More great ideas. Thanks. Anyone else?

Hmmm let me think....and these may not necessarily be my concerns, but things I hear from friends, magazines, etc:

1) How marriages change in 50's 60's and beyond

2) changes in the body and what to do about them on a budget (for example: lines beginning to show, facial hair beginning to sprout, changes in how food affects the body), other healthy eating and living issues

3) Second "careers"

I like the fashion one, too - like, articles on dressing when we don't feel "old" - funky fashionable clothing that doesn't look like a teenagers or 20-something's clothes, but is still fun and up to date

4) Social interactions -- when one isn't in the workplace any longer, where to find social interactions (outside of the computer-related social interactions).


that's all that readily comes to mind!

Heres a truly different perspective and may not count here because of my mothers age being 88, but just today she was on the phone in tears because her hair has thinned in front to the point of her beginning to look bald. She has always been so fussy about her hair and she is devastated. She went to have a blood test to see if it might be thyroid. She is also checking out wigs.

Also since she worked until she was 86 she always dressed up each day for the office. Now she feels dumpy because she wears robes and comfortable dresses rather than fashionable attire around her house. She also misses the gals from her office and lunching and laughing daily with them.

She has had to come to grips with the fact that romance for her is over. She is feeling sad as Valentines Day approaches and she is alone with what she says is a heart filled with love to give to someone, and being loved in return.

Mother says, living a long life can be rewarding and wonderful
but it can be sad, empty, and yes, even boring. She said many of the women who live in her building (all older seniors) have even discussed suicide being an option if not for a strong belief in God!!!

Chatty, my mother has been wearing a wig since she was 55, and she loves it. Too bad you don't live closer to your Mom,...wig shopping can be a howl.

Would your mother ever consider moving close to you?

They do so many things here for seniors. My mother has a more active social life than I have. Just this week she went to two different costume balls. How are the senior activities around where your mother lives? Maybe she could find someone to go with her, and they could find a driver too.

Loneliness is something very common in old age. I wish they had something like the villages in Germany. I would probably move there in my old age for that very reason.

Hi Chatty,

Has your mother ever considered volunteer work? I'm sure if she asked around, there would be quite a few outlets. A few examples could be helping out on a children's ward in a hospital or maybe a nursery or library. Or even in a nursing home where elderly people, who aren't as active as your mother, also need some companionship. Having done some myself, it is a very rewarding experience. Plus, it would give her an excuse to dress up again.

Just a thought.

I'd like to see options for childless women/couples. My mother and step F are very dependent on me and my brothers. Although having children is no guarantee of an elder getting help (children deceased, children estranged... no guarantees) what are resources when there are no family members? I understand what Chatty says about the seniors... considering suicide. I'd like to know about second/third/fourth careers... I am very interested in higher education in old age. Is there a percentage of those past 55 who have earned a doctorate degree? If so, what are the chances of getting hired. If one gets hired, what kind of jobs? Yes, tech is important. Of course, finances.

I have a friend who is 70, she is childless and single but has a huge group of friends. She also participates with a group of retirees who organize educational sessions which included invited speakers...plus presentations from amongst their membership. It's really quite interesting. this is a highly educated group of retirees...lawyers, writers, judges, professors, etc. She herself has a Master's in History and has delivered several sessions on slavery, her thesis area from awhile back. Of course, it means the speaker has to prepare content, etc. and deliver for 1-2 hrs., over several days and deal with questions from audience (ie. 20-75 people). But this would keep a brain alive!!

More topics:

How deal with changes in our friendships

Developing advocacy skills for community development. This is one area where retirees with areas of expertise can give strongly.

Giving your expertise overseas. ie. combined with travel

orchid, I hope to be that active when I'm older. I really believe the less active we are, the faster we grow older.

*Grounding one's self spiritually.

*Learning or Re-learning the fundamentals of a happy life.

*Scientific breakthroughs in Mind/Body/Spirit, even though science has no true means of measurement but for the body, at least, not (fully). With the introduction of some quantum notions, there might come a day when all things can be measured.

*Freebies, bargains and how to barter - Frugal living.

*Reconnecting with community.

Yep. In one of my jobs, the library was serving judges exclusively as our client group. In Ontario, a judge can gradually retire.. at 72 yrs. they can scale down to part-time. And the judges that I worked for, some were still sharp and fast in their thinking and analytical skills. It was inspiring. These were folks still writing legal texts with current content, delivering conference papers, etc.

What kept their brain still agile, was probably intellectual effort/challenge, not because they were still working.