You Can't Make Us

 

We’re not moving. Do we have to say it again? You can’t make us.

Two out of 3 adults aged 55 and older plan to stay in their current homes and age in place. Quite a departure from the retirees that preceded us. They largely downsized or moved into one of those “adult” communities.

It’s not helping the housing shortage either. Thanks to rising home values, many boomers can afford to stay right where they are.

It helps if you’re in a reasonably sized house all on one floor. Some boomers are going to being facing some substantial renovations if they hope to age in place. When AARP surveyed homeowners last year, 70% of them indicated they would need to modify their bathrooms to reduce shower steps and add grab bars. The same percentage indicated that their homes had other significant accessibility issues, both inside and out. Making those renovations could entail a substantial cost, but on the upside, it will make the house more valuable to the next batch of boomers when the time comes.

Hell, we’ve already replaced almost all the doorknobs with levers, so we must be halfway there. Now we just need to screw handrails to every doorway and hallway, and we will be set. Wait a second. We will need brighter lights too. Oh, yeah, and one of those smart thermostats so we don’t have to mess with little dials. And smart showers and smart doors and blinds. Check. And one of those bathtubs with a door on it. Check. Medication reminders. Check. Medical alert for fall detection. Check.

This is starting to add up to some serious spondulix! But that’s okay. Because remember we’re not moving. They can’t make us.

Jay Harrison is a writer and creative consultant for DesignConcept. You can also visit his author page here. His newest mystery novel, Rio Puerco Demise is available on Amazon. His first mystery novel, Head Above Water, is also available on Amazon.

8 Reasons Why

I tend to be wary of online articles that try to snag your eyeballs with such wonders as “10 Ways to Lose 25 Pounds” or “12 Neighborhoods In (insert your town here) Where You Have a Good Chance of Getting Mugged” or “5 Ways To Be a Better Lover.”

It’s not the topics per se – it’s the way they have quantified it that gives me pause. Ten ways to lose 25 pounds when 2 or 3 ways that really worked would be sufficient. But I digress. Often. Unrepentantly.

8 Reasons Baby Boomers Are Clogging Up Divorce Court.

There. That’s the one that stopped me short. The gist of the article is that when boomers hit certain milestones such as a parent passing away or turning 65 or some other life transition, it can trigger divorce action.

Here’s some reasons why. Life expectancy is increasing. Do you really want to spend another 25 years with him/her? Hmm, at least one of you is thinking. Hadn’t really thought about that one.

How about those boomers on their second marriage? Yeah, you. If the first marriage didn’t work out, there is a higher probability that the 2^nd might not either. The US Census Bureau keeps track of this sort of thing and they say 60 percent of second marriages and 73 percent of third marriages will end in divorce.

Let’s pick up the pace here. The kids are gone and on their own, I’m out of here! Heard that one? How about we’re set with our assets so let’s split them and then split. Or you’ve tried a half dozen communication strategies and none of them are working, otherwise known as falling out of love.

Some couples just don’t want the same lifestyle anymore and their values have changed. Why pretend that you agree? Adios.

Infidelity? There’s 2 kinds. One partner is cheating with a honey/sweetie on the side. Or one partner is cheating with the finances. Either way, one of you is unfaithful and that’s grounds for divorce.

Lastly, the relationship has become abusive, verbally, or physically. Sorry if you didn’t see that very big downer coming, but it is a real reason why many boomers end up in divorce court.

Now you can see why I tend to steer clear of articles that open with “8 Reasons Why…” You are better off reading the ones that promise to tell you the “50 Best Places in the U.S. To Retire.” It’s just their way of forcing you to look at 50 online ads for stuff you don’t want, but at least you won’t end up in divorce court.

Unless you can’t agree on the best city in which to retire.

Jay Harrison is a writer and creative consultant for DesignConcept. You can also visit his author page here. His newest mystery novel, Rio Puerco Demise is available on Amazon. His first mystery novel, Head Above Water, is also available on Amazon.