Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
With regard to those who don't have kids or grandkids to look after them, is it possible some of these people never tried to make friends or establish relationships with younger relatives (say, nieces of nephews) when they were younger? I know so many people these days who don't even try to get to know their neighbors. I've heard women in my age range (40s) say things like "I have enough friends already, I don't want to meet anyone new". If someone is worried about winding up alone or think it might be a possibility some day, my best advice is start making connections now and don't dismiss anyone that could become a friend.
That is good advice tassity22. It is predicated, though, on living in the same town or city from one's 40's onward so that people who you've been lucky enough to connect with happen to live in the same locale for decades.
Many people move around to different geographic areas. Having a friend or two or three in different geographic locales away from one's own does not really help older people. It's a good connection, but it's not local.
And some people do not have relatives who live in the same state or same region or even same fourth of the U.S.
Also, some people do not have nieces or nephews (I do not) and those may not live geographically close.
Believe me, this was a surprise. My son got out on his own and grew up. He got married, a good job and is finishing college with plans to go back later. Before that, he was mostly drifting. My problem is I'm just plain not *ready* for that much togetherness so there's going to be some negotiating. He has inherited mom's and his grandfathers major streak of stubborn though.
I do consider myself lucky, though if the vision of togetherness is a tad too together... only works if its right for everyone.
That is good advice tassity22. It is predicated, though, on living in the same town or city from one's 40's onward so that people who you've been lucky enough to connect with happen to live in the same locale for decades.
Many people move around to different geographic areas. Having a friend or two or three in different geographic locales away from one's own does not really help older people. It's a good connection, but it's not local.
And some people do not have relatives who live in the same state or same region or even same fourth of the U.S.
Also, some people do not have nieces or nephews (I do not) and those may not live geographically close.
Same with me. I am an only child so no brothers or sisters or their kids to depend on. I have friends in multiple regions but even if you're from a region then move back, years go by and lives change. I've been gone basically for four years and many of my high school friends who I partied with in my mid 20s are now settled with families. It's hard to reestablish connections sometimes or form new ones with kids and a busy career
I have two nieces, but I never see them, nor am I close to them, and I'm certainly not counting on them helping me, or even visiting me, in my dotage! Being alone -- once you get used to it -- isn't the most terrible thing in the world; there's a certain liberty in it...
After all, freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose!
For that matter, in the early part of the last century (until about the 50s), families would have CHEAP live-in help; a maid or nanny to help around the house in exchange for room and board and a small stipend. Maybe an onsite handyman living in a structure out back. Families would absorb such people who would otherwise be living alone.
I have two nieces, but I never see them, nor am I close to them, and I'm certainly not counting on them helping me, or even visiting me, in my dotage! Being alone -- once you get used to it -- isn't the most terrible thing in the world; there's a certain liberty in it...
Oh, I would enjoy being alone with just a couple of cats for companionship. But I feel I'd need to have a few people in my old age who might just contact me once in a while to see if I'm okay.
However, if I am not in good shape when I'm older, I'm really going to need some good friends.
The killer is that the name Hazel is gaining in popularity with new parents of baby girls. That's exactly the image that comes to my mind, and I am horrified that someone would name a baby after that loud-mouth, obnoxious character, lol. The young parents who are choosing that name have no idea who she was.
How do you know that she was named for a tv character? Could be the name of a beloved great grandma.
My daughter reports there is a Muriel in her daughter's daycare named for a great grandma.
My nearest relative is 1,000 miles away but I go to a big church that has a Tuesday morning Vintage seniors group and I have a lot of friends.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
