Reply #25: I think it was about twenty years ago

[SheilaT]

that I started reading stuff extolling the virtues of employees not being in one job or staying at one company for their entire working life. There was this abrupt switch from the idea that changing jobs too often (more than, say two jobs in five years) was "job-hopping" and would hurt your employment/advancement potential, to a wholehearted embracing of the idea that you re-invented yourself every couple of years or so.

What's going on now is the logical outcome of all that.

Meanwhile, wherever possible, it's not a bad idea to get some new skills, be willing to work at almost anything, just to survive.

And I'm living proof that those over 60 can start new careers and new lives. I've done it both by taking whatever I can get, and with new training.