Artificial intelligence (AI) has quietly integrated into our everyday lives, perhaps more than we realize. While it hasn’t completely taken over the world, it’s certainly transforming it, one innovation at a time. AI has certainly changed my life. It’s helped me think more creatively, access healthcare quickly, and discover tools that make daily tasks easier. But the potential for older adults is even greater. As technology continues to evolve, the ideal retirement is becoming more attainable, one where people can stay at home with virtual assistance, consult doctors from their laptops, and even find new ways to stay creative and earn income. 

In the US in 2021, 2.74 million grandchildren were being raised by one or more grandparents. Whether it be due to death or incapacity of their adult child, a grandparent is usually the first to step up when a grandchild needs care. For many, their good-hearted nature causes them to step in. But raising children later in life can be entirely challenging for someone who has retired or is preparing to retire.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if retirement is becoming more and more far-fetched for generations to come, what is so wrong with taking time to savor the life we have while working?

In retirement, your life transitions and your relationships change as well. If you’re married, your relationship with your spouse might shift significantly. I never realized until recently that when you get married, you don’t really get the opportunity to spend consistent time in each other’s company.

Mental health is something I take very seriously, but I understand that it might come from my generation. We have heavily been exposed to different outlets in digital media about how to handle our mental health issues and when to define them. This type of education is the new frontier, but many elders may not be as open to the idea.