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Editor Note: In the September issue, AROHE wants to see your campus retiree program organization, office. Share a video introduction of three to five minutes so we can share it with our constituents. We all learn together. Deadline for submission to pcullinane@berkeley.edu is August 17, 2020. Be well. |
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Greetings AROHE family,
We hope the summer is faring you well and that you continue to stay well and healthy. During these unprecedented times, we find ourselves grappling with a multitude of complex issues. It is no doubt an opportune time for unity and agility in responding to the myriad of challenges before us.
Our AROHE Idea Exchange webinars serve as an example of what we can accomplish when great minds come together. As we explore meaningful ways to engage our retirees during this new normal, member organizations continue to come together and share their experiences and creative programs. Aligned with our mission, our goal is to create a robust platform of retiree engagement solutions for our members. Candid conversations and questions raised during our webinars make it possible for our members to gain valuable insights.
If you've missed our recent webinars, stay tuned and plan to join us next time. Our interim executive director, Sue L. Barnes and the AROHE Research & Education Committee have been hard at work lining up new educational opportunities coming your way soon. Make sure to stay active with your membership and leverage these exclusive opportunities to help bring greater value to your retirement organizations.
Till next time, please continue to stay well and safe!
Warmest regards,
Trudy Fernandez, AROHE President
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| Isolation in COVID Time: UCLA Retirees Respond |
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy advice has been to socially distant ourself from others. The older adult population can be at high risk for loneliness and isolation. The UCLA Emeriti/Retirees Relations Center (ERRC) is diligently working to further develop, expand, and engage our campus community. We have prioritized education and combating older adult isolation during shelter in place. The center has implemented a phone-buddy system for retirees called Telebruin (a phone-tree where retirees call each other) as well as Zoom tutorial programs. |
TeleBruin is a pilot initiative to keep our Bruin Community connected. Each retiree makes one call and receives one call from a fellow UCLA retired colleague. Once connected, the call buddies decide how long of a conversation to have and if they want to talk more often. The program was launched in April 2020. So far, 62 retirees that have been linked up.
The calls are social, meant to engage one another, maybe establish a new friendship and reflect the following considerations:
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The health benefits of interpersonal connections are important to lessen feelings of isolation.
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Social distancing does not mean social isolation.
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Reaching out to others offers support and empathy.
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Personal relationships are crucial in maintaining perspective and elevating mood.
As a partner in the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network --https://bit.ly/agefriendlyuniversity -- an important strategy is to serve as a connecting link for people at every stage of life, e.g., by increasing exposure through age-positive media channels to create awareness and learning opportunities for people who are not tech-savvy to keep them engaged. Safer-at-home and physical distancing measures have created a social recession and is a huge public concern. Assisting with digital literacy can minimize the feeling of isolation and loneliness.The ERRC is collaborating with UCLA Consultation & Counseling Center to create webinar for coping, emotional well-being, balancing grief, anxiety, loneliness, and caregiving support. For more information, contact Ayesha Dixon, MSG/MPA, Director, UCLA Emeriti/Retirees Relations Center, 310.825.7456, adixon@errc.ucla.edu. For additional information on staying connected in COVID time, see other articles in this issue. |
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| 'Be Gentle': How to Stay Healthy Emotionally During Social Isolation |
These days, the drumbeat of bad news never seems to end. Current events remind us of some of our nation's darkest moments. The fast spread of the coronavirus and the loss of life call to mind the influenza pandemic of 1918. Unemployment rates rival those of the Great Depression, and supply-chain problems draw comparisons to World War II. The longer it lasts, the more this crisis feels life-altering. The key to getting through this tough time is to be "gentle and generous" with yourself. To read more, go to https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Be-Gentle-How-to-Stay/248865. |
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| Addressing Social Isolation Through Technology Solutions |
On Friday, June 26, the federal office of Administration for Community Living (ACL)presented a webinar highlighting how technology can be leveraged to increase social engagement, including specific hardware and software options. Presenters identified resources for acquiring and distributing technology, as well as mechanisms for training older adults and adults with disabilities to use technology solutions designed to mitigate social isolation. To access the webinar, go to ACL’s COVID-19 page: https://bit.ly/30fjQwd.
