We all have expectations; that’s how we manage our lives. Expectations of how other people will respond; how the weather will turn out; that public transport will be on time; that the supermarket will have the goods we need, and so on. Sometimes, our expectations are not fulfilled, but we rationalise that outcome with: ‘Ah well, you can’t win them all’.
Society needs to change its expectations of older people. Previously, we were expected to retire after a lifetime’s toil, and quietly fade away. Some survived longer than others, but they were the unusual ones who had, by chance, avoided or delayed the inevitable deterioration in health associated with ageing. When asked the secret to a long life, they might have claimed ‘hard work’, ‘regular exercise’, ‘a positive outlook’ or even ‘a glass of red wine every night’.
Modern medicine has considerably increased our longevity. We can remain active and healthy well into our eighth and ninth decades. The Queen, and her successors in the future, are going to be very busy signing birthday cards for 100 year-olds!
However, the younger generations have yet to change their expectations of older people. And, in turn, we need to change our expectations of what we will do during the last quarter of life. Do you expect, for much of that time, to be, for example:
- Minding your grand- or great-grandchildren regularly, so the parents can work?
- Playing bowls, bridge, going on cruises or fishing?
- Gardening, managing finances, maintaining large homes, or refurbishing houses for your children?
- Propping up your old workplace by filling in during sick leave and vacations?
- Serving on the school committee, cooking for the sports club, managing the church accounts, etc?
- Keeping the same old routines of cooking, housework, shopping, cleaning cars, watching TV and visits to coffee shop or club?
May I respectfully suggest that because we are, for the first time ever, living for considerably longer than previously, we need to reconsider our, and their, expectations of what we will do during this valuable extra time.
What do you think?
Renaissance not Retirement 