Aging With Purpose In America Is Highly Underestimated
By Anne Colby, Next Avenue Contributor , Forbes October 2017
At the heart of ageism is the assumption that, because of incapacity or low motivation, older adults contribute little to the world. A view of aging that highlights decline offset by the dubious rewards of self-indulgence and freedom from responsibility reinforces that ageist assumption.
This uninspiring vision underestimates most older adults, who find many small ways to engage with their communities; care for their families, friends, neighbors and pets; contribute elements of compassion and civility to everyday life and volunteer at least sporadically.
The View of Older Adults That’s Wildly Off Base
And for a significant minority of older adults, a self-focused image of later life is beyond inaccurate — it’s wildly off base. In a nationally representative U.S. sample of men and women age 50 to 92, my colleagues and I found that almost a third (31%) exhibit a strong, stable, active commitment to goals that are deeply meaningful to them and that contribute a great deal to the world. In line with research examining purpose at younger ages, we describe these highly committed people as having purpose beyond the self.
Resources for Seniors
As people age, it can become significantly harder to take care of paying the bills, get health checkups regularly, consume enough nutritious foods, and do other day to day activities. It can be debilitating, physically and emotionally, to feel there is no help or relief from it all. Thankfully, there are dozens of government aid programs available specifically for seniors. After a lifetime of working and paying taxes, seniors should be provided some social safety nets by the government.
It can be difficult to find what aid programs are available for seniors, aside from what we’ll list out in this guide. Contacting your local senator can be of great help though, as every senator has staff available who can advise you on smaller programs that may be specific to your specific community. Then there are your congressional representatives who also have staff specialists on elder affairs.
Further, there is a federally mandated agency located in every county of every state, called the Area Agency on Aging. Here you will find professionals who are in the know of every elder program in the immediate area. They can also help with applications to join the programs. The Administration on Aging handles national programs and services for seniors and go a step further in that they can help with legal assistance, long term care, counseling on health insurance, and even offer protection from elder abuse.
African American females retire earlier than the male counterparts.
You have a lot to contribute now that you are retired. So how do you plan your next life now?