Thoughts from an 80 year old Facebooking Great-grandmother
According to Inside Facebook, an independant blog for industry analysts and online marketers, women over 55 are the fastest growing demographic on the social networking site Facebook. A recent study indicates that the WWII generation is most likely to use a social networking site (SNS) for the purpose of staying in touch with friends and family. 30% of the older users of SNS are there "for fun" vs. 61% of Gen Y (15-29 year olds). 90% of SNS users from the WWII generation use Facebook vs. other sites like MySpace or Twitter.
So what do older users of SNS think? I had a conversation with my mom Nickie, a Facebook newbie and 80 year old great-grandmother.
What prompted you to join Facebook, Mom?
Nickie: One of my grandchildren insisted I join in and I felt flattered. She set me up remotely which was amazing to me.
How often do you log in?
Nickie: Not very often, mostly because I feel awkward about getting in. I think I just need more practice and to take my time.
In what ways do you use Facebook? I do a little chatting and more reading others' comments.
What's been your biggest surprise about Facebook?
Nickie: The amount of communicating others do. Facebook for the most part seems to be surface communication without depth. Facebook vs. face time? Yes. But, on the other hand, those away from their friends or family, must appreciate the link to others without having to write an out and out letter or make a phone call.
Do you anticipate more friends of your generation hopping aboard?
Nickie: I really don't think so. I think those who use email, really enjoy & prefer it.
In general, how do you feel about the role of communication technology (computers, cell phones) in your life and in society? They are all very useful, but I do believe they are not used wisely by many, many people. Even when communication with others in-person is available, many seem to withdraw and concentrate on the device at hand. It seems almost like an obsession.
How did you celebrate your 80th birthday, Mom?
Nickie: I took my first hip-hop class. And I'm so glad I did! It was great fun.
~Helen Rickman
Euthanizing Older People Conspiracy Message is Wackiness . . . Let's Get Real on Real Issues
We have to get real and focus on real issues, such as The CLASS Act, which would help people live as independently as possible.
Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate Paul Thissen Releases Age Wave Video
Watch Paul Thissen's Age Wave video here.
Bananas and Bud Light: Wayne Terwilliger's Keys to Aging Well
"I eat a lot of bananas for potassium and drink Budweiser Light. That's the answer."
Former Minnesota Twins-Saint Paul Saints coach Wayne Terwilliger, 84, who has been in professional baseball for more than 60 years and now coaches for the Fort Worth (Texas) Cats minor league club, asked the secret to his longevity by Saint Paul Pioneer Press sports columnist Charley Walters.
An Aging World is Brilliant News
This week the US census bureau announced that, within 10 years and for the first time in history, old people will outnumber young people across the globe. They were careful not to be too judgmental about this – there being so little we can do about it anyway – and concentrated not on consequent problems but on the "challenges to policymakers". And yet whenever this demographic shift comes up, it is presented in terms of a crisis on one hand and a burden on the other . . . . Our aging world is is brilliant news!. . . . Read London Guardian columnist Zoe Williams' take here.
Elder Fashion And The Power of Win-Wins
Neat things happen through collaboration. For example, this week, our team members and customers at Ecumen's Countryside community in Owatonna, Minn., partnered with local clothier BonWorth for a fashion show. Fashion trends change, but people's enjoyment of fashion is timeless. Models included CountrySide customers, including Billie Vargason above as pictured by the Owatonna People's Press. Our customers get to check out the newest fasions; BonWorth gets in front of potential customers. A win-win. . . . . The world moves when with win-wins.
Coca-Cola Ad for Seniors, For Everyone
Okay, not every person is going to want to do a back flip from the high dive, but I like the underlying message in this Coca-Cola ad. Aging is living, even at the very end of life. Anyone know the name of the actor? I've seen him a bunch of other places, but can't place his name.
Vital Aging Network Announces Autumn Leadership Classes For The Rest of Your Life in Twin Cities & Mankato
The rest of your life begins now!
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
-John Wooden, Award-winning basketball coach
You can live out your passions and help to make a better world.
ALVA is a leadership development program designed for people 50+ who want to use their experience and skills in whole new ways. It's for people who want to make a difference. . .
Remember the excitement before a new school year--the sense of anticipation in the air, of something new and exciting about to begin? Why not try something new again this fall? ALVA starts October 9. Classes meet the second Friday of the month for 8 months at Century College in White Bear Lake, Inver Hills Community College, and Minnesota State University, Mankato.
