The Seattle Longitudinal Study started in 1956, followed the mental abilities of 6,000 people. It’s the longest running study of its kind, with the same volunteers tested every seven years. Findings suggest that as you get older your intelligence gets better as does your problem solving skills.
With experience, wisdom and time on their hand, the elderly have established some booming businesses in the past, examples we all can learn from. In the second innings of their lives, they have revolutionized society, the impact of which remains to date. An example always stated is, about Corbin Sanders who started the franchise of KFC. Sanders franchised his “Kentucky Fried Chicken”, in 1952, at the age of 62. Today, KFC has over 18,800 outlets in 118 different countries and territories.
Together with Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce founded Intel, when he was 41. Albeit not a geriatric, it was still more than the expected age of entrepreneurs. At Intel, he oversaw the invention of the microprocessor, an innovation that revolutionized computer technology and formed the foundation of the machines we still use today.
It would be great if investment companies invest in the elderly. They have worked for years before, they start their own enterprise. There should be provisions for employment backed by government policies, post their retirement age. The elderly should be absorbed in government sectors and other state-run bodies according to their capacity and qualifications.
One needs to understand that 60 is not old, and literally, you are as old as you feel and think you are. NGO’s are looking for the guidance of the elderly, as are start-ups. Mentorship in both corporates and families is the need of the hour. Neurologically, you are better positioned to give advice. The mind is free from the additional responsibilities of employment and can focus more inward and be whimsically creative and productive. Most of the energy of the elderly goes unutilized because they are not assumed to be of any economic or social utility.
The best part of the brain is that it can keep young as long as you continue to build the muscle. What that means is that you invest your time in learning. As long as you keep growing your skills, your brain has to be on its feet. The brain would keep adjusting to and making new patterns and inculcating new information from the external stimulus and over a while, the new information would become a part of the personality and this can go on for life.
One of the worst aspects of ageing is retirement. You move from being at the helm of your life to being completely redundant and you start to view yourself as useless. Utility and purpose keep a man completely alive. There have been cases of prolonged depression, anxiety and personality-related disorders post-retirement.
Some conversations I have had with the elderly, to understand their tricks to keep their life enriched, is that they spend a lot of time with ‘youngsters’. They feel younger when they are with the younger population. Out of respect for our elderly, treat them like your friends as well, because they too still want to have fun.
The elderly are more voluntary towards lending a helping hand wherever they can. They also want to be a part of the new age of technology and culture. To think that, the elderly are slow learners is inaccurate, some are extremely on the ball and fast in learning new skills. But the best part is the marriage of the ancient wisdom with the modern technology. We need this knowledge to be harnessed optimally, as it would only be a value add to society.
These carriers of wisdom and knowledge are in our homes, in our nursing homes and maybe even in some old-age homes whiling away their time. Reaching out to them and forming committees where they can play an important part in strategy is a humongous opportunity and a win-win for all. A recent study of community work in Asia found that more than a quarter of Indians and Taiwanese and a fifth of Filipino and Chinese men and women in their 60s and 70s regularly helped in the wider community, assisting individuals of all ages.
Other studies have highlighted the importance of the local knowledge and community-organizing skills of older people’s associations in disaster relief efforts. The elderly have a wide scope in the professorship sector. They could be appointed as teachers and professors or tutors in schools, colleges, universities and in private sectors. Another area where the knowledge of the elderly could be used is in the subject matter expertise.
The people who retire from work and indulge themselves in the community work are better at keeping the geriatric mental health related issues at bay. They could utilize their wisdom and experience best in the fields which they have had prior experience working in or are otherwise inclined to pursue.
Old age has a permanent stigma attached to it but in reality, it marks a new beginning for many individuals, a new adventure they can commence on, if given the social support they require to reach their life-long goals. It’s an era where responsibilities can be turned over to another member and they are allowed to explore new avenues they have been longing to. A guilt-free era filled with satisfaction, contentment and search for meaning.
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