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2018 SENIOR LIVING 3

SENIOR LIVING | YOUR HEALTH

Staying
Healthy
H ealthy choices are
just as important
during retirement as they
are in your younger years.

© ADO
BE ST
OCK

That doesn’t make it easy all the Americans eat twice as much sodium as your day-to-day functioning more diffi- contacts up to date, which will make
time, though. Exercise, sleep, healthy the recommended daily amount, which cult. Get into good sleep habits such as getting around your house and neigh-
eating and regular visits to the doctor can lead to hypertension and heart dis- going to bed and getting up at roughly borhood more safely. Talk to your doc-
can often be more complicated as ease. Eat whole foods like fruits, vegeta- the same time each day, and keep your tor about vitamins or supplements like
your body ages. Dartmouth-Hitchcock bles, whole grains like wheat bread and bedroom screen-free — no taking your calcium or vitamin D.
offered tips to stay healthy so you can pasta, brown rice, while minimizing fast laptop to bed! Avoid caffeine late in the
fully enjoy retirement. food and highly processed foods. day. EXERCISE
Find what works for you and do it
EAT HEALTHY FOODS GET PLENTY OF SLEEP PREVENTATIVE CARE regularly. You don’t have to be the
Talk to your doctor about how many Your body may not be growing like a Keep your vaccines up to date, 90-year-old running a marathon; a brisk
calories are good for you and make sure teenager’s, but older adults still need including the annual flu vaccine; flu walk around your neighborhood or a
you’re sticking within a good range. But seven to nine hours of sleep a night tends to be much more dangerous for low-impact class at the gym work just
developing healthy eating habits is (perhaps with a nap thrown in since older patients. Be aware of fall risks as well. Weight lifting, cycling, yoga and
about more than calories. Pay attention afternoons are free). Not getting enough around your home and take precau- hiking all are good ways to stay fit. If
to sodium, cholesterol and other ingre- sleep can lead to depression, irritability tions to reduce those risks. See an eye you’re not sure, talk to your doctor or a
dients on the label. Studies show most and memory problems and just make doctor regularly and keep glasses and trainer about a good exercise routine.
4 2018 SENIOR LIVING
SENIOR LIVING | YOUR HEALTH

Mental and Emotional Health


S tudies show that
more than 90
percent of physical
ailments are caused or
exacerbated by stress.
Mental and emotional
issues also can bleed into the
body, with depression and
isolation contributing to
physical pain and a lowered
immune system.
According to Dartmouth-
Hitchcock, people 65 and
older need to be extra careful
to stay sharp and take care of
themselves as they move into
retirement.

KEEPING YOUR BRAIN


IN GOOD SHAPE
One in eight people 65
years and older has
Alzheimer’s disease, and that
number gets bigger with
other forms of dementia.
We’ve all heard about the
need to do crossword puzzles
to keep your mental faculties
intact, and studies have
shown that, while some cog- © ADOBE STOCK

nitive decline is normal as


you age, working in cognitive um, learn an instrument or and going to the office can be more effort. Set up a regular Hitchcock, stress may become
stimulation like word or logic join a choir. isolating. The death of a call with children, grandchil- more of a health factor as we
puzzles, trivia games, reading spouse or retired friends relo- dren, siblings and friends who age. Long-term stress can
books and other activities WORKING ON YOUR cating somewhere warmer or live out of town. Meet for damage your brain and lead
that stretch your brain can RELATIONSHIPS closer to family can also cause lunch, dinner or coffee; find to depression, memory loss,
help with mental acuity. Retirement can be isolating. isolation. Losing these rela- other retired friends who fatigue and a lowered
Want something a little Many adults spend most of tionships can contribute to want to travel and take trips immune system. Learn what
more active? Take a dance their working lives going to depression. together; invite people over your stressors are and do
class that requires you to the office and building rela- Combating isolation often for dinner; and join groups for what you can to avoid or miti-
learn new steps, learn a new tionships with coworkers. Not means a concerted effort to people with similar hobbies. gate the effects of stress, then
language (or remind yourself seeing friends as frequently cultivate relationships. About find healthy ways to handle it
of one you used to know), go and even not having the rou- a quarter of retired adults live MANAGING STRESS — yoga, exercise, therapy,
to lectures or the local muse- tine of getting up and ready alone, which requires even According to Dartmouth- journaling or meditation.
6 2018 SENIOR LIVING
SENIOR LIVING | SELF IMPROVEMENT

Continuing to Learn
Y ou’re never too old to learn a new skill, take up a new hobby or even go back to school.
Not having a full-time job opens up your schedule and your energy level to try something
you’ve always wanted to learn. It’s also a great way to keep your brain active and engaged.

