ageism

The difference between the right word;
and the nearly right word;
is the difference between lightening
and the lightening bug.
Mark Twain

Viewing the sudden interest in the terms used to refer to older adults, be they Baby Boomers or older, reminds me of the Rip Van Winkle children’s story.

In 2013, the United States ‘celebrated’ a historic milestone that has gone generally ignored by governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For the first time in history, those ages 65 and older outnumber those under the age of 15.

Congratulations! After decades of hard work, a long career and efforts spent saving money, retirement has finally arrived. You have all the time in the world to see friends and family, and spend time on hobbies, volunteering, or worldwide travel.

But although you may be happy in retirement, ageism exists, and misconceptions about seniors and retirees exist. To help make a mark, a recent article from USNews.com shares five ways seniors can make a positive impact on their environment: