topic Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills: in Community Chat

Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

SeaMaiden — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:30:25 GMT

This was from PEOPLE on MSN.

I think with more and more boomers retired and living longer, therir retirement savings fall short with todays high cost of living and high cost of medical care. I hope this is not my future retirement!

To help pay for his wife’s mounting medical bills, Robert Blocksom is looking to come out of retirement. But instead of helping others with their financial planning as he had done for so many years, the 87-year-old is aiming to hit the road as a truck driver.

“I got a little bit of everything, but mostly I can’t walk very well, and I’ve had some breast cancer,” Robert’s wife, Jelaine Blocksom, tells PEOPLE. “I’ve just been diagnosed with asthma, so I’m having problems breathing. I was in the hospital twice last month. So it seems just about everything is falling off.”

The couple have sold off many of their possessions — including a mobile trailer — to help pay for medical bills since Jelaine’s health began to worsen, CNN affiliate News first reported. They also moved from their home in Middleburgh Heights, Ohio, and relocated to an apartment that’s easier for 87-year-old Jelaine to move around in.

As the news station noted, more and more Americans in their golden years are coming out of retirement to find work. Over the last 12 months, some 255,000 people 85 years old or older were listed in the workforce. Many of these seniors took up jobs as farmers, ranchers, bookkeepers and accountants, and many, like Robert, are looking to become truckers.

According to a Social Science Research Network study, the rate of seniors 65 and over who filed for bankruptcy rose almost 204 percent from 1991 to 2016. The study found that high health care costs, coupled with reduced incomes and a decline in pensions, have contributed to the trend of financially strapped retirees.

While the trucking business is known for its rough work schedule, Robert said he hopes to stay local and work weekends so he can continue to care for his wife. He’ll start taking his commercial driver’s classes in September.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:39:29 GMT

Good for him, for being healthy enough to work. Lots aren't, and are alot younger.

My FIL is about 86 and works part-time in the grocery store. Says it pays for the property taxes.

Anyone is one big illness away from financial trouble.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Mominohio — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:50:48 GMT

Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

And if he wants to work that is one thing, but having to go out to make ends meet at that age is indeed sad.

I don't have the answers. The great health care in this country isn't free, but we shouldn't be having to resort to this either.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Mominohio — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:53:38 GMT

And I'll add that I think a lot of stories like this are brought forward by either the people or the media to raise not only awareness, but more importantly, the funds (through donations and go fund my type fundraising) for people in situations like this.

I think many times situations like this are exploited just for the ability to raise the money. Not that I'm against it, just that I think it is often a calculated plan, more than an elderly man really going to find a job driving truck.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Snowpuppy — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:00:21 GMT

It's truly sad.

OTOH, we are being sold the idea of "just work longer" because your pension plan went broke.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

millieshops — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:01:42 GMT

@Peaches McPheeANYONE is absolutely correct. Ugly life happens overnight and at any age.

Many of us like the couple in this story who are older than the boomers have been workers and savers and still we're looking at lives and costs that were virtually unimaginable during our working years. I suspect that's what has happened to Robert and his wife. I know when I retired I thought I had saved well for my retirement years, but with what has happened in the 19 years since, I'm no longer so sure. Also like them, I don't expect that selling off the "toys" of my past will fill the gaps. Scary.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

shopperqvc — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:04:00 GMT

@Mominohio I agree with you on the reaction time and the eye sight problems. I'm not in my 80's but I know I can't handle driving the way I used to. I was a very good driver when I was much younger, but today I plan my trips to the store and other places.

And I drive the highways as little as possible. I just don't like the speed anymore. I drove the expressways in chicago when I was younger and I could drive them like a "native", but those days are gone.

Maybe delivering piazza or even groceries to other elderly folks that can't get out would be a better idea for him than a big rig. It wouldn't pay as much, but it would be safer for all concerned.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

OKPrincess — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:05:17 GMT

It is sad since he was a financial advisor. A person can’t live on social security alone either.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

chrystaltree — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:09:13 GMT

It's a tragic situation. People who retired 20 or 30 years ago never expected to live as long as they have. They never expected that that their savings and retirement income would not keep pace with prices. No one ever expected that medical expenses and medication prices would soar the way they have. The world changed in the 20 or 30 years since they retired and they have outlived their savings. We're going to see much more of this in the years to come!

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Maggie Nolia — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:10:36 GMT

So sad -- it just should not be -- but what an admirable man. At the very least, retirees should be exempt from all taxes which would be a start in easing their financial concerns.

I pray someone starts a gofundme type thing for him.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Mominohio — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:14:00 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
It's a tragic situation. People who retired 20 or 30 years ago never expected to live as long as they have. They never expected that that their savings and retirement income would not keep pace with prices. No one ever expected that medical expenses and medication prices would soar the way they have. The world changed in the 20 or 30 years since they retired and they have outlived their savings. We're going to see much more of this in the years to come!

I know we will see much more of it, and it is frightening.

