By Jim Selman | BioWe've
been assaulted lately by political pundits and statisticians telling us
what will happen this week. It is easy to roll over and assume they
know what they are talking about. So why bother to vote at all? Just sit
back and watch the process on TV. This is a particularly easy
rationalization for cynics and those who've become resigned that they
don't make a difference anyway. Most of the hype and hysteria seems to be aimed at younger voters. It is assumed that we older voters[Read More]
By Jim Selman | BioThere is nothing new about ageism, other than
the fact that there are increasing numbers of people growing older
(which means increasing numbers of examples of age discrimination
against older people). The latest statistics from AARP show formal
anti-discrimination complaints are up roughly 30% in the workplace. I
had some fun with this in my recent blog, proposing we create the
National Organization of Pissed-Off Elders (N.O.P.E.). However, it
isn’t a laughing matter when we see a potentially tragic problem
growing in our society that can be prevented.[Read More]
I
was sent this extraordinary video produced by the AARP communicating in
a simple and straightforward way that if we don’t change the direction
we’re going, we’re apt to end up there. It is one of a number of dire
predictions about our common future. Yesterday, Al Gore declared
climate change irreversible and challenged all of us to transcend
short-term concerns and agendas and unite with the world in dealing
with this looming calamity. There is so much bad news about the
‘economic crisis’ that it is easy to become depressed or at the very
least to become numb to the waves of negativity we’re encountering on a
daily basis.
Business leaders, HR professionals, policy makers, educators, and
social sector practitioners from Asia, the U.S. and Europe will be
gathering January 8-9, 2009 in Singapore for a conference to increase
the awareness of employers in the Asia-Pacific region of the issues and
best practices in preparing for an aging workforce. Co-hosted by AARP
and the Council for Third Age, the event is part of a series of
symposia that examine how retirement and the needs of older persons are
being addressed in various countries.The Council for Third Age encourages people to continue working for as
long as they can to promote physical, mental and financial wellness.
According to UN predictions, the number of people over 60 in the world
will triple by 2050. This international event provides an opportunity
for the exchange of ideas, best practices and innovative solutions to
ensure the wellbeing and life satisfaction of aging populations. The conference agenda includes panel
discussions on financial education and literacy, lifelong learning for
older workers, cultural change and intergenerational cooperation, and
opportunities of an aging population, among others.[Read More]
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will be launching an intergenerational driver safety program
in Tennessee in January 2008. The class is designed for teens to share
with their grandparents or another person over 50. Teenagers can enrol
for free; older persons for a $10 fee. There is no test to take to be
accepted into the program. Participants will look at the problems and
driving habits both generations share. Each driver will be able to
evaluate where their problem areas are and then enhance their driving
skills accordingly. Currently, 36 states offer insurance discounts for
graduates of the AARP Driver Safety program, which has been running
since 1969. Find a Driver Safety Class near you (not all classes are intergenerational.)[Read More]
By Jim Selman | 
RSS Feeds
