Research has found eight "phases" of retirement for most people. These phases actually begin several years before retirement and continue through a course of progressive adjustments throughout the final phases of life.

     Phase one begins about three to five years before retirement.  This phase is usually referred to as "Fantasy" time as it consists of primarily of dreaming and planning for retirement and the new options which will be available after retirement begins.

     The second phase begins about one and a half years before retirement. This period is the "Excitement" time.  As the actual date of retirement is now within sight, serious struggles in obtaining necessary details about retirement benefits, income, health coverage, etc. Problems are often encountered that could have been solved if dealt with sooner, but, because of the proximity to the retirement must be dealt with as they are.

     "Stress" time is characteristic of the third period.  This occurs upon actual retirement.  This is a time when everyone dealing with the retiree needs to be aware of and compensate for pressures and stresses the newly "freed" individual is subjected to.

      For about the first two years after retirement the "Honeymoon" phase  occurs.  This is a time of catching up on delayed projects,  and enjoying the new freedoms of retirement.

      The fifth phase starts at about three to four years after retirement.  This is the period of "Retirement-Routine, Rest and Relaxation."  The individual has accepted, at least for the present, the adjustments to switching from a job every day to the flexibility found in retirement.

     The "Disenchantment" phase is about four to six years after retirement. This is a period in which the retiree often develops a lack of self esteem.  The person begins to feel the need for productivity.  Because there is not a service or product produced as when the retiree was employed, the haunting question of "Who am I?" surfaces.  As a result there is often a floundering feeling of being lost and ill at ease.

     Fortunately from the sixth to eighth year most people go through a "Reorientation" phase.  This is a period when learning to accept and enjoy the "roles" of retirement is usually mastered.  The challenge during this period is to develop a new sense of self worth and new direction.

     The final phase can be identified as the "Settle Down to Routine" period. This is usually a time of contentment. 

 

     "Growing old doesn't have to mean growing slow or growing ill," according to Dr. Gene Cohen, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging. Good health habits and attitudes are important going into old age. But serious illness may plague an older friend at any case.

      Rabbi Harold Kusher in "When Bad Things Happen to Good People"
(Schocken Books, 1981) states: "We either stay away entirely...or we come and try to avoid the reason for our being there. The first step is to realize that it is your presence, not your words, that means the most."

 

Effects of Retirement, Scientifically
 Gerontologists, noting the stress that changes in life style bring, have conducted studies measuring that long-term effect of retirement. No statistically significant data was found on retirement having an effect on health (either in an improved health picture or a declining one).  Yet the subjects perceived a reduction in their health status.

     Neither was there found any significant effect on depression or mental illness.  Subjects anxiety levels were not significantly altered either. Perhaps our society relates health changes to retirement rather than to age changes, which may often become more noticeable about retirement age.  In fact, many blue collar workers are early - retired due to physical problems.  According to the US House, Select Committee on Aging (1979), noninstitutionalized elders had the following types of chronic illness:
Table 2.1
     Condition                         Percent Having It
  Arthritis                                    44.3%
  Heart Disease                           27.4
  Hypertension                            39.0
  Hearing Impairments                 28.2
  Vision Impairments                   12.0
  Arteriosclerosis                        12.0
  Diabetes                                    8.0

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change those things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Riebuhr

 More on Adjustment Issues

      "I'm old. Am I worthless?" Rubin has suggested that individuals are their own best friends and their own worst enemies. He states that within every person are opposing forces of great power. He argued for psycho-philosophy of life that should help individuals enjoy living in the here and now and face adversity with self assurance. His twelve components of psychophilosophy are:

The first is to believe that I am because I am Individuals do not need to justify their existence, based upon what they possess or what they achieve.

The second component is acceptance of oneself, expressed by the words, I am I.

The third component is self-care, and taking ones needs seriously. This represents the ideas, I need, I want, I choose.

Fourth is the assertion, I am where I am, which establishes an individual as the center of his or her life, and a particular territory as his or her own. One result is a greater sense of security.

Fifth is the directive, Be here now, which stresses the point that the past and future do not exist, only the present.

The sixth component points out that life is a process, and that the emphasis is on the process, not the product.

The seventh component, called, I always do my best, stresses self-acceptance.

The eight component conveys the idea that human beings are complex and, at times, inconsistent.