A limited number of scholarships are available to cover 1/2 of the course fees. Don't let this opportunity pass by. Register today!
This will be the fifth year VAN has offered this first-class leadership program for older adults. 144 individuals have received their ALVA Leadership Certificates and have created meaningful projects throughout Minnesota.
Check out the Vital Aging Network's website at www.vital-aging-network.org (click ALVA) or call VAN at 651.917.4635 to learn more about how to make this the best "school year" of your life. Registration and scholarship information are on VAN's website.
Celebrating Nearly 1000 Years of Marriage at Ecumen
"It says so much what the sanctity of marriage can be. When you say in the marriage vows, 'for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,' and you look around the room at the smiles on their faces and the physical condition of their bodies, you understand what it means."
Rev. Roger Klinghagen
With many of their children and grandchildren filling the room, 16 couples at Ecumen's Emmanuel Home in Litchfield, Minn., held hands and repeated wedding vows to each other, reaffirming the promises they made during their original wedding ceremonies. Thanks to Amber Thompson at the Litchfield Independent Review for the photo of Viola and Charles Ohm above, the longest-married couple at the celebration. The Ohms were married April 2, 1936, near New Germany, Minn.
When Viola was asked what kept the couple together all these years, a friend in the crowd answered, "She can't walk that fast, so she can't catch a new one." To which Viola quickly replied, "I wouldn't want a new one." She then shared advice with Amber:
"Working as a team is the key to a long, happy marriage."
Viola Ohm
The Ohms lived on a 140-acre dairy farm for many years where they shared duties. "I helped him making hay, shucking grain. I had three boys and I had my house in tip-top shape. We had chickens, we had cows, and when 9 o'clock rolls around you're just happy to go to bed," said Viola.
"You've got to work together, don't think you're going to do it all and let the man out. You've got to share 50/50. When he needed something for his machinery, we went and bought it. If I needed something in the house, we went and bought it, and that's the way we worked together."
The celebration was topped off by our customer Ruby Dragt providing the top from her wedding cake, 73 years ago, to adorn the cake for the vow renewal ceremony.
Jim Klobuchar – Who's That Guy With Dave Chilstrom?
I talked a few days ago with Herb, a man who has reached the heights in his occupation and felt the respect of millions. It didn’t surprise me that after the usual courtesies the conversation moved to his brother, who spent most of his working years at Ecumen's Augustana Homes in Litchfield, Minn, and today is a customer.
As we talked I remembered that somewhere in my wanderings I discovered a working definition of a word that has an appealing sound but is not easy to wrap our arms around. The word is humility, which comes up often in meetings of recovering men and women who have changed their lives from the destructive self-indulgence of an earlier time, and understand their vulnerability. It will come up in a discussion about how we react to success and achieving, and the 
hazards of pride and arrogance that sometimes come with it.
And then someone will remind us that genuine humility does not mean thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less.
Nearly 20 years ago I wrote a newspaper story whose headline read: “Bishop Proudly Bows to the Fame of his Brother, the Janitor.” The bishop was Herb Chilstrom, then the president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and therefore the spokesman for 5 million Lutherans, a role which, the story drily noted, is never very easy nor particularly safe. We were friends, and had written a book together. Herb Chilstrom was and is one of those approachable church hierarchs who talks without pretense and wears well in any setting. He had met with the heads of state on three continents, talked twice with the Pope and somewhere in the midst of all of that was invited to be the grand marshal of the big civic parade in Litchfield, his hometown in Minnesota. He had also dealt with tragedy in the loss of a son to suicide.
His brother, Dave, was born with a brain injury. As kids they played together and loved each other. Every small triumph for Dave was a triumph for Herb. Dave grew up with mental challenges, but none that affected his energy or his bouncing good will. He swept floors in a nursing home. He became a janitor, with a huge smile for every one he met, bringing the sun with him. When Herb the Bishop accepted the parade invitation he asked if his brother could ride beside him. And so he did. The crowds cheered and applauded and somebody yelled, “hey Dave, who’s that white haired guy with you.” And Herb hugged his brother, laughed and wept.
He told a friend, “I don’t know a greater privilege than sitting next to my brother on a day like this.”
Dave, the retired janitor, lives in Litchfield, still bringing the sun with him everywhere. Herb, the retired bishop, lives in St. Peter and still serves his church whenever it asks. They are separated by miles, but inseparable.
Ecumen blogger Jim Klobuchar is a former columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, is author of several books and an adventure traveler.