"Age is opportunity no less than youth itself though in another dress. And as the evening twilight fades away the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day."

—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

        Retirement is a relatively new development on the social scene. A century ago there were virtually no retired persons except for the very wealthy. Some Americans think of retirement as the beginning of the end, and the career-oriented person may experience severe depression and withdrawal after retiring. The male suicide rate for many years has been highest for those age sixty-five and older.

        Research shows that about half of older employees would prefer to continue working even if they had a chance to retire. Being able to work produces feelings of pride, accomplishment, and creativity. Work provides structure and order to one's life.

        Obviously, work is much more than a source of income, as it partially regulates lives, provides social relationships, and offers a variety of important experiences. But retirement years can be filled with opportunity and meaning in spite of the losses associated with withdrawal from the labor force.

        Typically, health does not decline because of retirement, but, a person's health can determine much of the quality of his life. Family and friends also have a profound influence on his well-being. Money cannot buy friendships nor the love that exists among close family members.

        The four factors are interrelated. For example, good health can help to produce a strong financial situation. Conversely, a good financial condition can help to maintain adequate health.

        Spiritual well-being enhances adjustment to retirement. Those who are spiritually secure tend to view life more positively than do those who are spiritually insecure and uncertain.

        Here are a few practical suggestions about financial preparation:

1. As much as possible, make major home repairs (such as a new furnace or roof) before retirement. Identify what housing would be appropriate and affordable for the future.

2. Plan to have the best possible car, clothing, and furniture at retirement.

3. Don't invest in long-range investments that will mature after your time of need has passed. Having money readily available for use in retirement is far more important than the earnings you might receive from such investments.

4. Avoid get-rich-quick schemes. If you lost your money, how would you live?

        Some type of private pension is usually required in order for retirees to have sufficient income. As recently as 1950, only about 10 percent of American workers were covered by some form of private pension. Today more than 30 percent of workers are covered. Most of these private plans have begun since the creation of Social Security and are designed to supplement it. Unfortunately, the majority of current retirees receive little or no pension beyond their Social Security income. Authorities agree that retirees need about 75 percent of their preretirement income to avoid a drop in their level of living. Savings are often inadequate, and many American retirees have to live on about half of their pre-retirement income. This is likely to be very difficult, especially in advanced old age and in widowhood, when the potentials for poverty and dependency are so high.

        Older adults, before and after retirement, should acquire and use the best consumer information available. Such publications as Consumer Reports, Changing Times, and Money can be helpful. Inflation increases the probability that continued work will be essential for many, and second careers have been satisfying to both older men and women because of the added income, the satisfaction of productivity, and the involvement with others that they afford.

        Investments should include assets that will respond favorably to inflation, such as real estate and some stocks and mutual funds. Those planning retirement should maximize their Social Security earnings, develop a substantial private pension or IRA or Keogh account, and have a combination of fixed- and variable-return assets in their savings and investment portfolio. Those who take these steps will enjoy more security and prosperity. They will be able to maintain an enjoyable life-style without the dread of deprivation, compromise, and dependency.

        Those who want a secure future should regularly review their insurance programs, Social Security benefits, private pensions, and other savings and investments. They will use the best professional financial, tax, and legal counsel available. They will preserve their estate through proper planning and appropriate transfer arrangements. Only judicious attention can minimize unexpected losses and disappointments.

        Although sickness tends to increase with age, fewer than 5 percent of the elderly are hospitalized at any one time. However, more than 20 percent of them spend time in hospitals or care institutions before they die. Compared with those under age sixty-five, they have three times as many hospitalizations, and their hospital stays are three times longer.

        Supportive families and friends can play a significant role in the health care of the retired. Their help often delays institutionalization. When the aged go to institutions, their physical needs are cared for mainly by professionals. But even then, home teachers, visiting teachers, family, and friends can continue to contribute to their social and emotional well-being. Since these moves often take old people from their own families and neighborhoods, special effort is usually required to serve their needs. The help of those living near the new residence of the elderly maybe required to give the necessary support. The tragic depression of the elderly in nursing homes can be radically changed by the visits of a loving wife or husband. A caring friend or church leader can also reinforce a person's sense of self-worth and strengthen his courage and ability to endure his trials. Of course, a person's own attitude toward life influences the benefits he can receive from loyal friends and family. Elder LeGrand Richards noted the importance of a good mental attitude when he wrote, "The only reason I can give for my long life is that I am a very happy man and have been all my life." Professionals could easily note other influences that would help to explain his long life, but probably no one would deny the benefit that came from his enthusiasm for living. If it didn't add years to his life, it certainly added life to his years.

