The Invisible people and their suppliers

For most of this year, I have researched and written about the seniors sector, interviewed people within the industry that sells and services the 13% of the population we classify as seniors, sat on committees, volunteered with senior's organizations and what I have found most amazing is how invisible they are.

Collectively as a group, seniors have lived through the great depression and all the subsequent economic corrections, the Second World War, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, endless Middle East conflicts and other sundry European and Asian conflicts, given birth to the largest demographic of our population and still we don't see them beyond being our parents and grandparents. Given the numbers and as we approach Remembrance Day it would seems appropriate to refer to this group as an army. However, I prefer to think of them more as an invisible legion of elders, carrying on as resolutely as ever, undeterred by the challenges of living.

In 2011 the front edge of the Baby Boomers will turn 65 and with that begins an even greater transfer of our countries capital assets into this group that will grow to make up 25% of the population and control over 60% of those assets. We baby boomers are only the great depression and couple of wars behind them. Our relationship with our own historic period is every bit as intimate and life changing as those of our parents and grandparents.

Even with all that history and effort according to columnist Barbara Yaffe, of the Vancouver Sun in a recent article reports "Retirement looks less than golden and it's not imminent." Apparently, this past February, an Ipos Reid poll for the Royal Bank claimed only 47% of us can fully expect to retire at age 65.

Retirement may not be imminent for most of us; still life offers some amazing opportunities. The senior sector many be a perfect fit for those of us not able to retire. The growth and changes in this sector has created a vast and broad based industry focused on seniors. The industry itself is as invisible as those it serves.

I am part of this rapidly expanding business sector as I prepare to launch my new advertising agency "Transitions Advertising Ltd." A big part of the company mandate will be to expose this sector not only to the wider community as a whole, but to demonstrate to those within the community its capacity and the services available to them.

Michael Lepore and I have expanded his real estate site to a new level by incorporating both senior and retirement sections. Soon you will begin to see seniors housing and retirement properties presented in unique and original way.

For those lucky enough to retire, we will speak to opportunities of volunteering within the sector. Seniors are one of countries largest volunteer resources. They are involved in every aspect of this countries legion of volunteers that picks up where government and industry don't or can't finish the job. They are committed to filling in the holes that litter our communities.

Possibly the greatest accomplishment in life is "to be of service." Working as a volunteer presents a unique opportunity to achieve and live that accomplishment. Great communities are built around giving. As Canadians, we just recently celebrated that gift with Thanks Giving. There is a saying "Give til it hurts", it has been my experience "giving never hurts."

Live well and be involved,

David Hutchison