MAKING CONNECTIONS:
Yoga connects body, mind and universal awareness of self BACK TO CLASS: Going back to school as an adult is actually kind of fun
HEALTHY EATING: Is living gluten free right for you?
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SAVVY S3
Welcome back to Savvy! freedom of all that hard work.
Editor, Savvy
W
elcome to the second edition of Savvy, a publication of The Kamloops Daily News.
Savvy is designed with the active ager in mind. The active ager is over the age of 50, but is in no way ‘old.’ According to Statistics Canada, three in 10 Canadians are baby boomers (born between 1948 and 1967). This generation has worked hard and today many are reaping the rewards and the
It is our intent to provide this audience with interesting articles on topics affecting them Thanks for reaching for Savvy!
If there is a topic you would like to see explored in our next issue, please contact Savvy editor Danna Bach at dbach@kamloopsnews.ca or call 250-371-6172
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S4 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Making Connections
Yoga connects body, mind and universal awareness of self By BRONWEN SCOTT Special to The Daily News
Y
oga means ‘join’ or ‘link’ in Sanskrit, and that’s what it does, explained Margaret Huff, owner of Yoga and YogaTherapy with Margaret Huff, where 90 per cent of her students are older than 50. A teacher and yoga therapist, Huff emphasizes bodily strength and stability, and points out that yoga is so much more than a series of postures. “Yoga is about connecting your mind, body and universal awareness of self. I teach a tradition that incorporates all the tools of yoga: breathing, movement, sound, posture and meditation.” It’s a 4,000-year-old system that works, agreed yoga practitioner Margaret Kalyk, who started yoga five years ago. “Yoga was my promise to myself after I retired,” she said. “I had a feeling it would be good for me, I stuck with it, and I love it. “I’ve always been active,” said the former runner, “but it’s very opposite to running. It’s not a huge effort. It’s calming, it reduces stress, and it spills over into life. I go in the morning, and it sets me up for the day, keeps me centred and focused.” That’s because yoga is about the mind, said Huff. “Yoga calms the nervous system and activates the para-sympathetic nervous system, and the functions of vital organs,” she explained. Studies show yoga can reduce hypertension help with digestion, help diabetics achieve better blood sugar control, and help people get to sleep faster, sleep longer and more deeply. Kalyk found that, for her, the breathing is vital. Her belief is well founded. As people age, they lose flexibility in their ribcage, and sometimes have spinal deformities that create less room for lung expansion, so they stop breathing fully. Yoga focuses on full inhalations and exhalations, which leads to better breathing and also slows the heart rate.
“Another big benefit is overall strength, as well as better movement, bone stability and joint flexibility,” said Huff, who teaches classes six days a week at her studio, Mind/Body Connection, in downtown Kamloops. The gentle movements of yoga can even affect bone growth and density. A recent study involving adults with an average age of 68 showed that after Yoga was my two years, those practicing yoga did promise to myself not lose bone, they after I retired. I actually gained it, had a feeling it while those who didn’t do the yoga would be good for lost a little bone. me, I stuck with it, Another study involving rheumatoid and I love it. arthritis patients showed yoga increased hand grip MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS strength, while Terry Haggerty, foreground, and Suzanne Legault follow instructions from yoga instructor Margaret Huff, left and on cover. another showed that yoga helped patients suffering from chronic pain. “I was always in good physical shape, but I’m definitely more flexible now,” agreed Kalyk. “I enjoy Margaret’s type of teaching, and I love her quaint little studio. I’m really happy I found it.” Virtually anyone can start yoga, Huff noted, though “If you’ve got some serious conditions, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor, and to have some private yoga therapy to get you started before joining a class.” Try out different classes and teaching methods to find out what feels best for your body, Huff advised, and check the education of potential teachers, as some may have specialized knowledge and training. “It’s about finding what’s right for you,” she said.
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SAVVY S5
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S6 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Back to Class
It may seem a bit daunting at first, but going back to school is not an impossible challenge, in fact, it’s kind of fun . . .
