Now playing audio help
Listen live!
News
Retiring Baby Boomers
(WSB Radio) As Babyboomers approach retirement age, one in five metro Atlantans will be over the age of 60 in the next 15 years.

"Boomers" are those considered born between 1946 and 1964, and the oldest are turning 60 this year.

"A Babyboomer turns 60 every eight seconds," says Maureen Kelly with the Atlanta Regional Commission's Aging Division.

She says the ARC's Area Agency on Aging works with local governments in the metro region making sure each is equipped to handled the needs of their own aging population.

"We developed a tool kit for aging in place... something that local governments and planners can use in looking at the fact that our community needs to be elder friendly and ready for this aging society," she says.

Many senior centers include programs designed with those 50 and over in mind including ballroom dancing and tango lessons, as well as aerobics. Many also offer classes on computers, driving, and crafts.

The housing industry is also recognizing the need to build homes with the aging population in mind.

Roy Wendt of Wendt Builders is one of many Atlanta builders that offers his buyers Easy Living Homeswhere they can age in place.

They include some 35 universal design features such as no-step entrances, wider doors and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs, seats in the showers, and masters on the main floor.

"A lot of these are very simply features but they benefit all segments of the market," Wendt tells WSB's Sandra Parrish.

WSB financial expert Mike Kavanagh says now is the time for Boomers to be planning for their retirement including long term care insurance, preparing a will, power of attorney, and living trust, and becoming more conservative with their investments.

"A lot of people put their cart before the horse and they want to max out their 401k, but then they're living pay check to pay check," he says.

Kavanagh also suggests having at least six months worth of income that's easily accessible in event of an emergency.

But many Boomers will find they just can't afford to retire. A growing number of Atlanta retailers are now hiring older adults and even offer benefits to those working at least 20 hours a week.

"We hear so often about seniors choosing to get a prescription versus food, so we feel like we're doing our part in providing an alternative for a lot of folks out there including seniors," says Brenda Reed, communications manager for Publix.

She says older adults also tend to be more reliable and it's a good way for them to stay active.
May events
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31  

Join our email list

our advertisers: