I have always been around older adults. Growing up in Mexico, my grandparents were a huge part in my life. Surprisingly, when it came time for this assignment I realized how I no longer have close proximity to an older adult. Denny Bean, 82, was a complete stranger to me four months ago. I was connected to him by Professor Wong for the purpose of this assignment. At first I was nervous about how I would be able to connect with Mr. Bean, but as I talked to him on the phone to ask if he would be willing to meet with me throughout the semester I felt at ease listening to Denny’s easy going attitude and laughter. Through the interviews I was able to learn about Mr. Bean’s childhood through adulthood. In this essay I will share what I have learned
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They engaged in activities that optimized their ability. When they can no longer engage in an activity, they compensated for losses by setting new priorities” (Novak, 114). This method mirrors what I have learned of Mr. Bean’s transition from working life to retirement life, setting the new priorities that would keep him involved. Even within the retirement life, Denny went from a time of being very involved in many organizations, to now being immersed completely in the OLLI program, where he still keeps the active, invigorating life he enjoys. Another point that I learned from Mr. Bean is that retirement is doable at an early age if you plan accordingly. The book states that “Public pensions, private pensions, and cash and noncash assets have all improved for most older people” (Novak, 352). Denny is one who has benefited from a combination of these services, and therefore, with a modest retirement check, was able to retire at the age of 60, started received his social security check at age 64, and has now been retired for 22 years. He shared that even though he never made the three digit income, he was able to pay off his daughters’ higher education without any debt, and has been able to afford to go out in many trips and …show more content…
The grand parenting style that Mr. Bean would fall under, I would say, it is the Reservoir of Wisdom. The notes explain that the reservoir of wisdom has the following characteristics: authoritarian role in the family; dispenser of skills, resources & information; family name; and passes down special family stories & knowledge (Wong, 2016). This was demonstrated by Denny attempting to teach his grandchildren to fish and boat, as well as teaching them how to play sports. He expressed that he had the authoritarian role in the family, as shown by the story where he insisted of holding his grandchild’s hand regardless of the child’s challenge. Denny is also currently writing his life story with the hope to leave it for his family to read about his many different
They engaged in activities that optimized their ability. When they can no longer engage in an activity, they compensated for losses by setting new priorities” (Novak, 114). This method mirrors what I have learned of Mr. Bean’s transition from working life to retirement life, setting the new priorities that would keep him involved. Even within the retirement life, Denny went from a time of being very involved in many organizations, to now being immersed completely in the OLLI program, where he still keeps the active, invigorating life he enjoys. Another point that I learned from Mr. Bean is that retirement is doable at an early age if you plan accordingly. The book states that “Public pensions, private pensions, and cash and noncash assets have all improved for most older people” (Novak, 352). Denny is one who has benefited from a combination of these services, and therefore, with a modest retirement check, was able to retire at the age of 60, started received his social security check at age 64, and has now been retired for 22 years. He shared that even though he never made the three digit income, he was able to pay off his daughters’ higher education without any debt, and has been able to afford to go out in many trips and …show more content…
The grand parenting style that Mr. Bean would fall under, I would say, it is the Reservoir of Wisdom. The notes explain that the reservoir of wisdom has the following characteristics: authoritarian role in the family; dispenser of skills, resources & information; family name; and passes down special family stories & knowledge (Wong, 2016). This was demonstrated by Denny attempting to teach his grandchildren to fish and boat, as well as teaching them how to play sports. He expressed that he had the authoritarian role in the family, as shown by the story where he insisted of holding his grandchild’s hand regardless of the child’s challenge. Denny is also currently writing his life story with the hope to leave it for his family to read about his many different