HUGO YUEN/THE DAILY NEWS
Maria Dennhardt listens in during a class she’s taking at Kamloops’ Spott Shaw College. Below, she and Natlya Merkusheva share ideas in class.
By adam williams Special to The Daily News
older than 40 — and that’s just the on-campus numbers.
oing back to school as a mature student can be a daunting task. The technology has changed the classroom and getting back into the habit of being a student can be a difficult adjustment.
The Open Learning program, which is geared towards fitting any schedule, has a mature student (older than 30 in this case) population of 40 per cent. TRU’s Open Learning offers more than 55 programs and 590 courses that can be done online or from a distance and 73 per cent of students are working full or parttime while completing their studies.
G
But not an impossible one. Maria Denhardt, 49, decided to go back to school a year ago. She had been with the same company for a number of years and was ready to make a change. She’s now in the business administration with legal assistant program at Sprott Shaw College and loves it. “I thought I wasn’t smart enough to go to school and the younger generation grew up with technology,” Denhardt gave as her reasons for putting off school. “The first course was hard for me but I had to organize myself to do
I am so happy to be here. All these courses that I have learned, I feel are very helpful. I feel younger because I can use the programs and use them well. homework and I didn’t know anybody. You learn about the classroom dynamics and whom you can ask for help. “You’re never too old to learn.” Natalya Merkusheva was 57 years old when she decided to embark
on a business administration diploma. She had spent years as a scientist but developed allergies to the chemicals. Merkusheva spoke with an advisor at Sprott Shaw before deciding on a program and is pleased with her choice. “I am so happy to be here,” she said. “All these courses that I have learned I feel are very helpful. I
feel younger because I can use the programs and use them well. I feel prepared to get out there.” At Sprott Shaw 15 per cent of the student body is older than 44, but it’s not the only place in Kamloops where mature students can go to get the education they’ve always wanted. About 17 per cent of the student body at Thompson Rivers University is
Regardless of the program or school chosen, getting an education as a mature student is more accessible than ever. “When you start learning you understand it is manageable and possible and really good for you,” Denhardt said. “It builds your self-esteem, you just have to get over the first month. “Don’t be scared and think you are too old.”
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
SAVVY S7
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S8 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Gluten-free brownies are among items available at The Art We Are on Victoria Street. MURRAY MITCHELL/ THE DAILY NEWS
Is living gluten free for you? Avoiding wheat and grains becoming increasingly popular
The address that has it all L
By ADAM WILLIAMS Special to The Daily News
iving gluten-free is a matter of good health for some and has become the latest health trend for others. But it begs the question: Does everyone benefit from removing gluten from his or her diet? Eileen Gordon and her husband Don have lived without gluten for more than 30 years and in that time it’s gotten a lot easier. When Don was first diagnosed with celiac disease in 1980, gluten-free options were limited. “When he was diagnosed it was very difficult,” Eileen said. “It’s not as hard now because there’s a lot more things being manufactured and a lot more things in the stores.” Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by a reaction to the gluten found in wheat and other grains like barley and rye. Exposure leads to symptoms like intense pain and discomfort in the digestive tract, fatigue and vitamin deficiencies. Awareness about the condition is improving and has helped with diagnosis, a simple blood test can now alert a person to a need change their diet.
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And in recent years, many without celiac disease have adopted gluten-free living as well. “Personally, I think that a person in good health will not likely notice any benefits simply from cutting gluten,” said Christina Giudici, a registered dietitian.
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“If cutting gluten causes someone to be more aware of his or her choices overall and they start taking better care of themselves, perhaps that could help them feel better, but it’s not the gluten-free fixing it, it’s their overall awareness of food and health.”
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Giudici said there are of course exceptions to the rule and that some people may have legitimate sensitivities to gluten. She added that cutting gluten to help lose weight is definitely not the answer; in fact, it may actually impede weight loss. The Kamloops chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association focuses on helping those with new diagnoses adjust their diets. The number of restaurants and grocery stores carrying gluten-free options is still limited and it can be tricky to get rid of gluten completely.
