Troubling
As we get older depression is a major problem. It can be an individual problem or a problem because a spouse suffers from it. In this case, it’s my mother-in-law. She is in her mid-80’s and recently broke her ankle. That in itself is difficult at that age, but it cascades into a host of other issue, not the least of which is the possibility that she might have to leave her house and move into a retirement community. Because she may have to make some major life changes that she does not want to do and she cannot see a way around them, she is somewhat depressed. Her depression spills over onto my sister-in-law, the closest in proximity to my mother-in-law, and to my wife, the oldest sister.
This vicarious depression is not as troubling as getting the real thing. I write a small column for a major daily newspaper and some of the comments that come my way show me that there are a number of people out there, mostly me and mostly elderly, who don’t have much productive to do with their lives. It’s depressing to think that commenting on a minor mistake I made anyone’s time. Well, to each their own.
This leads me to wonder, with all the boomer minds coming off line in the next years, what purposeful occupation can people take up. For me, daily purpose is important. Without one for an extented period, I think many people, including me, would become depressed.
My question to you is “How is society going to re-tool to provide a meaningful existence for the Baby Boom population as they retire?” Looking at it another way might be, “How can we keep Baby Boomers in the work place longer?”
Let me know how you feel.
1 Comment
I agree that purpose is important, Jim. I would rather wear out than rust out, and a lot of that thinking has to do with my fear of sitting around doing nothing.
But maybe we Baby Boomers will be able to do things that our parents couldn’t. For example, if we can be on a computer keeping in touch with others, maybe we can keep from the depression of loneliness.