BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Senior Issues Are you looking forward to becoming a senior?

As the baby-boomer generation moves into retirement, senior issues are the topic of dinnertable conversations in almost every household. Almost everyone I talk to is dealing with some aspect of this topic. How close are you to becoming a senior? How close are you to retirement? Does that scare you or excite you? If it scares you, what are your biggest fears about retiring? If you are excited, why? I'd love to hear from you.

Hi Diane,

This is a great topic for boomers. I'm turning the big 5-0 in a few weeks. I've witnessed my elders move through the stages of seniorhood, including illness, incapacitation and death.

My aunt broke my heart when she said, "Getting older stinks."

Aging indicates decay, a breaking down of the mind and body. But many of us can skirt the ravages of disease and the age as gracefully as possible. Good health is key.

I don't have expectations of life as I move through it. I simply experience it like an observer so even illness is an important lesson.

As for retirement, it is wonderful as long as there are no financial or health worries. I have a bit of both so I'm in no way ready to retire. In fact, I intend on working for the rest of my life. But I do enjoy my work.

I'm not scared of being a senior...I'll be 65 in 3 months, but retirement scares me. I didn't start a "real job" until I was 50, and though we have a fantastic pension plan, my SS is going to be rather skimpy. I have to plan to work as long as my body will let me. 3 bad marriages have kept me from putting much away for my old age.

When I was a little girl I so admired my Grandmother and other "little old ladies" and could not wait to be one. I loved my Grandmother's lavender scented closets and drawers, love her liggle nic-nacs, loved her kitchen and pantry. Now I am a little (well, not too little) old lady and do not mind it at all. I have lavender scented closets and drawers, little boxes all over my home filled with lavender flowers, simmer a potpourri in my kitchen that smells like Grandma's kitchen. I love it!

Retirement is not too great financially -- hard to survive on the little I get, but I love the simple life. My passion is enjoying Nature rather than materialic things.

Important thing is: I got here and I am feeling just fine.

I'm having my 60th birthday this year and, altho no other birthday bothered me, 60 just sounds old to me. I'm very healthy tho and once I'm past this birthday and come to terms with it, I don't think getting older will bother me much.

I work at a freelance writer so getting older isn't affecting my work, which I really love to do. I won't mind doing it as I grow older. My husband is going to retire in a year or two and that kind of distresses me. I'm used to having my days to work and not having someone ask "What are we doing today?"

I'll be 55 in July, and in some places I already qualify for THE discount Getting older is not a huge issue, until I remember my mother was only 60 when she died. But .. speaking to my aunt (my mother's sister) who proudly states she's almost 81 (in July), and who has more energy in her little toe than me and my sister together, I think realistically, unless illness or accident prevails, I'll have a nice long senior moment

RE: Phyliss's post .... I want to be fun, eccentric little old lady that lives on the edge of town with her dogs (I don't do cats unless they're big ones LOL)

Sara, I forgot to mention the discounts. I think that is great!!! My mother is 88 and abhors being termed a "senior citizen" but makes sure she gets her discount.

I know what you mean. I will have to work to at least 65 just for the medical insurance. I went through one divorce and that was enough for me! However, God has blessed me with a wonderful mate and we plan to marry this fall (we've been together for nearly 13 years!). Thankfully, he has a good retirement and coupled with my SS, we should be in pretty good shape. However, one catastrophic illness would probably do us in. I think illness is my biggest fear, that and dementia. My mother has dementia and I do NOT want to end up that way.

Good luck to you!