Mountain Surfing

The experts now agree - the term 'retirees' can no longer encompass one homogenous age group. Within this demographic are people with differing needs and wishes, whose plans for their retirement years are very different from those of their parents.

While they may not be competing in marathons or climbing Mount Everest, most of these folks are looking towards an active retirement. They see themselves taking hikes, riding bikes, traveling to exotic locations, playing tennis and going on adventures. Even those in today's 75 plus group are not the stereotypical TV watching, wheelchair bound - they are alert and involved citizens.

The good news is that even retirement villages now acknowledge these changes, and are providing more 'active' options to entice residents to their centers. Because these complexes are built to last, anticipating the needs of the now 55 plus age group is a dilemma for their designers. These baby boomers are a diverse and demanding group who will expect some fairly high-tech solutions to their needs.

Many of them intend to continue to work part-time in retirement, so a home office or workshop will be a 'must have' in any downsized accommodation. The need for internet connectivity really goes without saying, and room for a desk, printers, computers etc comes high on their list.

They also want to be able to accommodate their fellow traveling friends. A one-bedroom apartment will not do. Two bedrooms with study is the minimum for this group.

Convenience rates very highly with the group, as does resort-style living. Complexes that are built alongside golf courses are very popular, as are those near universities, above shopping centers and close to transport.

Many retirement village developers make the mistake of ignoring the needs of single (by choice) women. Professional women who have led independent lives are more educated and better informed than their mothers and can sometimes view retirement villages as socially isolating.

Since 1990 this older-lifestyle industry has doubled, and is continuing to grow as baby boomers retire. Whether they are looking for a sea-change, a tree-change or a tee-change, it would be wise property developers who kept their finger on the pulse, and made sure they were in tune with the changing needs of the group.

Kerry Anne Finch is an accomplished marketer, with proven successes in corporate and NFP PR, event management and hugely successful product launch programs.

Kerry has founded a new website Over55s specifically for the Baby Boomer/55+ age group, with features that include Travel, Hobbies, Health and Sport ( http://www.over55s.com ). Contributions from members are not only welcome, but are encouraged.

Currently Kerry divides her time between launching and managing her new website, her internet writing business, and gathering material through her role as an international tour director.

AP - Before killing himself last week, Army scientist Bruce Ivins told friends that government agents had stalked him and his family for months, offered his son $2.5 million to rat him out and tried to turn his hospitalized daughter against him with photographs of dead anthrax victims.