Living a quality retired life

Family members also nowadays take special care to keep the old members of the family free from tension, worry and anxiety. Since worrying about getting old may be taking years off one's life, those who can afford obviously try to chalk-out special round-the-clock schedule for keeping themselves engaged and occupied with tension-free jobs and other such occupations. Special care is for taking harmless or less harmful food items in order to keep them physically well and fit. Having tension free life and as far as possible remaining free from all sorts of materialistic botherations also get due consideration.

Nowadays psychologists of most of the western universities have been giving lot of their attention to find out the best possible ways and methods to keep the old and retired people well both physically and mentally. They are putting much of their efforts -- on quality and quantity of food intake as well as on physical fitness.

Psychologists from the Yale University, U.S.A have found that people who have a positive outlook towards aging live an average of 7.5 years longer than those who regret the passage of time. They have suggested that negative feelings about growing old could sap a person's will to live. Another likely factor is the effect of stress on the heart, they opine.

Previous research has shown that the hearts and arteries of elderly people who are exposed to negative aging stereotypes do not respond well to stress. The effects of worrying about ageing appear to be greater than factors such as blood pressure, body weight, smoking and exercise, as has been suggested by Dr. Becca Levy, who headed a research team at the University of Chicago Medical School, U.S.A. " The effect of more positive self perceptions of aging on survival is greater than the physiological measures of low systolic blood pressure and cholesterol each of which is associated with a longer life span of four years or less", she maintains.

Dr. Levy's team found that the will to live accounted partially for the link between positive self-perceptions of aging and survival but could not explain it entirely.

However, there are number of myths about retirement and aging that persist, despite the fact that populations are becoming older and older. The first myth equates age with ill health. Yet research by the US-based MacArthur Foundation found that 40 percent of over 65s reported that they were in excellent or very good health. In the 65 to 74 brackets, 89 percent reported no disability at all.

The second myth is that the elderly people stop learning altogether. It is not fine at all. Research repeatedly shows that the elderly people are among the most enthusiastic users of new technology. Grand parents nowadays realise that the best possible way to communicate with their dispersed grand children is through e-mail. or any such latest technological means.

As a matter of fact most of the western psychologists who have been regularly working on this area firmly believe that retirement can be the best time of people's lives. They are of the view that the secret is a thriving, happy retirement based first and foremost on doing what you enjoy. A happy retirement depends on creating an environment, which reinforces positive feelings. People need to focus on what they like or dislike doing, as what we like to do is often related to actions which result in positive experiences.

As a starting point to achieving this, as the study of the psychologists suggests, it is worth creating a pain/pleasure inventory. The retired people may prepare a list of things that irritate them and if possible, eradicate them from one's life. Another important step forward is to ensure old people's keeping in touch with the world. Absorbing information through television, newspaper, magazines or surfing the internet help one get more out of life, get a better return on one's actions as well as one's investments.

The study also added that keeping in touch with the world may involve adapting one's lifestyle as one grow older. Problems with memory often mean that thought processes need supplementing with physical reminders such as lists or notes. Keeping as active and as fit as possible helps keep one's brain from becoming tired. Simplifying life style and remaining clutter can also help. Maintaining dialogue with others and talking about subject that interest you is another important element of keeping in touch with the world.

Taking on new challenges and learning new skills are ways of maintaining an interest in the world around. Creativity is not restricted by age. According to a study by American psychologists Smith Howard and Marika Stone, "A healthy mind is the engine for a healthy body. Your mind is healthy when it's about possibility rather than the past. A healthy mind is a mind that remains curious".

It is also a question of keeping oneself busy. A bustling diary-filled retirement is likely to be more fulfilling than one in which your calendar is blank. The challenge is to find activities that are productive and interesting, whether paid or unpaid, leisure or work. Nor does the human appetite for excitement necessarily come to an end when one retires. According to another psychologist a bit of excitement and uncertainty is good for a retired man. This will lead one to more action and activity, which will again keep the mind and body active and fit. But too much of it will be too much for the old people.

According to another British survey a new generation of British retirees are spurring the tradition of leaving money for their children to inherit and are instead splashing out on the high life. The survey said that nearly three quarters of retirees were happy to spend all their savings on having fun. Just 15 percent of men put anything away for their children at all.

As for the retired people of the developing countries like Bangladesh the position may not be the same as job opportunities in these countries are very limited. As the socio-economic condition of the developing countries is also not the same as it exist in the developed countries, the retired people of the developing countries have obviously to choose a different path for spending their retired life and proper utilisation of life-long savings and accumulated wealth.

In our context meeting relations and old friends and having reminiscences of memories of the past days is always a sweet exercise for the old and retired people who generally like to talk more. Those who have still some connection or attachment with the roots in the villages will definitely like to spend a few days occasionally there to have the taste of a different life totally free from normal worry or anxiety.

Zahid Hossain is a retired government official and now actively associated with Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, an organization of research and development.