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“Wheat goes by a whole bunch of different names, like semolina or even graham,” Eileen said. “Sometimes if they don’t feel better right away that’s what’s happening, they’re eating something that they don’t even realize they shouldn’t be.” For those without celiac disease who are considering cutting gluten, Giudici said seeing a registered dietitian would help in making the decision that’s right for them
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Fixing your smile could change your life
SAVVY S9
One of Dr. Marnie Plant’s patients who benefited from cosmetic dentistry. photo submitted
Cosmetic dentistry can improve your health and your social confidence By adam williams Special to The Daily News
C
osmetic dentistry isn’t just about looking good; it’s about being physically healthy.
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That’s the message that Kamloops dentist Dr. Marnie Plant hopes people take away from their appointments with her. That, and the fact that a cosmetic dentist can do almost anything to fix someone’s smile. “It’s never too late,” she says. “You can do a 100 per cent transformation.” Dr. Plant recommends that people considering cosmetic dentistry meet a couple practitioners first and find a fit that is right for them. It’s important to make sure that you’re being listened to and that your wishes for the future of your smile are being heard. If a dentist is trying to push his or her plan against your own wishes, it might be time to see someone else. Once you’ve gotten over that initial hurdle and you’ve found the right dentist for you, have a full exam and start talking about options. Implants and veneers, tooth whitening, bridges and crowns and removal of mercury fillings are all options with Dr. Plant. She will also make sure that your dental health is contributing to your overall health.
According to Health Canada, poor oral health is connected to heart disease and respiratory illnesses. These concerns are particularly pronounced in those in the 50-plus age bracket. And while the physical-health impacts of restorative and cosmetic dentistry are at the most important, there are other, psychological benefits to be reaped as well. “Emotionally, all of a sudden having the ability to smile and feel confident and good in your smile is something you can’t put a price on,” says Dr. Plant. “For someone who has been embarrassed to smile and actually look someone in the eye and smile for his or her whole life, (cosmetic dentistry ) is a huge morale booster.” So if you’re considering cosmetic dentistry to fix your smile, keep in mind the multitude of benefits that could come from it. Don’t feel that you need to have all your choices made heading into your first appointment; your dentist can discuss options with you and help you to find the right fit. Fixing your smile could change your life.
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“If you’re starting from a diseased state it can only get healthier,” she says. “What we do know is that dental diseases are very strongly linked to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.”
S10 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Study seeks secrets of senior‘super agers’ Early clues show they have remarkably young-looking brains By Lindsey Tanner The Associated Press
T
CHICAGO
hey’re called “super agers’’ — men and women who are in their 80s and 90s, but with brains and memories that seem far younger. Researchers are looking at this rare group in the hope that they may find ways to help protect others from memory loss. And they’ve had some tantalizing findings: Imaging tests have found unusually low amounts of age-related plaques along with more brain mass related to attention and memory in these elite seniors. “We’re living long but we’re not necessarily living well in our older years and so we hope that the SuperAging study can find factors that are modifiable and that we’ll be able to use those to help people live long and live well,’’ said study leader Emily Rogalski, a neuroscientist at Northwestern University’s cognitive neurology and Alzheimer’s disease centre in Chicago. The study is still seeking volunteers, but chances are you don’t qualify: Fewer than 10 per cent of would-be participants have met study criteria. “We’ve screened more than 400 people at this point and only about 35 of them have been eligible for this study, so it really represents a rare portion of the population,’’ Rogalski said. They include an octogenarian attorney, a 96-year-old retired neuroscientist, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor and an 81-yearold pack-a-day smoker who drinks a nightly martini. To qualify, would-be participants have to undergo a battery of mental tests. Once enrolled, they undergo periodic imaging scans and other medical tests. They also must be willing to donate their brains after death. The memory tests include lists of
