Boomer Corner

If not Immortality what about The 120 Club? Planning for the End of Your Life Refl ections on two decades of tourism development

Who will end up with your books and your tchotskes, My good friend Alexander Everett died in 2005 aged your gadgets and your garden tools when you change 85 on his ranch in Oregon. It wasn’t really a ranch, your cosmic address at the end of your life? more like an Ark. Alexander just liked to hang out

with animals, certainly not eat them. Hewas an It’s probably the easiest and least onerous part of your educationalist and an English eccentric much estate planning to make a list of all your possessions and influenced by Rudolf Steiner and Huxley’s Perennial Philosophy, who decamped to Oregon in the 1960s becoming a leading figure in the personal development movement that became popular at that decide who will get the stuff you have accumulated all these years. Will Junior get your porno movie collection? Your daughter might like some jewellery or family heirlooms; time. As a young man he had been crippled by polio maybe your best friend would appreciate your gadgets or but claimed to have cured himself. He was, he told garden tools. You have made your Last Will and Testament? me a member of the 120 Club, all of whom committed Good. That takes care of your estate, your possessions and themselves to live to be over 120 years old. Alas, financial accounts and settles your preferences. Or does it?

Alexander didn’t make it. He died 35 years short aged 85, which is respectable. Estate Planning

Somewhere around the age of 18 or 19 our bodies cease Planning for the dissolution and distribution of your estate is developing and from that moment on the various body not that cumbersome but you need to take a few things into clocks that comprise what is us, start their remoseless account, especially if you have property or a foot in two countdown to our eventual demise. How countries. Besides the bequests and provisions your last long we last from that point on depends on will and testament should appoint an executor who will take good luck, our genes, our lifestyle and how care of administrative and financial matters such as much money we have. The process doesn’t liquidating bank and investment accounts, your pension or usually start to manifest visibly until our mid-30s or so and, given good genes, psychologically we don’t usually start to feel old until our early 70s. retirement accounts, ensuring your assets go to the proper beneficiaries, paying any debts or taxes. It could also include selling your home or terminating your lease. And with foreign property rights restricted in Indonesia, be sure Here’s what we’re all up against: you don’t leave behind a can of worms your executor will have to deal with. Even if you have little in the way of assets or possessions, you should have a simple will because if you die intestate the legal system in your location will decide who gets your assets, no matter how massive or meager. Things are more complicated if you are the parent or guardian of a minor child, have an informally adopted or sponsored child and there’s no document stating what you want to bequeath them or who will care for them after your demise. By the same token, are you making some provisions for your faithful staff who may lose their jobs and probably have no retirement or financial cushion to fall back on? Another thing to consider is to make sure that your will does not contradict the account beneficiaries named on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies and the like. The person listed as the beneficiary on each of those policies will get the money even if your will says otherwise. Make sure your beneficiary designations are up to date and sync with any other legal provisions you have made. It pays to review the beneficiaries on all your accounts. You may not be ready to die and in fact may yet have a long bout of life ahead of you but remember that things change, people come and go in your life and situations alter. Be sure these changes are updated in your will. Including your will, make a list of critical documents that the will’s executor will need to settle your estate like your insurance policies, bank and investment account statements, credit and debit cards, pension and tax documents and pertinent information like your Social

