As you prepare for retirement, I think it is important to introduce yourself to your older self. As we approach retirement, we begin to see our older self, but by then it may be too late. Approaching retirement and ageing is complex and can be defined in a number of very different ways – chronological, legal, personal, physiological, psychological, and social/cultural. But our attitude is key, we must also reshape some of our own attitudes toward retirement and ageing.
In terms of attitudes toward retirement in general, we should come to see life as an opportunity for continuous growth and development; recognize that all of us are unique; understand that there's no one way to "get old” or one way to prepare for retirement, we need to appreciate the strengths and values of older people; and understand that ageist stereotypes are harmful.
In terms of attitudes toward the ageing process, we need to understand ageing as a continuous process of growing up and becoming older. A baby born today can expect to live longer than ever before in history. As we grow older and approach retirement, we need to understand that ageing is a complex interaction of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. We need to recognize that individuals can make personal choices about retirement that will affect the length and quality of their life, and recognize that ageing isn't just physical, but it's also psychological and social.
We must understand and internalize that advances in medicine, nutrition, and health care make it possible for people to live longer, live healthier lives. Longevity is increasing, as is the percentage of the population that is older and this creates economic and social changes that affect us all. We need to get others to believe that while an ageing society provides challenges, it also offers opportunities.
As we explore retirement and ageing, we do have to be careful not to split old age and retirement into two polarized images – the "ill-derly" versus the "healthy, wealthy, and wise." The idea of the old and frail, vs the old and healthy feeds both a false pessimism and a superficial optimism.
Negative images are everywhere, oppressive and depressing; positive images are too confining, idealized, and perhaps unattainable for many. From my experiences in giving workshops on health and wellness to seniors, I recognize that not everyone's situation is the same.
There are those who can't retire because they can't subsist on Old Age Security alone. They may not have e-mail to stay in contact with their grandchildren, and they may be too tired for lifelong learning. To create genuinely satisfying, realistic images of ageing, we have to understand its complexities – with variations dependent on class, culture, income, education, gender, and more.
As we create a new understanding of ageing and of retirement we need to remember there are no prescribed role models to follow, no guideposts, no rigid rules or obvious rewards. Ageing is about our vision of what it means to live a life. We need to feel as though we are moving toward something worthwhile – not necessarily easy, not straightforward, but worthwhile. We need meaning and hope, both individually and as a society.
No one can say what it will be like to grow old in the middle or late 21st century. What it means to be 50, 60, 70, or 80 years old today is very different from what it meant or was like 100 years ago. We don't know whether the life of older people in the future will be better or worse. But we can be certain that it will be different. The better prepared the young are and we are, the more educated, the abler they will be to help create new and rise to the new challenges that life brings and to handle what comes as they age.
In terms of attitudes toward retirement in general, we should come to see life as an opportunity for continuous growth and development; recognize that all of us are unique; understand that there's no one way to "get old” or one way to prepare for retirement, we need to appreciate the strengths and values of older people; and understand that ageist stereotypes are harmful.
In terms of attitudes toward the ageing process, we need to understand ageing as a continuous process of growing up and becoming older. A baby born today can expect to live longer than ever before in history. As we grow older and approach retirement, we need to understand that ageing is a complex interaction of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. We need to recognize that individuals can make personal choices about retirement that will affect the length and quality of their life, and recognize that ageing isn't just physical, but it's also psychological and social.
We must understand and internalize that advances in medicine, nutrition, and health care make it possible for people to live longer, live healthier lives. Longevity is increasing, as is the percentage of the population that is older and this creates economic and social changes that affect us all. We need to get others to believe that while an ageing society provides challenges, it also offers opportunities.
As we explore retirement and ageing, we do have to be careful not to split old age and retirement into two polarized images – the "ill-derly" versus the "healthy, wealthy, and wise." The idea of the old and frail, vs the old and healthy feeds both a false pessimism and a superficial optimism.
Negative images are everywhere, oppressive and depressing; positive images are too confining, idealized, and perhaps unattainable for many. From my experiences in giving workshops on health and wellness to seniors, I recognize that not everyone's situation is the same.
There are those who can't retire because they can't subsist on Old Age Security alone. They may not have e-mail to stay in contact with their grandchildren, and they may be too tired for lifelong learning. To create genuinely satisfying, realistic images of ageing, we have to understand its complexities – with variations dependent on class, culture, income, education, gender, and more.
As we create a new understanding of ageing and of retirement we need to remember there are no prescribed role models to follow, no guideposts, no rigid rules or obvious rewards. Ageing is about our vision of what it means to live a life. We need to feel as though we are moving toward something worthwhile – not necessarily easy, not straightforward, but worthwhile. We need meaning and hope, both individually and as a society.
No one can say what it will be like to grow old in the middle or late 21st century. What it means to be 50, 60, 70, or 80 years old today is very different from what it meant or was like 100 years ago. We don't know whether the life of older people in the future will be better or worse. But we can be certain that it will be different. The better prepared the young are and we are, the more educated, the abler they will be to help create new and rise to the new challenges that life brings and to handle what comes as they age.
No comments:
Post a Comment