A researcher holds a human brain in a laboratory at Northwestern University’s cognitive neurology and Alzheimer’s disease center in Chicago. Researchers at the university are looking at the rare group of “super agers” — men and women who are in their 80s and 90s, but with brains and memories that seem far younger. They hope that they may find ways to help protect others from memory loss. Scott Eisen/ the associated press
about 15 words. “Super agers can remember at least nine of them 30 minutes later, which is really impressive because often older adults in their 80s can only remember just a couple,’’ Rogalski said. Special MRI scans have yielded other remarkable clues, Rogalski said. They show that in super agers, the brain’s cortex, or outer layer, responsible for many mental functions including memory, is thicker than in typical 80- and 90-year-olds. And deep within the brain, a small region called the anterior cingulate, important for attention, is bigger than even in many 50- and 60-year-olds. The super agers aren’t just different on the inside; they have more energy than most people their age and share a positive, inquisitive outlook. Rogalski said the researchers are looking into whether those traits contribute to brain health. Other research has linked a positive attitude with overall health. And some studies have suggested that people who are
I think I’m just lucky, not only with respect to my memory, but I’m able to get around very well...” “cognitively active and socially engaged’’ have a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but which comes first — a healthy brain or a great attitude — isn’t known, said Heather Snyder, director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer’s Association. Snyder said the SuperAging study is an important effort that may help provide some answers.
M. Spencer Green/the associated press
Edith Stern, 92, has lunch in the cafeteria at her retirement home in Chicago. Stern is a “super ager,” participating in a Northwestern University study of people in their 80s and 90s with astounding memories. So far the research has found scientific evidence that brains in this elite group resemble those of people decades younger.
Edith Stern is among the super agers. The petite woman looks far younger than her 92 years, and is a vibrant presence at her Chicago retirement home, where she acts as a sort of room mother, volunteering in the gift shop, helping residents settle in and making sure their needs are met. Stern lost most of her family in the Holocaust and takes her work seriously. “What I couldn’t do for my parents, I try to do for the residents in the home,’’ she said, her voice still thick with the accent of her native Czechoslovakia. Stern acknowledges she’s different from most people at the home, even many younger residents. “I am young — inside. And I think that’s the difference,’’ she said. “I grasp fast,’’ she adds. “If people say something, they don’t have to tell me twice. I don’t forget it.’’ She’s different in other ways, too. “When you get old, people are mainly interested in themselves. They talk about the doctor, what hurts,’’ she said. “You are not so important that you just concentrate on yourself. You have to think about other people.’’ Study participant Don Tenbrunsel has a similar mindset. The 85-yearold retired businessman doesn’t
think of himself as a super ager. “Neither do my children,’’ he says, chuckling. But Tenbrunsel says his memory has been sharp “from the time I was born. My mother used to say, ‘Donald, come sing with me — not because I had a good voice, but because I always knew the words,’’ he said. “I think I’m just lucky, not only with respect to my memory, but I’m able to get around very well; I walk a lot and I have a pretty good attitude toward life itself.’’ Tenbrunsel volunteers several hours a week at a food pantry run by the Chicago church where he is a parishioner. One recent morning in the sun-filled rectory kitchen, he nimbly packaged ham and cheese sandwiches, set out bags of chips and cans of soda, and cheerfully greeted a steady stream of customers. “Good morning, good to see you,’’ he said, standing at the pantry’s bright red door. He gave everyone their choice of chips — a small gesture but important, he said, because it gives them some sense of control over their hard-luck lives. “I enjoy doing it. I probably get more out of it than I give,’’ Tenbrunsel said.
