My home research has gone into the toilet

How old is my house? It is possible that only the toilet top knows. Since it met an undignified end many months ago, it is now up to me to find out.

Although I love writing about this house that will always be older than me, I am not actually sure how old that is. I have seen three different dates on documents through the years. True, the dates are only a couple of years apart, but I need to know when she will turn 100. Dreams of a centennial bash dance in my head.

Since I was wide awake anyway in the deep recesses of the night, I decided to research it. I found two possibilities that spoke to me. Both involved toilets.

The first one said that, if the toilet is original to the house, the date is often marked underneath the toilet top. If only I had known this sooner. When I think of all the times I had to remove that top to wiggle a part that makes the toilet flush, I must’ve missed thousands of opportunities to find out its real age

However, the second toilet suggestion gave me a glimmer of hope. It said the date is often stamped on one of the sides inside the toilet tank. Maybe I still had a chance to resurrect toilet tank history.

Highly motivated, I removed the flimsy temporary tank top and dived in, so to speak. Balanced on the closed toilet seat, I put one hand on either side of the outside of the tank and peered in at the floating toilet innards.

Anticipation rose as I saw what looked like faded words or numbers on the left side. But unless I wanted to start treading water, I couldn’t get close enough to read them. This is where thinking things through carefully before embarking would have been such a good idea.

I slid off my seat and went in search of a magnifying glass. In the drawer that holds an assortment of these kinds of items, I found my mother’s little spyglass. Actually, it’s not glass. It is a small, plasticcoated eyepiece that slides in and out of an imitation leather holder.

Next to it was a large, real glass, lighted magnifier with a long handle. It came with the Oxford English Dictionary, crammed into four volumes in tiny print, that George and I purchased with a collection of gift cards to Barnes & Noble. Tools in hand, I headed back to my spot on the toilet seat cover.

I began with the spyglass, but it only magnified the round ball that is part of the flushing element. I had an image of my late mother’s face should the little treasure, that she always kept with her, fall from my grasp and set sail.

As I switched the little light on the big magnifier, I began to wonder if the glass was waterproof. Could I get electrocuted if it touched the water? What if I dropped it and the glass shattered inside the tank?

I’m still working here. Anyone knowing how to determine the age of my toilet will win an invite to the centennial party.

Email patriciabunin@ sbcglobal.net and follow her on Twitter @patriciabunin

As we emerge from the pandemic and move into what is called the new normal, I would like to share a report focusing on age and retirement and on how the pandemic has reshaped many of our lives — with losses as well as resilience and optimism.

In 2020, the investment firm Edward Jones and Age Wave, a thought leadership research company, published a research report, “The Four Pillars of a New Retirement.” In June, they published a report with the same title with an additional phrase: “What a Difference a Year Makes.”

It’s that difference and updated 2021 information that I present here as a true-false quiz. Fear not, there are no grades.

1. Most Americans think they will retire earlier because of the pandemic.

2. For some, the pandemic has been a silver lining.

3. Most Americans have seen the pandemic as a financial wake-up call.

4. The “silent generation,” born between 1928 and 1945, suffered the greatest mental health impact due to the pandemic.

5. Retirees have a stronger sense of purpose than before the pandemic.

6. Retirees indicate there should be more ways for them to use their talents and knowledge to benefit the community.

7. Men and women saved for retirement about the same rate.

8. Retirees feel society accurately views their value.

9. Ageism plays a role in shaping the attitudes toward retirees.

10. Retirees say they know what steps they should take to live a healthy life, and most do it.

Answers:

1. False. According to the 2021 report, 1 in 3 Americans plan to retire later because of the pandemic.

This is due, in part, to the disruption of their retirement savings. However, contributions have begun to resume.

2. True. About three-quarters of the respondents indicated that the pandemic caused them to refocus on what is important in life, with a greater appreciation of what makes life meaningful.

3. True. They say the pandemic has caused them to pay more attention to long-term finances, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. One-third plan to contribute more to their retirement savings because of the pandemic.

4. False. Although the silent generation was one of the most highrisk groups, its members showed the greatest level of emotional strength and resilience, with the least negative mental health impact.

5. True. Many have a greater sense of purpose by assuming new roles and responsibilities that provide comfort to family and friends. Examples include caring for grandchildren and shopping for neighbors.

6. True. Ideally, retirees would like to volunteer or do pro bono work 3.3 hours per week, nearly four times the current volunteer retirement rate, and would like more guidance and resources that leverage their experience, knowledge, talent and interests.

7. False. Just over 41% of women planning to retire said they were saving monthly for retirement, compared with 58% of men. The report calls the effect of the pandemic it a “she-cession,” since women were more likely to lose their jobs.

8. False. Although retirees have a positive view of retirement, only 36% of retirees and 44% of Americans feel that society highly values retirees.

9. True. Those 50 or older account for 45% of the adult U.S. population and are responsible for just over half of all consumer expenditures. Yet they represent only 35% of TV characters, less than 20% of movie characters and 15% of online media images.

10. False. Yes, retirees know what steps to take for a healthy lifestyle, but only half say they exercise and have a healthy diet.

Commentary on two points

In the U.S., our lifespan does not come close to our health span. Life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.5 years, of which 66.1 years are spent being healthy, on average; 12.4 years are spent in poor health. Compare our 12.4 unhealthy years to nine years in Russia, 8.9 years in China, 10.9 years in Canada and 10.2 years in Japan. Lifestyle counts.

The average retiree spends 47 hours a week watching television; only one-quarter volunteer each year. If each retiree fulfilled the 3.3 hours of desired weekly volunteer work, here’s what the projected dollar figures would be: 69+ million retirees times 20 years times 3.3 hours per week equals 238 billion volunteer hours equals $6.8 trillion in value contributed to society, according to the report. We need to provide more relevant and effective pathways to use the skills, knowledge, talent and wisdom of our older adults.

Have a good week!

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging, employment and the new retirement, with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@ gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/ SuccessfulagingCommunity