Today, when a person turns 60 years of age, statistically they have a very good chance that one-third of their life still lies ahead of them.
As a certified senior housing professional, Pat Lauria of Eden Prairie, is aware that more and more seniors are living to be at least 90 … and in many cases, notably longer.
“The retirement phase of one’s life can be comparatively so long that it poses options not seen before,” Lauria says. “Because this period in one’s life is getting longer, there are far more options for a person.”
Lauria, 63, has been a real estate agent with Edina Realty for the past six years, following a career in New York, where she worked for Xerox and owned several franchise businesses. She has responded to changing demographics among the aging population and will host her ninth seminar for local seniors on Thursday, Jan. 4. The first seminar took place in May.
The free seminars, part of the “Aging Renaissance Learning Series” held on the first Thursday of every month at the Eden Prairie Public Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive, cover a wide range of topics aimed at educating and informing seniors about various aspects of their lives, including health, lifestyle, and financial planning.
Lauria is certified as a senior housing specialist through the Senior Real Estate Institute. She emphasizes that her relationship with the seminars is separate from her role as a real estate agent.
“The seminars cover a wide range of topics designed to give seniors information they will need in the ever-changing world of their lives,” Lauria said.
The Jan. 4 seminar, titled “Aging Gracefully with Smart Nutrition and Exercise,” will feature presentations by a licensed nutritionist from Thrive Nutrition and a certified physical trainer from the Eden Prairie Community Center. This 90-minute session, starting at 10 a.m., also includes a 15- to 30-minute question-and-answer segment, allowing attendees to engage directly with the experts.
Previous seminars have covered challenges such as moving from a long-standing family home to more practical living quarters like apartments, condos, or senior retirement communities.
The next seminar, “Downsizing Made Easy,” is scheduled for Feb. 1. It will explore the five steps to a successful and less overwhelming move from a family home to more practical living quarters.
There has yet to be a set number of seminars scheduled; however, future topics include “Going from We to Me,” “Reverse Mortgages,” and “The Aging Brain.”
Lauria noted that while the seminars are primarily aimed at seniors, they are open to the public and benefit a wider audience, including individuals planning their future or seeking information to assist senior relatives.
For those interested in attending the series, registration is available through the Aging Renaissance website or by calling 952-292-1129.
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