The last pharmacy I worked at was the best job I’ve ever had because I was older than many retired customers and what I learned from them forever changed how I felt about retirement.
They told me everything about themselves and the world they lived in. I listened carefully, asked questions, and watched. It was an invaluable education. I soaked it up like a sponge.
I heard many comments and ideas that I did not agree with.but I didn’t say anything. After all, he knew that she was getting an education in a world and lifestyle she knew nothing about, but wanted to learn.
One of the many things that surprised me was this comment. from an older woman: “I’ve done for others all my life, and now it’s time for others to do for me.”
For me, that was a surprise. By all means, do it for others who need help, but if you don’t do it out of the goodness of your heart, then don’t do it. When you do something kind, don’t expect anything in return. Family members and others may or may not want to be caregivers, and they shouldn’t be if you can care for yourself. When you can help yourself, you will stay physically strong longer and your brain will be sharper longer, which is a blessing.
Aside from loss of cognition and physical healthPossibly the worst thing older people have to fear is dependency. When you become dependent, whether by choice or necessity, you lose a part of yourself.
Another thing I learned about retirees is that many did not have enough income, which opens the door to dependency. More than a few only had Social Security income to survive the rest of their lives. It’s common for many to retire thinking they won’t need as much money anymore, only to soon discover that inflation makes that idea a serious miscalculation. You find yourself thinking you’ve worked hard your entire adult life in anticipation of enjoying a carefree retirement, and when the time comes, it’s a rude awakening that what you did to prepare (or even if you did) wasn’t enough.
But here’s some good news for those willing to deal with reality. I am a strong advocate of work. I remember listening to Pastor Rick Warren, author of the bestselling book, A life with purpose, discussing political issues with John McCain, who ran for president against Barak Obama. I remember Pastor Warren emphatically saying, “We’re made for the job.” Not everyone agrees with that sentiment, but it made a lot of sense to me. He gave legitimacy to the phrase “use it or lose it.” If you don’t constantly challenge your brain and body, it deteriorates.
I mention the subject of work because I saw many retirees without money able to hold down a job of one kind or another, but did not want to work. I remember one client, a retired engineer, clipping food stamps from the newspaper while he waited for his prescription to be filled. He always complained about the cost of his medications, determined not by the pharmacy but by his insurance plan. But, unfortunately, he never seemed or wanted to understand that.
One day, in what I thought was a casual and pleasant conversation With him about his work experience, I asked him if he had ever considered getting a part-time job that would allow him to use and share his considerable skills. You would have thought that he had insulted his mother. He got angry and reminded me that he had earned his retirement and that there was no way he would ever work again. Ever. For me it was a lesson learned: be careful what or how you ask a question.
On other occasions, women told me that they would like to have a job. but they did not think they were qualified to do anything because they had been out of the labor market (or never been in it) for a long time. They could have found a job suited to their talents, but truth be told, they really didn’t want to work. They were settled into their comfortable leisure-oriented lifestyle and were unwilling to disturb it or give it up. That is easy to understand.
But then there was Margie. she had an attitude That said it could chew you up and spit you out. In particular, she said that she was tired of the daily 4 pm meetings at the local burger joint with the residents of her retirement complex. All they did, she said, was complain of aches and pains and how much they loved (or hated) her doctor, reminisce about the past, and tell and retell demeaning old man jokes. “I’m tired of it,” she complained.
One day, Margie began to put on makeup and dye her hair. “old age orange” and began wearing what was considered business attire. She had gotten a job as a clerk at a local body shop. Did she look like a million bucks? Absolutely. Shortly after, she was showing off a beautiful engagement ring. At 78, she became engaged to the 67-year-old owner of the body shop. It was a miracle? Most likely, Margie took the bull by the horns and took over her life.
I understand why people are anxious to start retirement. After 40 years of work, you are tired. Retirement provides an opportunity to take a deep breath and finally make life your own. Even with difficulties, lifestyle becomes a warm and loving friend.
But here’s the thing. After a year or two of enjoying the freedom of retirement, that initial “honeymoon” phase starts to get boring, or the need for more money arises. That’s your chance to be decisive about what you want to do with the rest of your life. Before you get too tired and your brain and body become too “soft” to do anything of value, take control of your future. It belongs to you.
Life expectancy has increased tremendously. More people take better care of themselves and it is not uncommon for some to reach 100 or more. So if you retire at age 65 (or earlier), you can live another 30 years.
Please don’t let the consciousness of your chronological age rule or ruin your life! In fact, age is “just a number.” We agree that it’s true, but we often act like we don’t believe it when making decisions in life. What you should be concerned about is your biological age: the health and vitality of your cells. As I mentioned before, I’m 92 years old and frankly, I don’t give a shit what my date of birth is. I recently had an extensive test to determine my biological age, and it is 74. Trust me; change your perspective on life. It gives you the freedom to dare to act on all the possibilities that are open to you.
You can have a full and purposeful second life after retirement. You can and should experience the magic of fulfillment in your senior years. Do you remember Harlan Sanders, founder of the KFC chicken franchise? He was not a child when he decided to start his own business. Do you remember Grandma Moses? If you don’t know who he was, google it for inspiration. Or maybe you’re familiar with Gert Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear. He went to the office every day until he passed away at the age of 94. Old age is not a death sentence. Be confident; what others have done, you CAN do too, and maybe much more!