Baby Boomers play catch-up. So true. Especially as we now feel the clock running even more. This great article from SMH.

IN A church hall, on a back street in Neutral Bay, a ballet class stretches against a barre. Class members work through a series of plies. A few make it onto pointe.

The only difference to every other suburban ballet class is the students are mostly women who have turned to beginner dance lessons in their 40s.

”Students are there for various reasons - some people had bad experiences, some were talented but gave up because it’s not such a high-paying career,” said Maureen Gallagher-Hough, who began teaching the class when parents of her younger students approached her two years ago.

”People are retiring earlier, they’re fitter, they have a more disposable income and they don’t feel restricted in what they should do. Our parents, when they had children, put themselves in this position where they were parents and nothing else.”

This is a trend peculiar to its generation, the social researcher Hugh Mackay says. They are the divorce generation, looking for associations in community choirs and music lessons.

They are the first generation to look at their children and grandchildren and think their lessons could be fun.

”We’re basically talking about the baby boomer generation, who’ve always been in a tearing hurry,” Dr Mackay said.

”They were the product of the Cold War. Their catchcry was, ‘We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.’ Now they’ve reached the middle to late years, realising they are here for the long time. They want to do some of the things they were in too much of a hurry to do before.”

Mrs Gallagher-Hough’s class size has trebled since she began teaching mature-aged students. Next year she will teach three classes through Mosman Community College.

Over the past 20 years adult education has proliferated. The trend has been keenly felt at City East Community College, whose arts and music programs have flourished. ”Which is where these topics [of missed learning opportunities in earlier years] come up,” said the school’s general and equity program manager, Angel Nunley.

”And [where] this emotional attachment to childhood is.”

In Surry Hills The Music Practice has 200 students a term. ”Many of them are empty nesters in their 40s and 50s,” said the director, Gillian Bonham. ”But we have a good many in their 60s. They don’t see it as re-engaging with their childhood. But I do point it out to them.”

After the last post a sobering reminder of some of the issues that go with getting older.

This article from Fox Business titled What Baby Boomers Need to Know About Alzheimer’s is a reminder of the health risks we are all facing as time marches on.

“November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month. Fellow baby boomers, I know very well what you think when you hear the word “Alzheimer’s.”

‘Never going to happen to me. Was a shame to see that happen to my once-so-sharp and witty [name of friend/relative you know affected by the disease here]. That just happens to old people, I’ll never get old.’

But deep down, we all know there is more to it than that. And here are some statistics from the 2010 Alzheimer’s association report that we cannot afford to ignore:

•One in 8 people aged 65 and older (13%) have Alzheimer’s disease

Related Links
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Lost Your Job? Try Not to Take it out on Your 401(k)

•Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. By mid-century, someone will develop the disease every 33 seconds

•The number of Americans surviving into their 80s and 90s and beyond is expected to grow dramatically due to advances in medicine and medical technology, as well as social and environmental conditions. Since the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias increase with age, the number of people with these conditions will also grow rapidly.

•The 85-years-and-older population currently includes about 2.4 million people with Alzheimer’s disease … when the first wave of baby boomers reaches age 85 (2031), an estimated 3.5 million people aged 85 and older will have Alzheimer’s.

•By 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to number between 11 and 16 million – unless medical breakthroughs identify ways to identify or more effectively treat the disease. Barring such developments, by 2050 more than 60% of people with Alzheimer’s disease will be 85 or older.”

Pretty sobering! For the full report click here.

According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, the boomers are pushing new ground for an aging population. It seems like only yesterday that we were all 20!!!

Following is an extract from the story.

Over the next decade, aging early baby boomers will result in a 50 percent increase in the number of people 65 to 74 years old, a growth rate not seen in 50 years.

The study, Early Boomers: How America’s Leading Edge Baby Boomers Will Transform Aging, Work & Retirement reports that those born between 1946 and 1955 will transform the American concept of retirement by forgoing the tradition of a leisure-filled life.

The late 20th Century pattern of working until about age 65 and then spending one’s remaining years in the leisure pursuits is very likely over. Instead, their financial obligations among other things will encourage many of them to remain in the workforce, some indefinitely said the report.

Read the full story here.

Funny Ad from Thailand. For all you women out there.

This entry is a little out of left field for a Baby Boomer site, but cruising the world in my own catamaran is a dream of mine. I read quite a few blogs and logs on sailing and cruising the world and most of the stories I read involve Baby Boomers.

In a book I am reading at the moment the couple cruising the world come across a 78 year old solo round worlder. Now that’s impressive. Makes me believe I have time yet to cruise the world.

Anyway here are some pertinent tips for those on the high seas and for those who wish to follow. Although the article mentions the Caribbean the same considerations apply worldwide.

SECURITY PRECAUTIONS FOR CRUISERS

Though the Caribbean remains generally safe for cruisers, boarding and other incidents can happen anywhere.  Developing safety habits and contingency plans will contribute to a more enjoyable cruise.

The following recommendations to minimize the risk of theft, burglary and assault come from the experience of many cruisers in the Caribbean, some of whom have been directly affected by such incidents.  This list was first compiled at the beginning of the Caribbean Safety and Security Net through the efforts of Frank Zachar on Vagabond Tiger and Bob and Robin Jones on Elixir, now Buster.  The intent is not to frighten cruisers, but to identify steps that can be taken to prevent property loss or physical harm. To prevent a boarding incident from possible escalation to violence, emphasis is placed on scaring off rather than confronting intruders. Some of the recommendations seem obvious but if they do not become habits, they serve no purpose. On the other hand, if you habitually use these precautions, they become a not-burdensome routine.  The more difficult you make life for the criminal, the more likely he is to leave you and your property alone.  

