Firsthand—experiences with aging
Many of us retire at age 65 and live 15 to 25 more years, which has sparked a movement to put us back to work. The U of M, under the influence of sociologist Phyllis Moen, recently launched a new academic program called “Encore Adulthood,” which seeks to bring boomers back to campus to explore new ways of working and living. Another U program, “Encore Transitions,” aims to help retirees transition into post-career living whether through work, service, learning, or other meaningful activities.
When I retired 14 years ago, I felt pressured to keep my research and writing going full steam and do a lot of volunteer and humanitarian work as well. Societal expectations do not allow us to be relax at retirement any more. My retirement years have been filled with at least six PDGR-funded projects and publishing three books, plus a huge amount of volunteer work.
I could not complain as I have always been work-driven. That is, until three months ago when my doctors pulled the plug on a sleep medication I had been taking for 15 years. Within days I could not sleep, lost my appetite, got spells of chills with shaking, hallucinations, hypertension, dizziness, anxiety, and memory loss. I could not focus and had to give up writing. I did not know if I ever would recover.
But for two months I was freed from my compulsion to contribute, and I was forced to discover a meaning for my life that did not depend on doing things that helped others or was otherwise productive.
To make a long story short, the new year brought freedom from most of my suffering and I can write again, for which I am very grateful. And now I know that my life has meaning even if I can no longer work. I have nothing against “encore programs” as long as they help us derive meaning not just from work, but also from play and being still and just existing.
If you would like to share a firsthand experience related to health and aging, please submit a brief essay to Ron Anderson, UMRA Cares Committee, at [email protected].
News
Make your own discoveries in Portugal in 2025 on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. Deadline to express an interest is Friday June 7, 2024.
Spend eight nights in Madrid and Barcelona in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces for 11 nights in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend four nights in Québec City in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend 9 nights on the Douro River in Portugal in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character in 2025. Deadline to express an interest is Friday, June 7, 2024.
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: