Life of the Retired Can Be Lonely

Money accepted as God is contaminating every thing in our society. We hear often, in a mocking way, without money you can't go to Church. With money, no sin, without it you have sin. Many who have  retired or were forced to retire are living with difficulties often because of money.  

The first of these, says a priest writing for a pastoral bulletin, is losing the sense of belonging. All have this desire to belong. When a person retires there is the possibility of losing the feeling of security. No longer does one have a sense of belonging, feels lonely, and despondent. A person with a job can feel this loneliness, how much more a person who no longer has the work place.

Another problem for the retired is a lack of hobbies or interests. During their years in the work place one was too busy to have any other concerns besides work, and now retired, relating with others for some is not easy, and money can be a problem when they  hear the word hobby. For many each day is filled with boredom and despondency.

Family is the third problem. During the years in the work place there was not the time for dialogue nor the concern for a warmer family atmosphere, all changed after retirement. At this time discord was easily perceived. Fathers noticed that there was  more rapport with the mothers, which is no surprise since they spent more time with the children.

Many of the fathers mention after retirement the difficulties of life. The father has retired but the   mother's work continues. Often these words are heard by the fathers from the children. The home should be a place of refuge but it is not, and many feel more lonely in the home. They want to be closer to the families and that is where the Church should become involved.

This situation is one in which the  Church should take an interest and help with programs for the elderly. There are many families where walls have been built between the family members, and there is a need to find ways of giving comfort and helping the elderly couples to overcome their problems.                         

The modern families are not as closely knit as they were in the past, and although many parents are not giving all their savings to the children as once was done, the extended family is no longer a reality. The writer wants the parishes to become concerned for these elder members who don't feel a sense of belonging. Suicide is also a result of this restlessness. Programs for healing are required.