Month: August 2013

Marginalizing senior citizens

Joy Ann LaJeret

 I have begun to feel the marginalizing effect of being a senior citizen. It is an eye opening experience. While I may have a few wrinkles and a bit of white showing in my hair, my mind is still clear. I am not ready to call it quits in the job market; but it seems the job market is calling it quits with me. It is getting increasingly harder to find work and certainly meaningful work is no longer easily available to my age group.

I live in a 55+ community. It is very high-end. But, there is a growing number of people who are forced to sell their homes because they cannot afford the rent anymore. When my neighbors try to get work, they find it is next to impossible and not because they do not have the skills or experience in the job market.

Every time I get a notice from the Neptune Society intent on selling me a burial, plot or cremation, I sigh. Then of course there is the American Association of Retired People ( AARP) trying to sell me long-term care insurance. Hey you guys, just for the record, I do not have any money to buy these things. Maybe if you helped me get a job, I could. I work two-part time jobs; but they do not cover my costs. Since I was a non-working mother for years, my social security is almost non-existent. I am just  making it with my husband’s paycheck.

I suppose your asking , about now…okay, so what is your beef? I think there are visionary companies who understand the importance of hiring seniors. On the other hand, there are just as many that have not yet realized our worth.  Trying to break through the myths about seniors in the workforce can be exceptionally difficult. I look pretty good on paper; but when I walk into an interview, one look tells me myths about age are on the mind of the interviewer.

From the Wisconsin job center comes a few myths about seniors and/or older workers.At the top of the list is,…you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. I am not particularly thrilled by being called an old dog; but the point is …yes you can. Actually, the article states…general intelligence levels are the same as younger workers. Eighty percent of the most workable and worthwhile new production ideas are produced by people over forty.

The Andrus Gerontology Center found older workers over 45 years of age have lower sick time rates than workers between the age of 17-44. In fact 97% of employers who have hired older workers find them reliable and thorough. We are loyal, prompt, dependable and hard-working. We are also adaptable and that myth about not being willing to change is pure garbage. I was in college learning new skills one year ago and pulling straight A’s. I learned to teach online and use the college elearning systems.

I do not mind being older; but rather, I like to look at my advancing age as something to embrace. We are healthier and living longer than any generation before us. I for one want to stay active and avoid dementia by staying alert and connected to the work force. I will go back to school and take any courses needed to improve my chances at getting a meaningful job.

There are days when my body hurts. Nevertheless, I learned a long time ago to carry on regardless of these minor inconveniences. My neighbors are working  by driving senior buses; or as opticians or constructing eye lens;  some are working as office workers and several work in retail stores. Most of them are far beyond 65 years of age. So, these jobs are there but most are part time and lower paying. There is a pride in their eyes because they are still able to work and support themselves, rather than just sitting around and I see that pride everyday.

I hope if any younger employers are reading this they will do some research on older workers and then give us a chance to show you what we are capable of. The more we can help take care of ourselves the less money you will have to pay out for our care. 

The Poor Keep Getting Poorer: When will it get easier to earn a living in the US?

Joy Ann LaJeret

I was reading on the internet, when I ran across an article written by Hannah Rappleye entitled  “I’am working as hard as I can: For the poor, the costs of life can be higher.” That seemed to strike a chord with me!  My husband is a laborer. He loves CNC machining. But he doesn’t make enough to keep our household together. He has a second job with a production company and works some 50-65 hours a week. I worry about him and how hard he works.

Since, I can not find a full time position, we are always on the edge financially. I work two part time jobs; but they don’t pay enough to buy groceries. From 2010-2012 I went back to school to get a teaching certificate.  Still nothing in that area is open to me. I have given up looking, because I need a job now and need to work today not in the future. So what exactly is happening here?

According to another article written by US news, 4 out of 5 American’s live in danger of poverty. I know we are struggling every day just to pay our bills and buy clothes for the jobs I do have. Every year our rent goes up, our water and sewer costs get higher and the power company rates leave us keeping our heat so far down in the winter months, I am always cold. Even in the summer our costs are high. One thing that doesn’t go up is our wages. All in all the article states the prediction is the poverty rates will continue to rise and soon be beyond those in 1965. That is a pretty depressing picture for those of us who are struggling to stay out of poverty. The bottom line is 1% of the people control 39% of the wealth and that number is growing!

While Washington keeps telling us the economy will improve for the rest of 2013, it hardly seems like anything has changed when I sit down to pay our bills each month. It doesn’t seem like anything is changing when my husband is working 65 hours a week to make what he made in 40 hours in 1999, when we first got married. So, where are the improvements in our economy and who is reaping the rewards?

In an article in the Farm Press written by Hembree Brandon, the author wrote, ” Those who have jobs feel increasingly threatened as automation increases, as employers push workers to do more and more so they won’t have to hire additional workers, and as millions more have only part-time jobs or are forced to work as “independent contractors” so employers won’t have to pay Social Security, worker compensation, and other costs.” I can relate to that because I am a contracted employee.  At the same time profits are higher for oil companies than ever before and I am certain its more than the oil companies profiting at the tax payers expense. So, my question is who cares about the middle class or even those just reaching the poverty mark? Apparently not Congress or maybe not even the president.

 If these articles do not scare you, they do me. I see our inability to keep pace with the bills each month and wonder how we can possibly keep living like this. There has been no relief from the struggle to date and it doesn’t look like it is going to get much better in the near future. Every letter written to Congress just seems like a waste of time. As for the republicans…we best not get into that subject.