The new face of retirement

Cynthia Lopinto Feature Article Leave a comment 2,306 Views

By CYN LoPINTO
Editor-in-chief, gerontologist

The face of retirement is quickly changing. The old image portrayed a 65-year old male happily leaving a job he had worked at for more than forty years. His office threw him a party on a Friday afternoon, gave him a watch, thanked him for “doing his part” and sent him on his merry way. How lucky! His future would now consist of sleeping-in, playing golf, traveling and finally relaxing. What nobody talked about was that a lot of these new retirees found the transition devastating. The change in lifestyle was drastic and for many, retirement was a major letdown.

Nowadays, people realize that the choices surrounding retirement are numerous. For those who have reached the age at which they are thinking about embarking on a new phase in their life, there are many different paths to consider. Because of financial reasons, a lot of those who leave their present full time employment, have to get another full-time job for that much needed paycheck. Early retirement trends coupled with a longer life expectancy, place issues regarding money on the top of the concern list for most seniors. Some may celebrate this opportunity by making a complete career change and trying something new.

With the growing popularity of home-based businesses out there, alot of Americans are joining the entrepreneur crowd by setting up shop in their home. Part-time work is another choice for those retiring. Older adults enjoy the flexibility of hours and in many instances, the relaxed atmosphere of a job that doesn’t require a whole lot of responsibility. Volunteering can be a wonderful way to spend this new life phase as well. There is a surge of interest in people “giving back” to their community. The rewards from this type of work are far greater than any monetary ones.

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Cynthia Lopinto

Cyn LoPinto, M.A. is a gerontologist focusing on significant issues affecting older adults and their families. Her areas of interest include lifestyle enrichment, family dynamics, and caregiver support. Cyn has worked in both the recreational and healthcare industries.