| | Themes | Category | Excerpt |
| | Ups and downs | Trade-off
general health | “I see myself completing puzzles and crosswords, but forgetting about what I had for dinner the night before” (Age 85, 2019).
“trying to face-time with my friends but not knowing how to operate my pad” (Age 75, 2015).
“talking with my grandchild and asking myself – who is this lovely boy?” (Age 75, 2010).
“annoying my family with repetitive questions while being the favourite grandpa” (Age 85, 2017).
“having problems with arthritis, but being able to still keep reading my favourite novels” (Age 75, 2018).
“I would be doing aquafit so with my frail knees get a rest” (Age 75, 2013).
“not sure if I will be mobile on my own, but I would definitely be driving an electric scoter” (Age 85, 2012). |
| | Financial sustainability | (Un) winding down | “working and still enjoying it.” (Age 65, 2014).
“as a dentist, would be retired due to my back – it already hurts!” (Age 75, 2019).
“retired? Only with enough income so I do retire and have not need to find a job at my age – who would hire me?” (Age 85, 2017).
“hope to be retiring soon, or be already retired, with financial stability” (Age 65, 2020).
“like my daddy’s dad, I would be still working at 75, with a sharp mind and good bank account” (Age 75, 2014).
“how much do I need to retire? Will an annual income of 20 k be enough? I hope so as I also hope to have no debt” (Age 75, 2010). |
| | Global health | Mind, body, and soul
A mouthful
The World’s End | “will I remember I did this activity in class back in 2012? I doubt it” (Age 65, 2012).
“looking at my grandma, I think I will be as sharp as ever” (Age 75, 2015).
“I get a bit frustrated in talking with my grandpa as he forgets a lot of things and I have to repeat myself – I hope my grandkids do not feel the same way” (Age 85, 2019).
“feeling happy and smiling at simple things in life” (Age 65, 2011).
“recollecting my adventures and world explorations and wanting more” (Age 85, 2015).
“as they say, I might have some ‘senior moments’ and perhaps forget thinks, repeat myself a lot, annoying others” (Age 75, 2020).
“brushing regularly, not really flossing – only when food get stuck in between my teeth” (Age 85, 2011).
“perhaps no teeth, when I look at my grandpa, and not sure about wearing dentures either” (Age 85, 2014).
“no reason to have lost any of my teeth - I do not have any cavities now” (Age 75, 2015).
“some teeth might have been broken off, but will likely have a good dentition” (Age 65, 2019).
“mild gingivitis, no pain, some dental work to be done but not an emergency” (Age 65, 2012).
“not here anymore” (Age 85, 2020).
“given my genetics, will still be alive and kicking” (Age 75, 2018).
“finally getting flowers from my children … on my tombstone” (Age 75, 2019).
“long dead” (Age 85, 2012).
“isn’t 75 the new 50’s? If so, will be enjoying my retirement” (Age 75, 2017). |
| | Me, myself, and I | Familial relationships
camaraderie | “living on my own, independent, and working around the garden” (Age 85, 2011).
“having my house shared with my family and their families” (Age 75, 2012).
“I’m a cat person. I hope to have two cats snuggling with me” (Age 65, 2019).
“enjoying a retirement community, with nothing to worry about” (Age 75, 2016).
“no family, isolated, likely in a nursing home” (Age 85, 2018).
“living with my life partner, being loved, feeling loved, and loving … but no kids” (Age 75, 2017).
“still connected with the community, and volunteering” (Age 65, 2015).
“placed in a nursing home and my wife in another, separated” (Age 65, 2015).
“getting some help from neighbours and friends” (Age 75, 2017).
“volunteering at my church, having communal activities, feeling connected” (Age 85, 2012).
“happily living on my own, no kids, nobody to bother me” (Age 85, 2013).
“married for the second (or third time)… what can I say, I’m a good catch and a friendly company” (Age 65, 2014).
“not sure, but I would expect visiting my closest friends who are still alive and not talking about death!” (Age 75, 2019).
“being married twice, both times for love” (Age 65, 2019).
“living with a lover at a gated retirement facility” (Age 75, 2010). |
|
|
