Circle of Caring

Let It Begin With Me

Retirement: Challenges and Opportunities

In February 2004, the St. Charles Borromeo Circle of Caring sponsored a four-part seminar series to help parish seniors focus on opportunities and challenges of retirement.  Through these Web pages, you have access to the handouts from the seminar series.        Peter J. Dirr, Circle of Caring Chairman

Designed and managed by Dr. Michael Creedon, D.S.W., the seminar series, Retirement: Challenges and Opportunities addressed the following topics: Financial Issues -- Mary Ginn, CPA, gave the participants insights into how a financial planner thinks.  She discussed key financial considerations that seniors must address.  She provided a checklist for listing assets and liabilities and computing Net Worth.  She gave examples of various types of retirement accounts and investment opportunities and talked about designating beneficiaries.  To access notes on Ms. Ginn's presentation, Click here for Financial Issues. Legal Issues -- Richard Wohltman, Esq., led the participants through a detailed tour of the estate planning process.  He talked about the benefits and pitfalls of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and medical powers of attorney.   To access notes on Mr. Wohltman's presentation, Click here for Legal Issues. Community Resources for Aging -- Terry Rollo, R.N., M.S.N., led the participants through a wide variety of community resources that are available to Northern Virginia seniors.  She showed a video on the Area Agencies on Aging.  To access Ms. Rollo's handout, Click here for Community Resources for Aging. Senior Spirituality -- Fr. Gerry Creedon explained many ways that seniors can use their retirement years to develop their spirituality.  He encouraged the participants to consider ways that they might work to strengthen the community of seniors at St. Charles.  He drew on a handout that Michael Creedon had written on how parishes might involve their Elders more fully.  To access that handout, Click here for Senior Spirituality. Maintaining Health in Senior Years -- Linda Campanelli, Ph.D., led the participants through an exercise of reflection on how they (will) see themselves in retirement.  She spoke of the importance of achieving balance in one's retirement years.   She provided guidelines for staying healthy in retirement.  To access Dr. Campanelli's handout, Click here for Maintaining Health in Senior Years. Success in Transition -- Michael Creedon wrapped up the series with an overview and review.  He talked about steps in the transition to retirement; opportunities for part time work, learning, leisure activities, and volunteering; how retirement re-defines relationships; and housing considerations.  To access Dr. Creedon's handouts and to see a summary of his remarks, Click here for Success in Transition. For more information about parish services available to seniors, especially the ill and the homebound, please contact Circle of Caring Chairman, Peter Dirr at pdirr@cox.net or 703-237-0627.