What to do with the elderly?

[pearl]

First we can stop referring to them as 'elderly, which conjures up images of feeblemindedness, physical weakness. And refer to them as our elders etc.
In the second place its more about what to do with a system that is, because of various reasons not in a healthy state for the future. Its the baby boomers most at risk. SS was never meant to be the sole income but a supplement. One thing is that you may continue working after receiving SS payments, simply pay the taxes over and above your payment.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The solution is no retirement. All people work in some capacity until they are not able to.

All the while a percentage of all wages go into health and welfare services.

Wealth and poverty will both be limited, as all will have the means to live and no one will have amassed more than they need.

The family unit needs to be supported so the frail are cared for mostly by the family unit, with aid of community help services.

Of course, for all this to happen, to enable adequate funding of all progressive pursuits, war will be abolished, Nations will cooperate to investigate and instigate global economic solutions.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I haven’t read any of this thread but was struck by the op’s under title “hey God what’s gone wrong”. Nothing’s gone wrong, if you’re a Christian it’s all going to plan.

May need a new plan!

Regards Tony

 

[Jainarayan]

1. Lower the age of retirement to 60 or even 55 and increase the social security benefits back up to an actual livable amount, to encourage older people to get out of the work force. As this would open up a lot of higher paying jobs for younger people to then move into. And as they make more money, they pay more into the system. Also, the younger and lower wage workers move up to take the middle aged workers jobs, forcing employers to pay higher wages across the board. Again, increasing the money being paid into the system.

...

3. Create and encourage low paying easy community service jobs for those retirees that wish to keep active, and want to earn a little extra money doing so.

The capitalists want us all to work until we drop so long as they can get rich off our labor. They don't want to train anyone new. They don't want us to take our considerable skills off into retirement land. They don't want to have to pay more to entice someone else to take our place. And the politicians don't want us to retire because they keep stealing our social security money and never paying it back. But the solution is not for us to work longer. The solution is the get more of us oldsters OUT of the work force so the younger folks can move up and take over. Fewer workers means better pay. No billionaires means the money gets spread around far more effectively. And there is plenty for a livable retirement at 55.

As a 65 year old forced retiree (lost my job of 23 years at the start of the pandemic) I wholeheartedly agree with this. I can't add any more to it. I don't mind being retired, though because my SS benefit is 1/2 my salary, I have to work a part time job. Unfortunately I'm physically limited because of back surgery. Most part time jobs that are available require standing for 4-6 hours, and/or a lot of movement. But I have to tough it out and do it, and take my percocet. Being a senior citizen and retired really isn't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[Jainarayan]

SS was never meant to be the sole income but a supplement.

Well, when you've gone through your savings because you lost your job at 63 during a pandemic, the cost of living is through the roof (18 eggs $7.89, a gallon of milk $5.49, price of paper towels going up in a week, deli items going up $1 weekly ... thank you Brandon ) you'll think differently.

 

[Mock Turtle]

A large part of me doesn't understand the question. And I think this question arises because many in this culture were taught to over-value youth and stupidity and criminally under-value age and wisdom.

Perhaps you are not looking in the right places if you haven't apparently seen any issues with such a changing demographic.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I haven’t read any of this thread but was struck by the op’s under title “hey God what’s gone wrong”. Nothing’s gone wrong, if you’re a Christian it’s all going to plan.

That's just the little monkey's dismay - at not coming out on top - and another bunch doing so.

 

[Jainarayan]

The solution is no retirement. All people work in some capacity until they are not able to.

Really? How about when you lose your job and the only things available are supermarket delis or cashiers, sales clerk in dept. stores and you are required to get on the floor to pick up armloads of clothes, stand on your feet 4, 6, 8 hours (1/2 - 1 hour break in 6-8) and you have physical limitations. This is really a pet peeve of mine when people don't understand or have experienced the reality of it, yet offer "solutions".

