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The elderly, especially people over 60, have a great deal to offer their communities, for a variety of reasons, not least because of two important factors: they will have a wealth of experience and time on their hands! With the rapid changes in our society, people in these years are not biologically, sociologically or mentally like the stereotype of decrepit, senile old codgers. Rather, they are healthy, often well-educated, and the major consumers of leisure. Not quite in the labour force, they often become politically active and community-oriented.

Excluded dreams might re-emerge at this stage, like the retiring corporate executive who decides to take up the guitar because, though he had always wanted to play it, he had not found the time for it before. Now he has that time and is rearing to use it. Hence why they would be good contributors because they will always be looking for opportunities to enhance their later lives.

This also tends to be the advisor stage. Individuals at this age tend to play a key role in shaping the future of organizations and their community by 'sponsoring' or mentoring promising people, projects and ideas. The advisor has often developed a distinct competence in one or several areas of expertise and is likely to have a regional or national reputation. Capable of exercising formal and informal influence in the decision-making process, advisor's have a thorough understanding of their environment and work and can be a catalyst for positive change. Naturally, not all professionals reach this advisor stage, but being content at this staging post is one of the signs of success in an individual's chosen career or area of expertise.

It is also a time for settling into more realistic and rewarding relationships based on recognizing the partner's imperfections and helping them to grow. But that is what age, experience and success should do: make the individual far more confident, fearless and proficient. Relationships benefit from this calmer phase. The ones that reach this stage are likely to last until death. With work, children and personal angst out of the way, the couple can now focus completely on each other.

This period of accomplishment after completion of the mid-life transition can be one of the most productive of all staging posts. We are at the peak of our mature abilities after 55. If the mid-life issues have been acknowledged, addressed and resolved, we can now make our greatest possible contributions to others and society. Here we can be less driven, less ego-centered, less compelled to compete with, and to impress, others. Instead we can focus on what really matters to us, on developing younger people, on communion with others, or on leaving some personal legacy that makes things better for others or the environment.

Learn more about this author, Elaine Sihera.
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