Family

Elderly Quality of Life, It’s All About Independence

by: Paula Stone

Most elderly people want to keep their independence as long as they can. They also need companionship and the attention of people they love and care about.

And it is also very good for people who are older to feel useful.

One large paper company in the US followed their employees after they retired to see how they did.

The retirees who had plans about how they were going to occupy themselves after retirement did very well. They had hobbies, or volunteer work or even another career and they just kept on going for many years.

But the people who retired and just sat down in front of the TV lived an average of just 3 years after retiring.

Retirement…and the boredom that may come with it…can kill you.

The mental challenges and the activities matter because they are what keep our minds active and engaged in an interesting life.

Some of us have little interest in being retired at all. We have become self-employed just because we don’t want to be forced into retirement until we are ready to actually be retired.

But even if your employer puts you out to pasture at 55 or 62 or 65 there are things you can do to stay active and involved with life.

1. Think about what you would want to do with your time after you retire.

2. Take some classes in things that interest you. Lots of schools let seniors attend for free or for very little money.

3. Look into charities that might need volunteers. Volunteerism is a way to give back to the world in ways you never had time for before retiring.

4. Maybe you have the leisure to start another career even if you are older. Workers who are older than about 45 are unlikely to be able to find another job anyway. Our local employment office routinely tells older workers they will have to invent their own job.

5. Make alterations to your living space that will help you remain independent before you ever experience any disability. Accessible homes keep you capable and able to manage without help longer.

6. Stay close to friends and relatives after you retire. They can be there to help you if you are not hundreds of miles away.

7. Be open to new experiences. One thing we can all expect is that nothing stays the same.

Loneliness and boredom are best avoided. Look for new interests and new experiences to have when you are retired. You have a new kind of freedom that you have never had before when you spent most of your time at work. Make something positive of it just for fun and maybe profit, too.

See Also:

Seniors' Needs Are Similar To Younger Adults In Many Ways But Considerably Different In Others
Seniors have the same needs everyone else has. They need food, shelter, some secure income, friends, something to keep them entertained, and good medical care. But it is also true that seniors may have other needs like handicapped accessibility at home, help with house keeping and shopping, or even skilled nursing and medical care.

Senior Drivers - How to Facilitate Your Aging Parent Understand When it is No longer Safe to Drive
Elderly drivers can be a real problem to themselves and others on the road. As we age one of the hardest things to do is give up our independence. Convincing your aging parents the time has come to quit driving is not easy.