We've all had moments where we have to redefine our lives - marriage, childbirth, death of a loved one, getting fired, and on and on.

But for some Baby Boomer women, redefinition could mean the difference between older years of relative security, comfort or homelessness.

No, I do not believe I am exaggerating. Recent news articles and highlights from different parts of the country are pointing out that the growth of homelessness among Baby Boomers is growing more rapidly than any other age group. In cities like Miami and Dallas, their respective housing authorities are looking at this situation as a growing trend. And unfortunately, it appears no one has a solution.

Many Baby Boomers are fine, when it comes to looking at the personal and financial situations when considering retirement and senior years. But a great many are not.

The economy as we knew it while we were riding high in careers, just doesn't exist any more and shows no signs of returning. A shift is occurring that is affecting every generation, but for Baby Boomer women, it is particularly serious.

If demographics remain the same in many areas over the next several decades, we would be looking at a continuation in the growing divorce rate among seniors (which usually leaves the woman in a much worse financial condition), an earlier death of men, leaving many women widowed often before they expect it, a continued downsizing by companies, and the ongoing question of whether or not the housing market will recover.

Even Baby Boomers who diligently saved have lost a substantial portion of their investments in the economic downturn, and for those who are living the live close to the edge - paycheck to paycheck, the prospects are gloomier.

Readings these news articles broke my heart. I knew it was bad out there - but not to the extent it was portrayed.

But HOPE is not lost. We Baby Boomer Women are a resilient generation. We have had tough careers, raised children (sometimes on our own), care for aging parents and have dealt with tragedy and health problems along the way. We are survivors.

There are many changes a Baby Boomer Woman who is not financially set for the next 30 years can make. Families are moving back together to cut expenses, an interesting revision of the "communes" of the hippie years are reemerging where people of like age and interests are choosing to live in a neighborhood or complex with an agreement to help each other out. Where one might be talented in carpentry another might be talented in bookkeeping or tight budgeting.

Inc. Magazine's entire August, 2010 issue was dedicated to the Age of the Entrepreneur. Noting that the old economy was unlikely to be recussitated any time soon, it spoke of the regrowth of cottage industries, people switching careers to become their own boss, opening home-based business (whether or not using the Internet), as a way out of the quagmire facing an individual's personal financial situation. A hobby may just turn out to be a thriving business!

Women have long been entrepreneurs - simply running a home is one of the highest levels of entrepreneurship. Perhaps, for some, starting a home-business full time or part time if still employed might provide the cushion needed in the event of any economic trauma that strikes the Baby Boomer woman or her family.

Of the approximately 170,000 home business begun each year, the great majority of them are begun by people ages 55 to 64. And most of them are women. Something is trending here, worthy of keeping an eye on.

I had to reinvent my life many times for some of the reasons I spoke of above, including deaths, relocations, divorce, single-parenthood - but somehow with youth and the climate of the times, it was easier to navigate.

Several years ago, however, I got hit with a life changing event that I couldn't handle with sheer force of will. My body would no longer allow it - period.

Children grown, on my own and dependent upon myself for survival, I had to find a way out despite my limitations. I had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and as a result could no longer practice law or work any job outside the home, mainly because of the overwhelming and unpredictable fatigue that sometimes comes with the disease and forces the person to sleep - right then and there. That doesn't go over so well in the scheduled work world.

Fortunately, I had been involved (as a fascinating hobby at first) with Internet marketing for quite a few years, and having run my own law practices I had the entrepreneurial gene in me.

I took to it like a fish to water. The Internet didn't care what time I worked or when I had a bad day. Choosing my own hours allowed me to remain in the game, connected and productive. Surprisingly, I am much happier doing this and view my diagnosis of MS as a blessing.

I am not suggesting that every cautious or even desperate Boomer woman race to the Internet in search of riches. It is a rat's nest out there and you have to learn who to trust and who to run like you know what from. I am not even suggesting it is the only answer, but it is one that has worked for me.

What I am saying is we have to make sure we do not stick our heads in the sand and expect all will be well if our situations don't indicate that. Failure to plan is planning to fail.

My hope is that there will be a rebirth in the financial and personal lives of all Boomers, and that the recent reports of increasing homelessness among the Baby Boomer generation will fade away because we have done what we always have done - we fought back.

And even so, my motto remains, "These STILL are the good old days."

I agree that it is important for boomers to be savvy and prudent about their financial planning long-term.

