Older Workers? Check Out Bernice and Harold

Having a difficult day? Wondering what the work week or even retirement might bring?

Generational issues and the "aging workplace" are hot topics. Totally  Consumed,  Business Pundit, and Age Curve Blog are each talking about it this week.

When it comes to older workers, there seem to be at least two questions we struggle with:

a. What are the capabilities of those people we're calling older workers?

b. What am I going to want to do or be able to do when I reach the older category?

I think the answer is:

Follow Bernice and Harold

Bernice

I didn't know Bernice until I read her obituary. Take a look and see how it speaks to you.

. . .She was a world traveler, visiting Europe several times, once having the opportunity to visit the Crown Prince of Lichtenstein. She was able to engage in several unusual activities after the age of 85. In Florida her son in law took her for a ride on his motorcycle; in California she flew in a hot air balloon and enjoyed hang gliding over the pacific coastline. On a trip to Alaska, she flew in a helicopter to the top of a glacier and also participated in an exciting white water rafting experience. (Bernice) was a life long member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension where she had been a Sunday School Teacher and member of the Choir and Altar Guild. She was very active in the OES for over 80 years and contributed countless volunteer hours for the Red Cross. She was well known as a maker of numerous braided rugs, completing two additional ones last spring, in her 100th year. She made many new friends in recent years at (The) Manor where she continued enjoying craft work. . .

Harold

I do know Harold. He's my father. He managed to survive D-Day physically unscathed.  Sixty-two years later he had a leg removed as a result of diabetes and related circulatory problems.

What did he do?

He went to physical therapy 5 days a week; mastered the use of an artificial limb; and, during lunch hour, fed those around him whose ailments made it impossible to feed themselves. Harold said it gave him a sense of worth to help people who weren't as fortunate as he. Some of his high school friends recently took him to a 68-year reunion luncheon. His description: "It was terrific to be with my buddies--the girls and the guys--and laugh together again."

The "girls and the guys." I think that's the key phrase. Bernice and Harold both decided to live life as a "girl" and a "guy" instead of caricatures from a marketing demographic.

Let's decide to do the same!

Having a difficult day? Wondering what the work week or even retirement might bring?

Generational issues and the "aging workplace" are hot topics. Totally  Consumed,  Business Pundit, and Age Curve Blog are each talking about it this week.

When it comes to older workers, there seem to be at least two questions we struggle with:

a. What are the capabilities of those people we're calling older workers?

b. What am I going to want to do or be able to do when I reach the older category?

I think the answer is:

Follow Bernice and Harold

Bernice

I didn't know Bernice until I read her obituary. Take a look and see how it speaks to you.

. . .She was a world traveler, visiting Europe several times, once having the opportunity to visit the Crown Prince of Lichtenstein. She was able to engage in several unusual activities after the age of 85. In Florida her son in law took her for a ride on his motorcycle; in California she flew in a hot air balloon and enjoyed hang gliding over the pacific coastline. On a trip to Alaska, she flew in a helicopter to the top of a glacier and also participated in an exciting white water rafting experience. (Bernice) was a life long member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension where she had been a Sunday School Teacher and member of the Choir and Altar Guild. She was very active in the OES for over 80 years and contributed countless volunteer hours for the Red Cross. She was well known as a maker of numerous braided rugs, completing two additional ones last spring, in her 100th year. She made many new friends in recent years at (The) Manor where she continued enjoying craft work. . .

Harold

I do know Harold. He's my father. He managed to survive D-Day physically unscathed.  Sixty-two years later he had a leg removed as a result of diabetes and related circulatory problems.

What did he do?

He went to physical therapy 5 days a week; mastered the use of an artificial limb; and, during lunch hour, fed those around him whose ailments made it impossible to feed themselves. Harold said it gave him a sense of worth to help people who weren't as fortunate as he. Some of his high school friends recently took him to a 68-year reunion luncheon. His description: "It was terrific to be with my buddies--the girls and the guys--and laugh together again."

The "girls and the guys." I think that's the key phrase. Bernice and Harold both decided to live life as a "girl" and a "guy" instead of caricatures from a marketing demographic.

Let's decide to do the same!

Comments

[Katie Konrath]

That's very inspiring! I'm convinced that people always have a choice about how they're going to live their lives.

I had a great aunt who always kept her youth. When she was 93, she made my grandma take pictures of her hula-hooping. Of course, she didn't actually know how to hula-hoop! So, she'd position her body so it looked like she was actually doing it, and then give a hula hoop a big swing around her hips. Then, my grandma would very quickly take a picture before hula hoop fell to the ground!

It worked! And she had such fun pretending!

[RobynM]

Now I know where Harold's son got his niceness.

Wally Bock recently wrote about staying curious about the world. Seems like curiosity and a willingness to make your day about something other than yourself may help one live longer. If not, it at least makes the ride more fun.

[peter vajda]

I like your perspective RobynM. I also believe that it's about upping the ante on one's quality of life in the moment....living longer as a fearful, angry, resentful, begruding, sad, unhappy, defensive individual who has for all intents and purposes lost their appetite for life serves no one...perhaps not living "longer" but experiencing true and real joy on a daily basis, "living a higher quality life" is another choice.

[Jackie Cameron]

Hi Steve - I encountered this age driven stereotyping personally for the first time at the weekend. A cruise ( to Alaska coincidentally though I had no intention of living up to Bernice's experiences) my husband and I were to take had been cancelled. I checked a review of the cruise company and found it was aimed at the "over 50s and active retirees" - blimey . I never thought of myself that way. It has made my family laugh.

My Mum is knitting a present for their old friend next door - who will be 90 next month - and pops in for a cuppa each day. Their very active bowling club ( bowling on grass - its a Brit thing) is full of 70 somethings and their social life is second to none. What they can do is far more important than what they can't!

Here in the UK we have age discrimination legislation. It applies to youngsters too. I am not sure that legislation will change mindsets ....but stories like yours might!

Have a great week
Jackie

[Steve Roesler]

Katie,

I really enjoy stories like that. Sounds as if grandma was determined to do whatever she could however she could manage it; and maintained a terrific sense of humor as well.

[Steve Roesler]

Robyn,

I think you've hit on a key element: if you focus on what's needed outside of yourself, there's plenty to do and plenty to contribute.

[Steve Roesler]

Jackie,

The legislation is designed to stop behavior; but it isn't designed to change people's hearts. They need exposure to folks like Bernice, Harold, Mum's friend, and others who are living life fully every day regardless of age or circumstances.