My last two columns explored age-related vision and hearing
loss. This week, I had planned on delving in to two more of our
five senses: our olfactory glands and our taste buds.
My last two columns explored age-related vision and hearing loss. This week, I had planned on delving in to two more of our five senses: our olfactory glands and our taste buds. I decided however, to put that off until next time. I want to take a break from the physiological changes that occur over time and present another aspect of the aging process: sociological transformations. Retirement is one example of a sociological transition phase which takes place later in life and presents many opportunities for all of us to learn and grow.
Most adults will spend their 20s, 30s and 40s raising a family and working. Clark Tibbitts, author of “A Sociological View of Aging,” suggests these two functions of adulthood influence our social identity.
Our social identity begins to change around age 50; the kids have become young adults and retirement is only 10 or 15 years away. Tibbitts tells us that as the retirement age approaches, most people begin feeling nervous. What it all boils down to is the fear of being identified as “old.”
Men are especially susceptible to pre-retirement anxiety, according to Helen Kerschner and Jo Ann Pegues, authors of “Productive Aging: A Quality of Life Agenda.” They say men often have their identity in their jobs, and the thought of not having a place to go each day creates a fear of retirement.
Although many experience pre-retirement anxiety, they also experience post-retirement liberation. Freedom from earlier responsibilities affords the newly retired person new opportunities. Retired people, Tibbitts says, have the chance to indulge in new interests, cultivate new skills and to make meaningful social contributions.
Kerschner and Pegues say that older people are repositories of wisdom and experience who are capable of making economic and social contributions. Readers, consider this: you are, or are related to, a “repository of wisdom and experience.” Aren’t you excited? I certainly am.
In Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister we have a total of about 10,000 of these “treasure houses of intelligence” and that number will only continue to increase. How do we allow their knowledge to flow into our communities? Give them opportunities to participate.
MarketWatch.com reported in January that organizations have recently begun to do just that. Older adults eager to volunteer have their pick of a growing number of innovative new options. Forbes.com goes on to say that non-profits across the country are looking specifically for the skill sets offered by older Americans because they have spent decades fine-tuning their skills.
I immediately started thinking about our local senior-living communities partnering up with our local public schools: Younger and older generations forming influential relationships and learning from one another. Connecting these two age groups now will serve all of us in the future.
I also started thinking about retirees forming relationships with local nursing homes. Visiting and participating in activities with seniors who no longer have their independence will not only enrich their lives, but the experience may serve as a catalyst for retirees to make changes in the institutional setting we tend to fear most.
With budget cuts and layoffs threatening our local schools and nursing homes, the “overworked and understaffed” scenario will continue. If we have “repositories of wisdom” with time on their hands looking for opportunities to make meaningful social contributions, the connection becomes clear.
Earlier this week, I visited volunteermatch.org to explore volunteer opportunities in our area. The Web site is very user friendly; I typed in my zip code and indicated that I would be willing to travel 10 miles from home and that I wanted to work with senior citizens. Only two opportunities were actually available in the Gilroy and Morgan Hill area. The other three volunteer opportunities required traveling to San Jose.
I encourage local organizations to register with volunteermatch.org. And I encourage members of our communities, regardless of age, to see what opportunities are out there. For those of you who have been volunteering for years, cheers to you and your efforts! Drop me a line and let me know what you have done in the past and what your thoughts are for the future.
NOTE Maureen Haro of Hollister: Give me an update and let me know if you have found any opportunities in your city.