 

[sun rise]

As someone who's 77, I demand to know what you consider as "elderly"? I'll also point out to the ignorant youth among us that Grandma Moses started painting at age 78. Grandma Moses - 38 artworks - painting

For those that speak blithely of soylent green, I'll remind you that the young are tender while those who have some years under their belt are tough and stringy.

 

[sun rise]

The solution is no retirement. All people work in some capacity until they are not able to.

I'm occupied with a number of retirement volunteer efforts: IT, video, cleaning and kitchen. Many organizations would collapse if they had to pay people.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Really? How about when you lose your job and the only things available are supermarket delis or cashiers, sales clerk in dept. stores and you are required to get on the floor to pick up armloads of clothes, stand on your feet 4, 6, 8 hours (1/2 - 1 hour break in 6-8) and you have physical limitations. This is really a pet peeve of mine when people don't understand or have experienced the reality of it, yet offer "solutions".

Your pet peeve is based on your own understandings, all these proposals will be fully discussed.

I see many have experienced the 'reality of it', yet are still able to balance all that does happen in life!

Any work is good and if we loose our job, we get what we can and face life as it unfolds. That may mean we loose a lot of what we once had.

The solution offered covers us all, no one will be without the basic necessities of life.

Regards Tony

 

[Mock Turtle]

As someone who's 77, I demand to know what you consider as "elderly"? I'll also point out to the ignorant youth among us that Grandma Moses started painting at age 78. Grandma Moses - 38 artworks - painting

For those that speak blithely of soylent green, I'll remind you that the young are tender while those who have some years under their belt are tough and stringy.

I'm the same age. I don't feel that old (at times), and the thread is more about what useful solutions might be proposed for the types of societies where there does tend to be issues. Like for example people not feeling valued any more. For many there aren't any and they just get on with life as they always have. Some seem to be offended that there might be any issues at all.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I'm occupied with a number of retirement volunteer efforts: IT, video, cleaning and kitchen. Many organizations would collapse if they had to pay people.

Well done, that's great. In the future I see all these positions will be able to attract remuneration, if needed, to the amount required to sustain a basic lifestyle.

I see the proposal will fund all support organisations, to enable them assist in funding all service activities, keeping the economy strong.

Not sure if you can see this video, but it may soon become a reality, especially in Australia. I enjoyed this video. It is only a 12 minute, 60 minute presentation.

Regards Tony

 

[Revoltingest]

Dealing with an aging population....
- Work longer.
- Delay Social Security benefits.
- Provide social & financial safety net.
- Limit public expense to use spendy extraordinary
measures to extend the life those who've few years
left anyway.
- Tax the bejeebers out of young'ns to pay for us.

 

[Apostle John]

That's just the little monkey's dismay - at not coming out on top.

I’m sorry, I didn’t read your ‘religion’ when I wrote, wouldn’t have said anything if had.

 

[Quintessence]

Perhaps you are not looking in the right places if you haven't apparently seen any issues with such a changing demographic.

Well, I did say "a large part of me." One of the other parts of me is aware of what you're talking about. However, I also... hmm...

I might observe that there are a number of very unhealthy habits this thing we call "civilization" has created for itself. The "problems" associated with an aging population are something of a self-inflicted byproduct of these unhealthy habits.

I would not be too torn up about these unhealthy habits going away because they are forced to go away by virtue of an aging population, or other factors. See @PureX earlier post for some of what I am talking about here.

 

[F1fan]

I was going to go the soylent green route.

Yuck. What else do they offer? Is it Vegan?

 

[ChristineM]

Yuck. What else do they offer? Is it Vegan?

I don't think old people are plant based.

 

[Shaul]

The OP question implies an impersonal problem to be dealt with.

What to do with the middle-aged?

What to do with the red-haired?

What to do with the Jews?

Last time I checked, we are all simply people. All different, all the same.

Doh! Again?! Oy gevalt!

 

[Shaul]

Yuck. What else do they offer? Is it Vegan?

They offer an option of vegan only sources. So it is plant-based by proxy.