At one time the Ideal was that "one day", with increasing mechanization and computerisation and 'Labour Saving Devices', we'd all be freed from work so we could get on with, you know, Life.
People seem to have really swallowed some kind of hype these days. Nowadays Work is spoken of in great glowing terms as if it's the actual point of life, the only way to have self-esteem, the only way to be 'validated'.
Let's not forget that most employment is tedious make-work sort of stuff, being at the beck and call of someone else, working when they say you must. Not all. But most. I've worked in all sorts of jobs, the same as most people - shop work, bar work, 'nicer' work like educating people's chlidren, care work, and writing fiction for a living. All of them, even the good ones, were dancing to someone else's tune, at their behest, to their time.
"She.. wants to keep active, talk to people who aren't ancient and keep up with current affairs. She cycles to work as well."
We can all keep active, talk to people who aren't ancient, keep up with current affairs, and cycle wherever we please, without needing Work to make it possible.
"I would want to keep fit and well mentally, get out and about and see people, feel I was useful and not surplus to requirements. "
Once again... why would you need paid employment to make these things possible for you? 
"You might be dead by 70, or disabled, I dont understand this obsession with work as a source of self esteem. you only get one life, why waste it all in a retail park packing shoes?"
Quite.