1.  Avoid known high-risk anchorages; especially, do not anchor alone there.  If you do stop, use full security precautions and post a watch.  Introduce yourself to others in the harbor and decide on a VHF frequency for all to monitor.  When up at night, shine a flashlight on other boats to check for activity (only after mentioning this possibility to the other boaters earlier in the day).

2.  Whenever you leave the boat, lock/secure all access points, including hatches and ports, using good quality locks.  It’s amazing what size opening a skinny, motivated kid can get through!

3.  Don’t leave desirable items unlocked in the dinghy behind the boat, at the dinghy dock while you’re ashore, or unattended on the beach while swimming.  In addition to the obvious outboard, this includes gas tanks and diving/snorkeling gear. Don’t paint your yacht’s name on the dinghy: at dinghy docks, it broadcasts that at least one person is away from the yacht.

4.  Don’t leave anything valuable on deck or in the cockpit at night or when the boat is unoccupied.  Equipment that cannot be stowed below should be secured with the heaviest chain or wire cable practicable.  Pull up the boarding ladder, particularly on a catamaran or a monohull with a sugar scoop or boarding platform.

5.  Outboards are a major target: always lock them.  Lock dinghies to dock when ashore, using a long enough cable or chain so others can get their dinghies to the dock, too.  Hoist and chain the dinghy to the boat at night.  Chain the outboard separately to the rail or in the cockpit, or stow it below. Make your brand new clean shiny outboard less brand new clean and shiny, and therefore, less attractive.  Again, use good quality locks.

6.  Don’t announce on the VHF that you are leaving the boat for a day of shopping or sightseeing or an evening out on the town.  If someone is calling a neighboring boat on the VHF, don’t helpfully advise the caller that the neighbors are off the boat. If you call on the VHF for reservations at a restaurant or taxi, use your name, not your boat name.

7.  In high-risk areas, if asleep below during the day and especially at night, secure the companionway with barrel bolts and the hatches with screens or bars.  Use stainless steel hasps and fixings. Fix hinges internally so they cannot be pried off or unscrewed.

8.  Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas onboard. In addition to hiding passports and boat papers, hide a copy of each in a different spot.  If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio.  Hide an extra set of passport photos with the passport copies to make it easier to get a replacement passport.  Hide a list of serial numbers for all equipment with the passport copies. When you purchase new equipment, register the purchase, along with the serial number, with the manufacturer: this is your proof of ownership, should the police ever request proof.

9.  Install and alarm system or use portable alarms to cover key access points.  A simple US$30 motion detector in the cockpit can do much to scare off thieves.  Be wary of using motion detectors like the car alarms, which can be set off at the least amount of motion; your neighbors will ignore the sound if there are too many false alarms.

10.  Have a response plan ready to use if boarded, whether at anchor or underway, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders.  For example, have an air horn, pepper spray, etc., next to your bunk.  If you have pepper spray, learn how to use it. Stay out of sight when the boat is approached, speaking from the companionway rather than cockpit in questionable circumstances.

11.  If you hear someone in the cockpit or on deck, DO NOT turn on any lights below - the light makes it possible for the intruders to see you.  Keep a flashlight next to your bunk for light. Turn on the spreader lights and any other exterior lights.

12.  Do not unlock a hatch or companionway to set off an alarm.  Install additional switches to set off the alarm from the cabins. 

13.  When going ashore, store valuables in a pouch that can be tucked inside clothes rather than in a wallet, purse, fanny pack or daypack. Do not carry your wallet in a daypack or backpack; a clever pickpocket can get a wallet from a pack without you feeling anything.

14.  Carry only the amount of money needed for the day; a sacrificial stash in a pocket can be helpful.

15.  Be aware of your environment and dress/act accordingly.  Avoid wearing flashy clothing and expensive looking jewelry.

16.  Use a taxi if transiting high-risk neighborhoods; use a bus only if you are knowledgeable about the location of your destination and use of the bus system, i.e. how to identify that a bus is going in the proper direction.

17.  If you are involved in an incident, report it to the local authorities (police, marina management, tourist office, yachting and marine trade organization) and to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net.  An incident unreported, for all practical purposes, never happened.

18.  Don’t discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore.  Don’t describe your boat to strangers:  location, name, number of people on board, whether you are armed.

19.  Make two copies of the contents of your wallet:  credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc.  Send one copy to a contact at home and hide one copy along with your passport copy.  Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit card companies to report a loss from abroad: usually the tool-free numbers they provide will not work from outside your home country.

20.   Many thefts occur while the boat is on the hard.  Don’t forget about normal precautions when it is out of the water.

21.  If you call another boat on the VHF and they don’t answer, don’t keep calling.  They may be involved in a project and not be able to answer, or they may have the radio turned down or turned off, or they may be off the boat (you could be alerting someone listening in that they are off the boat).

22.  Do not let your credit cards out of your sight.  If a clerk in a store must take your card away from the counter to run it, go with the clerk.  Do not give anyone the opportunity to copy or clone your credit card information.  Check your credit card statements online occasionally to make sure that you are not the victim of credit card fraud, and if you find dubious charges, call the credit card company immediately.

23.  USUALLY, simply the presence of a dog on a boat is sufficient deterrent to boarders. However, if the dog barks at every passing dinghy and pirogue, it becomes like that motion detector in #9 and your neighbors will tend to ignore the dog.  On the other hand, if your dog has a different bark for friends than for strangers, that warning bark is your alarm, although your neighbors are not likely to hear the difference.

These precautions are not very different from the way you take care of your house or your car:  you lock your house when you are away and you lock your car when you leave it in a car park.  Your yacht is your house.