By Carrie Anne Deters
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

“Every 10.9 seconds in America, another person turns 60,” said John Erickson, founder and CEO of Erickson Retirement Communities. Twenty-five years ago, amenity-rich, campus-style retirement living was only available to the wealthy. Erickson felt called to change that situation and provide convenient, exceptional retirement living to all people.

Aging in America
John Erickson believes that people in retirement fall into two groups. In a speech at Wind Crest’s Ground Breaking, Erickson said, “Well, for 25 years, I’ve been concerned about this amazing dilemma. One group negatively reacts to the process of aging and figures they should hang on and hope it doesn’t get worse, while only about 10 percent of the people proactively make life better.”

He continued, “There are 10 million people like you in retirement and only about a half a million total retirement units that are designed to serve your wants and needs in this country.”

Remedy for ‘Retirement’
In 1983, Erickson took steps to remedy this dilemma by creating his flagship community, Charlestown in Baltimore, Md. As the first
community of its kind, it made a rich retirement lifestyle affordable for middle-income Americans. Now with 18 communities in 10 states, and more on the way, Mr. Erickson has a grand vision to establish other initiatives to change America’s perspective on aging.

Mr. Erickson said, “I want you to know that Erickson is a lot more than putting together a housing program. We are the leader in what we think improves the quality of aging in America today.”

Affecting Positive Change
Mr. Erickson is currently championing two different initiatives to improve the state of health care in America and the American perspective on retirement and aging.

Foundation Causes
The Erickson Foundation devotes time and money to various causes locally and nationally.

The Foundation endowed the University of Maryland Baltimore County to create the Erickson School of Aging. Students will research and study ways to guide the policy changes that are going to take place in aging over the next 15 years and affect over 78 million people approaching retirement. A main goal of this program is to impact the American health care industry.

Erickson said, “One of the problems in our country is that we really pay for sick care and not for health care. With the help of Erickson residents we are changing that. By coordinating medicine, disease management, and preventive care, you get outcomes that keep people out of the hospital, and living well.”

These efforts in tandem will help to improve the state of retirement for years to come.

Shattering Media Stereotypes
When speaking to the Priority List members at Wind Crest, Erickson said, “We communicate very negatively about aging in our country. Yet, the retired group in this country has made some of the greatest contributions you could ever imagine to society in philanthropy, in community involvement, in mentoring, in arts—everywhere.”

Erickson will change the way Americans view retirement and retired people by creating a positive media image through a television network called Retirement Living that will feature programming specifically geared toward the image and interests of those in retirement.

Hats Off to Pioneers
John Erickson congratulated those who have already joined the Wind Crest community. He said, “You are the visionaries. You believe you can add value beyond what anybody can imagine to these communities—that’s what really makes life and my job worthwhile.”

Priority List Responds
Priority List members were inspired and excited after hearing John Erickson speak. Martha and Dennis Bradshaw from Denver, say, “John Erickson has a vision for living a total life where we can not only live but we can live a healthy life. That’s what we’re really looking forward to—living healthier longer and being able to live a full life.”

Karen and Bob Weertz, from Centennial, thoroughly enjoyed hearing John Erickson speak. “He is a man with lots of vision and he’s so refreshing. He’s educated, knowledgeable… We had no idea that this was going to be the type of person that started all of these communities and now we know why they’re successful—because of John Erickson.”

Time Is Now
Do you share John Erickson’s vision? Are you ready to accept the challenge to live each day to the fullest? Do you want more time in your day? Learn more about the realization of this vision at www.Erickson.com.