Julian “Buddy” Singleton, 73, is deaf. He knows the daily frustrations of living in a hearing world and how isolating it can be. That’s why Singleton decided to plan a retirement home specifically for deaf seniors. The retirement home has 50 rooms, all of which are equipped with flashing doorbell, strobe-lights instead of fire alarms that ring, and special telephones.

But when organizers of the complex accepted federal funds, something came attached to the money: nondiscrimination rules that prevented them from accepting only deaf residents. As a result, the majority of the residents can hear.

It’s a result of our politically correct society that even in a retirement home built to improve quality of life and create society and community amongst hearing-impaired individuals, the government intrudes and creates obstacles in the name of anti-discrimination.

Do you sometimes wonder what to do with your spare time now that you have retired? Tricia Wagner and Barbara Day have written a book entitled How To Enjoy Your Retirement that is definitely worth checking out.

They cover an enormous amount of original and interesting ideas, some of which are bound to interest you. Here are just a few samples of the kind of activity you could get involved in:

- Learn to play the harmonica

- Start your own business

- Take a long trip on a train

- Adopt a highway or a Native American Grandparent

You can have a look at the book and read an exerpt by going to Amazon dot com. At only $11.01, it has to be a good buy.

Many older adults and retirees would love the opportunity to volunteer and be of service to their community. Volunteering can also be a stepping-stone to learning new skills while utilizing the skills you already possess. It can also be a great method of social networking. Volunteering offers a lot of positives, but finding the right volunteer job for you is the most important first step.

AARP has an informative article called Finding the Right Opportunity. The AARP article suggests you start by asking yourself these questions:

* Why am I interested in volunteering?
* What type of activities am I interested in?
* What are my natural strengths and gifts? What do I really enjoy doing?
* Would I prefer a small local organization, or a larger regional or national one?
* What issues do I care most about?
* How will my desire to serve fit in with my current time commitments?
* How much time do I want to give? What days, or parts of days?
* Would I prefer to do something in my own neighborhood, or travel to another?

They also suggest you consider becoming an AARP volunteer. Check out the article for information on finding the right volunteer opportunity and for a link to the volunteer opportunities in your state.

Walking is great exercise at any age and it particularly sets older Americans in good stead in terms of health and emotional benefits. Getting out into the community by walking develops outside interests as well as building muscle mass, burning calories and enhancing cardiovascular health.

Ir you’re an avid walker and looking to retire to a community that affords great opportunities and destinations for walkers, then have a look at the list of the top 10 cities for walking according to the American Podiatric Medicine Association as updated in 2006.

Topping the list is Portland, Oregon. Number two is Colorado Springs, CO, followed by Madison, WI at number three and Boise, ID in the fourth slot. You might be surprised to find the fifth ranked city for best walking is Las Vegas, NV.

Check out the list at the APMA.

Top Ten Walking Cities for 2006