And yes, alot of folks believe they can make money from just being on the Internet. The reality is that in many instances, the Internet is simply another marketing/communication tool that can reach a broader audience. It also facilitates certain transactions at a faster speed. Nothing wrong with both reasons when everything is done legally and honorably.

I'm on some other forums related to blogging and it's truly amazing how naive some people are...

Great article. I am 56 and was a registered nurse until a year ago when I found out that I must have become infected with Hep C on the job years ago. I had no symptoms and was never sick, until last year.
The doctors convinced me that I had about three months to live and needed a liver transplant. For the past year, I have been having expensive medical tests and being 'worked up' for the transplant team to review my case and decide if I would be granted the 'hope' to be put on the liver transplant list. Well, then after $23,000 spent, they decided I was clinically depressed and denied me to be put on the list. What a blow! But maybe not. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones to not have to spend my life waiting for the phone to ring when someone elses life ends so I can have their liver and spend the rest of my life on expensive meds and will need caregivers. So now I am counting my blessings. Let someone esle have the $500,000 liver transplant that may or may not have worked.
Since then, the hospital in Toledo, Ohio that I worked at when I got infected, terminated me, cancelled my disability insurance, and give me a very hard time about going out of network for care - even though Toledo has no liver transplant program at any of their hospitals.
So.....all that, and here I am. Never thought it would be like this. Thought that I was too smart for this strange turn of events. But here I am. Thank God I have a tiny nestegg. Social Security instantly approved me for disability income or I would be homeless by now. So at least I have a home, but am so alone.
Mostly, I feel alone. There isn't even a hep c support group in Toledo!
So I know what you mean when you talk about the adjustment to a diagnosis of a terrible disease; but I also relate to having to keep going and even to reinvent yourself at this point in life. Very happy to have found this site.
Let's go shake up things!!!

This is a most interesting topic to me because I volunteer for the underpriveledged, many who are homeless. Many of their birth dates are very near mine and it's so disheartening.

This is such an issue in our county that there are three upcoming gahterings to discuss the problem. After those meetings, there is a ten year plan for those who are interested in helping resolve this problem in our area.

violett, How pitiful that you got Hep C at your work place and they are the first to let you go. I'm familiar with A and B, but not C. Do you mind explaining? How do you feel on a day to day basis. Is your liver still working well enough, or does this affect your quality of life? I'm so sorry.

MaryAnne, thanks for beginning this topic. YOu write with such passion. I appreciate that!

These are some very hard times for our generation, many of whom will work until the day we die due to the current economy. THis creates another issue - since boomers aren't leaving the work force, there are no jobs for the younger folk. Maybe communal living is the best answer...

I'm really sorry to hear this violette about how you became infected, etc. I am impressed by your spirit....at least within this forum.

Life can be shocking.

But one that cannot be taken away from us: is all the skills and knowledge that we've picked up along the way in life. It can help us in certain areas.

I realize you cannot practice as a nurse, but you already have health care knowledge in certain areas that many of us do not have.

What a thought-provoking series of posts...

MaryAnne, I see that you have been with us for a bit more than a year, but don't post often. What you wrote above is so true and very well put. I hope we will hear more from you.

Violettt, thanks for sharing your story. Glad you found us and I'm ready to shake things up with you!

Dotsie, I agree that realizing how many baby boomers are financially hurting is disheartening -- that's why helping Boomers to enjoy the best life possible now and in the future is so important to me.

And Orchid, you are so correct that we Boomers have knowledge and no one can take that from us. Now all we need to do is figure out how to capitalize on that knowledge.

Let's go, time's a-wasting!

This site is really for people like us Homeless... For you violet, I admire you much on how you handle those things in your life. From the time you know that you are infected with hep c and until today... Your such a fighter on your on way...

Welcome to Violettt777 and also r3ign3. Being ill in any serious form to me is unhandleable. I am so bad about illiness of my own although I have been caregiver for a sister who had MS. I will add you to my prayer list as well as Mary Anne already a member here. Don't be afraid to post whenever it is necessary. we are all kind hearted and will try our bests to be understanding.

I can't imagine being homeless at my age or any age for that matter. I wonder what we could do for those homeless that might actually help them? Any ideas?

I guess those who are homeless need to tell us what they most need. I expect they need a safe place to sleep, access to food and medical care and a way to make some money so that they can get back on their feet.