Needs of People 50 years old and Above
July 27th, 2010
In a forum for the elderly I came across a post by a person claiming to be a researcher soliciting inputs from employees 50 years old and above concerning the quality of their working lives.
I found this interesting as, in hindsight, I never thought it a big deal when I hit 50 and still working, as I am now at 62. Nevertheless, not wishing to dish out what I needed then, I surfed for what others of the same age category need. My search proved very interesting.
What people at 50 and above are interested in:
On the surface, a lot of men are interested in anti erectile dysfunction drugs while some women, even at age 59, are showing interested in IVF (in vitro fertilization). And yes, men do chase younger girls while their women consume of anti-aging and anti-wrinkle creams and whatever beauty creams are there in the market.
As if this is not already obvious, man’s carnal thirst has been given a very good scientific rationalization when some scientists presented a “range of data showing that males older than 50 years still have substantial realized fertility through mating with younger females…” and that older male fertility helps in the natural selection process of the evolution theory.
Crazy interpretation? If males stopped chasing young females, the human specie will cease to exist. In 1966, William Hamilton, a British evolutionary biologist, presented a study which came to be known as the “grandmother hypothesis” suggesting that women enhance the survival of their children and grandchildren by living long enough to care for them. For men? It’s no fun to have sex with grandmothers, is it?
On the serious side:
The European Commission defined the “third age” beginning at 50. And their needs are no different than those belonging to the younger age brackets if grouped generically;
Each other - the most important need.
o Economic;
o Social;
o Personal.
These needs may have different facets than those belonging to the younger generations because varied economic successes (or failures) should have brought them to different social circles and interests and personal relationships would have become more lasting, meaningful and profound.
However, a study conducted by OU (Outside University), the largest UK university, showed that only a very few people, too few to be considered an “elite,” in this age bracket have active retirement through study and voluntary activities. This brings forth the need to put the concept of life-long learning to more people in this age category, and for society to acknowledge that old people are not hindrances. Many of them have the knowledge, skills and experiences that can be put to good use for its own benefit.
My need?
If I have the resources, I will go off to some remote island and explore the immensely beautiful scenery beneath the surface of the sea.
