The generation entering retirement today is healthier, wealthier and living longer than generations past. Semiretirement makes sense for those who want to put away a little more money, give back to their community through volunteering or just take time to adjust to a fully retired life.

If you’re on the verge of retirement but aren’t ready to stop working, here are a few things to consider:

• Change your working environment. Why stay in the 9-to-5 office grind? Love being outdoors? In a classroom? Miss that high school job at the bookstore? Revisit the places you love, and find a job there.

• Work for a nonprofit. Go to www.idealist.org for a list of thousands of nonprofit and community organizations needing part-time and full-time work.

• Turn something you love into something you can sell. Make jewelry, play music, paint portraits, pet-sit, write for the local paper. What do you love? Do it.

• Volunteer. If you want to stay active, but don’t need the extra income, find ways to contribute to the community. In western Virginia, the Roanoke-based Council of Community Services provides a full list of area entities www.councilofcommunityservices.org, 540/985-0131.

Some other links:
www.seniorjobbank.com, employment resources for 50+
www.seniors4hire.org, an online career center for 50+
www.volunteerfriends.org, a volunteering site for 55+
www.seniorserviceamerica.org, resources for older adults wanting to work fulfilling community needs www.seniorcorps.org, a network of volunteer programs in foster gransparenting, senior companion and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)

Whether you’re preparing for a quick jaunt to spend time with the grandkids, an extended cross-country stay, or that lifetime dream of international travel, here are 11 tips to ensure safe and worry-free travels. Happy trails!

Before traveling, research the activities and attractions available in your destination to help you plan for your fun-filled trip.

SCHEDULE STRATEGY

It’s a good idea to plan ahead, no matter the size of your trip. Travel agents or online travel services can help you find the ideal flight that suits your timeframe and best hotels. Be sure to keep up-to-date on any changes that occur between scheduling and the day of your departure. Research the activities and attractions you plan to take in during your trip. Upon arrival, you’ll already be in the know on operating hours, costs and other details. And especially for overseas travel, research weather and local customs.

PERFECT PACKING

Traveling by plane? Keep in mind that airport regulations have changed in recent years. If you’re taking a short trip, you may only want to take a carry-on bag, as airlines now charge a fee for checked luggage. Liquid toiletries must be stored in two-ounce containers and placed in clear bags if packed in carry-ons. It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on in case checked baggage is lost.

ROAD RULES

Have your vehicle inspected to make sure it’s problem-free before hitting the highway. Keep your car insurance card handy in case of an accident, and make sure your cell phone is charged to avoid being stranded with no means of communication, should you break down.

MANAGING YOUR MEDS

Make sure you have enough of your prescriptions to last during your trip. Medicine should be kept in original containers to avoid confusion of pills. And if you need some of the medicine within 24 hours, pack it in your carry-on.

MONEY MATTERS

If you’re headed to a foreign country, you may want to exchange only enough currency to cover travel expenses, as you’re likely to get a better rate once you reach your destination. Carry a minimal amount of money as you take in the sights of your vacation spot; travelers checks and credit cards are great alternatives.

PET PREPARATION

Make advance arrangements for Fido and Fluffy at pet boarding facilities or with relatives or friends if you plan to travel without them. If they’re coming along, book a hotel that allows pets and find out the requirements for pet travel on airlines.

GROUP GETAWAYS

Traveling is much more fun when you have someone to share it with. Gather a buddy or several friends for a trip; discounts are often available for group travel. Or check with local churches or organizations to see if they have any planned trips that may interest you.

LOCK AND LEAVE

Double-check doors to ensure your home is properly locked before you leave. Alert a trustworthy neighbor about your departure. You’ll have a relaxing vacation knowing that someone is on the lookout for suspicious activity near your home.

NAMES AND NUMBERS

Keep a list of emergency contacts handy, including your children, neighbors and doctor. You’ll also want the phone numbers for your travel agent, airline and hotel on hand in case travel problems arise.

MAKING MEMORIES

You’ll likely remember all the fun times you had on your trip, but be sure to take a camera -and even a journal – to record your favorite sights, foods and feelings. It’ll be exciting to look back on the memories you made.

