Veronica Adesla (Courtesy of Personal Growth)

Advances in medical technology are helping people enjoy longer life expectancies. Aging, however, brings with it its own challenges with so many life transitions happening almost all at once.

John W. Osborne, an academic from the University of Alberta, Canada, writes in a paper published by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2012 that once an individual hits the age of 55, he or she is usually forced to deal with so many changes all at once: the deaths of loved ones and/or friends, children leaving home and the gradual decline of their health and physical strength.

Oftentimes, older adults are also struggling with their own fear of death, especially upon seeing their peers of the same age pass away one by one, Osborne says.

Having to retire from a much-loved job during this period will undeniably exacerbate an older adult’s distress from all the life changes that occur simultaneously.

Retirement will also entail a loss of power and prestige for an individual, whether in a top-down manner (in case of individuals occupying high positions in the corporate/organizational ladders) or in a social sense (individuals who have exercised lots of influence over other people through their vocations).

We, fortunately, can prepare to buffer ourselves from these tough times in our older years — if we live long enough, that is — by adopting several strategies from when we are young. These strategies can hopefully prevent us from having post-power syndrome as older adults later.

Define power benevolently: Instead of defining power as merely a means to benefit oneself and one’s inner circle to the detriment of others, endeavor to define power as a means to impact other people’s lives positively, according to Atma Jaya Catholic University medical sociology expert Eunike Sri Tyas Suci.

“When you are in a powerful position in society or in your organization, use your power to plant seeds of goodness by developing other people to reach their full potential,” Eunike says.

Personal Growth adult clinical psychologist Veronica Adesla agrees with Eunike. “Use your power to make changes that will impact other people positively, especially those who belong to your circle of influence,” Veronika says.

Leave a living legacy: Impart your earned experience, expertise and knowledge to as many younger people as possible to leave a living legacy on this earth, Veronica advises. You can do this through formal mentoring or coaching activities, becoming a part-time lecturer or joining various volunteering activities.

“Take Professor Sawitri [Supardi Sadarjoen, an academic staff member of Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java], who [upon retirement] in her 70s is still actively giving workshops, speaking at seminars and examining theses. She insists she wants to disseminate her knowledge as widely as possible so it won’t die with her,” Veronica says.

“When you impart your life experiences and knowledge to younger people, you will feel as if you have already left a legacy on earth, so that these people will carry forward the important values, causes and concerns that you have been struggling for. Thus, transcend your endeavors to also plant seeds in people so the causes you are passionate about will remain alive even after you die.”

Cultivate meaningful hobbies and activities: Anchoring your self-worth to your job only will certainly lead to post-retirement devastation. Learning to play the piano, organizing a book club, volunteering in community activities — whatever it might be, involve yourself in activities you enjoy for the sheer pleasure of it, Eunike says.

“You don’t have to excel in everything you do. You, for instance, don’t have to be a virtuosic piano player. As long as you enjoy playing it and can play it well enough to entertain yourself or family members and as long as you enjoy the progress you make in your lessons, that’s already good enough for you.”

Develop friendships: In his paper, Osborne says that meaningful friendships with a number of quality people can help bolster a person’s sense of well-being and happiness. Therefore, amid all your hectic activities pursuing your career ambitions, make sure you take time to develop and nurture your friendships with people you love. Go hang out over coffee during the weekends or watch movies after office hours: whatever you do, these friendships will help you transition into older age and post-power positions smoothly, Osborne explains.

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