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| Idea Exchange Webinar Generates Ideas for Virtual Events |
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During AROHE’s Idea Exchange webinar on May 28, 50+ AROHE members shared strategies and brainstormed solutions for adapting events during physical distancing. This webinar focused on social and signature events, which can be challenging to adapt to a virtual format. Organizations are finding that the most successful virtual events are personalized and structured. Six different AROHE member organizations shared their recent or upcoming event adaptations:
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Arizona State University – Abby Baker and Richard Knopf shared several initiatives, including their Party Line, a 24-hour Zoom meeting that OLLI members can use to schedule discussions and informal meetings.
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UCLA Retirees’ Association – Michael Heafey and Judith Touch provided an overview of the association’s new Armchair Adventures, a series of virtual tours/discussions.
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San Jose State Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA) – Joan Merdinger discussed how their association is virtually honoring faculty Research and Creative Activity Award winners.
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UC Davis Retiree Center – Kyle Urban compared the pros and cons of Zoom meetings and Zoom webinars, both of which the center used for recent events.
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Emory University Emeritus College – Gray Crouse reviewed their recent Awards and New Members reception that was conducted via Zoom.
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New York University Work/Life Department – Stacey Gordon gave an overview of their virtual retiring faculty cocktail reception.
Following the presentations, the participants broke into several discussion groups using the Zoom breakout room feature to brainstorm ideas for other virtual events. Then all participants convened again to share the main points from their discussion groups.
AROHE members can view the webinar through this link: https://www.arohe.org/Webinars. |
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| AROHE Biennial Conference Rescheduled to October 2021 |
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The 10th AROHE Biennial Conference, “Transforming Retirement: A 360° View,” at Arizona State University was postponed until the fall of 2021. The conference hotel, Tempe Mission Palms in Phoenix, AZ, has been very cooperative in working with AROHE to hold the conference October 10-12, 2021.
Conference Planning Committee
If you are interested in helping us plan for the conference and organize local activities, please contact Bill Verdini (verdini@asu.edu) or Joseph Carter (Joseph.Carter@asu.edu). The Conference Program Committee will be seeking proposals for Concurrent Session presentations and Resource Fair exhibits that offer a 360⁰ view of retirement from the perspectives of the academy (academic affairs, human resources, advancement/development departments and others), from retirees, from retiree organizations, and from the world. We welcome proposals from administrators in higher education, retirement organization leaders, researchers who study retirement, innovators in retirement and aging, and sponsors who offer support to retirees. Presentation formats can include a presentation, a panel, a roundtable, an interactive workshop or other creative format. Click here to submit a proposal by April 9, 2021.
Hero Awards
The AROHE Hero Awards will be presented at the conference. The call for award nominations will be made in the coming months.
Pre-Conference Tour of Sedona and Grand Canyon
Road Scholar is already working on a pre-conference trip organized exclusively for AROHE, “A 360° View of Sedona & the Grand Canyon.” Participants will be joined by local experts to explore ancient cliff dwellings, iconic Red Rocks, a heritage railway and the majestic Grand Canyon. Details are available at https://www.arohe.org/Travel-Institute.
Current Education, Engagement Opportunities Until we can bring together individuals from more than 100 institutions to network and learn about retirement organization best practices, we will be increasing member engagement opportunities via our Idea Exchange webinars. Watch for them at https://www.arohe.org/Webinars. You must be logged in as an AROHE member to view this page. |
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| AROHE Free Trial Membership Extended to June 30, 2021 |
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AROHE is offering free trial memberships through June 30, 2021 to college/university retirement organizations, campus departments that serve retirees and individuals who are interested in starting retirement organizations on their campus. This offer is valid for those who are not currently members of AROHE. Trial members will join the robust and very helpful network of experts in academic retirement and can access all member benefits, including AROHE’s Idea Exchange webinars, AROHE Briefs, (succinct guides of successful programs and practices), Discussion Forum, member-shared resources in the online Knowledge Center, and AROHE Matters -- the bi-monthly electronic newsletter on the latest developments in academic retirement. We hope, of course, that after a trial period, each organization will upgrade to a paid membership to support AROHE’s mission of transforming retirement in higher education. To join as a trial member, visit https://www.arohe.org/Membership-Application and click on the Trial Membership option. |
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| Berkeley Talks: Thirty-Six Questions to Help Us Connect When We're Apart |
May 29, 2020 · That’s why Vitali-DeCola, a teacher who has been staying at home with her husband and son in Brooklyn, while her dad is all by himself in Manhattan, decided to do a happiness practice by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center called “36 Questions for Increasing Closeness.” https://bit.ly/berkeleytalks
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| July 2020 TCU Retirees' Newsletter - Loneliness in the Age of COVID-19 |
I recently read an article expressing deep concern about loneliness among older Americans due to social and emotional disconnection by those persons following CDC guidelines to “flatten the COVID-19 curve.” According to this article, 43% of adults over the age of 65 years feel isolated or lonely, responses that increase their risk of dementia, heart disease, and stroke.
