Libby McCullough, Blog Post 2 Assignment
To complete this assignment, you will need to review your answers on the introductory activity that you completed in Module 1: Meaning of Growing Old Assignment.
- Try and put yourself in the situation of truly having to deal with the fearful situation you selected in question #3.
The situation I described in question three, problem of aging was of “fear (of) running out of funds for daily living expenses and having to depend on others for such things as food or shelter.”
- The problem of having little or no financial reserve in later adulthood after my husband passes could impact me physically. It is likely that I will need to work a long as possible, and hope that I will continue to have good enough health to work into my 70’s. I have believed for years that he could develop Alzheimer’s because his grandmother died from it. His mother did not develop it, because she died in 2005 with cancer which killed her within a year from her diagnosis. She had been a smoker. He has other health concerns, many and takes copious amounts of medication and is almost 60. There is a very good chance I will outlive him as I am in better health. My mother was able to work until her late 60’s and lived to 88. I have two very capable adult sons, so I do not expect to go hungry, and I would have a 2/3 interest in my present home, so I would not be at risk of hunger or eviction from housing, which we own with my eldest son. Physically, I intend to keep up with exercise and proper nutrition. When exercising, I work carefully due to my age. The module for Blog Post 3 was very illuminating to me as I read the chapter in Cruikshank, Overmedicating Older Americans, which detailed the many changes in our bodies as we approach older adulthood. (Cruikshank, 2013) I have already experienced some of them after menopause, such as the need for extra water and vocal changes as a singer. I have to be especially vigilant regarding nutrition, exercise, and weight loss since I am a third-generation diabetic. My paternal grandmother and my father died from complications with diabetes, and I saw every painful detail related to strokes, heart issues, moodiness, neuropathy, and skin deterioration. However, my hope is to live long enough to meet my grandchildren. Although I have already had neuropathy it has partially reversed when I am careful with my diet and activity. I use a glucometer patch which is wonderful for helping monitor blood sugar levels related to nutrition management. Everyone with diabetes should have this device for managing dreaded diabetes.
- Diabetes can have a huge impact on emotional health. I saw it in depression and irritability in my father. I am sure there will also be a complex range of emotions if my husband passes before me as well. Of course, I don’t know how that scenario will play out, how many years that will be, and I must choose not to worry about it. However, I can plan for the eventuality. I have been through some very tough times through life helping my younger son through life on the Autism spectrum, and also my husband through various diagnoses that he has had and his health challenges. So, I think God has prepared me to handle my own challenges in a way, and I have learned skills to help with resilience. My involvement with community groups through the band in Decatur, and the music department at my church has helped me form friendships with people from two communities. They are supportive and loving. I have leadership responsibilities within those groups, and we have great camaraderie.
- Financially, depending on insurance, social security, and any funds I can be saving for later adulthood, I think I will still have to be careful with spending. One of the reasons I have gone back to school at my age is to make sure I can age without too much financial stress, or dependence on my sons. I have always had a hunger for knowledge and for helping others, and hope I will be able to work for another fifteen years or so, and save for a time when I will not be able to work.
- At this point, I think this exercise has helped me to process worries I have had about the eventual possibility he will outlive me. Before getting into Georgia State for graduate school, I had been working as a paralegal for a while. I am working in this field part time while in school, and for the last couple of years I have found that work very difficult due to a condition with my eyes, and I do not have the administrative skills that some people have that helps in that field. Throughout my life I’ve envied others with the same level of education I have had in that they were able to stick with one career and achieve more. My path has been a winding one. I started my professional education in a theological school. I want to carefully explain this for any who may have differing views coming from different perspectives. There are theological interpretations on the roles of women who have created some disagreement in certain circles. I had grown up in a moderate church and went off to seminary in Texas after getting my bachelor’s degree. I thought I would serve on a church staff at a large church, in Children’s or Adult Ministry. I discovered the divide in beliefs about the role of women in this career, and I could still have had employment but did not know I would soon be a mother to a son with Autism. Through the challenges faced as I raised him, the fascinating things I have learned while having been an advocate for the past 25 years, my career path has been bumpy and extremely challenging. However, through this process of purpose-seeking through life, I know I continue to have the desire to help others who are going through challenges and that God will help me provide for my future if I trust and obey. That said, every day I learn something from work, and the possibilities I am seeing in this program for achieving the skills I will need to provide financially for myself in advanced adulthood.
- Considering the problematic situation that you selected, how would this situation change your imagined ideal life as an older adult? For example, what might be very different (stay the same)?
Years ago, when I was in graduate school for the first time, I was unaware my husband had so many challenges. He was in the Counseling program earning two master’s degrees, and we thought he would have his license at some point. That plan did not work out due to his health challenges. So, worry has been in back of my mind for years about how we would fare financially in retirement. However, I can now see the path was better in so many ways. I am an advocate for persons who have lifetime challenges, and that will impact many in the coming years as they age toward elderhood. I think I have a lot more to contribute to the world of research and advocacy because of the atypical career path I have taken. I have seen how God has provided guidance and protection throughout my life. I had thought of becoming a therapist years ago, and now there is the possibility that I will either do that or work on macro issues in Social Work. Right now, working in the gerontological path is intriguing to me, but I know my interests are just now developing. I would like to utilize my experience in the arts to help enrich the lives of people as long as I can.
