Geezer Forum: The gray revolution

Recently, I was fortunate to attend a concert at our local Panida Theater featuring legendary folk-rock musician Jim Messina.

Apart from the apparent generational appeal to the over-60 crowd, seeing what can only be described as a sea of gray in that venue was striking. To find someone under 40 was like hunting for a unicorn. With all the clapping, singing, and swaying of the audience members, one certainly could experience the fountain of youth welling from deep within each concert attendee. It struck me that evening just how much our little village and the surrounding area lean heavily toward being a “retirement age” community, the likes of which one mostly associates with cities in Florida and Arizona. 

With all of the aging “rockers” in our community, I wondered how many of us pictured ourselves making it to this age and which of us were living the life we expected to be living when we reached the “golden years.” Was this the life we imagined? 

Embracing the present and adapting to change is a key factor contributing to life satisfaction at this stage of life. Denying that one is aging or pretending to be young does not seem to work out for most of us, despite our best efforts.  Shifting how we work and play to accommodate limitations is our new reality or biggest challenge to overcome. 

In the interest of supporting decision-making in this later stage of life, the Geezer Forum is hosting the ELTC Law firm regarding tips and recommendations for managing finances and decision-making in later years. It is never too early to think about ways to prepare for the unexpected. While it is easy to put off these conversations, it is important to make these decisions in advance as opposed to moments of crisis. 

The Geezer Forum will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 2:30-4 p.m. at the Umpqua Bank Building in the community room of the Marigold Bistro and Café, 414 Church St. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. proudly sponsors the Geezer Forum.  For information about services and activities, come visit us at 820 Main Street, call 208-263-6860 or check us out at www.sandpointareaseniors.org. 

Lisa Bond is the executive director of Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc.