Growing Older Has Its Benefits

6 good reasons to celebrate your age

By Bart Astor for Next Avenue

Credit: Thinkstock

“Don’t trust anyone over 30,” Bob Dylan warned us. Then he turned 31 and changed his tune. When Gloria Steinem was asked her age some 41 years ago, the audience gasped at her response. Steinem chided them: “Folks, this is what 40 looks like.”

As children we measured our years in fractions: “I’m three and a half!” rounding it off to four as soon as we could. My father did the same much later on, only in reverse, insisting that he was not almost 96, but 95 and three-quarters. In middle age, we don’t use fractions; we use euphemisms such as “50-plus” or “third age.” And you’re not “old” now until you hit 85.

More Upsides Than Downsides

What’s with this desire to deny our actual age — especially as we grow older? Certainly there are some downsides to aging, but I argue that there are considerably more upsides. And not just that hackneyed joke about it being better than the alternative.

For starters, you can finally collect that Social Security check you contributed to all those years.

Then there’s Medicare — a terrific, wonderfully affordable health insurance program. For most low- and middle-income people, the cost is just about a hundred bucks per month, not counting prescription drug coverage. It’s not perfect (I’d love to see more doctors accept new Medicare patients, which won’t happen until the reimbursement rates are more in alignment with costs, and I’d love to see vision and dental care included), but for the most part, I’m thrilled with my coverage.

Then there are the discounts. You can go skiing for half the cost. Free, if you’re 85 or older. You can ride the Metro in Washington, D.C., and the New York City subway for about half the regular price, even in rush hour. Movie theaters offer senior rates. And there are thousands of discounts available to those who are over 65. AARP membership brings with it even more benefits.

A Positive Outlook

Those are just the financial benefits. Study after study has shown that older folks — those of us in our 60s and 70s — report higher self-esteem, greater emotional stability and a more positive outlook on life than those who are younger.

Another privilege of age: accepting help. Recently a gaggle of us oldsters attempted to put up a beach tent. Our fingers weren’t as strong as they used to be, so we were struggling with some rusty hardware when a group of younger people came over and gave us the oomph we needed. It’s amazing to see the number of people who will come forward to lend a hand.

Sure, ageism is alive and well, in particular holding back people in the hiring arena. But, as best-selling author and Next Avenue contributor Kerry Hannon points out: “Companies are realizing that it’s strategically smart to pay to more attention to recruiting and retaining workers age 50 and older.” Hannon adds that employers are well aware that workers 50 and older are more loyal and not as likely as younger workers to job jump.

And if you’re not getting enough respect at home, maybe it’s time to travel overseas? In many parts of the world, age is revered. It’s time we start doing the same and embracing our age. It’s time we stand up and declare our pride in being older.

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.



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Where Older Workers are Valued and Honored

Volunteering as a docent in retirement can deliver generous rewards

By Kathryn Lance for Next Avenue

Credit: Kathryn Lance Caption: Ann Nierenberg, docent at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Although it’s common to hear of older workers being laid off or pushed into retirement, there is also one type of place where older people are valued and sought-after: museums, art institutions, zoos and other venues that rely on unpaid docent volunteers in their 60s, 70s and 80s. I speak as someone who has found a new life as one of those older docents.

Six years ago, at 66, I visited Tohono Chul Park, a nature park near where I live in Tucson, Ariz. I’d been looking for a volunteer opportunity and was struck by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the docents who worked there, giving their time and expertise to educate others about the desert. I learned that these docents not only answered visitors’ questions, they led tours, interpreted (taught about) birds, plants and animals and manned special stations that demonstrate desert lore.

From Professional Writer to Docent

After 40 years as a professional writer, I was ready to try something new. “I could do this,” I thought. “I could become a nature docent.”

Three months later, I was sitting in a classroom with 20 other late-life learners, studying the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Every week of our training, we were expected to roam the grounds and identify plants, as well as take and pass quizzes. It was much like a college seminar, except for the ages of the participants.

When I graduated six months later, I knew more than I could have imagined and couldn’t wait to share my knowledge with park visitors. The word “docent,” after all, comes from the Latin docere, “to teach.”

I liked being a nature docent so much that four years later I also enrolled in the docent program at the world-famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo and desert botanical garden near Tucson.