The ninth component for individuals is the right to say "No" The right is self-preservation mechanism that emphasizes value systems, and avoids feelings of self-hate.

The tenth component calls attention to the difference between participation and performance.

The eleventh component involves individuals feelings about death. It is called, The right to live, the right to die.

The twelfth, and last component is acceptance of the saying, Life is tough.

      

AGE Changes
Normal Physical Changes that take place as we age include:

Hearing
 - typically loss of higher pitch ranges.

Sight
-less focusing ability of the eye (causing the need for bifocals or reading glasses).
-possible increase of pressure in the eye.
-possible diminishing of detail in vision.
-more floaters and other obstructions noticed in the line-of-sight.

Taste
- decrease in the number of taste buds.
-  perhaps changes in chewing ability.

Hair
- color changes, density changes.

Touch
- changes in skin layers may bring differences in feel and temperature sensitivity.

Bones- calcium losses create increased brittleness.

Skeletal- muscle strength changes, along with decrease in flexibility and range of motion.

 

"I'm sick because I'm sick - not because I'm old." Most retirees have one or more chronic health nuisances, but are still able to be active.

 

Nutrition Suggestions for Retirees (From Ruth Weg, University of Southern  California and the National Institute of Aging):

(a) Vitamins & minerals are dietary necessities.
-fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products and cereals
-calcium for bones and teeth (from milk, dark leafy greens and nuts).
(b) Proteins are vital. Eat:
-2 to 3 ounces of red meat, chicken or fish, two eggs, cooked dry beans, peanut butter or nuts.

(c) Fat and carbohydrates are needed energy sources:
-whole grains, enriched flour products, wheat bread and cereals, oat meal, rye crackers, barley, brown rice and cornmeal.

(d) Fibers are needed.
-bran: although it helps avoid constipation, too much can prevent the absorption of minerals.
-fruits and vegetables are other sources for fiber Retirees should eat more nutritious foods and less sweets, salty snacks, high calorie drinks and alcohol. Taking meals with others has been shown to increase the quality of life satisfaction and health.

 

Body Exercise
     Nathan Shock of the Research Center in Bethesda, Maryland suggests that being a little over weight (10 lbs.) is better than being under weight when combating or avoiding illness. Curtailed physical activities in retirement, however, means a gain of weight happens more easily.

     Often maintaining pre-retirement life styles is helpful. One example is stairs. In some retirees life styles, going up and down stairs may be the only meaningful exercise available. Some even place the telephone across the room to force a certain level of exercise.

     Some retirees are able to vigorously exercise. One example is the Senior Olympics in St. George, Utah. However, a medical physical is suggested before abruptly changing your exercise.

 

     Bernice Neugarten and her associates at the University of Chicago suggests that most people change life satisfaction viewpoints very little in retirement. 

 

"Grouchy people grow old, old people dont grow grouchy."

 

     Life-style often carries into retirement years, in areas such as: travel (even if handicapped) hobbies, crafts, collections, sports education, reading, creativity, community service, church activities gardening, home remodeling family or neighborhood activities

 

Relationships
     Interestingly enough, many retirees find more closeness to their grandchildren than their children, and yet more closeness to good friends than members of their families. An increased closeness is often noticed towards living siblings, even if many years without contact has passed.

     High life satisfaction developed in productive years continues on in retirement. Most people, surprisingly, do not join in with activities that they had not engaged in before retirement. If anything, activities may be slightly reduced from pre-retirement levels.
                                                                        
