Just because older women are past their youth and are enjoying their retirement years doesn’t mean they are any less 
vibrant, loving, and brilliant than their younger counterparts. There are many myths floating around that simply aren’t true. Here are five myths that are frustrating today’s mature women:
A Walk Through the Past
Just because Grandma is sharing a story from her school days with her grandchildren doesn’t mean she’s exhibiting signs of dementia. In fact, think back to the advice we all receive when we’re beginning our adult lives: Live well so that you’ll have tons of great stories when you’re older. We’ve all likely overheard young girls say to one another, “We’re going to be grandmas one day and we’ll still be best friends, sitting on the front porch and being the coolest grannies on the planet.” That’s exactly why those stories shared with grandchildren are so important – and why they’re not indicative of early dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Women Aren’t Prepared for Old Age
Most people say the “pay gap” means women can’t prepare as well as their male counterparts, especially if she lives alone. It’s true that men out-earn women an average of 22 to 23 cents on the dollar. It’s also true that women outlive men between 3 and 7 years. That means that women go into their future planning knowing there are a few odds stacked against them. This makes them far more determined to cover those bases.
Older Women are More Likely to be Depressed and/or Lonely
Again, this is part of the stereotype that drives the “woman is weak” mentality. Many women look forward to their retirement years so that they can volunteer in their communities, involve themselves with local schools, spend time with their families and even travel. In fact, some women are considered the “go to” in their communities by those who aren’t sure where to turn for things like Medicaid qualifications and how to find the best estate planning lawyer. We are, by nature, organized and detail oriented, so it makes sense the information is always at the ready.
Older Women are More Stressed
Not a chance. In fact, some studies show that older women are psychologically healthier than their younger counterparts. This likely has a lot to do with the wisdom they’ve amassed over the years. That wisdom is indicative of a well-lived, imperfect and beautiful life.
The Last Thing Older Women are Looking for is Male Companionship
It is true that many older women settle into a life that doesn’t include a husband, but it’s by choice in most instances. In fact, it’s not surprising to find women who say they’ve spent their lives raising children and caring for a spouse and after their husbands passed away, they look forward to finally getting to know themselves again.
These are just a few of those pesky myths that are perpetuated by the stereotype. The beauty is there are plenty of examples in your own neighborhood that should put those myths to rest once and for all. If you’re seeking estate planning guidance, including ways to make the most of your finances after retirement, contact Unsworth Law today.
Ellen LaPlante
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