FIVE LEVELS OF SENIORHOOD

Those of us who left our forties behind quite some time ago know that there are various stages of "seniorhood". It is about a fifteen year process to make it from being termed "middle-aged" to being a legitimate "senior citizen". We all start out in childhood, progress to adulthood & end up in seniorhood. I don't even want to consider what comes next.

That term "senior citizen" always reminded me of my step father-in-law of many, many years ago. Grandpa Bob was a character &, if I'm being honest, a royal pain in the ass. BUT that has nothing to do with this post since my guess is that he was a pain in the ass long before he became a senior. What I was reminded of is that he always called himself a "senile citizen." One of the few things about the man that made me smile.

But I digress - back to my "Five Levels of Seniorhood".

Level One - 50 years: The first stage of becoming a senior is turning 50 years old, half a century of living. Yikes! Of course, if you still look fairly good & are in decent health then it's not so bad since people say, "You don't look fifty at all!" or "You look great for fifty!" Plus this is when you can join AARP & start getting a few discounts on hotels, rental cars, etc. In all honesty though with AAA membership you can get the same discounts. It is still easy to rationalize that fifty isn't really old. Just a thought - have you ever noticed that it is always about 15 years older than you are that you consider old?

Level Two - 55 years: When you reach your 55th birthday the discounts really begin to kick in. Many restaurants have a "senior menu" that says for those 55 & up (or if they are being cutesy, 55 & better). This is when you can really start cashing in on those discounts in earnest. I recall knowing about the senior drink at Taco Bell (free or highly discounted) & asked at what age you could get it. I was told by the teenage boy at the register that he was instructed to give it to anyone who asked for it - no specific age. Although I'm guessing anyone over 55 probably looked around 100 to the kids working there anyway.

Level Three - 60 years: Turning 60 opened the door to a few more discounts but wasn't anything special - just another decade. By now most of us are accustomed to checking the back page of the menu for senior pricing. Whenever we book a room or a cruise I always check for deals for seniors. Most admissions to movies, museums, galleries or attractions offer a senior discount that sometimes commences at 60 years old. 

Level Four - 62 years: Level four of seniorhood is a big one since you can now apply for Social Security!  Most people I know (especially those no longer working) collected it at this first opportunity. When you do the math by waiting until 66 (or your "retirement" age) it takes over 15 years until you are finally ahead of the game. I don't know about you but I want my money now when I can enjoy it rather than waiting until I'm 81 to start receiving it. Who knows how much I'll want to do or be able to do when I'm in my 80s - assuming I even make it that far. A really cool perk is that you are now eligible for your Senior National Parks Pass - for $10 you get a card that gives you access to all the National Park sites for life! My sweetie just attained this level of seniorhood a few days ago. He's more excited about his own Parks Pass than the Social Security.

Level Five - 65 years: The ultimate & final stage of seniorhood! You are now eligible for Medicare. Virtually every discount & perk for senior citizens is now at your disposal. I find that every meal, ticket or admission that we purchase the first words out of my mouth are "Do you offer a senior discount?" I mean, hey, there have to be some benefits for making it all the way to 65 & beyond, right? And the best reward is that you now have grandchildren, hopefully, which is the ultimate in pure pleasure. You love them, spoil them, make your own rules, wave bye-bye to them & their parents as you smile broadly & head to bed happily exhausted.

This is the perfect place to share a senior ditty that I saved a few years ago. Whenever I see these little gems I keep them for further use or to just read every now & then & smile.

New Wine for Seniors

California vintners in the Napa Valley area which

primarily produce Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot

Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid

grape that acts as an anti-diuretic. It is expected

to reduce the number of trips older people have 

to make to the bathroom at night

The new wine will be marketed as Pinot More.