Q. My 72-year-old husband worked for a company that provided linens to the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, the business closed due to the pandemic; he retired with little choice. He loves to work and wants to reenter the workforce but needs to learn more about technology to be competitive. Any suggested resources? Also, is there any evidence that working longer is good for you? Many thanks. L.S.
I am sorry your husband lost his job because of the pandemic. At the same time, I commend his drive and resilience to continue working.
Here is a quick snapshot of some benefits to working in later life supported by research.
Keep mentally sharp: In a study entitled “Mental Retirement,” authors Susann Rohwedder and Robert J. Willis questioned whether retirement leads to cognitive decline. They used cross-nationally comparable surveys of older persons in the United States, England, and 11 European countries. They found that retirement causes a decrease in a person’s cognitive ability relative to staying in the labor force.
Note, clearly not everyone who retires is at great risk for such decline. The topic also was investigated according to gender. Researcher Jeremy Hamm of North Dakota State University found retired women who tended to disengage from difficult tasks and goals may risk steeper declines in cognitive functioning than their peers who remained employed. That was not the case for men according to this study.
Stay healthy. Over a 15-year period, researchers found those who worked past 65 were about three times more likely to report being in good health and about half as likely to have serious health problems, such as cancer or heart disease, compared to those who retired. A second study lasting 18 years suggests that working even one more year beyond retirement is associated with a nine to 11 percent lower risk of dying, regardless of health.
Keep socially connected. Leaving work may entail separating from co-workers who we may have spent more time with than time spent with our own families. Although current human connection through work may no longer be exclusively in person, most work still offers some form of human contact and interaction. Loss of such connection can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness with physical consequences such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, weakened immune system, depression, cognitive decline and more, according to the National Institute on Aging.
One more benefit: working can provide a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. The Blue Zone study identified having a sense of purpose as one of the characteristics of long-lived people in Okinawa. The Japanese have a word for it: “ikigai.”
Here are two suggested resources.
GetSetUp (www.getsetup.org) is a live global interactive learning platform for older adults who want to learn new skills, connect with others and unlock new life experiences. With diverse offerings, they feature classes on current technology relevant to today’s work environment as well as technology that is useful in local communities such as NextDoor, Facebook and Instagram for marketing. Classes are free, last one hour and are taught by adults age 50 and older. After each class, learners receive notes and can request a recording to review skills at their own pace. Relevant classes include an Introduction to Google App and offerings on Gmail, Microsoft Tools and Word Basics, Instagram, Facebook, Building Your First Website and more. Their website describes GetSetUp as “a thriving community for older adults that provides a fun and social learning environment with classes around the clock and around the world.”
Senior Planet (seniorplanet.org) is a flagship program of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP. It seeks to enable older adults and people of all ages to come together and find ways to learn, work, create, and thrive in today’s digital age. Senior Planet has six onsite locations in the U.S. However, during the pandemic, classes are streamed online and can be accessed anywhere in the world. Relevant classes include Google Workspace, a Tech and Innovation discussion group, How to Choose a Computer, Online Job Searches, iPhones, Getting Started with Zoom and more. Most courses are free. Their website describes Senior Planet Centers as “vibrant social environments filled with friendly, curious older adults and lots of the latest tech gadgets. More than anything, we have a lot of fun.” Their motto: “Aging with Attitude.”
L.S., thank you for your good question. Hopefully, these suggestions will help your husband feel equipped to find his next position. Stay well.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging, employment and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulagingCommunity
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