Ken Zwiener, of Deerfield, Ill., is another super ager. He had “more than an inkling’’ he might qualify for the study, and his kids encouraged him to enrol. “They said, ‘Dad, your brain is the best thing about you,’’’ the 81-year-old retired businessman recalled. He’s a golfer and Broadway musical “nut’’ who created a 300-plus-page computer database of shows. Zwiener uses an iPad, recently went hot-air ballooning and is trying to learn Spanish. He also pours himself a vodka martini every night and is a packa-day cigarette smoker, but says he doesn’t think his habits have made much difference. His healthy brain, he says, may be due to heredity and genes, but Zwiener said he hopes the study comes up with more “scientific insights’’. “My dad lived into his middle 90s and was pretty sharp right up until the day he died,’’ Zwiener said. Zwiener’s motivation for joining the study was simple: The best man at his wedding died of Alzheimer’s disease before age 50. “To lose a mind ... is just a terrible way to go,’’ he said.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
SAVVY S11
Perks of hiring older applicants Experience, dedication, enthusiasm, to name a few By Matt Sedensky The Associated Press
O
lder people searching for jobs have long fought back stereotypes that they lack the speed, technology skills and dynamism of younger applicants. But as a wave of baby boomers seeks to stay on the job later in life, some employers are finding older workers are precisely what they need. “There’s no experience like experience,” said David Mintz, CEO of dairy-free products maker Tofutti, where about onethird of the workers are over 50. “I can’t put an ad saying, ‘Older people wanted,’ but there’s no comparison.” Surveys consistently show older people believe they experience age discrimination on the job market, and although unemployment is
lower among older workers, longterm unemployment is far higher. As the American population and its labour force reshape, though, with a larger chunk of older workers, some employers are slowly recognizing their skill and experience. About 200 employers, from Google to AT&T to MetLife, have signed an AARP pledge recognizing the value of experienced workers and vowing to consider applicants 50 and older. One of them, New York-based KPMG, has found success with a high proportion of older workers, who bring experience that the company says adds credibility. The auditing, tax and advisory firm says older workers also tend to be more dedicated to staying with the company, a plus for clients who like to build a relationship with a consultant they can count on to be
around for years. “Some Gen Ys and Millennials have this notion of, ’I will have five jobs in 10 years,”’ said Sig Shirodkar, a human resources consultant with KPMG. “We’re looking for ways to tame that beast.” Many employers find older workers help them connect with older clients. At the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, Vt., the average customer is now in their 60s, and about half of the business’ 400 workers are over 50, coming from a range of professional backgrounds, often outside retail. “Having folks internally that are in the same demographic certainly helps to create credibility and to have empathy for our customer,” said Chris Vickers, the store’s chief executive. One such employee is 60-year-old Ashley Roland, who got a marketing job at the Vermont Country Store last year after the company she previously worked
for shut down. She dreaded the thought of a marathon of unsuccessful interviews, but the store ended up recruiting her. “When I was being hired, I didn’t feel any kind of concern about my age,” she said. “I believe in experience. I think you’re crazy not to hire someone who’s older.” Even when the customers themselves might not be seniors, employers find older adults bring a level of life experience that helps them in their work. About 20 per cent of the roughly 26,000
customer service, sales and technical support agents working for Miramar, Fla.-based Arise Virtual Solutions are 50 or older, and chief executive John Meyer said they often find ways to connect with the caller on the other end of the line. “Having someone who is more senior, who has had some life scars, makes them much better at interacting with people,” Meyer said. “This is a chance for them to use the skills that they have built up over their life.”
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S12 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Retirement Havens
North American retirees flocking to Latin American countries By Juan Zamorano The Associated Press
W
PANAMA CITY
ith its miles of beaches, lush rainforests and welcoming colonial towns, Panama — like much of Latin America — has become a hot spot for American retirees.
They come for the scenery, the weather and, perhaps more important, the low cost of living. “We were looking for a simple, cheap life,’’ said Linda McKee, 61, of Bonita Springs, Fla., while enjoying a glass of wine with her husband, Eric Carlson, on the porch of their home in Boquete, a mountain town in western
Panama where many U.S. retirees live. The couple moved to Panama six years ago after first trying Costa Rica. International Living magazine, which for 30 years has published a ranking of the top 10 “havens’’ for retirees, included six Latin American countries in its most recent ranking, in December. Ecuador was No. 1, followed by Panama. Mexico was in fourth place, Costa Rica fifth, Uruguay sixth and Colombia seventh. “Panama is safe, stable, and friendly,’’ the magazine said. “It boasts the best health care and infrastructure in Central America. Its wildlife is abundant, with most of the bird species in North America, and its pristine natural setting is an eco-tourist’s dream.’’ U.S. retirees began arriving in droves to Latin America in the early 2000s, and the numbers have picked up since the U.S. economic crisis in 2008, tourism authorities said. As many as a million U.S. retirees live in Mexico, they said, and thousands in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama.