Why Older Docents Are Prized

Marie Long, Associate Director of Conservation Education & Science there, explains that when interviewing prospective docents she looks for “a passion for learning, the desire to share knowledge with others, a positive attitude, love of the Sonoran Desert and the desire to work with youth.” She especially prizes applicants over 50, because, Long says, “this group is transitioning from their professional careers and looking to reconnect with personal interests, give back to their communities, and connect with new friends with similar interests.” She finds them “among the most dedicated and mission-supportive people in our volunteer corps.”

Many older docents volunteer at more than one venue as I do. Priscilla Herrier, 69, who docents at Tohono Chul Park and the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA), admits that being a “double docent” is time-consuming, but she loves her work at both places.

“Tohono Chul nurtures my love of the desert and the Southwest and TMA nurtures my love of art,” says Herrier. “Both offer me the pleasure of working with the public, meeting people from many different places and constantly learning new things.”

The ‘Best Part of the Experience’

Visitors to the venues where I volunteer frequently remark in surveys that the docents are the best part of the experience. The comment cards often speak of the docents’ warmth and depth of knowledge.

“They made us feel as if we were visitors in their home,” one family told the Desert Museum. A high-school teacher described her students’ visit as “like taking a bunch of little kids to Disneyland.” Just the other day, a longtime resident of Tucson thanked me for teaching her about the local trees. “I’ve lived here 40 years,” she said, “and now I see the desert in a whole new way.”

Though they are not paid, docents are rewarded by their institutions in various ways, ranging from badges for the amount of time donated to free admission for family members. But most would agree that the real reward is docenting itself.

Noreen Geyer-Kordosky, 67, who has been a docent at the Desert Museum for more than 35 years, says she “enjoys helping visitors look at ways to become good stewards of the environment.” First-year Desert Museum docent Betty Eppler, also 67, agrees that interacting with visitors is her favorite part of the job. And, she adds, “it’s nice to be regarded as a competent and valued individual as well. This is not a common experience for older people, especially women.”

Where to Find Docent Openings

If you’re interested in becoming a docent in retirement, there are opportunities in every city and state in the country. In addition to zoos and art museums, countless other specialized institutions such as the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento and the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover, whose docents interpret the history of agriculture in America. The Smithsonian Institution, which has nearly 10,000 volunteers among its 19 museums and research facilities, offers a huge range of opportunities for its docents.

To find docent positions in your area, check the websites of museums, zoos and other public institutions and look for “volunteer opportunities.” Most places offer docent training once every year or two and require a volunteer commitment of two years. Docents typically work for one hour or more one to three days per week, but this varies by institution as well as by docent.

Loren Bullock, who is still a docent at 90, has volunteered at various Smithsonian venues since 1959. He currently works at the National Postal Museum which documents the history of the postal service. Bullock, who retired from marketing computers in 1989, was attracted to docenting because of his love of history.

He takes seriously the purpose of the Smithsonian, described by its founder James Smithson as “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Docents fulfill that purpose, Bullock says, as “storytellers who make our history and culture come alive for visitors,” adding with a joke that “Being a docent is fun, and allows us to contribute to others; besides, they double our salary every year!”



© Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.



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Convincing an Interviewer You Want to Downshift

To snag a position with less stress, take these three steps

By Nancy Collamer for Next Avenue

Thinkstock

If you’re nearing retirement, you might be thinking about finding a less demanding job with a better work-life balance: One with fewer hours, less responsibility or reduced travel demands.

But when you’re ready to apply for a less-stress job for less pay, how do you communicate that effectively to potential employers? More to the point, how do you do so without seeming like you’ve lost your competitive drive?

It’s a challenging situation. We are taught to approach the career ladder as a forward climb — one that leads progressively upwards to positions of greater status, pay and responsibility.

But when you reverse direction and want to take a step downwards, employers tend to react with skepticism. They worry that downshifting is code for “tired and checked out.” (It doesn't help that a Gallup survey last year found that workers in their 50s and 60s are America's least engaged.) And they fear that if you accept a lesser role than the one you just had, you’ll be bored and leave when a better opportunity arises.

Given these concerns, the key to convincing an employer to let you downshift is to do three things:

1. Reformat your job search materials — resumé, LinkedIn Profile and cover letter — to be in alignment with your desired job.

