The ORIGINAL Baby Boomer site.

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Isn’t it interesting how quickly the months and years go by at this stage of our lives? I can remember as a youth, I couldn’t wait to be 15, 16, 18, and 21 (so I could have a drink in a hotel)… Now I think ‘slow down I am nearly 60’ and it is all going so fast.
 
Still we can not stop the clock so I am determined to keep active and involved and make my life worthwhile.
 
I have been doing this web site for almost 9 years now and there were times when I questioned why? Why keep trying to inform Boomers of the big picture of what lies ahead? Why keep trying to inform government that we need an urgent focus on mature age over 50s? Why do I care that society is heading straight for some very sobering times as we struggle with an Ageing Australia?  Why use my time and my money in this way?
 
The answer is in my nature. I am a caring type by nature and throw in some chronic idealism and you have the answer.
 
But why does my life speeding up worry me so? Well, in 20011, the first of the Boomers turns 65 and the age pensions start to double. The government will feel an immediate pinch on budgeted benefits. There are the other two social issues headaches as well that the Boomers will create, namely Aged Care and Health, and they have to be budgeted for.
 
Let’s look at health for instance. Unless we all start to take our health and fitness seriously, then we will be putting this country under tremendous financial strain in the coming decades and dying a lot earlier than we have to.
 
Take this statistic as an example. Currently Access Economics project that 90 000 people will suffer from a heart attack this year at a cost of $18 billion. The Boomers will raise that stake to 250, 000 per annum in the coming decades suffering an attack at an estimated cost in today’s terms of $50 billion per annum.
 
That’s just for our hearts. Don’t forget the hip and knee joints, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other age related diseases that can be added to the list.
 
With around 6 taxpayers currently paying for one retiree and only 3 predicted to be paying as the Boomers age, can you imagine what amounts we are talking about that will be needed from our taxes to pay for it all?
 
The X (30-45), Y (16-29) and Z (0-15) generations will pay for it and that is unfair if we don’t help. We need to get fit. We need to stop enjoying our food and drink so much and realise the damage it is doing to our health and well-being.
 
We need to look at the person in the mirror and stop seeing ourselves at 20 or 30 and realise we are out of shape and we can do something about it.
 
I am monitoring my health. Smaller meals, very little bread, high protein, reduced sugar intake and a careful approach to food combined with some regular exercise means that I will stay healthier longer.
 
I stretch my back every day and engage my back muscles so they keep supporting my spine and I walk 20 minutes per day on average. I could also do yoga or tai chi and even join a bush walking club. It must become part of your daily routine.
 
Many of you have contacted BONZA about the lack of information available to over 50s about issues relevant to ageing. There is information out there so seek it.
 
Do a computer course so you can learn how to google. It will open a new world of knowledge for you.
 
Your local council is well aware of the importance of community health and many offer exercise two or three times a week so make that a part of your routine. Don’t get into the comfort zone where you convince yourself you are past it or else bad health will take over your life and you will become a health burden on society before your time.
 
If we are going to live for several decades into retirement then let’s make them active and healthy years and not constant visits to the doctor if that is possible.
 
For many that is not possible as life catches up with us with work related injuries and the outcome of lifestyle chooses from our younger years but for the majority good health is achievable if you look in the mirror and be honest about what you see. Do you like what you see? Do something about it from today.
 
Life churns on so make it a BONZA one!
 
NOTE: BONZA advocates for:
1. Mature Age Leave for over 50s so they can have some quality time out from their workplace and freshen up doing interest things.

2. Over 50s need a separate government office, Maturelink, to highlight the importance of Mature Age looking to Move Forward in life not plan for retirement only in our older years. This is even more essential now we have to work to 67.

3. A need for incentives from government for families to build granny flats for the aged care of family members at home. A family approach to an Ageing Australia in line with European and Asian cultures.

4. A need for Community Health Clinics that the aged can attend and not clog the hospital system just as we had some priority at birth due to our numbers.

5. A strong community based program for aged to take an interest in the local community through supporting schools, group exercising, supporting welfare groups and strong social clubs for the aged.

6. Government incentives to allow us to retain/build assets so that we can support ourselves more as we age.

7. Developments of the Uni of the Third Age so that minds are kept active through study and research.

8. Break Centrelink up into a smaller office. Aged Pension to Retirement Offices, Familes to Medicare (completely), Disabled to revamped CRS offices, Youth to Youthlink (could be in Centrelink with Maturelink so mentor roles are easier) and Newstart to Job Network who could also pay them when there is compliance with job seeking.

9. Skills for the Bush project. A database of jobs available in Regional Australia set up through Local Govt so that over 50s can work their way around Australia. This would fit in well with the Mature Age Leave concept.

10 A Mature Age Policy for every workplace so employers can offer loyal staff some incentive to keep going. They will need their skills as the skill shortage approaches.

11. A referendum to decide whether euthanasia should be part of Australian life.

Lots to do folks so let’s get on with it and have a BONZA LIFE!

Brian Murphy
Editor
BONZA