The Next Step

Well, I just became an official senior citizen and feel very strange about it!

All the words and labels I heard growing up about "golden oldies", etc., just don't seem to apply to me and what I feel on the inside! Not that being a "golden oldie" is a bad thing....

I know that is a common statement so I wonder why there hasn't been a "movement" to change the label! Something like the aboriginal community's designation of "elder" -seems to be much more respectful and appears to relate to wisdom!

I have been doing paperwork regarding the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security for about six months now and thought I had totally taken care of business. Not!

I was supposed to send Proof of Birth to Old Age Security so I would continue to get medications at a lower rate but didn't know until I went to the drugstore to pickup an order. Embarrassing!

I take full responsibility for the omission. And still feel there needs to be a checklist of things to do once you are in your 65th year! Maybe I'll create one.

What makes it a little different for me is that I am continuing to work full-time and employers are just beginning to look at their policies and benefit packages so that the 65+ crowd will see an advantage to staying in the workforce.

I am at the beginning of the "babyboomer" movement which I am sure due to numbers alone will illuminate the issues as time goes on.

So, that's the start of my story .......