institutionalized  

Sometimes folks been in the work force for so long, that's all they know.  It's familiar.  It's comforting.  To break the cycle can be too stressful.  They try it on the outside, but it's too much to handle.  They can't relax and must do something to pass the time.

My Mom, she'll turn 70 this December.  She tried to stop working a few years ago, she called the pharmacy and asked if they needed any part time help.  They took her back, she works 2 days a week now, and covers more if anyone calls in sick or goes on vaca.  Not because she needs to, because she wants to.

Step dad on the other hand finally retired from a job he was doing all his life, welding, welding shop middle manager.  He knew everything there, could do anything there, had purpose, respect.  He's not a smart man, not educated, barely finished the 8th grade.  But over there he was the man.  Now he's lost.  Gets days where he's depressed, with no direction.  Don't even wanna go outside at times.  It comes and goes.  But he's adjusting.  Being a homebody is tough when you've slaved your entire life for a bit of bread.  Neither of them have much saved for retirement and they stress over that and the way things are so expensive.  SO yeah, I get it.