service if it were available?


Want Work at a Nonprofit? Mistakes to Avoid

Are you ready to leave your corporate career behind to find work at a nonprofit? That is a laudable goal...but you need to take the time to learn about the unique needs, culture, and expectations of the nonprofit sector before you send out your resume. If you skip doing your homework, you might run into unexpected roadblocks that will stop you from realizing your dream of beginning an "encore career" that combines passion, social purpose, and pay. Keep reading to learn how to approach this new challenge and join the more than 9 million people (ages 44 to 70) who have taken this step successfully.  
 


How to Write Your Own Will

Topics: Finance, Wills

If you have a simple, straightforward estate and an uncomplicated family situation, writing your own will -- with the help of a good do-it-yourself guide -- is a viable alternative to hiring an attorney and it is a whole lot cheaper. Here are some good resources from an article in the Huffington Post to get you started.


Keeping Our Parents Healthy

Topics: Diet, Elders, Health

A professional caregiver has some helpful tips for boomers worrying about their parents' diets. A 2010 research study by the Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland actually reveals that a properly stocked refrigerator can make a major difference in an ill parent’s health. Of course, special diets have to be taken into account. But, in general, to ensure that your aging parent is getting the best diet without constant supervision, keep reading for a list of refrigerator staples...