People today can expect to live a longer and healthier life than people in the past. People often see retirement as a time for relaxation and letting go of the stresses of working life. However, many who reach retirement age are more interested than ever in contributing actively to their communities. This essay will outline two ways in which this interest can benefit society.
Becoming involved in schools is one of the ways in which the life experience of the elderly can be made available to the community. Because families now are often more mobile than in the past, many children do not have regular contact with grandparents. Yet children are often fascinated by stories of life in the past. Inviting local retired people into schools to speak to children can help to maintain a vital link between past and present.
Another way in which society can benefit from a more active older generation is by inviting older employees to remain in work part-time. Older people may not want to or indeed be able to do a full day's work; however, their experience may continue to be valuable to their employers. A good example of this can be seen in one scheme in the UK in which elder employees remained in work as mentors for younger employees.
In my opinion, schools and the workplace are just two of the areas in which those who have reached retirement age can continue to contribute to their communities. As life expectancy improves, the need to maintain an active and socially meaningful life may also increase. Experience suggests that this trend can have benefits for all, not just the elderly.
People
today
can
expect
to
live
a longer and healthier
life
than
people
in the
past
.
People
often
see
retirement as a time for relaxation and letting go of the
stresses
of working
life
.
However
,
many
who reach retirement age are more interested than ever in contributing
actively
to their communities. This essay will outline two ways in which this interest can benefit society.
Becoming involved in schools is one of the ways in which the
life
experience of the elderly can
be made
available to the community.
Because
families
now
are
often
more mobile than in the
past
,
many
children do not have regular contact with grandparents.
Yet
children are
often
fascinated by stories of
life
in the
past
. Inviting local retired
people
into schools to speak to children can
help
to maintain a vital link between
past
and present.
Another way in which society can benefit from a more active older generation is by inviting older employees to remain in work part-time. Older
people
may not want to or
indeed
be able to do a full day's work;
however
, their experience may continue to be valuable to their employers. A
good
example of this can be
seen
in one scheme in the UK in which elder employees remained in work as mentors for younger employees.
In my opinion, schools and the workplace are
just
two of the areas in which those who have reached retirement age can continue to contribute to their communities. As
life
expectancy
improves
, the need to maintain an active and
socially
meaningful
life
may
also
increase. Experience suggests that this trend can have benefits for all, not
just
the elderly.