The history of Planet Earth is the history of mankind’s Security or National Insurance numbers and make sure you migrations and as a reader of this article you are most tell your family or carers where to find them. This includes likely a recent migrant yourself. I am sure that everyone passwords so your online accounts can be accessed. Other who eventually turned into a migrant and is now living practical directives should address the paying of any taxes here, came once before as a tourist. due, utility bills, recurring payments or donations. Any time a major change occurs in your life, make sure your will and What remains rather odd is that people who try to make a last directives reflect it. permanent move from a poor country to a wealthy nation are called refugees. There was a time when someone who left one country to settle in another was called an emigree. Nowadays, in case such a person is allowed to enter a country, he is called an immigrant. As we all know attitudes towards immigrants do differ. In civilized countries with leaders like Trudeau or Merkel, immigrants are not by defi nition evil people but welcomed. In the country that has telephone code number one and a leader who is married to a recent immigrant, all newcomers from countries where people are killing each other are by defi nition criminals and therefore unwelcome. Yet when someone from a wealthy country makes a move to a lesser developed nation, we now refer to him as an expat. The implication is that the move is not permanent. Someone living -ex patria-outside of his native country may one day return to his ‘homeland’. You may have met expats on this island who continuously go back and forth on tourist visa and this routine does indeed offer them the opportunity to regularly go shopping for books unavailable locally.In case you are an expat boomer who moved to Bali relatively recently you may be unaware there used to be a time that visa on arrival meant that one could stay sixty days in Indonesia. Those were the days that the North of Bali was thriving with a constant stream of backpackers. Many of these foreign visitors had already been to Pangandaran on the South coast of Java and to Yogyakarta and were probably planning to continue to go to Lombok and Flores. Most objected if you would call them tourists. They preferred to use the term ‘travelers’ and most carried Bill Dalton’s “the Indonesian Handbook”. When you could spend sixty days in the country it was perfectly possible to go on a fi ve or six island ‘tour’ through the country. All that was brought to an end in February 2004 by Yusril Mahendra, at the time Minister of Justice and Human Rights. He was the one who engineered that the sixty days were reduced to thirty. In the years that followed there was a lot of handwringing about the fact that that there was a decrease in foreign arrivals to Indonesia and the number of tourists was so much lower than in Thailand and Malaysia. This brings me to a few of particular aspects of Indonesian governance. Once a problem has been identifi ed, the answer is usually to organize a conference with delegates from several different Government Ministries participating. Long introductions and many repetitions will be recorded as ‘brainstorming’ and after many lunches and dinners later the fi nal outcome will be a “Joint Action Plan”. After these meetings everyone goes home with feelings of satisfaction, because something has been achieved. At the same time there are feelings of relief, because the time has come to forget about the problem for a while. The name and the scope of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Tourism have changed several times. At one point it was Tourism, Post and Telecommunications. Then for quite a while it became the department of Tourism Art and Culture. Currently it is the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. What never changes is the fact that when it comes to foreign arrivals the Department sets targets. If at the end of the year the actual arrivals turn out to be higher, we slap each other on the back because the targets were achieved. If at the end of the year the reverse is the case, and the predictions of the Department turned out to be wrong,we commiserate because it means we did not meet the target. Yet that still is no reason to worry. We will organize new brainstorming sessions and see if we should perhaps change the slogan or the tagline. Incidentally, another Indonesian idiosyncrasy is that offi cial results never come in a rounded fi gure. It is not good governance to tell the world that we reached 78 percent of the target. It is more correct to report that the fi gure was 77.68 percent. As far as I know the most recent action plan for the development of tourism is now four years old so it is not polite to start asking about its implementation. It was hatched in February 2016 under the name TEN NEW BALIS. The plan foresaw the creation of ten new tourist destinations across the country. The ten destinations earmarked were Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Belitung (Bangka Belitung), Tanjung Lesung (Banten), Seribu Islands (Jakarta), Borobudur Temple (Central Java), Mount Bromo (East Java), Mandalika Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Komodo Island (East Nusa Tenggara), Wakatobi National Park (Southeast Sulawesi), and Morotai (North Maluku). When I worked as a tour leader in the late eighties taking groups of Dutch tourists through Indonesia, we already had Lake Toba, Borobudur and Mount Bromo included on the itinerary and usually these guided tours ended with stays on Bali and Lombok. It used to take about four hours to drive from Medan airport to Toba. Since 2017 there is an international airport on Samosir, the island in the lake, and fi ve times a week Air Asia operates a direct fl ight from Kuala Lumpur. Similarly,

Chronic Inflammation

Aging people suffer an epidemic of outward inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, but chronic inflammation also damages brain cells, arterial walls, heart valves and other structures in the body. Heart attack, stroke, heart valve failure, and Alzheimer’s have all been linked to the chronic inflammatory cascade.

Glycosylation

Diabetics age prematurely, but even non-diabetics suffer from this chemical reaction, where protein molecules bind to glucose molecules forming non-functioning structures. Glycosylation is most evident in senile dementia, stiffening of the arteries, and degenerative diseases of the eye.

Methylation Deficit

Our cellular DNA requires constant enzymatic action for maintenance and repair. Aging cripples methylation metabolism causing DNA damage that can manifest as cancer, liver damage and brain cell degeneration.

