Ever thought you might want to xeriscape your yard to reduce maintenance in your later years, save a few bucks on home repairs, or spend a summer being a camp host in a national park. These and many other opportunities such as learning how to download apps on your cellphone or communicate with your grandchildren on Facebook will be demonstrated at the upcoming Salute to Seniors in downtown Denver.
Historically, the later years are a time for new experiences and “doing life different”. Baby Boomers have since their birth changed the culture of the United States. Their retirement years are no different. Baby Boomers are looking for unique ways to enjoy the world around them and become involved.
Right brain thinkers often have not developed those skills because of the pressures of job and family. Many Boomers have found themselves sandwiched between the needs of their children and their parents. In this time-crunched society, learning new skills such as painting, pottery, beading, or stained glass are not a priority.
Work pressures have prevented many of us from being involved in civic engagement. For the first time in their career, many Baby Boomers find their later years a time to engage in meaningful activities and to give back to their community.
One of the most significant world events for Baby Boomers was the Vietnam War. Boomers were deeply involved in the war as veterans, protestors, mothers, fathers, family members, evacuees, and refugees. Each Boomer has a unique story to tell about the war. KUVO Jazz 89.3 wants to hear your story and capture your experience for a documentary to air sometime later in 2017.
Colorado offers hundreds of opportunities for Baby Boomers. At the Salute, more than a dozen vendors demonstrate opportunities for older adults to learn about expanding interests, civic engagement and taking action on those interests.
The Salute to Seniors also offers the largest senior resource fair in the State. Featuring both a Wellness Fair sponsored by Optum and a Health Fair in collaboration with Channel9 Health Fair, the Salute offers Baby Boomers and seniors a chance to check on their health and collect information about health, long-term care, housing, finance and more.
The day’s line-up of entertainment features The Nacho Men combining live music, costumes, choreography & humor. And coming to the stage is none other than the esteemed Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble performing dynamic dances inspired by the African American experience. Kevin Fitzgerald, the board certified veterinarian who is best known through his visibility on the Animal Planet reality show Emergency Vets and, more recently, E-Veterans will do stand-up comedy.
The Salute to Seniors is June 24, 2017, from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Colorado Convention Center, Mile High Ball Room, Denver. Admission is free. Reservations are suggested at www.senioranswers.org or 1-866-294-2971. For more information, call 303-333-3482.
~ Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of the Colorado Gerontological Society since 1982. She can be reached at doherty001@att.net.