- Think about the CARA model of ageing and talk about the GRRs that would help you to manage this problematic situation to achieve resilience. What would resilience look like in this situation? I believe I will utilize the tools I have within the CARA model, coping, appraising my resources, gaining resilience, and aging with assistance. I know that since I have experienced significant stress through life, there may be a tendency toward anxiety, but through recent challenges at work, I have been learning breathing techniques, and other ways to remain calm when fear hits due to my work load, and when mistakes are made. I have to use multiple memory aids through technology, some screen reading tools, and help from family and friends to de-stress when things are overwhelming. I have to plan out my schedule each week and make decisions about what I can still do with friends. While I still can exercise, I am trying to plan when to do that, and still get work done for my classes. If I go to do a gig with band members and it is hot outside I start drinking more water days beforehand and have to get enough rest ahead of time. I noticed as I had gotten older, I cannot spend as much time in the heat and especially walking great distances in the heat. I have directed the marching band in heat but had to decide I could not do much more of that, so I may lead a stand-still performance. When employing the appraisal process, I try to consult more than one wise friend or person in a mentoring position such as a Pastor. There is a saying “iron sharpens iron,” in Proverbs 27:17. I have a very good friend who is about 8 years younger, in Gwinnett County. I call her about once a week and go up to see her about once a month. She was an attorney once in Costa Rica, so I trust her judgement. I also have two sisters who I call. They are great sounding boards for me. I also pray and read Scripture to help in deciding the best solution to problems. I also read a book once called The One Thing, which is a book that emphasizes mindfulness, working on one thing at a time, so that you are more efficient at solving problems. (Keller and Papasan, 2012).
- Using an appropriate database, find one peer-reviewed article on the problematic topic you identified.
The most obvious solution to my concerns about making ends meet in my senior years is that I will need to work as long as possible. In the past I’ve started new careers and done well for a while when the market favored certain industries, such as Real Estate. I did well during the upswing of the market when interest rates were lower. This was during Covid, and agents were deemed essential by the Governor during the pandemic. I made a good living during those years when the market was brisk. However, I was working very long hours, and when the rates went up, I was having trouble keeping income flowing. I needed to find something more secure and knew I would have to make a change. It is a little nerve racking to start a new career at my age, not knowing how long my health will hold up.
I searched long and hard for an article that would speak to my concerns about finances in older adulthood. I found one that addressed starting a business in later life. If I do clinical work, that would be what I will be doing. In the study researchers sought to examine impetus for Seniors to start new businesses in Europe. Elements considered where resources online, electronic communication, the level of respect seniors had earned over time, their gender, training, current work, salary and skills. What the researchers found was that policy makers can gain insight into supporting entrepreneurship for seniors and ideas for better supporting these endeavors. (Martin & Omrani, 2019).
They suggested several reasons why seniors could be successful in entrepreneurship, given personal strengths based on age, and the availability of resources at this time in history. First, they mentioned seniors have a high level of skill learned over their lifetime, greater funding to start a business, and more time to devote to a business. I definitely bring certain skills from my various fields to social work such as my ability to do research, my love of writing, and love for working directly with people. Although I do not have the financial resources to start most businesses, I do have my own capital, that of my time and life experience.
Some factors they mentioned that influence seniors to start a business of their own are related to problems encountered in more traditional employment. (Id.) I can relate to that as I had wanted employment in a profession that was dominated by men, and found positions limited for women. I am also having some concerns related to my sight and speed of processing during paralegal work, so employment with attorneys has become increasingly problematic. Over the past 20 years I have seen ad after ad wanting recent college graduates, which I believe is a euphemism for “young.” Year after year it seemed harder to find a great job in traditional settings working for someone else in an office.
I also see the option of working in an organizational setting, where I can make contributions to policy, since I have years of experience making public comment on agency rules, and have been responsible for large projects. In this article they explain that Entrepreneurship is the change agent in communities which employs creative ideas in generating business. (Id.) I believe I am already developing good ideas for where I could be of value to an organization whether it is in helping communities meet the needs of children who have experienced trauma, or perhaps policies and plans that bring greater resources to seniors looking for affordable housing. Another factor mentioned in the study was the greater number of contacts seniors may have in the community. (Id.) I do have a large pool of connections since I was a Realtor for a while. This study certainly has given me hope that I have the experience and skills to be successful in my new field.
Martin, L. and Omrani, N. (2019 September). Understanding Senior Entrepreneur Behavior. Journal of Enterprising Culture. https://research.ebsco.com/c/smiek4/viewer/pdf/mlqofo3guf
Libby,
I would agree that you used this article to work through a lot of important issues. I understand that you are presently dealing with health related concerns, for you and your husband, so that is a natural worry as you age.
Working as long as you can and saving money are natural options, and I understand that goal. I would also agree that the skills you are developing to manage today will serve you even more strongly as you age.
The article you found sounds really interesting. I think finding your niche inside an organization could be a good idea, as frequently you can obtain benefits and other support systems that can be really helpful. I would keep looking for that niche.
Dr P