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Panama’s government has worked to attract them, making it simpler to qualify for permanent residency. The only requirement is that foreign retirees receive a pension of at least $1,000 a month. “With this, I can live here for an indefinite period. The process is very easy,’’ said Robert Braun, 67, of Lincoln, N.H. He said he came to Panama for the fishing, the weather and safety.
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The U.S. dollar has been the local currency in Panama since it became an independent country in 1903, and there are dozens of banks that let foreigners manage their home accounts from here. Foreign retirees can bring in items valued at $10,000 or less tax free, and can bring in a car
Arnulfo Franco/ the associated press
Panama has become a hot spot for American retirees. They come for the natural beauty, the weather and, perhaps more importantly, the low cost of living. In Boquete, west of Panama City, a woman buys organic vegetables at a market.
without having to pay taxes. Benefits include discounts of 25 per cent on utility bills, and lower medical costs.
Here we can live with less than $1,500 a month and go at least once a week to dinner at nice restaurants...” “U.S. retirees come because they see Panama as a place where they can have good quality of life and low living costs, a place that has everything,’’ said Ernesto Orillac, deputy administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority. In Boquete, a high-end development project called Hidden Valley includes residences, a small hotel and a golf course. The town of about 20,000, in a region where a popular Panamanian coffee is grown, has a cool climate, with frequent light rain. When the skies clear, there are breathtaking views of green and blue mountains. Town authorities estimate that about 3,000 retirees live in Boquete, mostly American. There are other communities of American retirees elsewhere in Panama, including near beaches. McKee and Carlson, a 57-year-old former contractor, say they have never considered going back to the United States, although they do miss friends and family in Florida. Between their pension and what
they make working on a jungle conservation project in Rambala, about two hours from their home, they have enough to live comfortably. “We like that people are very quiet and security is not a problem,’’ said McKee, whose son Daniel, 27, visits twice a year to surf on Panamanian beaches. “This is our new country, our new life.’’ Renting their two-bedroom house in Boquete costs $550 per month. Dinner in a nice restaurant, with wine, usually costs about $30 for the two of them. “It’s fun,’’ said Carlson with a wide smile. As for medical care, there are several hospitals in David, a city about 45 minutes away by car. Panama City is less than an hour from there by plane. Braun, who had an Internet business until he retired 14 years ago, first travelled to Nicaragua, where he lived for five years before heading to Panama. He lived for several years in the seaside resort of Pedasi, then in a village near the Panama Canal, and finally to Boquete, where he enjoys photography, hiking and bird watching. “Here we can live with less than $1,500 a month and go at least once a week to dinner at nice restaurants, something that cannot be done in America,’’ he said. Retirees also have easy access to healthy, organic food grown by local farmers. Every Tuesday, there is a farmers market, and McKee makes and sells soaps and creams made with coconut oil and lemon grass. Retirees cannot work in Panama, but they can have their own businesses. “Everything is possible in Panama,’’ she said.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
SAVVY S13
Saying ‘I Do’ in Style
Some couples, age 55 and over, having the weddings of their dreams By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press
O
nly a few years ago, it was considered in poor taste for a bride over age 55, particularly if she had been previously married, to do things like wear a fancy wedding gown, rock out to a DJ at the reception or have the groom slip a lacy garter belt off of her leg. But those days are gone: Older couples no longer are tying the knot in subtle ways.
The rules are out the window — whether it’s what you’re wearing or the cake you’re serving.
