Report on our Meeting in Manchester

Retirement Resource Group
Notes from our Meeting in Manchester 2017

Young and Old: Image, Role, Risks and Challenges of Advanced Years in Age and Profession

Eight of us had a discussion together focusing on the following theme: images of advanced years in age and profession.

We shared our feelings and ideas on “old” and “retired by thinking about: growing old and retiring is for me:
*Letting go serenity – transmission of values/memories – acceptance – preparing for further decline in faculty – cherishing memory/the past
*As we age, it’s important to stay connected with our relations and support systems. – Don’t limit yourself!
*I think, I am old, when I have no project (in the short and middle term), however my body reminds me from time to time that I am not, what I used to be.
*A journey with surprises, challenges and unexpected events: It’s mostly happiness, but also needs learning to accept.
*Reduction = more interest focused to priorities
*Slow down – Everything takes more time
*I am not getting older. Every birthday I am a year younger. I have not started thinking about old age.
We agreed on a summary of our optimistic and realistic view:
Retirement as an opportunity to re-invent our identity.

Changing perspectives on “age” and “retirement”. We looked at challenges and deficits and how they are connected to personal, societal and demographic changes and ways to maintain quality of life and to live in dignity:
*Demographic facts (for ex. Germany): in 2016 48% of population over 50
*new communication mechanisms
*devices for living as active as possible, in spite of sickness, dementia, losses
*a freedom-oriented “age”- image, which demands and allows a participative role
*Belonging is the No. 1 need of us human beings
feeling respected as men among fellowmen

My actual situation: concerns, hopes, worries and questions about retirement? Some of us are before, others around, shortly or far after retirement. The range of questions, activities and responses is as broad as our heterogeneous group of colleagues. My actual situation and perspectives on old and new ways making my life meaningful:
*Searching for examples on what to do and where to go
*Finding a new balance between rest and activities, reductions and talents
* Continued professional engagement … on demand/part-time/in new/ voluntary frame
* Use of professional experience in different social and cultural tasks/settings
*Work for professional association. Acting as mentor and memory.
*Taking-care for self and social surrounding
*Develop new/neglected talents
None of us has completely retired.

Gertina van Schalkwyk, the future editor of The International Journal of School and Educational Psychology, IJSEP had joined our group requesting support of all experienced colleagues in reading, mentoring (content and language) and recruiting articles for our ISPA journal.
*An uncertain world delivering risks and challenges needs care for diversity and vulnerability and demands new co-operation between young and old. Let us draw inspiration from the conference theme: Let us share examples about how we can strengthen supportive and cooperative relationships in our personal as well as in our professional environments! Let us encourage each other to develop a salute-genetic perspective in regard to making our world a better place: understandable, sustainable and meaningful.

Tracy Hobbs ,School Psychologist, Michigan, USA

Erika Voigt, School Psychologist, Psychotherapist,Goettingen, Germany