Editor's note: This is the sixth story in a series about aging in Athens and the concerns of soon-to-retire baby boomers.
The concept of retirement is changing as many retiring baby boomers search for a way to spend their time, somewhere between rock 'n' roll and a rocking chair.
Ohio University alumna Sheila VanDyke is confident that her retirement will not be a phase of life where watching Jeopardy becomes the highlight of the day.
The 50-year-old elementary teacher at Athens schools is a Vinton County resident, but says she'll move into a one-story home near Athens for retirement because she likes the proximity to cultural events and outdoor activities, of which she wants to take full advantage.
I lived all my life on a farm
and I'm moving to the city for retirement she said, laughing at how she compares to retirees who typically leave the hustle and bustle of cities for quieter neighborhoods.
As increasing numbers of baby boomers retire with expectations for healthier and longer lives than those of their predecessors, this generation is helping to redefine the concept of retirement, said Kathy Keller, a spokeswoman for the Ohio AARP.
More and more retirees are ditching the traditional idea of slowing down and reflecting on life and instead are finding ways to stay active through athletics, volunteer work, community involvement, new occupations, travel, hobbies and family events.
People want to feel like they're learning and building on their lives Keller said. They want new experiences
to see new things and go new places.
A 2004 AARP survey of baby boomers' retirement expectations found that 79 percent of them planned to work in some capacity during their retirement years, and a majority of that population also viewed retirement as an opportunity to spend more time with family
as a time to pursue hobbies and interests and as a time of leisure.
VanDyke said she plans to retire after this school year and might return as a volunteer in a year or two - not wanting to give up her passion for educating children - but first needs some time for herself.
There comes a point where you just have to say
'Hey
I have to take care of me
' she said.
She's preparing the one-story home in which she'll retire for the needs she might have as she ages.
When you fix things up
you expect them to last 30 to 40 years
and that's what I'm looking for
she said.
But she is quick to add that she doesn't plan to need those amenities any time soon, a statement reflective of the attitude of many baby boomers who hope to live longer independently and in their own homes.
They don't want to give up that dignity and independence
