Concerns about "aging"

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Concerns about "aging"
14
Wed, 05-07-2008 - 5:04pm

Hi,


I am new to this board.  I will be 45 years old this month.  My parents came to visit me recently.  They retired to the Philippines a couple of years ago, but they come here once a year.   They are in the early 70s.  This "aging" thing is hitting me like a ton of bricks, seeing how old they are, how old I am going to be this month, and now worrying about what will happen to me when I get old.


Currently, I am an attorney with my own law practice.  I have an 11 year old daughter.  I don't think I want to practice law the way I am doing now much longer...it is stressful and time consuming (I specialize in criminal defense and family law). 


I am very healthy--working out daily, boxing class, doing some gymnastics still, eat well, go for my checkups.  Nevertheless, the thought of depending on anyone some day for my care or going into a nursing home has me in a psychological tail spin.  I don't know if I have adequately planned financially for my later years.


Can any of you  advise me or point me in the right direction with regard to providing for my golden years, how any of you are coping with the physical and psychological aspects of getting older, etc?  Have any of you successfully started new careers and if so, how?


Thank you,


Bunny


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Thu, 05-08-2008 - 9:29pm

Hi, Bunny


welcome to this board! 45 and you are worried about aging??!!


This is the thing about aging: either you will or you won't!


my mom died at 58..cancer


I am 59...the Irish say "don't bemoan getting old..many are denied the privilege"


Still: take care of yourself as best you can..sounds like you are!


don't smoke, watch your weight, go for your check ups


I retired at 55 after 30+ years of teaching....I saved $ in a retirement fund, have a pension, will get Ss in 3 yrs


I still sub, teach here and there


At age 46 I had neuorsurgery on my neck,,fine now


At age 51 I had surgery on my shoulder for a bone spur..fine now


At age 56 I had surgery for ovarian growth, borderline cancer...fine now


I have 3 beautiful grandkids...delightful


you are a smart woman: look into career alternatives..switch gears,


check out retirement fund options,etc..see a financial planner


continue the exercise ,etc


this is coming from a consummate worrier: don't worry about what you cannot control..


enjoy as much as you can, as often as you can


often the things that happen are not the things you worried about!


good luck


let us know how you are doing!


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 7:36am

Hi Dutch,


Thanks for your words of encouragement and wisdom.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-1999
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 8:58am

Welcome, Bunny....Dutch gave some marvelous advice!


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 10:22am

Hi,Bunny


you're welcome


I didn't want to sound like I don't worry about things either, I do.


But why worry about that?


you are 30-40 years from that


a lot can change


your parents are world travelers


perhaps you will be the 96 yr old who still lives on her own and drives!


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 10:57am

Thanks Dutch and Ruth,


I am contacting a financial planner today.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 5:46pm

wow..a 27 yr old boyfriend..THAT will keep you young! LOL


good idea seeing a financial planner...but you are right..$50/mo isn't much...but better than nothing! (in the last few yrs before retirement I put away $10,000/yr)


since selling a house now is difficult..so waiting until your dd is close to graduating will be better (that said..I did sell a house within the last year)


here's an idea for you: a lawyer for the aging..they need it....people take advantage of them


good luck

Dutch


Adding color to spring flowers


Photobucket


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Fri, 05-09-2008 - 5:50pm

why , thank you, Ruth!!


I like what you had to say ,too!!

Dutch


Adding color to spring flowers


Photobucket


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 05-10-2008 - 4:38am

Bunny, welcome!

I am Cencia and I am on the other side of
50 and I love it :)

Don't worry too much. The worry will feed on
itself, and feed on itself, and....uggh.
Just ALWAYS do the best you can for your health,
and your spiritual health, and things will work
out as they are meant to be.

By the way, where in P.I. do your parents live?
My husband and I always travel to Asia and Philippines
is one of our favorite destinations. Lots of
beautiful scenery!

Cindy


~*~ Mabuhay! Aloha! .... ~*~



~*~ Aloha to all .... ~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2005
Sat, 05-10-2008 - 3:18pm

Hi Cindy,


My parents are in the province of La Union, which is about a 6 hour drive north of Manila.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 05-10-2008 - 9:07pm

Bunny, I have fond memories and pictures
taken in La Union. We used to go to the beaches
there with the dark lovely sand. Our hotel was
so gracious, they made us a "customized"
party right there in the sand. Love that
country's hospitality!


~*~ Milwaukee, here I come!.... ~*~



~*~ Aloha to all .... ~*~

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