Are you a boomer or zoomer?

Last week my daughterin-law, who also does a fabulous job as Director of Business Development at Visiting Angels ®, sent me a fascinating article about “Zoomers”. I have to admit that until I read the article I didn’t even know what a Zoomer was; but then I realized I was one!

I expect that most of you reading this column are Baby-Boomers , a much publicized demographic born within the post World War II years of 1946-1964. After all, who else would be interested in a column called “All About Seniors”?!

But what is a “Zoomer”? Webster’s online dictionary defines Zoomer as someone who is “a baby-boomer with zip,” as defined by Moses Znaimer, a Canadian media mogul and broadcaster and founder of ZoomerMedia Limited. Here are some of the attributes that define Zoomers:

1.Zoomers understand the difference between aging that occurs naturally due to genetic background and the unnecessary or early aging that occurs because of an unhealthy lifestyle.

2.Zoomers are proactive about their health and monitor consistently for inherited health problems such as cancer or heart disease.

3.Zoomers take daily measures to remain strong and healthy through daily exercise, nutritious diet and weight management.

4.Zoomers maintain a supportive circle of close, trusted friends.

5.Zoomers have an active spiritual life and belong to a church, synagogue or other faith group.

6.Zoomers maintain passion for life and a positive self-image.

7.Zoomers have solid, long-term retirement plans that can sustain an active lifestyle.

8.Zoomers serve the community through volunteering and advocacy.

As I pondered that list and discussed it with my wife I realized that we fit everyone of those criteria without even being aware of the group, or its terminology! I also realized what an incredible blessing it is to have the health and freedom to be a Zoomer.

Some thoughts about how we got here. After a career-ending health crisis seventeen years ago, we moved to Hilton Head Island, a beautiful retirement/recreational destination which we thoroughly enjoyed for about six years. But then, we felt our hearts pulling us in a new, very nontraditional retirement lifestyle; we bought and restored an old 1930’s era family farm. Was it a lot of work? You betcha! Did we enjoy it? Mostly. Would we go back? Not if we were given the choice. The perks never end. For example, last night was a fresh bass dinner form the pond; this morning one of our roosters greeted us for breakfast on the deck and I just put a bunch of freshly candled eggs in the fridge to share with family and friends.

Would I recommend what we’ve done for many retirees? Not at all. But what I would recommend is to not fall into the trap of doing “What’s expected”, a typical laid back, uneventful retirement. Instead, if your health and other circumstances allow, listen to your heart and follow your passion to what’s right for you and your spouse.

If you do it right, you’ll Zoom into an exciting retirement lifestyle that’s just right for you!

Thanks for reading All About Seniors…..see you next week!

Bill Milby, CSA, is a Certified Senior Advisor and a Director of Visiting Angels® of Macon, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/.