What Baby Boomers Said: Living To Old Age?
By Anonymous
The baby boomers (1946 to 1964) are now at their age of 43 to 61 years old. They are the important and powerful forces in the economic development of United States. The baby boomers have influenced and shaped almost every aspect of American life. Right now, the most senior of baby boomers are closed to their age of 60 years old and the youngest, have also entered their 40. I have interviewed 3 baby boomers to find out their views on living up to an old age:
The first one is a professional executive, 45 years old, male. He said when he was young he have a lot of ideas, liberties and pursuits and often he was exhausted and under great deal of pressure. He honestly admitted that during that time he did not think of living up to an old age is a good thing, but he said right now is the opposite feeling.
He realized that with the growth in age, a person's mentality will also changed. People live in different times, have different life perceptions and requirements. He said if this was not the case, then there will be no grow in life and it is to be meaningless. He further explained that when given the choices, one does not want to live with life as tasteless as plain water. People will want to choose the most tasteful sort like coke or beer.
But with the growth of age, one will discover that it is the tasteless plain water that will in fact be most beneficial to our body. Even if life is led in brilliance, it will have to restore to calm and return to its fundamental state. He said live simple, is the most realistic and wonderful approach in life.
The second interviewee is a 57 years old full time housewife. Her sons and daughters are all grown up and married. She said if family relationships are harmonized or younger generations are supportive, living up to a ripe old age is definitely a welcoming scenario.
She said when she was young, there were too many things to do. Now that the age is catching up and with growth up children, she has now more time and freedom to do what she like to and haven't time in the past to do. Even trivial activities like looking at her pot plant blooming flowers will get her excited and joyous. Her mother, who is over 80 years old is a good example. She live very happily on her own, pre-occupied by her own activities.
The last one is a 64 years old retiree, male. He said whether it is good to live up to an old age depends on whether if you are wealthy. He said that if one is financially wealthy, he can hire helpers to take care of his needs, he can pay for what he likes to do or food he likes to eat without financial constraint. In contrary, one has more troubles if he grows older but cannot be self-supported financially. He further elaborated the case if the elderly is not healthy, he can be heavy burden to his family or to society.
He stressed the importance to plan for one's retirement. A retirement plan that continue to assure one to have sufficient money to live on. Referring to his own planning, he said to have bought an annuity plan. However, in fact he has no wish to live much longer as in his view, living up to 70 years of age would be quite sufficient as he fear to see himself being wheelchair bounded in later part of life.
In fact, death is an inevitable stage of life. As one reach the stage closer death, they will have mix of fealing, thoughts and fears, also different perspective among different people. Are you right at this age? What are your ideas and opinions?
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