Life can feel like a never-ending string of profound changes — new relationships replacing old, evolving families, shifting living arrangements, new jobs, sudden health challenges … the list goes on. This is just as true for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond as it is for younger adults. These changes can be profound: They often re-define our lives and bring with them significant emotional, physical and social ramifications.
In 2024, AARP published The Journey of Aging: Life Transitions During the Second Half of Life, a research-based overview of significant life changes that adults commonly experience as they grow older, including a breakdown of important transitional phases that often accompany them. Besides offering families a loose blueprint for what to expect — and how to prepare — as an older loved one approaches or experiences one of these milestones, the report’s insights can help guide policymakers, researchers and AgeTech businesses as they make decisions and develop products and services for aging adults.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key takeaways.
Job Transition
Like anyone, older adults may transition to a new job voluntarily or involuntarily; this can involve getting a promotion, moving to an entirely different industry or adjusting from full- to part-time work or vice versa.
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Transitioning to a new job, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, typically requires older adults to adapt to the digital job search environment.
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The job search for older adults can be complicated by factors such as age discrimination or being perceived as overqualified for the position they seek. The need for a flexible schedule can complicate the job search for those who are also caregivers.
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Getting up to speed in a new job might require older adults to modernize their skill set to meet the demands of the workplace.
Menopause
Some 52 million women in America fall within the age range of the onset of menopause. Symptoms associated with menopause often begin during perimenopause, peak at menopause and continue into post-menopause. Menopause has traditionally been a taboo topic, but conversations about it are entering the mainstream as more women publicly share their experiences and seek to learn more about managing this stage of life.
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The challenges of navigating menopause have long been exacerbated by social stigma and medical professionals who lack adequate training.
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Menopause can create profound disruption in a woman’s physical, emotional and cognitive health, but fostering frank and open conversations about it may help alleviate some of the strain.
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Women in the post-menopausal stage are more susceptible to developing conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis, underscoring the importance of ongoing health monitoring and preventive care.
Romantic Relationships
From 2021 to 2023, 7% of adults 50-plus experienced a major change in relationship status, with 3% becoming a widow or widower, 2% getting divorced, and 3% becoming a spouse. These dramatic changes can create a number of challenges that older adults must learn to navigate, but they can also open up new frontiers.
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Financial and social ramifications of a change in relationship status loom large. Women who experience significant change in relationship status, such as a divorce, frequently encounter a financial setback, whereas men are more likely to experience a social setback that leads to isolation.
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When newly single, men and women alike may struggle with a decision whether to pursue a new relationship or remain a solo ager.
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For some, being newly single creates an opportunity for personal growth. Others undergoing this shift may decide to remarry or cohabitate for companionship, increased socialization and support, especially in cases of an emergency.
Home Life
While aging in place is often an older adult’s first choice — and has a number of clear benefits — many face decisions about relocating, whether for safety or simply to accommodate their evolving needs. These changes can include options such as downsizing, combining households for multigenerational living or choosing from a variety of assisted living housing options.
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Planning is crucial: Anticipating an older adult’s needs and identifying housing options early on can ease the transition. People who are less prepared, especially in the wake of a sudden medical event or accident, can find themselves at risk of limited housing options that may not be affordable or accessible.
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The high cost of living, frequent lack of walkable neighborhoods, and the process of relocating itself put significant financial, social and emotional strain on older adults and their families.
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Despite the challenges of transitioning to a new home, most older adults find comfort in knowing they are in a safe environment and receiving the support they need. This can be especially true in a multigenerational family environment.
Retirement
The transition period to retirement encompasses the 3–5 years before and after a person actually retires, and requires careful planning of finances. Equally important is crafting a comprehensive plan to manage time effectively in retirement: Many view retirement as a period of life to enjoy and pursue leisure activities, but others may experience financial strain, increased dependency or boredom.
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Saving for retirement is critical — and it is never too late to start.
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Retirees aren’t just leaving a job; they’re leaving behind a web of social connections and, for many, a sense of purpose. This can present a challenge for many, requiring them to develop a new way of finding and managing social connections.
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After an initial adjustment period, most retirees become more acclimated to their new lifestyle as time goes on. In fact, people tend to become happier as each successive decade of retirement passes, into their 80s and beyond.
Social Security
Social Security stands as the cornerstone of financial security for millions of Americans, with some 67 million people relying on Social Security benefits. But knowing when to start taking Social Security benefits is critically important and can have lasting implications.
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Many people remain unaware of the consequences of claiming Social Security benefits early, and those considering it should receive clear, accurate and understandable information.
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Confusion regarding the available benefits at different ages, along with widespread beliefs about Social Security’s future viability, can lead people to make costly and enduring mistakes.
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Life after claiming Social Security often involves a combination of financial management, lifestyle adjustments and personal choices about work and leisure. The experience varies considerably for each individual based on their finances, health, personal goals and family circumstances.
On a related note — Social Security turns 90 this year! AARP is honoring Social Security’s legacy with a series of in-person and virtual events across the country.
Explore the full “Journey of Aging” report — and dozens more consumer insights — in the AgeTech Collaborative Library, available exclusively to ATC participants. If you’re building solutions for the longevity market and want deeper insights into the 50-plus demographic, apply to join us today.
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