BEST BARGAINS

There are numerous online sources to help you find great prices and package deals. These websites allow you to search by travel date, costs and hotel rankings. Some even offer advice on things to see and do while on your trip and reviews by previous customers. A few to check out include expedia.com, orbtiz.com, tripadvisor.com, priceline.com and hotels.com.

HELPING HANDS

Aging is not always easy. Everyday tasks often become difficult in the latter years of life. But you don’t have to lose your independence. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes certainly are options, but with assistance provided by home health providers, you can remain in the comforts of your own home.

Generally, notes the Carilion Clinic website, home health care is provided to patients that have become disabled, or are recovering from an illness, undergoing treatment, chronically ill or terminally ill. Home health providers offer a wide range of services, which include bathing and dressing, serving home-cooked meals according to dietary needs, reminding clients about medicine and transporting to a doctor’s appointment.

Caregivers vary from physicians and nurses to volunteers and companion providers. Michelle Belton, owner of Companion Home Care, Inc., says her business offers non-medical and homemaking services, such as cleaning house and doing laundry, accompanying clients to social functions, and serving as a companion for leisure activities such as gardening, playing cards or taking a stroll through the park.

LASTING BENEFITS

According to State Farm Insurance’s website, there is a one in two chance that when you reach 65, you will need extra care down the road, so it’s best to prepare for that possibility. You can avoid leaning on family members or using your retirement savings to help cover the costs of home care by purchasing a long-term care insurance policy.

The product helps you pay the expenses of an in-home caregiver, private duty nurse or therapist (as well as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day cares). Such services commonly are not covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

If you’re considering a long-term care policy, keep in mind that the earlier you buy, the better. The cost of premiums, according to State Farm, depends on your age when you purchase the policy. And if you wait too long, you’ll face a higher premium or become ineligible due to changes in your health.

Currently, the average cost of home health providers in Roanoke is $19/hour, but health care costs are on the rise. Remember to weigh all of your options, and consider inflation and the possible amount of time you’ll need long-term care.

From hospital care to prescriptions, Medicare offers four parts that help cover various medical services, with the key word being “help.” There are certain limitations. According to the Charles Schwab website, you should “get up-to-date quotes for health insurance and find out how your insurance works with Medicare, including prescription drug coverage.”

Financial advisor Erin Dooley says for some of her clients that have expressed concerns about their financial situation, she’s been able to map out a new plan. After reviewing their goals, she has suggested either working a couple more years or cutting down on expenses to help get savings back on track.

According to Erin Dooley, a financial advisor for Edward Jones in Moneta, seven out of 10 people are not adequately saving for retirement. It’s a scary statistic. Whether your retirement is five years or five months from now, do you know if you’re ready?

“Eighty percent of what you make now is likely what you’ll need to live on,” Dooley says. “Most people don’t usually plan to change their lifestyles drastically,” but keep in mind that inflation will lessen your buying power over the years.

Websites such as Charles Schwab (schwab.com) and AARP (aarp.org) offer retirement savings calculators to help you find a more accurate account of how much money you will need by crunching the numbers of your current income, how much you are saving annually and how much you plan to spend annually during retirement.

Remember, Dooley says, life expectancy has risen, so you should plan for at least 20-30 years of retirement savings.

PLAN AHEAD

It’s never too early to begin mapping out your retirement, Dooley and other financial planners emphasize. Sort through bills, mortgages, social security and retirement plans with a financial planner to determine what you need to do to live a comfortable life in your latter years.

“It’s all about looking at where you are today, where you want to be and how you’re going to get there,” Dooley says. “We recommend meeting annually or semi-annually with an advisor to make sure nothing major has happened in your life that could affect your savings.”

As for investments, Dooley says she doesn’t push a particular type, as the right venture for a person varies by age and how much risk you are willing to take. Start early, and your investment is likely to withstand the ups and downs of the market.

BEFORE THE GOODBYES

You’ve announced your retirement and the farewell party at the office is planned. Before you go, don’t forget to consider the options for your 401K.

