Signora Sheila

The Golden Years are touted as a time of leisure, free from many responsibilities and rigid schedules. A time to enjoy life, and maybe even a little prosperity.

But for many seniors, the Golden Years might better be described as The Worry Years. Because they often bring concerns about health issues and costs, financial security, mobility issues, worry about the well-being of loved ones, and fears about living alone. And it’s easy for anxiety and worry to creep in.

Especially for the growing number of retirees who must return to work to make ends meet. For so many of them the Golden Years are not years of leisure, nor have they found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

So how can we deal with the challenges, the worries and anxiety that often accompany the senior years?

Challenges of the senior years

A few things prompted us to make changes and preparations. First, being confined to bed after my fall down our stairs made us realize how quickly and completely life can change. Then a good friend died suddenly, leaving his unprepared wife with unexpected difficulties. And finally, we are watching an ill-prepared retired couple struggle with water shortages and getting wood to heat their home.

Change in progress

Every situation is different, and the changes we’re making are unique to our situation and lifestyle here in Italy. But I’m sharing them because a written plan can often bring greater serenity. And because perhaps it can serve as a springboard for you to dive in and review your own situation.

1. Home Safety

A more accessible house would be wiser, but we can’t afford to move. Besides, one-story houses are rare in Italy, and some apartment buildings don’t even have elevators. So we plan to install a chair lift in our stairs.

But we’re also looking at other safety features. Like getting rid of throw rugs, installing grab bars in the bathroom and a safety stool in our oversized shower. Better safe than sorry!

2. Financial Security

So we also opened up individual accounts, but we opened them at the post office. At only €1 a month, they are cheaper than bank accounts and can be accessed anywhere in the country. So we each have an accessible emergency fund that either of us could use if we were stuck waiting for what is now our joint account to be unlocked.

Of course, we also try to live frugally and put away as much money as we can. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned. Especially with inflation on the rise!

2. Our heating system

But of course, as we get older, or if I were left alone, those big heavy sacks would be difficult. So we’ve installed an air conditioner so that we can stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer with just the push of a button. And thankfully the latest models of air conditioners are quite economical to run.

Seniors tend to suffer more from both cold and heat, so it’s a good idea to make sure we have affordable and easy-to-use solutions in place.

3. Italian water shortages

In many Italian towns, particularly in the south, the water is regularly turned off. Especially during our dry summers, which of course means that water has to be used sparingly. They also say that it is likely to get worse as time goes on.

Storing water for daily use and emergencies is already a necessity. We keep a 13-gallon dispenser on our porch, a 5-quart dispenser on our counter, and bottles of drinking water in our cantina. We also bought a camp shower for emergencies.

Hubby hauls water in big jugs so that he can fill them. But as we get older, or if I were alone that might become impossible. So we’re going to install an emergency backup tank that will run through our plumbing system and fill automatically – if we can ever get the plumber to come. At least then we’ll always have running water. And even on my own I can manage to buy bottled water for drinking.

4. Health care

Many people I know in the States struggle to afford health care. This makes me doubly grateful that our national health care system here is good (for the most part). Primary care doctors and many prescriptions are free, and most other services are quite inexpensive. Of course, that’s no guarantee against health problems, but at least we have fewer worries about costs. Especially since most services are free for seniors.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So we also try to take care of ourselves and use a lot of herbal remedies. And we have found that looking for less expensive options whenever possible is always a wise choice.

5. Transportation

I never got a license in Italy because it would have meant attending an expensive 6 month driving school, and because we could never afford two cars anyway.

I know I should have gotten a license. But instead, I spent 35 years I saying, “I’ll do it next year.” But at least I won’t have to face the devastation that many seniors feel when they lose their license. I’ve been used to not driving for years! And I’m grateful that we have pretty good train and bus transportation here, in case I’m left all alone.

6. Our low pensions

Retirement experts tell us to cut expenses, save as much as we can, and work for as long as we can. But the lockdowns here caused Hubby to lose his job at age 62. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can go awry. But I urge you follow this expert advice as best you can.

As for us, we’re grateful that the cost of living in our area of Italy is still quite low. We also have a lot of experience living on a shoestring budget, which will help. But best of all, God has always provided faithfully – and we know He will continue to do so!

What areas do you need to change? And aren’t you glad that we can always count on our heavenly Father to take care of us – even in our old age?

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

Proverbs 17:6

📷 Image credits: senior couple; stair lift; locked account; car; pension; others are mine