I had many older relatives that were lucky enough to live 30+ years past retirement. They were lucky in that their money lasted. Not because they were very rich, but because they had been lucky enough to have basic good jobs with government (lot of postal workers in the past family) or corporations that had pension plans, plus social security and times two (both worked). Then both lived long lives.

When it really gets tight for many seniors is when one spouse dies well before the other, and often the income from all pension sources cuts in half or more from what their household was used to.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Alison Wonderland — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:16:23 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
And I'll add that I think a lot of stories like this are brought forward by either the people or the media to raise not only awareness, but more importantly, the funds (through donations and go fund my type fundraising) for people in situations like this.

I think many times situations like this are exploited just for the ability to raise the money. Not that I'm against it, just that I think it is often a calculated plan, more than an elderly man really going to find a job driving truck.

Whose calculated plan? Do you think an 87-year-old man knows much about crowd-sourced fundraising?

My dad just turned 81 and he has no real awareness of those things and certainly wouldn't think to set one up. My mom is 78 and her internet usage is limited to a basic understanding of email and watching videos on YouTube. She has to call me whenever something doesn't work. She's certainly not going to be thinking about setting up a GoFundMe account.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:27:57 GMT

I think this is just sad and we should be irate that this happens. You can thank health insurance companies for this.

I hope some one will step up to the plate for these wonderful people.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:31:20 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
It's a tragic situation. People who retired 20 or 30 years ago never expected to live as long as they have. They never expected that that their savings and retirement income would not keep pace with prices. No one ever expected that medical expenses and medication prices would soar the way they have. The world changed in the 20 or 30 years since they retired and they have outlived their savings. We're going to see much more of this in the years to come!

I know we will see much more of it, and it is frightening.

I had many older relatives that were lucky enough to live 30+ years past retirement. They were lucky in that their money lasted. Not because they were very rich, but because they had been lucky enough to have basic good jobs with government (lot of postal workers in the past family) or corporations that had pension plans, plus social security and times two (both worked). Then both lived long lives.

When it really gets tight for many seniors is when one spouse dies well before the other, and often the income from all pension sources cuts in half or more from what their household was used to.

When a person collects a pension for 30 years after working for 30 years is what put so many plans in financial difficulties.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

haddon9 — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:34:47 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

And if he wants to work that is one thing, but having to go out to make ends meet at that age is indeed sad.

I don't have the answers. The great health care in this country isn't free, but we shouldn't be having to resort to this either.

I totally agree with you! He should NOT be driving a big rig! ...AND I think it's sad that he has to do this for his wife. Other first world countries don't make their seniors work to pay for health care.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:46:51 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:
Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

And if he wants to work that is one thing, but having to go out to make ends meet at that age is indeed sad.

I don't have the answers. The great health care in this country isn't free, but we shouldn't be having to resort to this either.
I totally agree with you! He should NOT be driving a big rig! ...AND I think it's sad that he has to do this for his wife. Other first world countries don't make their seniors work to pay for health care.

Not all truck drivers drive "big rigs". Many local delivery companies require commercial license to make local runs.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Nightowlz — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 16:54:18 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

And if he wants to work that is one thing, but having to go out to make ends meet at that age is indeed sad.

I don't have the answers. The great health care in this country isn't free, but we shouldn't be having to resort to this either.

@Mominohio

Sounds like he would be driving a smaller truck in his area not on the interstates. Still not a good idea at his age. He will have to pass the test first plus his health will have to be good to drive a truck. He cannot have high blood pressure, diabetes etc.

At his age he should not have to worry about things like this.

As much taxes as we pay we should all be entitled to the same Health Care our government has.

People should not have to work when they are 87 yrs old.

It's sad to see this happening in the USA but it's been happening & will continue.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

SeaMaiden — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 17:05:47 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

@Mominohio This is my concern... I am sure that the test covers being able to really drive a big rig carefully.... but , I really do not want amost 90 year old men driving those huge rigs next to my car on the freeways here in Seattle with traffic so bad!

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

scatcat — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 17:12:14 GMT

This story seems a little fishy to me. He was a financial planner but is broke? I am no where near retirement, but isn’t there Medicare and a Medicaid? And no 87 year old is going to be driving a truck for extra money. Maybe a grocery store or WalMart greeter.

Our 80+ year old neighbor man drove a Caprice and ran stop signs and hit the house a few times.

Re: Man, 87, Searches for Job to Pay for Wife's Medical Bills:

Cumbercookie13 — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 17:28:25 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:
Sorry but I'll step out here and say most 87 year old men shouldn't be driving the big rigs. Sight, and reaction times would worry me with most people that age on the road in those big trucks.

And if he wants to work that is one thing, but having to go out to make ends meet at that age is indeed sad.

I don't have the answers. The great health care in this country isn't free, but we shouldn't be having to resort to this either.
I totally agree with you! He should NOT be driving a big rig! ...AND I think it's sad that he has to do this for his wife. Other first world countries don't make their seniors work to pay for health care.

@haddon9 True. But those other countries probably don't have a core group of politicians who believe people should continue to work until they drop dead and that health care is an entitlement.