From Solomon, Steiner & Peck
Seventy is the new 60, or at least not the old 70 of our parents and grandparents.
Participation in outdoor activities among adults over age 65 has more than doubled in the past decade, according to recent research from the outdoor recreation industry. Many older Americans now hike, ski, bike, paddle, rock climb and travel more frequently than people decades younger. Older adults are more physically active outdoors than ever before, with rates more than doubling in the past 10 years.
Just six years ago, the 65+ age group was the smallest age cohort in outdoor recreation participation. But their share grew 7.4 percent last year — more than any other age group — and has more than doubled over the past decade. In 2024, the 65+ cohort was larger than participation groups for ages 55 to 64, 45 to 54, 18 to 24, and 6 to 12.
Effective legal and financial planning for older adults with active lifestyles requires more than a traditional estate plan. Specialized documents can better address the risks of injury, temporary incapacity, and logistical issues that may arise during short-term disruptions while away from home.
Durable Powers of Attorney That Actually Work in Emergencies
Generic documents can fail when they’re needed most. Powers of attorney should be designed for real-world use, including emergencies that occur out of state or mid-travel, with clear authority that financial institutions will honor without delay.
Health Care Directives That Anticipate Temporary Incapacity
Planning shouldn’t assume incapacity is permanent. Your health care proxy should have immediate authority and access to your medical records and emergency contacts to manage short-term, unexpected health problems, not just end-of-life scenarios.
Planning for Interruption in Addition to Incapacity
Who pays bills? Who handles insurance, travel changes or home logistics while someone recovers? These details matter during temporary setbacks and are typically overlooked because they don’t fit neatly into traditional planning categories.
Revisiting Plans as Lifestyles Evolve
The more someone travels, skis or hikes, the more their planning should reflect that reality. Estate plans need to evolve alongside activity levels and life circumstances at all ages.
Before You Step Out, Dial in Your Plan
Outdoor athletes talk about being “dialed in.” In practice, this means being fully prepared, supported by proper gear and nutrition, and able to perform at their highest capacity.
If you’re going to live boldly later in life, your planning needs to be just as dialed in.
Estate planning can carry built-in, age-related assumptions that don’t accurately reflect nontraditional lifestyles and pastimes. It doesn’t have to signal decline. Done purposefully, planning can help to preserve independence, protect autonomy, and ensure that an active lifestyle can continue — even when the unexpected interrupts the adventure.
