Will we "Boomers" be allowed to grow old gracefully, or be forced to crash and burn at the end of our lives?

Question

Grow old gracefully to me means to grow older with the love and companionship and love of your family and friends. It looks like that's not going to happen the way it used to. Society these days and people in general have no patience with the old, the slow, and those who cannot somehow be used by us. So we are expected to pretend of be in our early 20s forever. I have a friend who is 79 now who was asked to babysit for some of her grandkids. Her family does nothing for her except take. I'd like to believe my family would be nicer, and I think they will be, but you never know.

Make that great grandkids, not grandkids! I know another woman who is raising her 3 granddaughters. Aren't you supposed to get a little break when you are older?

Answer 1

Nobody ALLOWS me to do anything Zelda honey. I choose what I want to do, and then I choose whether I do it or not. I will accept input, but never being "told" (or "allowed") to do anything.

And why should a boomer crash and burn? We are the smartest generation to come to retirement age in the whole of our civilization. And we have been warned repeatedly in the last THIRTY YEARS that there will not be enough money in our government sponsored retirement funds to keep us in our retirement.

I think the majority of us have put a sum away, or plans in place to keep us through our retirement quite comfortably. People who have ignored all the warnings that have been repeatedly posted in the media over the years, have only THEMSELVES to blame.

A more accurate question would have been..."Were you Boomers smart enough to put plans in place to augment your retirement, or are you being forced to scrimp and hustle to support yourselves?"

Answer 2

Boy-you really hit that one smack in the middle of the target. I found this out when I had a brain anuerism and had to retire early. OK-I was 66-but I wasnt ready to quit. Now, I just have my good old Social Security and to boot, I cant drive anymore. You'd think I had leprosy. I still get hit up for money and babysitting, but other than that, I dont see the little sweethearts all that often. After being a psychistric nurse for 33 years, all of a sudden, I'm not too smart. At least, that's the way my kids treat me. I hope you baby boomers will be allowed to grow old gracefully and live the life you want. You deserve it. I do too-but that's another story.

Answer 3

Sorry about the 79 yr old friend. But, there's an old saying that you can Only take advantage of somebody when they allow you to. It's amazing how effective the word NO is.
All she has to do is nicely say, "No thanks I'm too old to be responsible for the care of the children."

Each family is different. Lots of real uncaring people and folks who are users as long as they can get away with it. There are also lots of loving and caring families who wouldn't dream of putting their aging parents in that position. So, that said, I'm reading where one of us Boomers hits the age of 50 every 7 seconds. While other generations were dying off at 50 in 1900, the AARP says the average American Boomer turning 50 today has more than half of his adult life remaining! Oh and by the way there's estimated to be 75 million of us American Boomers that are going to flood this country and have tremendous power to effect change in this nation.

Can you imagine what we could all accomplish in our lives and in our country if we joined forces ??
At the very least, that's one helluva Party! :O))))
I say instead of worrying about how we're going to end, maybe we should kick some butt !!!

Answer 4

Dear Miss Z:

No crashing or burning if you keep your wits about you and be aware of the scams that are all over the place. If your not sure ask someone. If it sounds to good to be true PASS.
I don't have much but I watch it closely and enjoy what I can and want within reason.
All of us are going to be the most prolific political force this country has ever seen in ten [10] years. And we are going to have the money, so Madison Ave will be a callin real soon.
Time to think of yourself for a while.
DO IT AND ENJOY IT.

Edit::::
Miss Z, Your 79 yr old friend should hve been able to say NO. Yes,Yes Blood and water, but where are the limits? Where is the rest of the family?????
The State should have taken those kids no matter how horrible it sounds.

Answer 5

There was an insightful program on just how many Australian grandparents are raising their grandchildren. And how it was digging into their savings, for their old age. One of the reasons, was because the parents are drug addicts.

I think families are their to support each other, and younger generations should be helping their ageing parents and grandparents.

Not only by giving them time, but by including them in some outings and activities. It's ok to ask people to babysit, but if it is a drain on the older person, and it is frequent, that's very selfish.

Let's face it, we've been there, done that. We have got the cap,T shirt, and even the "coulour blazer", and the trophies on the shelf.

Answer 6

Babysitting my grandson has been the highlight of my life! We had 10 years to do all the fun things before he came along and we both agree there is nothing we could or have done that compares to the joy of this child. We are not doing what we had planned when we were 30 but we doing what God planned and it is the most incredible joy in the world. I wouldn't change a thing (well, except to win a lottery). :) Life has not been a bed of roses. We planned well, put my husband through college, i worked a good career for 30 years. That career ended in a stroke at age 45. My husbands long time career and dreams of early retirement ended at 50 when several thousand jobs were cut. It has been like starting over. We are not where we chose to be - retired and a good income at 60 but we are doing the best we can and this child adds the joy, along with our faith in God.

Answer 7

I raised 2 out of three of my granddaughters for 14 years and I'm still giving and doing for them even tho they dont live with me right now. I'm sure that will change again, it always does. Yes us boomers should get a break, but if you read the news, more & more of us are still supporting our adult children & our own grand children. I just don't get these generations of young adults. I never raised my kids to be so irresponsible, but it hasn't done much good, obviously.

Answer 8

Baby Boomers will have in their Golden Years exactly what they plan for and make happen NOW. Do not expect the world to be given to you on a silver platter. Decide NOW what you want those years to be and how you want to live it, don't wait until it's too late. As far as grace in old age, only what comes from God will be for you and that is true now. Nobody makes you crash and burn. You do it yourself.

Answer 9

Like my family before me, this boomer is growing old gracefully. I am retired and enjoying traveling and life.

Who would force us to crash and burn? Greedy relatives?

Regardless of who the person is, death is no picnic. Hopefuly when my time comes I will cross with dignity.

Answer 10

in keeping with probability you're no longer meant to easily *improve old gracefully* ~ your STEADFAST and smitten by your existence going by ability of what you wrote ~ you are the way God has made you, and that i'm effective you're gracious while mandatory :)) stay your existence the way God meant and save bringing Him glory! i like this text playstation 103:4 He redeems your existence from the pit and corruption, He beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and soft mercy V5 He satisfies your mouth your necessity and choose at your own age and situation with sturdy, so as that your little ones, renewed, is like the eagles, sturdy ~ overcoming ~ and hovering! Your companion's father sounds gorgeous ~ in keeping with probability he won't choose that bottle of jack d if the eagles wings carry him residing house on the wind via the mountains - - *SMILING* Jesus loves you! Sarah