Accidents with Older People

     Accidents become more frequent and more serious with advancing age.
Most accidents, still, are preventable.
Falls are the most common cause of fatal injury in the elderly.
- Illuminate stairways well, with switches at both the top and bottom.
- Have handrails on both sides of the stairs.
- Night lights are helpful.
- Eliminate extension cords.
- Tack down carpeting and avoid throw rugs.
- Dont make obstacles out of furniture, and remove castors from them.
- Fix up the bath room. A tall toilet is safer and easier to use.
- Have grab bars all around the bathroom walls, install them in the bath tub, too.
- Make sure non-skid mats or strips are used in the bath tub.
- Keep outdoor steps and walkways in good repair with plenty of handrails, and rest stops.
- When waking, arise slowly from bed, begin by rolling to the side and then upwards.
- Watch illnesses and medication for side effects that may create dizziness.
Burns are harder on the elderly due to increase in healing time.
- Never smoke in bed, or when drowsy.
- When cooking, dont wear loosely fitting robes which can catch fire.
- Turn down water heater to avoid scalding skin. Without any cold water being on, the hot water faucet should deliver a comfortable temperature for bathing.
- Plan at least two exits from each room in case of fire or other emergency.
-  Use a single dead-bolt lock on outside doors that can be easily opened from the inside
Car Accidents may increase with natural eye and reaction time changes:
- Wear proper corrective eye wear, if required, and have your eyes checked yearly.
- Wear sunglasses only during the day outdoors.
- Drive in well-lighted familiar areas at night.
- Keep your head & eyes moving to get the big picture. Use all rear-view mirrors.
- Keep all windows, mirrors and lights clean.
- Drive fewer miles, and less often, keeping pace with the traffic.
- Dont smoke or drink while driving.
- Know the effects on your driving of your medications. Do not drive if the prescriptions warn against it.
- Drive less at night or in poor weather. Use seat belts anytime you are in a vehicle.
- Take a Senior Citizen driving course
On Public Transportation:
- Remain alert and brace yourself on buses.
- Watch for slippery pavement when alighting.
- Have your fare ready to prevent confusion and losing your balance as the bus pulls out.
- Leave one hand free to grasp railings.
- Allow extra time to cross streets.
- At night, wear bright and reflecting clothing and carry a flashlight.

Communications

Meaningful and successful communications are critical to the couple preparing for retirement and throughout retirement. Life style adjustments may need to be made, and good communications can help avoid mistakes and embarrassments. Example: What does I want to travel mean to you?

To your spouse?
Have you discussed the meanings you each attach to the phrase?

 

     Dr Michael Mechean in Building Family Strengths: Blueprints for Action.
University of ebraska, suggests some of the following for building communication skills:
1- Start with remember when activities or events. Begin with happy memories, then move on to the tough times. In discussion, stress how you handled the problems in the past, and how you could overcome similar events in the future.
2- Begin to jointly make plans for your future. Try to get quite specific.
Acknowledge between yourselves the need for flexibility should the unforeseen happen. Avoid promises, instead work on intents.
3- Discuss your decisions with other family members or friends who may be affected by such decisions. Strive for understanding of what needs to be done, who is to do it, and why it is to be done. Be open and frank about your feelings and emotions, avoiding fights or dwelling on past negatives.
4- Use professionals as resources to accomplish your goals but live Your
dreams - not theirs nor the dreams of relatives.
5- Learn to communicate your problems, concerns, joys, love and other
emotions. Avoiding criticism and blame will help the communication process.

 

     Some retirees want to learn, even if they do not make new careers out of it. They may take advantage of:
- College courses for Seniors, for little or no tuition cost.
- Continuing education: Lifetime Learning via books, libraries, and Home Study courses.
- Community College for skills, and enjoyment using the Adult Education programs available in many cities.
- Senior Citizens Center activities. Other retirees may decide to give voluntary service work to gain a feeling of worth, of value, or service. They may feel that they are giving back to community, church, or school that meant something of importance to them over the years.

 

     Each individual views grand parenting differently, but some of the typical problems that come up are:
1-Disagreements with the grandchilds parent(s)
2-Divorce of the grandchilds parents
3-Disagreements with the other set(s) of grandparents
4-Distances separating you and the grandchildren
5-Being told that your advice is unwanted
6-Resentments from grandchilds parents

     However, grandchildren can provide to grandparents some very important things:
1-Emotional support and attachment
2-A feeling of being able to care for others, and being cared for. An identity that may have been lost.
3-An opportunity to pass along family treasures: in heirlooms, in wisdom and family memones.
4-Interaction with youth, to keep one young.
5-Activities that are mutually beneficial Yes, my three year old granddaughter taught me how to surf the net

 

CHAPTER 2 IN RETROSPECT:

1) Is the normal aging process often blamed for problems of retirement?
Should it be?

2) What are you doing in your home or driving habits to compensate for age changes?

3) Are you working on better communication skills?

4) Do you engage in healthy reminiscent therapy to help you make sense of
your lifes experiences?

5) What new learning experiences are you going to take advantage of?