        As people age and their hearing and vision deteriorate, they become increasingly accident prone. They should take precautions against slick floors, sliding rugs, and steep stairs. They might consider installing handrails and bright florescent lights. They may need to avoid driving after dark, and older pedestrians may need special help to avoid accidents. The fact that the period of convalescence is usually longer for old people following illness or accident emphasizes the need for more precautionary measures. Unfortunately, in some cases older patients never do fully recover from the effects of a serious fall or other accident.

        When Latter-day Saints think about achieving good health, their minds naturally turn to the Word of Wisdom, which includes much more, of course, than the oft-mentioned exclusions from our diet. The spirit of the revelation speaks to us about our emotional and intellectual health as well as our physical condition. The spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional forces in our lives are all interrelated. We need regular physical examinations, adequate nutrition, daily exercise, and appropriate intellectual and cultural stimulation. Starting vigorous physical exercise late in life should be done with caution after consultation with a physician.

        Loneliness is a serious problem for many elderly who live alone with no family members nearby. Especially at night, on weekends, and on special occasions such as Christmas or the birthday of a loved one, visits and telephone calls from family, friends, and home teachers and visiting teachers are very important.

        From a leader of the American Association of Retired Persons has come the following statement about adult participation in learning activities: "The most pragmatic reason for improving one's mind is that this is the place where one increasingly lives as one grows older. As external pleasures diminish with age, a sparsely furnished mind becomes a prison cell when it should be a lounge, a library, and a balcony upon the world."

        Members of the Church have a special responsibility to continue to grow in knowledge. We are told to "seek . . . out of the best books words of wisdom." (D&C 88:118.) We are also commanded to study all things that pertain to the kingdom. (D&C 88:79.) We might learn a language, learn to play the piano, learn to write, or learn hundreds of other things that are available to us. The Church provides many excellent study aids.

        Many universities, including Brigham Young University, offer home-study courses. There are excellent adult education programs in many areas of the country. Many people have access to schools that offer evening courses as well as day courses. Many classes can be taken without having to pay for academic credits. Even those who live in isolated parts of the country usually have libraries from which they can select good books.

Clark, Harold Glen. "How to Get Better as You Get Older." Ensign, December 1975.

Featherstone, Vaughn J. "The Savior's Program for Care of the Aged." Ensign, November 1974.

Hansen, Gary D. "Growing Older: Everybody's Challenge." Ensign, November 1973.

Publications from the American Association of Retired Persons, 1909 K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20049.

Resource Center on Adult Development and Aging, 303 HCEB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602.

About the Authors

Dr. Phileon B. Robinson, Jr., director of the Resource Center on Adult Development and Aging at Brigham Young University, received his bachelor's degree from BYU, his master's degree from Northwestern University, and his Ph.D. in adult education at the University of Nebraska. Prior to his present position, he was assistant dean of the Division of Continuing Education at BYU for twenty years. He has served in the Church as a mission president, a stake presidency member, and a counselor to a bishop, and in many other callings. Phil and his wife, Hortense, are the parents of seven children.

Dr. Evan T. Peterson, professor of sociology at Brigham Young University, received his bachelor's and master's degrees there and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He has held numerous positions at BYU, including chairman of the sociology department, director of the Survey Research Center, and acting dean of the College of Social Sciences. He has taught as a visiting professor at a number of universities. Dr. Peterson is the author of over fifty books, chapters, articles, and other publications. He has served in the Church as a bishop, in bishoprics, as a high councilor, as a missionary, and in other priesthood callings. He and his wife, Gail, are the parents of six children.

Dr. Gary D. Hansen, a financial and tax-planning consultant, received his bachelor's degree at Utah State University, his master's degree at the University of Minnesota—Minneapolis, and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. He has taught at BYU and the University of Nebraska. He has served in the Church as a bishop's counselor and a ward clerk, and in other priesthood callings. He and his wife, Bonnie, are the parents of seven children.