The trend in part is being driven by a desire to emulate the lavish weddings of celebrities of all ages. But it’s also one of the results of a new “everything goes’’ approach that does away with long-held traditions and cookie-cutter ceremonies in favour of doing things like replacing the first husband-andwife dance with a group reenactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller’’ video. That’s left older couples feeling less conscious about shelling out serious cash to party like their younger peers. “The rules are out the window — whether it’s what you’re wearing or the cake you’re serving,’’ says Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, a wedding magazine. “Sixty is the new 40 and that is reflected in the wedding.’’ Couples age 55 and older made up just 8 per cent of last year’s $53 billion wedding business. But that number has doubled since 2002, according to Shane McMurray, CEO of The Wedding Report, which tracks spending trends in the wedding industry. It’s in part because more couples are marrying in their golden years. In 2011, women ages 55 and over accounted for 5.2 per cent and men in that age range made up 7.9 per cent of the more than 2.1 million marriages performed in that year in the U.S., according to Bowling Green State University’s National Center for Family and Marriage Research, based on analysis of census figures. That’s up from 2001 when 2.6 per cent of new marriages performed were among women in that age group; for men, it was 6.6 per cent.
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And those older couples spend more. That’s because they’re usually empty nesters who don’t have the same worries as their younger counterparts: They aren’t saving for their first home, for instance, and they aren’t burdened by huge student loan debts they must worry about paying off.
That’s meant big business for companies that cater to brides and grooms-to-be. Zaven Ghanimian, CEO of Simon G. Jewelry, which sells engagement rings and other jewelry to about 900 small stores across the country, says men in their late 50s and older have been investing more on engagement rings. A few years ago, they were spending $1,500 to $2,000; now, they’re shelling out $4,000 to $8,000.
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As a result, older couples dish out about 10 per cent to 15 per cent more than the cost of the average wedding, which was $25,656 last year, down from the pre-recession peak in 2007 of $28,732, according to The Wedding Report.
S14 SAVVY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Fancy a Cruise?
River cruises the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry
L
ike small, friendly, floating inns, river boats offer a relaxing home-away-fromhome for cruises up the worldrenowned Amazon, Mississippi, Yangtze, Mekong, Danube, Rhine, Seine, Volga, Po and Nile rivers, among others. It is a form of travel so popular would-be cruisers must book well in advance. “People interested in a river cruise are looking at next summer at the earliest,” says Kate Ashby, owner of Expedia Cruise Ship Centres. “People should definitely plan a year or two ahead.” This is a good thing, budget-wise, she explained. “You can book with a down payment of about $500, and then pay the rest off at zero per cent interest before your cruise.” With the average cost of a sevenday cruise ranging between $2,000
to see the country.”
to $4,000 plus airfare per person depending on cabin type, this makes for a sound payment plan, especially since passengers who cancel prior to final payment receive a full refund, and travel dates can be changed at no extra cost.
And though the up-front cost of a river cruise may exceed the initial cost of an ocean cruise, river cruising often turns out cheaper overall, as many amenities, like wine, which cost extra on an ocean cruise, are included.
“One of the most popular river cruises right now is from Amsterdam to Zurich, passing castles and floating past wineries,” she says. “The riverboats showcase local wines and local musicians perform. There’s so much more cultural exposure in a river cruise as opposed to an ocean cruise.”
“Many boats even offer free bicycles, and since the boats stop right in the heart of a city, it’s possible to ride a bike to the next town, and meet the boat there.” Finding the money to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime travel dream can be as easy as changing your phone plan, consolidating home and auto insurance, taking a bag lunch to work, cutting down on extras like gourmet foods and dinners out, saving change, and signing up for a travel-related credit card.
The African cruise, at about $7,500 per person to start, is more expensive but well worth the price, says Ashby. “You see elephants and other wildlife, and go on safari every day,” she says. “It’s an amazing way
“Dream, plan, and make it happen,” said Ashby. “You’ll never regret it.”
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SAVVY S15
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S16 SAVVY
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