How can the elderly find a newer purpose and get rewarding returns?

It isn't uncommon for the elderly to feel unfulfilled as they deal with factors like growing age, failing health, children getting busier with their lives, complex technology, and changing face of society. The feeling of discontent, fueled by the said factors, affects their mental health because, all their lives, they never considered a purpose for themselves beyond work and children. 

And yet, this syndrome need not become the norm for old age. It is when the elderly find newer meanings in life and continue to make other social connections can they discover that they still have much to contribute to society and derive personal satisfaction. 

Seniors can be such an asset to society. They have the time and patience to guide the next generation through their life lessons. They have accumulated a wealth of experiences necessary to steer the ship of life. They are the right fit as teachers because (a) they have seen life and (b) they have the perspective to make a difference. 

Here are a few possible ways in which seniors and society can benefit from each other:

Passing on life experiences to the younger generation:

Senior citizens can seize opportunities to spend a day with young children. They could approach a local school to conduct a day workshop or use apartment forums during school breaks to reach their audience. Depending on the age, they can tell stories from the Puranas, teach a traditional song or game that imparts life skills or reminds kids of our roots and culture, share insightful experiences from their careers or personal stories about overcoming challenges, and so on. If handling technology is not a problem, one could conduct these over zoom sessions.  

Sharing skills on social media: 

Speaking of technology, several YouTube cooking channels hosted by senior citizens are a big hit with viewers for traditional recipes. Many people prefer to follow experienced mamis and patis for the authenticity of the recipes and their helpful tips and tricks. 

The setup requires a good phone camera, a tripod stand, video editing tools, and a platform to upload videos (YouTube is the most popular). A family member can double up as the videographer too. The casual banter between the chef and the videographer (I have observed) adds a unique flavour and generates extra interest among the audience. 

Cooking was only an example. There's always an audience for information that offers a new perspective and helps in building skills. 

Volunteering to educate:

There are plenty of NGOs that teach children from underprivileged sections of society. A couple of hours per week is all they ask out of volunteers. The students can benefit by learning from subject matter experts who are keen to mentor, not for a fee, but for joy and satisfaction.

Spiritual Seva:

The silver years have many turning inwards, seeking the true meaning of life and looking for answers beyond it. If you are one of those, you can derive happiness by serving the Lord and fellow seekers. You can approach local temples or religious organizations that usually need volunteers to organize Satsangs, arrange prasadams, recite a few slokas or sing devotional songs. You could even form a group where fellow members can discuss individual learnings of spiritual texts, build on each other's knowledge and curiosity, and so on.

Building a support group:

A senior for senior support system is a great way to establish meaningful connections. The elderly crave companionship from people in the same age bracket. There's no better self-care than spending time with those who understand your fears and concerns and validate them with their own. Visiting relatives and friends to check on them, actively seeking out the aged and lonely and creating a safe meeting space that gathers regularly are ways in which the elderly can become a support system for each other.