It’s Almost You’re Getting Older

Have You Made a List and Checked It Twice?

Have you noticed that the stores are prepared for every fall and winter holiday? Every time you shop you will be reminded that it’s time to shop.

It seems like the holiday stuff starts making an appearance earlier every year. If my friends’ comments are any indication, we all notice the trend. We all express disbelief and surprise when the holiday displays start going up…then we start planning for the holidays.

I might complain about the commercialism. I might threaten to ignore the displays until I think it’s the right season to think about the holiday being displayed. I’m probably not the only one who makes those empty threats every year.

Retailers put the displays up to get our attention. They want us to start preparing to spend money, to make their holiday sales seasons good, and to shop early. They know, as well as I do, that it doesn’t matter what I say about a seasonal boycott. If I pass by a holiday display and see something that I need (or want) that’s a really good bargain, I’m going to buy it. It’s not that retailers are making me buy things I wouldn’t ordinarily buy. It’s more like they’re reminding me of things I need to think about and giving me the opportunity to take care of those needs.

Retailers do what it takes to get our attention and get us to buy their merchandise. I’ve started to wonder if that’s what it’s going to take for us to get serious about planning for health and senior issues. When I checked earlier today, neither health care nor senior care ranked anywhere in the top 40 Google searches for the day. National Coffee Day was in the top ten…but it has no impact on our lives for the long haul.

If national grocery store chains and discount stores made more money from products that improve senior life, would we plan more (and better)? If you walked into your store of choice and down an aisle set up for “You (or Your Parents) Are Getting Older” season, would you check to see what was on sale? Would you start noticing what’s available and what you might need?

Can you hear yourself saying, “I don’t need that right now, but I’m glad to know it exists.”? How about, “I should buy that now so I have it on hand when I need it.”? I picture a little stockpile of plans and equipment that I could use myself at some point or give as gifts. Maybe I wouldn’t actually buy anything…but I would think about it. How about you?

The thing is…it is You’re Getting Older season because you are getting older. If you wait until Old or Ill, who knows what you’ll end up with?

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Originally posted 2009-09-30 01:47:34.