Because of choice or finances, traditional retirement is not an option for many baby boomers, said Andrea Gallagher, president of Senior Concerns and the Life Planning Network. “Boomers need help figuring out their choices,” said Gallagher, who also is life transitions chairwoman for the Conference on Positive Aging. Senior Concerns and the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging will present Boomer Bootcamp, a speaker series designed to help baby boomers plan for the next three decades. The series is planned for three Wednesday evenings — Oct. 10, 17 and 24 — at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. “The goal is … to help boomers think and plan for their future so that they can plan for the probabilities and enjoy the possibilities life has to offer,” Gallagher said. Futurist Richard Adler on Oct. 10 will discuss how boomers will change the face of aging and how institutions such as housing, transportation and health care will be transformed. Helen Dennis, author and national leader on aging and retirement, on Oct. 17 will share what science has discovered about how to slow aging and how to age successfully. CBS columnist, author and consulting actuary Steve Vernon on Oct. 24 will share stories about what Mr. Spock, Homer Simpson, Clark Gable and your dog can teach about planning for a secure retirement. Each week, master of ceremonies Jim Cathcart, a national motivational speaker, will entertain with boomer music and motivational insights. “I was born in 1946, so everything that happens in my life is what’s coming for other people,” said Cathcart, 65, of Thousand Oaks. “This series is important because most boomers haven’t planned for retirement, so this gives them a better way to think about it. They need to attend before they get old.” Senior Concerns is one of the sponsors. “The foundation of the series has been my personal mission for the past five years to help boomers think and plan for their future,” Gallagher said. About 10 years ago, Gallagher and her husband “adopted” their elderly neighbors, becoming their legal, financial and medical powers of attorney and caring for them until their deaths. “Even though they had done some great planning, they hadn’t thought about who would care for them when they could not care for themselves. They had not thought about transportation when they could no longer drive or about where they might live if they could not get around safely in their home anymore,” Gallagher said. The experience was so profound “that I have become a major advocate for life planning.” While the speaker series targets boomers, people of all ages can attend. “The world is changing at a rapid pace. All this change can be both exciting and scary for boomers as they think about their future,” Gallagher said. “Getting boomers to plan and prepare for their future is the goal of the series … and it brings big benefits to those who do.” • • • If you go What: Boomer Bootcamp When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 Where: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Scherr Forum Theater Cost: $20 for a single-speaker event or $51 for the series plus applicable facility/handling charges; proceeds will benefit Senior Concerns Meals on Wheels. Tickets: Civic Arts Plaza box office or http://www.civicartsplaza.com Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/oct/05/to-life-planning-session-aims-to-help-baby-for/#ixzz28j1j6swf – vcstar.com More …

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