| 2013 Summer | story by HANK BOOTH | photo by STEVEN HERTZOG of HANK BOOTH, TRUMAN & SCOUT MEYERS
Welcome to the Boomer Generation. We’re that group of Americans born after our parents and grandparents endured World War II and currently represent the largest group of consumers in the U.S
I will contend that Boomers are the most underserved measurable demographic on the consumer charts. Some communities in our wonderful country have started to recognize that fact and are making positive efforts to improve their basic services and attract Boomers to join them for the rest of our lives. I’m proud to say Lawrence and Douglas County have joined together in such an effort.
Lawrence has some built-in naturals like the University of Kansas and all it offers in sports, the arts and educational opportunities. Add in Baker and Haskell, and the picture here is bright. Lawrence is still a community (that includes our county residents and towns) and has not grown into a big city. Studies show most of us Boomers like that kind of place to live. Lawrence is very close to a large city and Kansas City offers an international airport within an hours drive. Other amenities in Kansas City like the Chiefs and Royals, while they haven’t been winning since we were much younger, offer sports fans many options. The Zoo, large amusement parks and museums are great places to take grandkids and family when needed for entertainment.
There are, however, parts of our wonderful county and communities that need improvement and plans are underway to get to work on those. Transportation services, information communication for and about Boomer issues, neighborhood sidewalks and recreation centers with senior friendly programs are four areas that have been identified. While there is room for improvement, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, city and county parks, our vibrant Downtown Lawrence and a vast array of local eateries are all doing a good job catering to our new generation of older residents.
Housing is an area that needs a new perspective for local Boomers. Simply put, my wife and I don’t need 6,000 sq. ft or even 3,000 sq. ft of living space. But we’re not ready to downsize to 500 sq. ft. either. We enjoy company and need some room for sleep overs by our grandkids and relatives visiting from out of town.
Boomers don’t want all the stairs found in four levels of living space that is popular among younger families. Single-level living would be ideal and it should include an internal “safe room.” That space could serve other needs such as storage for our seasonal clothing changes and things were just not ready to toss. Boomers need bathrooms with an easily accessible bathtub, a walk-in shower and toilet units that are safe to use. Kitchen areas should accommodate a stove, sink and shelving that can be reached while seated. Wide doorways that can accommodate a wheel chair or walker unit are a must. Most Boomers enjoy outdoor living, so we need a patio or deck to enjoy a pleasant evening. Also, homes need to be easily accessible to our friends and us, so no stairways or multi-levels please.
There are a number of local builders and real estate folks who have shown a real interest in working with Boomers on design and construction of a new style of living. Remodeling plans on older homes should also consider potential Boomer occupants and visitors while adding in ramps at entry ways, eliminating old fashioned 10’x12’ bedrooms, and other single level living amenities.
Stay tuned Boomers, there’s much to discuss. We are a different generation than any that’s come before. Many of us still like to work and get paid. Many like to volunteer and help others when their experiences in life can provide service. Yes, we grew up with Mickey Mouse and Disney, but we also grew up with astronauts pushing the limits of space. We have much to enjoy in our last chapters of life. Let’s create a commitment to build a community that fits our lifestyle and that will fit right in with the younger generations with whom we love to share our lives. ■
106 Comments
wow, awesome blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Very informative blog post.Thanks Again. Great.
I really enjoy the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Thank you for your blog article.Much thanks again. Want more.
Say, you got a nice post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Very good blog.Much thanks again.
Awesome blog article.Thanks Again.
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re using? I’m having some small security issues with my latest site and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions?
Great article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog.Thanks Again. Really Great.
I really like and appreciate your post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Thanks a lot for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
I appreciate you sharing this blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
A big thank you for your article.Really thank you! Fantastic.
I like this website so much, saved to fav. “To hold a pen is to be at war.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
Say, you got a nice blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
I got this site from my buddy who shared with me concerning this site and at
the moment this time I am visiting this web page
and reading very informative posts at this time.
Thanks a lot for the post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Im grateful for the blog.Really thank you! Will read on…
This is one awesome article post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Hey there! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.
Really enjoyed this blog.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Very good article. Keep writing.
Very informative blog article. Really Great.
Looking forward to reading more. Great article post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2
I really like and appreciate your article post. Really Cool.
Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
Hey, thanks for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
Very informative blog.Really thank you! Really Great.
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Wow, great blog.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Wow, great blog.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Thanks again for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
I really liked your article post.Really thank you! Great.
Very good blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Really thank you! Awesome.
Very informative article post. Keep writing.
Very informative post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Great blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
I truly appreciate this blog article.Really thank you! Will read on…
Very good article post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Thanks a lot for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost
you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and
I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Its excellent as your other articles : D, appreciate it for posting. “For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.” by Larry Eisenberg.
I value the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Hey, thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Great post, I think people should learn a lot from this site its rattling user genial.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
Awesome blog. Great.
Im grateful for the blog.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
What Is FitSpresso? As you may know, FitSpresso is a natural weight loss supplement that comes in capsule form.
Really enjoyed this blog. Want more.
Thanks so much for the blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.
I value the article post. Cool.
Muchos Gracias for your article.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Im not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. All the best
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some
guidance from an established blog. Is it very difficult
to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips or
suggestions? Thank you
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but
after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Im grateful for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!
Hello, this weekend is good in favor of me, as this
point in time i am reading this great educational paragraph here at my
house.
Muchos Gracias for your article post.Much thanks again. Awesome.
I think this is a real great blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Say, you got a nice article.Much thanks again. Want more.
Hey, thanks for the blog article.Thanks Again. Awesome.
The heart of your writing whilst sounding agreeable originally, did not settle properly with me after some time. Somewhere within the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a short while. I however have got a problem with your jumps in assumptions and you would do nicely to fill in all those gaps. If you actually can accomplish that, I will certainly be impressed.
Thank you for your article post.
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different
subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
wow, awesome blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Thank you for your blog post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Thank you ever so for you article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Very informative blog.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
This is one awesome article post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Wow, great blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.
I value the article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Highly energetic post, I loved that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
Major thanks for the blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i?¦m happy to exhibit that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much certainly will make sure to do not forget this site and give it a look on a continuing basis.
I loved your blog article.Thanks Again. Want more.
I think this is a real great blog article. Great.
What Is Puravive? Before we delve into the various facets of the supplement, let’s start with the most important
I am so grateful for your article.Thanks Again. Cool.
Major thanks for the post.Really thank you! Great.
Fantastic blog article.Thanks Again.
Fantastic blog.Thanks Again. Will read on…
A big thank you for your blog article.Thanks Again. Want more.
Major thankies for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this blog; this
website carries amazing and really fine stuff for
visitors.
I truly appreciate this blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Thanks a lot for the blog article. Awesome.
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, as well as the
content!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also consult with my website =). We can have a link change arrangement between us!
I really enjoy the article post.Much thanks again. Great.
Appreciate it for helping out, fantastic info .
Muchos Gracias for your article. Awesome.