To improve older persons’ sense of engagement and purpose:
- Expand older persons' educational offerings to support better community connection
- Encourage older persons' involvement in neighborhood schools
- Encourage volunteering by older persons
- Support home-sharing options, through revised zoning laws, to allow affordable and safe housing
- Support mentoring-mentee relationships between all ages of persons to promote learning, social support, and human connection to prevent loneliness and isolation
- Encourage societal investment in technologies to improve safety and quality of older persons' lives.
To read more, go to TCU newsletter link https://bit.ly/32pdeOC. |
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| Books of Interest: What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life's Third Age by Ken Dychtwald, PhD, and Robert Morison |
Through 99 percent of human history, life expectancy at birth was less than 18 years. Few people had a chance to age. Today, thanks to extraordinary medical, demographic, and economic shifts, most of us expect to live long lives. Consequently, the world is witnessing a powerful new version of retirement, driven by the power and needs of the Baby Boomer generation. Consumers over age 50 account for more than half of all spending and control more than 70% of our total net worth – yet are largely ignored by youth-focused marketers. How will work, family, and retirement be transformed to accommodate two billion people over the age of 60 worldwide?
https://agewave.com/product/what-retirees-want/
Author Ken Dychtwald was interviewed on Facebook on July 8th by Jean Chatzky, financial editor of NBC’s TODAY Show and a senior educational advisor. The interview is available to the public here: https://bit.ly/3j3Ingu
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| Grateful, Not Dead: Rewire, Not Retire. Re-fire Your Purpose |
If you are one of the many people who doesn't want to retire and would prefer engagement to take advantage of your years of experience, then Grateful, Not Dead is your new road map. Based on his own transformation and work as an international consultant and coach, Arthur Hayne Mitchell, Ph.D. uses the REWIREMENT process to empower and transform himself and people like you. He details 10 critical steps to open up to greater happiness, creativity, and service with meaningful work to achieve their freedom. https://bit.ly/gratefulnotdeadretirerefire |
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| 'Age is a sloppy proxy': Older adults push back on idea that staying safe from coronavirus means staying isolated |
https://bit.ly/38H5qos |
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| Let's Make This Crisis the (Grand)Mother of Invention |
Report after report has described the rise of ageism over the past months, but just as worrisome is the insidious implication that older people are exclusively the objects of service, helpless not helpers, anything but essential. What a contrast to the thousands of older doctors, nurses, and health care workers who are working the front lines, many of them coming out of retirement to do so. And then there’s the nearly 80-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci, a bastion of steadiness and clarity throughout the fight. Reminders, all of them, of older adults’ vast reservoir of experience and how desperately it’s needed today. https://bit.ly/2WkjA82 |
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| Withdrawing From Retirement Savings: Is Four Percent A "Safe" Rate? |
A few recent articles have somberly pronounced that the so-called “four percent rule” is dead, a victim of low interest rates, stock market volatility, high stock valuations, and longer lifespans. It turns out that whether a withdrawal rate of 4% is considered to be safe depends on whether you’re using a strict application of the four percent rule or a more modern, “dynamic” savings withdrawal strategy. https://bit.ly/2ZUg9vV |
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| Come Join Us In Transforming Retirement |
Since 2001 AROHE has supported both institutions and individuals by transforming the experience of retirement – the preparation, the actual transition, and post-retirement programming – into a smooth and productive life-course change. To renew, join or learn more visit arohe.org or contact AROHE by emailing info@arohe.org or calling (213) 740-5037.
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Share News, Activities, and Events of Your Retirement Organization Please send us a note about the activities, events, and news of your retirement organization for inclusion in AROHE Matters. Send your information to our newsletter editor at pcullinane@berkeley.edu by August 17th for the September 2020 newsletter.
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AROHE's mantra is "Transforming Retirement." AROHE is a nonprofit association that champions transformative practices to support all stages of faculty and staff retirement, their mutually beneficial engagement, and continuing contributions to their academic institutions. By sharing research, innovative ideas, and successful practices, AROHE emphasizes the development and enhancement of campus-based retiree organizations and programs which support this continuing engagement in higher education.
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