ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Retirement, one of the main drivers of functional disorders to the elderly is sometimes overlooked as regards its pathogenic significance, and, accordingly, is not provided with due care and prevention. This study approached the assumption that retirement is a pathological aging-related gradual losing process. PURPOSE: To identify the retirement social and psychological factors determining the pathological aging. CASE STUDY AND METHODS: During 2008, 79 retired- to-be employees of the University Hospital were invited to answer a general multiple choice opinion questionnaire in connection with the retirement social and psychological factors that better express the feelings and emotions before the proximity of such event. RESULTS: Based on the population under study, retirement mostly affects the psychological structure of men, younger individuals, people with lesser authority level in their positions and lower education level. The hindrances arising from absence from work are greater for the elderly, those with lesser authority level and those with lower education level. Life style change as a result of retirement mostly affects those individuals with lesser authority level, with a greater occurrence of post-retirement conflicts with higher education people. CONCLUSION: Retirement is a gradual losing process causing emotional instability with bad consequences for the future. The younger the retiring individual, the greater the retirement impact. People with higher education and authority levels show a better adjustment to such changes and a greater ability to handle any difficulties during the retirement transition.
Cost of Illness; Aged; Health of the Elderly; Retirement; Risk Factors; Aging; Premature; Job
