By Joy Valentine
Today’s retirement characterized by refocusing, not slowing down
More than a naturally occurring event, seniorhood is a phenomenon which is characterized by such diversity and complexity that it can be said that there is no typical “senior citizen.” There are many seniors who are energetically and very gainfully employed, and there are many others for whom the concept, if not yet the actual experience, of retirement plays a very key role, emotionally, intellectually and, eventually, physically. In the coming decade, the older market will be changing even more, as the attitudes and lifestyles of the younger end of the market are transformed by aging baby boomers.
Americans have already changed their approach to retirement. Today’s retiree has no intention of growing old, intending instead to be active, involved and intellectually challenged as long as possible. For prior generations of Americans, life following retirement was characterized by a slowing down of life activities in a gradual spiral toward death. For today’s retiree, however, this stage of life is often characterized by a re-focusing of energies toward new or different activities or values. Many retirees find a new or second life after the traditional act of retirement, with a depth of purpose that often surprises even the retired individual. As I wrote in my previous article, for many retirees, the word “retirement” is synonymous with freedom. Many retirees lead vigorous lives, and are often as active or more active than during their pre-retirement stage of life. However, there is a marked difference in that the activities in which they are engaged are by choice.
What makes older Americans tick? According to recent research findings, five key values form the motivational basis of behavior in older Americans. These values are: autonomy and self-sufficiency, social and spiritual synergy, altruism, personal growth and revitalization. The characteristics that distinguish the more inner directed thinking of mature adults from the perspective of young adults are: less susceptibility to peer influence, declining materialistic values, higher sensitivity to context, greater subjectivity and introspection, greater sensitivity to the relativity of most issues, greater flexibility, individualism, reliance upon personal discretion and awareness of the whole picture, as opposed to its composite details.
In reviewing the above values and characteristics it appears to me that, as a culture, as a society, in order to balance our hot, youth-oriented, put-them-on-the-stock market at-any-cost mentality we would do well to absorb some of these qualities. Consider each one individually. What would our world look like if each one of us demonstrated these qualities most of the time, or even much of the time? How about SOME of the time?
Joy Valentine is a broker associate with Coldwell Banker in Los Altos. For comments, call her 24-hour Senior Hotline, 562-1019, or e-mail joy@joyinhomes.com.
