Mostly, retirement takes place during late adulthood or old age when a person lacks the power to work like a young or middle-aged person. Some retired people don’t give up even after retirement and are likely to be a part of the organization, whereas some opt to become entrepreneurs. Population aging is a major issue because the entire proportion changes and affects others. Not every individual goes through the same process or stage of retirement.
Characteristics of Retirement
- Loss of the daily routine: A retired person not only loses his job rather loses his daily routine as well. After retirement, the person might become disorganized due to no routine.
- Downhill in physical movement: A person can be mentally strong but physically weak. Physical weakness can be due to ill health or lack of energy.
- A decline in social interaction: Due to the presence of different impairments, physical illness, feeling of rejection or outraced, a game of self-esteem, and feeling of less trendy or uncool among youngsters inhibit them from being a part of any social interaction. Some elderlies are rigid in their thoughts, whereas some are open-minded who believe in interaction and blending thoughts.
- Reduced or no income: Retired people start looking at an alternative source of income due to reduced or no income and this affects their overall mental health.
- Decrease in mental activity: Retired people undergo self-deterioration due to less interaction with the outside world and impairments.
- Loss of self-identity: One who retires loses power, authority, and status. He has to accept this change and cope with the loss, otherwise, it can be challenging.
- Effects on mental health: All the above characteristics affect the individual’s mental health. It is difficult for the ones residing in the toxic environment. Therefore, a person should deal with this in an organized manner to allow positive or successful aging.
Stages of Retirement
- Pre-retirement
It is a stage before anyone retires when a person imagines and prepares for retirement. It can last for 5 to 15 years before the actual retirement. People shift their focus from building their careers to financial planning, emotional planning, and making lifestyle decisions. Some also develop anxiety by worrying that they won’t have enough money saved for when they will retire.
- Full Retirement
It is considered the liberation or honeymoon stage, which lasts for one to two years after retirement. Some people reconnect with family, and friends, some choose to settle into a routine, and some opt to rest and relax after years of working.
- Disenchantment
By this stage, a person feels a sense of disappointment and disillusionment because they feel that something is missing in their lives. They can go through boredom, loneliness, and feeling useless if not addressed or can fall into depression.
- Reorientation
It is the most challenging stage of retirement because the elderly feel a loss of purpose, and begin to evaluate their retirement experience. They involve in creating a new identity or finds something that gives them a sense of meaningful purpose later in life.
- Reconciliation and Stability
It is the fun rewarding stage because the retired person becomes a part of associations or clubs to feel delighted. The person lives the remaining years of life to the fullest with stability. But not everyone has access to experience this stage.
Checkout more such content at: https://gogomagazine.in/category/magazine/writeups-volume-7/
4.5