Mitochondrial Energy Depletion

The cellular energy powerhouse, the mitochondria, requires a complex series of chemicals to maintain critical functions such as transporting nutrients through the cell membrane and purging the cell of toxic debris. Mitochondrial depletion lead to congestive heart failure, muscle weakness, fatigue and neurological disease.

Hormone Imbalance

Trillions of cells in the human body are synchronised to function by chemical signals called hormones. Aging creates hormonal imbalance that can lead to depression, End-of-life preferences osteoporosis, coronary heart disease and loss of libido.

Now that the estate portion of your bounty is settled, have Excess Calcification you given a thought to the other end-of-life decisions you need to make while still, as they say, of sound and competent Calcium ions are transported into and out of cells through mind? What about drawing up a Living Will that will instruct calcium channels into the membrane. Aging disrupts this your nearest and dearest how you want to be cared for process and the result is excess calcium in the cells of the when you are no longer in a position to verbalise coherent brain, heart valves and arterial walls that can lead to thoughts? Remember there are very important instructions arteriosclerosis and Alzheimer’s. in regards to your end of life preferences that simply do not belong in a Last Will and Testament since that document will not be read until after your death.

The western way to do that is to draw up an Advance

Directive, a legal and binding document that outlines your wishes if you become incapacitated due to illness or injury.

It sets forth the specific life- supporting or prolonging measures you would like applied -or not- like resuscitation or CPR, or whether to end all life-saving measures. Your wishes should be written down and the document given to the people most likely to be close at the time of your demise.

You should not leave these agonizing decisions to others.

These instructions should include the type of care you wish to have, the medical team and the hospital you want to end up in. If you wish to be an organ donor here in Indonesia you can register with Komite Transplantasi National (the

National Transplant Committee) or the Eye Bank (Bank

Mata Indonesia) ahead of time and stipulate that in your directive.

Fatty Acid Imbalance

The body requires essential fatty acids to maintain cell energy output. Aging causes alterations in the enzymes required to convert dietary fats into specific fatty acids the body requires. The effect of fatty acid imbalance manifests as irregular heartbeat, joint degeneration, low energy, hyper-coagulation, dry skin and a host of other conditions.

DNA Mutation

Numerous synthetic and natural compounds mutate cellular DNA and cause cancer cells to form. Aging cells lose their DNA gene repair mechanisms and the result is DNA genetic damage causes cells to proliferate out of control, i.e., turn into cancer cells.

Immune Dysfunction

For a variety of reasons, the aging immune system loses its ability to attack bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. In aging humans, excessive levels of dangerous cytokines are produced that cause the immune system to turn on its host and create auto-immune diseases,, such as allergies, lupus, anemia, rheumatoid heart disease and arthritis.

Your instructions should also indicate your wishes for Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, the preferred last rites, burial, cremation or repatriation main entryway to a fast-growing hotspot, will become an preferences, appoint a funeral service and a trusted international airport in June. relative or friend who agrees to take care of all that. Also don’t forget to leave behind a list of family and friends you Whether these new fl ight destinations have the capacity to want notified. ‘Next of kin’ may not be near if you have handle a major infl ux of tourists, is anybody’s guess. Non-Digestive Enzyme Imbalance family in another country. Indonesian Immigration and Internal cellular functions depend on multiple enzymatic your consulate also need to be informed. reactions occurring with precise timing. Aging causes enzyme disturbances in the brain and liver, which result in And now for the big caveat: Remember that every country severe neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or has its own norms and regulations when it comes to persistent memory loss. Impaired liver function results in durable health care and appointing a health care proxy. If toxic damage to every cell in the body. you plan to die in Indonesia you are well advised to inform yourself of the practices here. In fact, a quick survey Digestive Enzyme Deficit among a few Bali lawyers reveals that unfortunately, the

Indonesian law system does not recognise a Living Will. The aging pancreas often fails to secrete enough digestive However, you can draw up a private statement letter enzymes, while the aging liver does not secrete enough regarding your medical directives and wishes on how bile acids. The results are the chronic digestive problems medical personnel should treat you in case of a lethal many face as they age. condition. This statement letter only indicates your wishes When Indonesia shows progress, it is more often a fruit and does not have the strong enforcement capacity like a that was grown in the garden of its vibrant private sector

