Looking at my mother who will soon retire and some of my friend's parents who have started retirement, a range of different situations are visible. From someone who has been looking forward to retirement to someone who loved his work but finds himself unable to continue it. This might lead to depression which is a common problem for elderly people as the BBC Health site explains:

"Depression has particular causes and shows certain patterns in the elderly. For example, it's much more common in the years after retirement, when people may struggle to adjust to a new role and routine in life. It's then less likely for the next decade until they're in their mid-70s, when factors such as chronic illness, frequent loss of peers and friends, and increasing restrictions on mobility may be factors."

Can we design then for the post-work years, creating support groups or helping people cope with a new freedom they might not be accustomed to? Might it be the role of design to make the half empty glass look half full again, turning a loss into a gain? I think this is definitely an interesting alley to pursue. If you make someone have a positive outlook on the ageing process and feel supported then there are more chances that if a challenge presents itself, recovery will be swifter.

CATEGORY: AGEING