too old to start over

All my doc's say to start the ssa disablity process.

I've cheked with SSA, I'll loose everthing and starve to death on their help.

I worked construction 35 years. Too old and tired to learn something new.

How do others survive??

5 Comments

Never too old

by ted - 2008-06-04 01:06:24

I will be 78 this year and I'm still working. In my opinion going on disability of any kind is a last resort. I have watched friends who have nothing to do but look for a check in their mailbox wither away and die. All my doctor friends tell me to never stop working until I drop. I realize that many folks have afflictions which render them totally incapacitated from any work. But if you are physically able to do any kind of work at all, do it. Somehow we live longer and better when we have some purpose or reason to get up so that we are not laying around thinking about ourselves. Most states have retraining programs for persons who are disabled so that they can transition to other work. Hang in there and good luck.

CATS HAVE 7 LIVES

by peter - 2008-06-04 02:06:12

I work in a hospice, although I was on disability allowance and gave it up. We can always survive by working out the difference between our wants and our needs. Mental attitude and will power helps. Throw in a bit of luck and you are on a roll. Life is like walking on a tightrope except when we get older the rope gets thinner and the wind gets stronger. Another of lifes challenges. Have fun. Cheers Peter

Don't give up!

by Swedeheart - 2008-06-04 07:06:24

Hello,

45 isn't too old... but I see from your bio you have had more than your share of health issues! Before you decide not to do anything with SSA, I would look into it completely. I am saying this because my neighbor is on disability and is about 10 years your senior and worked in industry...but his disability payments are nearly as much as he was earning full time, plus they take care of his medical. He owns his home, a couple cars, boat, RV... he does just fine. So, I would research the whole thing further.

If you don't want to go that route, then see about temporary disability and check out your options. Of course none of us feel too energetic after these heart issues ~ but there are lots of things we can do. Explore and see what others have done you never know you might find something really to spark your interest!

Good luck, and hang in there! Lots of good support here. Sometimes we all feel gloomy about having these heart issues, there are folks here who will listen!

Swedeheart

Welcome

by NH - 2008-06-04 10:06:44

I see this is your first post. Welcome to the PM club!

My suggestions to you are to explore your options. IF SSA is not enough money, then can you do any work at all? If you can, could you get a job that is not so physical? What are you interested in? There are still a lot of jobs that pay better than SSA and are not so physical. Try to think postive and see what is available.

You say you are too old and tired to learn anything new, well I am 64 this year and still learning. My physical strength and stamina is mostly not good, but my brain is alive and well, (I think HA HA) I am not saying you need to go for more education, but maybe you could learn a new job, or learn a skill to use that wouldn't be so physical.

Keep in touch and let us know how you are. I know for a fact you will get much support here.

Take care,
NH

working

by tpod - 2008-06-04 11:06:27

SSA is not necessarily enough to live on. we know this, as a whole. what we don't always realize is that just because there is only one thing we know REALLY WELL doesn't mean there's only one thing we CAN DO really well.

i know disability. i know it backwards and forwards, and i'm REALLY GOOD at it. but it didn't start that way three years ago. three years ago, i came into this business with a head for for phase II testing in human subjects, what the costs of that would be, and how to write the grants to cover those costs. (i worked for a global pharmaceuticals company in those days.) i had NO IDEA that STD actually meant short term disability.

that's another thing. does the company you work for offer STD benefits? look into it -- fast, there's usually a filing deadline -- and if there is, and you need help, send me a note. happy to help.

my point is, though, that just because i could write a grant with some of the best people in that corporation didn't mean i couldn't become the kind of case manager i am today. find something that interests you (in my case, medicine fascinates me, but i do NOT want to go to medical school. thanks, but no thanks.) find jobs in that field, and apply! so, you get an entry level position. GREAT!! it's better than $605 a month...and there's room for upward movement, usually.

take a risk. i have to tell you that so far, in my experience, if i am not sticking my neck out for what i want, it doesn't seem quite as...worth it. :)

good luck!

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