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Just what are we? And are you paying attention to us??

A search for a term that doesn’t offend is taking place. Trying to avoid terms like senior citizen, retiree, elder and the elderly. The question becomes what do we call everyone 55+?

Terms are materializing that are perhaps more appropriate and appealing.

The term, Baby Boomer was created and has been used since all those World War II babies were being born. This group has changed and revolutionized the United States as the have passed though each phase of aging. And they will and are changing and redefining the term senior each day. Just look around – they are not stationary, boring or old.

The title, Perennial has been around for several years now and refers to blooming again and again. And yes, we do that again and again during our lives. We become young adults striking out on our own. We become homeowners, parents. So forth and so on as we parade along the paths of our lives. Ever changing and blossoming into the “new” me.

Active Ager is a newer term and defines seniors as young at heart, tech-loving, gym-using, trend setting, fun-seeking marketer’s dream. This term might be the best fitting so far as each generation is truly younger than the generation before them.

Whatever term you use 55+ adults are strong, happy, healthy. They are using and buying what they choose. They want the same products all ages want and use. They are not to be overlooked as they are living longer, working longer, staying healthier and maintaining their independent as well.

Call them what you will but remember they spend over $3 trillion on products and services each year.

As we continue down this untraveled road, we keep looking for new things to do. We often wonder what is open. What is closed? Have the hours changed? Have they gone virtual? Are they using Zoom or something like that?

So, let’s see if we can figure some of that out… Let’s take a look at what’s going on with Museums….

And once you start looking, I think you will find amazing opportunities!! You will be able to visit places you have only read about or learned about in school. And the visit is very real and much better than just looking at pictures!!

One site I found – upgradepoints.com – has 75 best museum tours around the world that include art, history, science, and technology. From this site I visited…

The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. In the main museum complex, you are able to visit all 3 stories and see 1,000’s of pieces of art plus the entire building which of course is a work of art in itself. And do not forget to look at the ceilings!! To a degree you can move around almost as if you were there. The added bonus of these virtual tours is no one is in your way!!

Katie Bourque posted an article in March with a massive list of 30 amazing virtual tours of museums, zoos, and theme parks. I visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This tour is so clear that you can read the plaques for each display. You touch on blue arrows to move and then can zoom in for unbelievable details.

How about going to a children’s museum?? The Minnesota Children’s Museum even has activity ideas and hands on activities you can do at home. You will have some new things to do with the kids.

So, when you are sitting home you can travel the world and see amazing works! You can even revisit a museum you have been to years ago. See what is different and what is the same!

And do not overlook visiting a zoo or a theme park. At many zoos you can watch livestream cameras of pandas, penguins, elephants, koalas or go on a home safari daily at the Cincinnati Zoo.

All of this is a great escape!! Invite others to go with you. You can all visit the same day and conference call as you tour or even afterwards over a glass of wine. Perhaps on another day invite your grandchildren to come along as you go to the zoo.

Hey, visit several art museums. Browse around. Find what you like and be inspired… Order some watercolors or acrylics and paint your own picture. You might discover you have talent or even if you do not have talent it might still be a whole lot of fun and when things are better you can take some lessons. Almost all Senior Centers have art classes. From drawing to painting to collage and more.

So, do something different today!!

Of the many stages of life there are wins and losses. There are gifts and disasters. There are blessings and tragedies. We can all compare notes of what each of these has been for us, but I will declare loudly my biggest blessing has been being a Granny.

Nothing holds a candle to the moment you hold your first grandchild and realize that new baby is a part of you. In that moment, your life changes forever as you hope to help grow that baby into adulthood. And with each new grandchild that realization continues to grow.

You hold them. You watch that baby grow. You watch them and their parents grow into a family…….. Remembering to be supportive of the parents. Remembering you wanted to raise your kids your way. They do too. So, help the parents by following their schedules and rules.

Build a closeness with those babies because ties between Grandparents and Grandchildren can be so valuable for both groups.

