Retirement Talk
WHAT to do with the rest of your life? |
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Episode 133 Retirement
and Needs
Psychologist
Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs. At the base of his Needs Pyramid
were food, water, clothing and shelter. Without these we cannot survive. Four
other levels rise above these basic needs. Second level is Safety, Order and
Structure. Third is Love and Belonging. Fourth is Recognition, Ego, Esteem and Freedom.
At the top is Self-Actualization.
Think of
some couples that have financed their homes with a sub-prime mortgage and now
may lose it as interest rises and values fall. Loss of their home may throw
them into a panic where nothing else matters. In the same way divorce or death
of a spouse undercuts the base of our lives. How will we survive?
Retirement
can be an enjoyable period of our life if we have an income sufficient for our
basic needs- Food, shelter and clothing. We may have social security, a
pension, a mortgage-free home and savings. Some retirees return to part-time
work or shop at thrift stores to eke out an existence. Health care costs threaten
even the best-planned retirement. Complex treatment and nursing home care
quickly eat up our resources and may impose a burden on our children.
In
retirement we have time to inform ourselves and solve some of these complex
problems. Health care reform is a major issue in the 2008 elections and
retirees will be affected in important ways. We should inform ourselves about
these proposals and support effective solutions.
When our
immediate needs are assured, we want to feel safe in our home, our community
and our country. We need to recognize that we are part of society and take part
in shaping the world we live in. We can help create a safe and satisfying
environment where we can all enjoy life as we care for one another.
Families are
important. American Indians were concerned with “family values”. When their old
way of life was threatened, they sometimes turned to terrorism when they were
cheated out of their land as the pioneers moved westward. If food was scarce,
they shared it. They respected nature in a way we do not.
Many
families have been scattered far and wide but we can seek out substitutes in
churches, service clubs, political action groups or the senior centers. Old
friends and family members begin to disappear as we all age. To retain a circle
of friends, we must recruit others to take their place
Discussion
of our deepest concerns with good friends can be very rewarding. Sharing our
hopes and fears helps others to respond with their own ideas. My neighbor’s
wife has Alzheimer’s disease. We talk about other cases we have known and some
of the decisions that may await him.
When we have
our survival needs met and we feel secure in our community and have the love
and affection of our family and friends, we can move on to what Maslow calls
self-actualization. We are free to follow our bliss wherever it may lead with
the assurance that our support system is firmly in place. We are also free to
eliminate those activities that do not contribute to our happiness.
I sang in many church and community
choirs when I was younger. As my hearing deteriorated I dropped out but I still
sing for my own amusement.
I have become a dedicated letter to the editor
writer. It takes me all month to create and polish my letter. That helps me to
know what is important to me and who I am.
Once a week, I meet with old
friends for coffee. As each of us confronts the slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune, we talk about it and encourage one another. We also immortalize former
members who have passed away in the hope that we too will be remembered.
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from.
A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops.
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