The Charles Schwab website recommends talking with your employer about arranging a direct rollover of your account balances into an IRA. You also may have the choice of keeping your 401K through your employer. Dooley says rolling over into a Traditional or Roth IRA is ideal because you can keep better track of the funds instead of relying on your former employer.

PRESERVE YOUR ASSETS

Financial planning and estate planning seem to go hand-in-hand. Once you have created a plan for your retirement funds, says Scott E. Gardner, an attorney in Salem, you should consult an attorney to discuss an estate plan to preserve those funds.

“It’s never too early to start estate planning,” Gardner says. “All clients needs are unique, and they should customize an estate plan accordingly.”

Attorneys will review investment statements, insurance policies, titles to properties and other financial documents to ensure an adequate plan is made. After evaluation, attorneys prepare the proper documents, which include a will, trust, power of attorney and living will. Other assistance available, Gardner explains, include transferring property, creating business agreements and amending accounts or insurance policies.

Upon completion (which could take a few days to a few months), clients execute the documents with the attorney. The cost of estate planning ranges from a hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

According to Gardner, people should ask themselves the following questions (depending on your personal situation) before making estate plans:

How will my assets be divided and distributed?

Do I need long-term care insurance?

Can I create a trust or make a donation to a charity or university?

Should I start making gifts to relatives now?

Who should I appoint as my executor, trustee, guardian?

How will my debts be paid?

LATE-IN-LIFE PLANNING

If you have delayed estate planning or are thinking about making changes to your plan, attorneys may require you to undergo an independent medical evaluation to determine your decision-making capacity.

Dr. Gary Oberlender of Roanoke, a consultant in geriatric medicine, offers in-home evaluations for folks facing such situations. The evaluations, according to his website (seniorevaluations.com) include – among other factors – a brief review of medical history, assessment of general physical health and functional independence, and a mental status examination. Oberlender will prepare a written report of his findings and upon request, mail the report to the client’s attorney.

Thinking Ahead

It’s not a pleasant topic, but funeral and burial arrangements are something everyone must endure. But you can reduce the stress on your loved ones at the time of your passing by handling as much of this task as you can beforehand. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pre-planning ensures you get the type of service and arrangements that you prefer. Also be sure to inform your family of the decisions you make.

A funeral director can guide you through the necessary preparations and help you choose the merchandise that suits your needs and desires.

According to Oakey’s Funeral Service & Crematory, “when you prepay, you pay tomorrow’s cost at today’s price. More of your assets and life insurance proceeds go directly to your family.” Payment plans typically are available, and your money goes to a bank trust or funeral insurance fund that cannot be released until after your funeral.

The average cost of arrangements, says Bob Burger, managing partner for Lotz Funeral Home, can range from about $2,000 for a simple cremation to $7,000-$8,000 in this area for a traditional or complete funeral service, which includes services, casket, vault or outer burial container.

It's important to remain active, helping both mind and body stay in top-top shape.

1. WHAT’S UP DOC? Doctors recommend annual physicals in order to monitor your health and keep you aware of any changes. Talk to your doctor about a diet and exercise regimen that works for your body type.

2. KEEP IT INTERESTING. The same old exercise routine can become boring. Change up your workout from time to time with activities such as walking, swimming, aerobics or bicycling. Lifting light to moderate weights to tone muscles is also important.

3. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. A well-balanced diet consisting primarily of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins will help you stay energized and fit. Research has found certain foods are good for your mind, such as fish, blueberries, almonds and even dark chocolate.

4. YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND. Stay sociable in your retirement years by keeping in touch with friends, attending local events or joining a volunteer group. Also find a workout partner; you can motivate each other to stay fit.

5. MIND GAMES. Find ways to keep your mind engaged: work crossword puzzles; take on a hobby such as painting, knitting or woodwork; or sign up for a class on a subject that interests you.

6. STEP IT UP. The recommendation for 10,000 steps per day doesn’t go down as age goes up. Look everywhere for opportunities to run your total up…walk to the post office, park at the far edge of the mall lot, walk the dog until the dog is tired. And consider a pedometer, which is proven to increase steps taken by those who use one.