What do over 50s really REALLY want?
By Jayne Warren - 04/10/2007
As part of the government's celebration of UK Older People's Day this October, they published what they considered to be the "ultimate wish list of 60 goals for the over 50s" - based on feedback from more than a thousand people over 50. Claiming that the list is as aspirational as it is practical, they believe that it provides a new insight into the ambitious, upbeat outlook of older people.
Goals vary from the culinary - 'learn to cook'; 'go on a wine tasting course'; 'eat more cakes' - to the creative - 'make a scrapbook of childhood'; 'learn to play a musical instrument'; 'take up painting'; 'design a garden'. As well as experiences such as 'go to the London 2012 Olympics', 'see an opera' and 'see the Northern Lights', more energetic aspirations include 'have more sex' and even 'run a marathon'. Thoughtful goals for later life include 'telling someone you love them everyday', 'becoming a volunteer' and 'spending more time with the family'.
And among adrenaline rush fantasies such 'hang gliding', 'swimming with dolphins' and 'taking flying lessons' - there's the literally hair-raising 'grow a beard'. Sir Terry Wogan, veteran radio and television broadcaster, supported the list of goals, adding; ''Everyone aged 60 plus should have high ambitions. 'Use-by dates' don't apply to people'.''
Dr. Aric Sigman, leading psychologist said: "Far from fulfilling age-old stereotypes, this list of 60 personal goals highlights how people are expecting more from older age, in terms of both the opportunities that are open to them and the things they want to accomplish and contribute to society. While some ambitions might be firmly rooted in fantasy, this age group has many goals that are about achieving a sense of purpose and self-fulfilment. It's great that later life is approached with such a sense of optimism."
Media coverage of the list came up with the phrase "Gotys" - Getting Older, Thinking Younger - and praised the number of older people using the internet and email. But reality might be a little less 'sensationalist' - as we at the Mature Times know only too well from readers' letters.
Take the steadily increasing number of age discrimination cases - initiated by those ejected from the workplace in their 50s and 60s - which is expected to exceed 1,000 per month by next year. The Employment Tribunals Service has been swamped, not just with equal pay claims but with 2,000 ageism cases since the law came into force last year. And that looks set to continue, as current insurance costs can make it far too expensive to employ people past the age of 65. Additionally, as insurance is viewed as a benefit - which must be available to all - it cannot be relied upon as an "objective justification" for getting rid of workers.
What's YOUR goal for the future? Write and let us know, either by post, or to editorial@maturetimes.co.uk.