2. Target employers and industries that are receptive to midlife career changers and flexible work schedules.

3. Prepare yourself to effectively address the employer’s concerns during the interview process.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these “must-do” strategies:

Reformat Your Job Search Materials

If you want employers to take your request to downshift seriously, you need to edit your resumé and LinkedIn profile so they no longer scream “High-Level Executive!!” or “24/7 worker.”

Fortunately, there are a number of creative ways to downplay your old status, while still emphasizing your core competencies and skills:

• When reviewing job listings that fit your target position, analyze the keywords and incorporate them into your resumé and LinkedIn profile. Then, highlight in your resumé and profile only the specific skills and accomplishments that most closely match your desired role. Eliminate accomplishments that are no longer relevant or ones that suggest you’re looking for a pedal-to-the-metal job. Remember, while you need to be truthful, you don’t need to include every last detail of every job you’ve ever held.

• Select a resumé summary statement or LinkedIn Profile headline that reflects your desired position, not your current title. For example, if you’ve been a vice president of sales and you now seek a job as a sales representative, use the heading “Sales Professional” and not “Sales VP.”
• Consider changing the format of your resumé. The standard reverse chronological version might not be your best bet when trying to downshift, since that format emphasizes career progression and job titles. A hybrid resumé that focuses on your areas of expertise, followed by an abbreviated chronological work history, makes it easier to highlight relevant skills while downplaying job titles.
• Spend time reworking your cover letter. A carefully crafted cover letter gives you an opportunity to address your reason for downshifting. Here’s an example: “My current position as vice president for sales requires that I travel overseas nearly two weeks every month. While I have been very successful in this role, I have now decided to seek a position that will let me continue to focus on my strengths — outstanding client relationships, top sales results and an extensive network in the industry — without the demands of international travel.”

Target the Right Employers

It will be far easier to downshift if you apply to employers that are open to flexible work arrangements.

In general, it’s best to steer away from large corporations that tend to have an up-or-out culture as well as industries known for their sweatshop culture (e.g., law and consulting firms).

Instead, look to small businesses and new companies where hiring managers might leap at the chance to hire a seasoned pro from a larger organization and save some money in the process. Just make sure to vet their expectations carefully. The last thing you want is to find yourself in a situation where you’re expected to do a full-time job for part-time pay.

Nonprofits can also be a good bet. Many nonprofit employers are accustomed to hiring older workers looking to transition out of the corporate grind into encore roles. Just keep in mind that some nonprofits have kinder cultures than others, so do your homework to find a good fit.

To start exploring jobs at nonprofits, take a look at sites like Encore.org, Bridgespan.org and Idealist.org.

As with any job search, networking is key. Your network can help you identify employers receptive to flexible working arrangements and midlife job seekers.

Referrals are especially critical when you’re trying to downshift. So whenever possible, use your network to refer you into interviews. A strong recommendation from an internal employee can help bolster your credibility and improve your chances of getting hired.

Prepare to Address An Employer’s Concerns

Potential employers are bound to wonder why you’d be willing to accept a lesser job for lower pay. So you need to be able to convince them that you are not only willing to do so, but that you will be happy and effective in this new role.

Don’t waffle or hesitate when explaining your goals to an interviewer. Emphasize that if you were hired, it would be a win for everyone: The employer would get a seasoned and skilled employee and you’d gain the flexibility you desire.

If you come across as confident about your decision to downshift, the employer will feel more comfortable, too.

Carol Fishman Cohen, co-founder of iReLaunch, a firm that assists people looking to reenter after a career break, says she counsels people in this situation to say something like the following:

"One of my top priorities is to deliver excellent results to my employer while also managing the rest of my life outside of work. So while it might look to you like I am overqualified for this position, this level is exactly where I want to be in my current life stage and I intentionally sought it out. I feel confident I can deliver excellent results to you at this level of seniority."

Cohen says her firm has had professionals use these words almost verbatim in interviews and get hired.

After you secure an offer (congrats!), re-confirm your understanding of the expectations regarding hours and responsibilities. You want to be certain that what you and the interviewer discussed will be exactly what you’ll wind up doing — and not more.

Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc.

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