“Life isn’t over till it’s over.” So says motivational speaker and Thousand Oaks resident Jim Cathcart. “So many people think so small about their senior years. But if you make good choices, you can have a rich life until you stop breathing.” Cathcart, 66, will act as master of ceremonies for the inaugural Boomer Bootcamp, a three-night information series beginning next week aimed at adults born between 1946 and 1964. The first-time presentation at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a joint effort by nonprofit Senior Concerns and the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging. “When people become seniors, you usually begin to see them start to fade,” Cathcart said. “That’s not what senior life ought to be about. People need to challenge themselves and continue to grow.” For three consecutive Wednesdays— at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24—the performing arts venue will host guest speakers talking about the “boomer experience” and sharing advice on how to live a healthy, financially stable, fulfilling life. Dennis Tickets are $20 for a single speaker event or $51 for the series, plus facility charges, and proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels. “I say, ‘Resume the boom,’” said Cathcart, who will provide musical entertainment. “There’s still so much wisdom and creativity in people’s 70s and 80s. I want people to come away from this enthused about this phase of their life.” Set to speak are Richard Adler, (Oct. 10), Helen Dennis (Oct. 17) and Steve Vernon (Oct. 24). Adler, a research associate at the Institute for the Future, a think tank that helps organizations make long-term decisions, will explain how boomers can use modern technology to increase their capabilities and create networks of support. Vernon Andrea Gallagher, the executive director of Senior Concerns, said some audience members might be surprised by the ways technological advances can impact their lives. “What your parents’ senior years look like won’t be what the baby boomers’ senior years look like,” she said. “Right now, we have technology that will dispense our pills for us, detect if we fall, detect if the front door is ajar . . . just think of the technology that might be here 20 years from now.” In her talk, “Eight Building Blocks for a Good Old Age,” Dennis will provide guests with research-based information on how to slow the process of aging. A specialist in the aging process, employment and ret i remen t, Dennis said it’s important for boomers to adopt a role within the community so they maintain a strong purpose. “The biggest misconception is that we are victims of aging,” she said. “We have a huge degree of influence on our activities, mental outlook and engagement.” In the series finale, Vernon will address financial concerns in a talk themed “ Money for Life.” Accord- ing to Senior Concerns, 51 percent of all boomers are not prepared for job loss, 55 percent do not have wills and 40 percent have less than $10,000 saved for retirement. A CBS columnist, author and workshop presenter, Vernon will use humor and hard facts to share strategies boomers can use to get ahead of the curve, integrating their finances and lifestyle in a smart and sensible way. The idea for Boomer Bootcamp originated with Gallagher, who felt something needed to be done to address the area’s aging population. “We see firsthand what the challenges are financially, socially and medically,” she said. The first boomers turned 65 in 2011. Every eight seconds over the next 18 years a boomer will turn 65. The goal is to help those individuals help themselves, Gallagher said. “We have 78 million baby boomers coming through pipe. If we don’t have them take a proactive stance on their future, there’s no way organizations like Senior Concerns will be able to keep up with the amount of services that are needed.” Cathcart, a self-described “stereotypical baby boomer,” said he hopes the series will inspire people to act. “If you don’t have a purpose for getting up in the morning, the core of your being gets the message, ‘Okay, we’re done now,’” he said. “You end up being an old person in every sense of the word.” It doesn’t need to be that way, Cathcart said. “I know people in their 80s who are still young, still viable and still fascinated with their life. We as seniors should be thinking each day, ‘How can I be better?’” Tickets are available at the Civic Arts Plaza Box office, or visit www.civicartsplaza.com for additional ticket purchasing information. For purchases of 12 series tickets or more, group sales can be contacted at (805) 449-2387 or groupsales@toaks.org . Seating is limited. More …
