Klamath Falls, Ore. – It’s estimated that by the year 2020, one out of every five people will be 65 years of age, or older. The wisdom of age is out there, all you have to do is ask…We asked what advice seniors would give to their younger selves.
Robert Dorsey, 83 – “I think my advice would be that I’m not indestructible. I should take care of myself a little better when I was younger. I did foolish things.”
Virgina Brower, 91 – If they have something that they’re interested in, and keep themselves busy, they’re better off – and happier people.”
Jim Earles, 73 – ‘You should have done it when you were younger. Because when you get my age, you can’t do it.”
Donald Palmer, 95 – “Keep off drugs, alcohol, and quit smoking cigarettes. And the main thing is to accept the Lord – the Lord can help you real good.”
Dr. Jon McKellar, 66 – I don’t think my life was balanced early on in life, and I think it should be balanced. Your life should be balanced between community, family, church, job.”
Elouise Brown, 86 – ‘I think I probably would try to exercise a little more, so I could get around better now.”
Fortunately, today’s senior centers offer much more than bingo.
Marc Kane, 67 – “Today, they’re looking for an exercise class, tai chi class, a yoga class, pickle ball game.”
Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. Meeting the needs of that population is creating jobs, and industry. But staying at a $9,000,000 memory care facility like Quail Park of Klamath Falls isn’t cheap. Retirement can be very expensive. Many seniors that we talked to wished that they’d started saving earlier.”
Loman Long, senior – “What advice would you have for your younger self?’ ‘For my younger self? Save your money.”
Louise Masten, 76 – ‘Start saving when you’re real young. When you first get out of high school, start work, get yourself a job, and put some away, and forget it.”
Marilyn Howell, senior – “I say, save, save, save – and enjoy yourself. Don’t be stupid, if you can help it – but save, save, save.”
Paula Quinn of Quail Park claims that for many seniors, retirement homes are a good value…
“You may think it’s expensive, but by the time you pay a house payment, water, garbage, sewer, food, a yard man – it’s really not that expensive.”
But Jack Lawrie still thinks it’s a good idea for kids to think about putting money in a retirement account.
Jack Lawrie, 83 – “Put in in and leave it. Don’t take it out. And by the time you’re retirement age, you’ll have enough to live on.” ‘Were you able to do that?’ ‘No..”
The U.S. Department of Labor estimated in 2015 that the average senior will need to set aside about $45,000 for each year of retirement. The A.A.R.P. says that less than 30% of seniors have that kind of savings set aside.
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