Excitotoxicity will. It behoves you to discuss these matters with your than something that was planted in a Government Park.A private physician now and see where you stand. case in point is Go-Jek, the local start-up company that

The aging brain loses control of its dared to challenge rivals like Uber and in the course of the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and dopamine, and this results In the end it doesn’t really matter - or does it to you? past year has made a greater contribution to changes in the life of ordinary Indonesians than their Government. in devastating brain cell damage and destruction. Statistics claim that nearly half of people age 55 and older In early December the company made the front page of don’t have a will. I bet the percentage is even higher for the International New York Times as follows : “The

Circulatory Deficit not having a Living Will. Yet it is important to document company’s main app lets you summon a car or motorbike your end-of-life preferences and communicate those to driver who could just give you a lift, sure — but who could

Microcapillary flow of blood to the brain, your family and/or the people that are likely to be near you also bring you takeout, shop for groceries or deliver a eye and skin is impaired as a part of at that crucial time. Putting a plan in place for things like present to someone across town. With another Go-Jek normal aging. The result is that disorders medical care and funeral arrangements helps ensure that app, Go-Life, you can hail someone to come cut your hair, of the eye (such as cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma) are the No.1 age-related degenerative disease. Major and mini-strokes are common problems upon your death, your wishes are carried out and that family squabbles are avoided over your dead body. In terms of funeral arrangements, you can leave the arrangements to a competent service like Antara Bangsa give you a massage, clean your bathroom or change your car’s oil. And with the money you keep in Go-Jek’s digital wallet, you can pay your electricity bill, buy mobile data and book movie tickets — all within the app.” associated with circulatory deficit to the Funeral Services. Expats in Bali concur they are very Go-Jek’s founder and chief executive, Nadiem Makarim, brain. good and take care of the details. who turned his start-up into a company valued at three billion dollars was recently commandeered into the Oxidative Stress Don’t wait to put your affairs in order. Now, while you are Government and appointed as Minister of Education and Free radicals are unstable molecules that have been implicated in most diseases associated with aging. Antioxidants have become popular supplements to still hale and healthy and still have control of your belongings and the execution of your last wishes, is the best time to put some order in your end of life preferences. Culture of the Republic. As a climate refugee to this wonderful country I harbor absolutely no desire to ever return to my homeland. With protect against free-radical-induced cell damage, but few Don’t wait until life’s inevitable loops throw you a curve and my retirement visa I feel like a local. people take the proper combination of antioxidant beat you to it. supplements needed to do any good.

By Adrian By Shari By Ines Wynn By Shari By Willem Loots

The Boomer Corner is a column dedicated to people over 60 living in Bali. Its mandate is to cover topics, practicalities, activities, issues, concerns and events related to senior life in Bali. We welcome suggestions from readers. E-mail us at : Baliboomers@gmail.com The Boomer Corner is a column dedicated to people over 60 living in Bali. Its mandate is to cover topics, practicalities, activities, issues, concerns and events related to senior life in Bali. We welcome suggestions from readers. E-mail us at : Baliboomers@gmail.com The Boomer Corner is a column dedicated to people over 60 living in Bali. Its mandate is to cover topics, practicalities, activities, issues, concerns and events related to senior life in Bali. We welcome suggestions from readers. E-mail us at : Baliboomers@gmail.com The Boomer Corner is a column dedicated to people over 60 living in Bali. Its mandate is to cover topics, practicalities, activities, issues, concerns and events related to senior life in Bali. We welcome suggestions from readers. E-mail us at : Baliboomers@gmail.com The Boomer Corner is a column dedicated to people over 60 living in Bali. Its mandate is to cover topics, practicalities, activities, issues, concerns and events related to senior life in Bali. We welcome suggestions from readers. E-mail us at : Baliboomers@gmail.com Copyright © 2019 Boomer Corner You can read all past articles of Boomer Corner at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2019 Boomer Corner You can read all past articles of Boomer Corner at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2020 Boomer Corner You can read all past articles of Boomer Corner at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2019 Boomer Corner You can read all past articles of Boomer Corner at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2020 Boomer Corner You can read all past articles of Boomer Corner at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz