If you are just learning about our weekly Age of Opportunity chat, be sure to check out these blogs for some helpful tips, tricks and even a how-to video. The Age of Opportunity is an informal think tank for people to discuss issues that affect the 50+ market -- from media, entertainment, sports, health and more.

The Age of Opportunity Chat happens live on Thursday nights from 9-10pm, on Twitter.com. It is organized by members of the Growing Bolder staff, but it is an independent project. Industry experts will attend as guest hosts to facilitate the discussion and answer your questions!

This week, we started a blog carnival on this topic: "The Internet is the greatest bridge ever built. If only we will cross it." Here are the results. Also, Katy is pledging money to charity for every comment on this blog and every #ageop tweet for the month of March. And there were so many links shared during this week's discussion that we're going to post them in a blog instead of this forum -- click here for more.

Here are some of the hundreds of tweets posted during the March 5, 2009, Age of Opportunity Chat. If you'd like to see all of the responses, go to search.twitter.com and type in #ageop. Feel free to leave comments and questions below in this forum!

We had a record number of participants this week! It's incredibly fulfilling and inspiring to see how this idea has taken off in just four weeks. Please tell your friends about The Age of Opportunity so we can continue to get bigger and better.

@kwidrick @BillShafer @PopArtDiva @thebikediva @sherisaid @marcmiddleton @ClaudiaGlaser @byctri @Choonks @ShaynePacker @Storrico @ladinah @TheLynn @millskathy @mrinaldesai @gerohelper @Nccaremanager @amykr @jeffrey_brandt @babyboomerbev @mkpelland @BillBeavers @boobtubious @MarshaHudnall

@debworks @TheBeerLady @TriBoomer @dannybrown @Teri8D @randyblanchette @catttaylor @larrykevin @Pbarton2 @wendyybailey @Steve_Pike @ShannonOKeeffe @dawnbugni @Hyacinths4 @njpaust @powerfeedback @Jaybezo @jtunkelo @judielise @Tall_Geek @MagicBartender @divinelove @Mitch_M @ArtnMeditation

AgeOp Love
@dannybrown: Anyone wanting to know how to bridge generation gap should join in #ageop chats on Thurs. nites
@babyboomerbev: What I do think is cool is when people can come face to face with the issues like some of you are doing. That means there's hope
@gerohelper: i think i have a new place to learn and grow as a gerontologist thursday nights
@gerohelper: I added GrowingBolder.com to my Website of the Day, which I list both on Twitter and LinkedIn for the 24 hours, it is truly awesome

Overall Trends:

• On the economy, this week's AgeOp participants are cautious, especially when it comes to the stock market, the housing crisis, and their careers. Some (@thebikediva, @PopArtDiva) have land is either now worthless, or that they can't sell. Others (@Storrico, @amykr) are cashing out IRAs and retirement funds, and many say they are considering stopping 401K contributions to save money. There are several AgeOp participants (@babyboomerbev, @TheLynn) that say they are optimistic about the economic future, but don't think we've hit the bottom yet, so they are urging us to keep a positive attitude. Finally, many in the group say they are particularly worried about the economy's impact on healthcare, and are concerned that people may not be getting the care they need because of rising prices.
• When it comes to technology, there are several things this group says it can't live without:
• Skype/iChat/video conferencing
• cell phone, PDA, smartphone
• laptop/desktop computers
• dishwasher
• washer and dryer
• air conditioner
• DVD recorder
• car
• Internet
• medical technology
• instant messenger/Facebook/Twitter/etc.
• There's a brewing debate between Blackberry and iPhone users over which one is best -- stay tuned!
  

Economy
@marcmiddleton: I try not to watch the financial news and I definitely don't ready my monthly statements...I still have the same # of shares I did 18 months ago, they're just worth 50% less.
@millskathy: Definitely affected. My senior housing clients are hurting due to prospects being unable to sell their homes.
@PopArtDiva: Scared - the news media and even the President are throwing the word "crisis" around too much!
@STorrico: If the people in power are really trying to save money on healthcare, they should empower the patients and help families provide care
@NCcaremanager: Our clients have found that reverse mortgages are the way to go right now since they can't sell their homes
@BillShafer: I'm TERRIFIED about not having enough to retire on. I get SICK TO MY STOMACH every time I get a 401k statement!
@ClaudiaGlaser: I am optimistic for myself and my family. We are in decent shape with investments, watching our spending and such...I am less optimistic for those that never planned, invested or have any nest egg to lean on. It's gonna get a bit hellish for them.
@Amykr: I already know i will not be retiring. My retirment savings is gone
@babyboomerbev: It's not that we have a lot of money because we don't we're just not dealing with the FEAR FACTOR
@marcmiddleton: In this economy who do you worry more about- your children or your parents? I thought my parents were set. No I'm not so sure.

Technology
@BillShafer: People think of the internet as a tool for teaching schoolkids... But in reality, it opens the world back up for the elderly.
@Amykr: The computer helps me overcome some of my learning disabilites so no one even notices them. Totally diff. then back in the day
@STorrico: Computers in general are opening the whole world for all ages, like OneLaptopPerChild - I'm in favor of one netbook per Grandparent.
@Choonks: the net helped me tremendously during chemo-I didn't feel so alienated- I could chat w/folks who understood my situation.
@jeffrey_brandt: Not all tech is good. cell phones have given us a very rude generation.
@marcmiddleton: the most powerful voice in healthcare now belongs to the patient thanks to social media.
@gerohelper: i use online sites to learn more about medical advice all the time, the internet has become a 2nd/3rd/4th opinion
@STorrico: I've even had a doctor Google my symptoms in the exam room. Wish more docs would adopt tech. It's going to be mandated soon. Yippee!

Grandparenting
@ShaynePacker: Grandpas, grandmas, nanas are all cool. because they have acquired a new, special kind of love — TLC.
@marcmiddleton: Grandparents today are like smart teenagers 50 years ago.
@STorrico: Grandparents are way more independent these days. No rocking chairs for me. I'll take my computers and my office chair any day.
@gerohelper: Grandparents of today are more accepting of the changes in cultural values, heck look at what happened in the news 1969-2009
@babyboomerbev: Grandparents have grown up with their children. Our mothers and fathers never took the time to really understand us
@PopArtDiva: Once upon a time families were multi-generational - maybe these times will bring back something good - true family support?
@MarshaHudnall: the return of extended families wonderful, especially for those w/ young children & those who want to be there 4 them
@ShaynePacker: Because of technology, grandparents today have a wonderful opportunities to connect w/their grandchildren in fun ways
@ladinah: Luckily, for me there are families of choice as well as birth families. My families of choice have been very supportive.
@ShaynePacker: I want my grandkids to learn that growing older can be fun, but most of all, my love for them & the family is strong!

Deep Thoughts
@jcarlin: On Friday's Oprah, Gayle King talking about flying: "You're excited to see when the pilot has gray hair. It means experience." Amen!
@mypricelesslife: Every Boomer I know personally is so multifaceted as to defy definition. One def. definitely does not fit all!
@BeMeaningful: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." -Steve Jobs
@marcmiddleton: "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." Danny Kaye
@STorrico: Aging is the Hottest Trend! And it's something we can all do without even trying! Doing it well...My mother always said "Getting old is not for sissies!" My mother was always right!
@kwidrick: We met an over 60-skydiver who told us "Life is a terminal disease." Ha! He said that's why he takes so many risks.
@BillShafer: The internet removes physical limitations You can't see my age, or anything else. My words are our bond.
@Choonks: Breast Cancer was a blessing in disguise for me.. It is the wind beneath my wings not an albatross around my neck- my mantra … that's why I served an eviction notice to cancer & walk with an Order of Protection against ALL cancers
@marcmiddleton: Baby boomers represent the best and the worst of our culture. Maybe the most diverse group ever.
@Teri8D: One day, your life will flash in front of your eyes...Make it worth watching.
@STorrico: "keep your words soft and sweet - you never know when you may have to eat them".
@Teri8D: Our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
@boobtubious: Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted, counts. Albert Einstein
@ladinah: Getting old definitely beats the alternative."
@STorrico:  I may get older but I refuse to grow up!
@Pbarton2: The older you get, the less peer pressure there is.
@Teri8D: Kindness: a language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the mute can speak.
@ShaynePacker: ❝A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.❞ ~Mignon McLaughlin

Misc.
@TriBoomer: What does Triathlon do for me? Fitness, good friends, enjoying the great outdoors. It's become a way of life, really.
@gerohelper: i think one thing to keep in mind with the boomers is the fact that they are so diff from their parents, they dont want be coddled

Missed the chat? Have something new to contribute? Feel free to leave replies and comments in this discussion, or join us every Thursday night for The Age of Opportunity chat on Twitter. Just enter this phrase "#ageop" and then follow the chat. We like Tweetchat.com -- you can log in with your Twitter name and password, then enter the ageop room and you'll be able to control the speed of the discussion and more. You can also follow by going to search.twitter.com and typing in #ageop.