And today’s ways of staying in touch help so much. We have Smart phones, Alexa, text, messenger, Zoom, Facetime, WebEx and so much more. Options seem limitless and sure help Grandparents watch those babies grow even when families live far apart. Plus we can still write a letter. Send a card.

Studies show these relationships have benefits for both. There is less depression in both groups and fewer behavior and emotional problems for the Grandchildren. Even fewer difficulties with peers. Grandparents can help by telling how they handled similar situations when they were growing up. Offer solutions and different ways of looking at things.

And grandkids keep the Grandparents in touch and up to date with what’s happening in today’s world. Expose Grandparents to different ideas and the new meanings of age-old problems.

Grandparents often have the time to spend with the kids. They can often do the things with the grandkids they did not have the time or money to do as they raised their own children.

Grandparents can help teach values. Right from wrong. Reinforce manners and other lessons parents encourage the Grandparents to share. Sometimes Grandparents become the confidant for the kids. The one who they can turn to. The adult who it is safe to share worries or problems with.

And remember it is not all easy!! Like the rest of life there are bumps in the road. Mistakes are made. Things are misunderstood.

Plus keep in mind sometimes a child’s grandparent might really be Great Aunt or Uncle. Or they might not even be related at all. It could a neighbor, a family friend, the babysitter, or someone else who is close to the family. So whoever you are, remember you are important and can truly make a difference in that child’s life. And your life will be much richer for it too.

So, help the parents. Offer date nights.  Babysit. Have a sleepover.

Get out there and take a kid to a museum, a park, for a walk, play a game and you will both have a great, meaningful time.

Marketing trends have been heading in new directions for a while but the COVID19 is really pushing that envelope into horizons we cannot even imagine. We currently are living, working, and shopping in ways we never dreamed of. And these new ways too will change quickly as we readjust to a whole new “normal” as we come out of this lockdown. We will mourn the loss of many things, as we start consuming services and goods in different ways. We will be discovering what companies and businesses have survived. What new businesses have emerged.

Stopping for a coffee can be a good example. How many of us stopped daily for that great cup of Joe? Couldn’t live without it…. Until….. Our lives changed. The habit got broken because we were no longer leaving the house every day. The question becomes how many cups of coffee will that business sell as we all come out of this pandemic? Will the local shops even reopen?

Companies must adjust quickly if they plan to survive and be profitable over the next 5 years. Marketing trends have been heading in new directions for a while but the COVID19 is really pushing that envelope into horizons we cannot even imagine.

Trends show we will continue to hold virtual meetings which will become a more efficient use of time. We will socialize in every different ways. We have found we do not like social distancing so much. Clubs will pop up and memberships will increase. Facebook groups will evolve and start gathering in person. Established groups such as VFWs, The Elks, The Moose will attract new members. Senior Centers, the Y, Park n Rec and similar organizations will experience a surge in activity as people discover their new routines.

The public will spend months perhaps years looking for and discovering their new day to day habits. And when creating this new life, they will select the parts they liked and discard what they will not do again, and businesses need to be where the consumer can find them such as SeniorCenterCt.org. This collective site is trusted and contains trusted information. This cutting-edge resource is that place where users find what they are looking for, mark their calendars with activities and though clickable ads find services and products they are looking for. Plus, then can relay all this information to their family and friends.

Businesses need to:

• Be that trusted advisor/service/site/provider
• Strengthen existing customer relationships
• Identify real opportunities and shift accordingly
• pinpoint key priorities
• determine their brand and do extensive brand building so their company is easy to recognize
• Be ready for the recovery

And all businesses need to be very aware of the senior population. As a group they will be for the most part the least affected by all of this. For the most part their income will continue to be very stable. And they still will be purchasing and consuming at the rate they were.

Resources like SeniorCenterCt.org will grow in popularity as the senior population, their friends and families are looking to establish and get back their “new” ordinary lives.