New Seniors

The “Golden Years” may not be what many expected. As the US population continues to grow older, with the first of the boomers now turning 65, there’s a growing concern that many facing their retirement years are unprepared to enter this next phase of life. Will society let them fall through the cracks?

A majority (53%) of respondents in a recent Rasmussen survey favored repealing the health care reform bill. The House of Representatives voted to strike down the law. And the administration seems willing to make changes but urges voters to not kill the bill. A look inside the numbers reveals that Americas opinions on this subject vary by age.

A friend recently announced at a gathering that he was unemployable. The reason he stated was because, being born in 1930, his eightieth birthday was coming up soon. The man tried to joke away his discomfort by saying that if anyone owned a mimeograph, he had tons of experience with that piece of equipment and hoped he could remember the details of operating it. Under other circumstances the statement would have been funny.

The first amendment of the Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Why does the debate continue?

Maybe it was because we didn’t have a slew of toys as kids that forced us to be creative with whatever was available. Or that it wasn’t a disgrace to not have what everyone else had. Or is it simply the fact that times have changed? Whatever the reason, we sure had fun with those cardboard boxes.

New Seniors tend to be an optimistic lot. Born during the Great Depression or WWII, we didn’t have everything we wanted but learned from those who went before us that there was an American dream and through hard work and perseverance, we could attain it. Recent studies show that the aging Baby Boomers don’t share the same faith in the future that there older brothers and sisters do.

The slogan of Nancy’s Reagan’s anti-drug effort back in the 1980s, “Just say no,” should be used in dealing with the dangerously addictive spending habits of local, state of federal governments today. Even after the resounding backlash of voters in the November elections, elected officials seem reluctant to make the tough choices.

Over the recent holiday season, I attended many parties and had a number of dinners with friends. Although I turned 65 several years ago, this was the first time I was aware that the conversations with my peers had moved on to a new list of topics.

Most folks 65+ think they have a lifestyle that is in step with today’s society. We own a digital camera, have a cell phone and use the computer with some degree of success. This gives us a false feeling of being part of the modern world when in reality we New Seniors may be two steps behind everyone else.

Some say those 65+ long for the good old days rather than focusing on the here-and-now. Yes, New Seniors enjoy nostalgic moments, but we live in the present. It’s interesting, however, to think back to our youth and remember what was our science fiction has become reality in the 21st century.