SIGN UP FOR A CLASS


AT YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE
If you live near a communi-
ty college or university, see
what classes are available to
take for non-degree-seeking
students. Some colleges have
community-oriented classes
with a variety of skills, but
retirement is also a great
opportunity to take classes
you didn’t have time to in col-
lege. Sign up for world history
or anthropology courses or
take a voice or music class.
Or, if you’re ready for a
major commitment, go back
to school full-time to earn
that second bachelor’s degree
or sign up for a graduate pro-
gram.

READ ALL THE


BOOKS YOU CAN
Now’s your chance to knock
out “War and Peace” or that
series you’ve had on your
shelf for years. Retirement
provides a great opportunity
to spend time reading. You
can join (or start) a book club
and explore different genres
and authors. Check out your
library for reading groups or © ADOBE STOCK
lists.
You can also find a group of out an old camera and go to a people and find people with versities throughout the tographers, cooking from the
students to read to. photography class. Cities and similar interests to yours. world, offer online courses; best chefs in the world and
towns of all sizes have these If you can’t go to a senior there also are companies that more.
FIND A NEW HOBBY gathering places, and in addi- center or yours doesn’t offer offer classes from the best of Alternatively, volunteer to
Go to your local senior cen- tion to learning something the classes you want, check the best, including acting teach a class at your local
ter and learn a new dance, new, they provide great out online options. Many from Oscar winners, photog- senior center, start a quilting
take a cooking class or break opportunities to meet new groups, including major uni- raphy from professional pho- or hiking club.
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8 2018 SENIOR LIVING

Upkeep or
Downsize?
Retirement opens up a range of Can you afford to move? A smaller
options for housing. home doesn’t always lower your
expenses — you may want to live
Some people choose to stay in somewhere with a higher cost of
the homes in which they raised living, or you look at a smaller
their families, keeping space but nicer home or an area with
for visiting family, enjoying a more amenities. Consider the
big backyard and staying close differences you’ll see in finances.
to their pre-retirement lifestyle. Additionally, moving itself is
Others sell their house and move expensive.
somewhere smaller, possibly even
a condo or townhouse, reducing Quality of Life Considerations
the need for yardwork, or they Many people want to travel when
choose to relocate somewhere they retire or otherwise have
else — closer to family or to a more freedom. If this is you,
more temperate climate. At some selling your house and renting a
point, people may opt for a senior home or apartment may allow for
living community. The decision is that lifestyle. Even if you don’t
different for each retiring person or plan to roam, you may want less
couple depending on their wants, responsibility for maintenance and
needs and financial situations. upkeep, which can be achieved
Forbes suggested making the either through renting or buying
decision with two factors in a property in a neighborhood
mind: quality of life and financial with an involved homeowners
reasons. Although more than 80 association.
percent of Americans say that Also consider whether you want
would prefer to stay in their homes to stay. Perhaps your friends and
through retirement, it may not be family are all in this community,
the best choice long-term. you’ve joined organizations and
have roots that you want to keep.
Financial Questions Or you may find yourself in a
Can you afford to keep your school district with high property
home? That includes a mortgage taxes that made sense when kids
payment, insurance and upkeep. were in school but no longer do
Even if you can make those now that you’re empty nesters.
payments, leveraging the
equity in your home for a less
expensive housing option may
allow you more financial freedom
in retirement. According to a
2015 Merrill Lynch study, most
Americans of retirement age have
more than $200,000 in equity in
their homes but less than half of
that in retirement savings.
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SENIOR LIVING | RELAX

Taking Time to Travel


R etirement means unlimited vacation days — time to take all those trips you couldn’t fit into
your few weeks of annual vacation during your working life, energy for day and weekend
trips to explore your own region that always seemed like too much after working 40 hours.
While there are plenty of
trips that are fun for any trav-
eler, senior citizens have
additional options to see the
world.

FIND A SENIOR
TRAVEL GROUP
ElderTreks and Road
Scholar offer adventures of all
kinds for senior citizens,
including short and inexpen-
sive trips to places through-
out the United States and
longer excursions to Central
and South America, Europe,
Africa and more. These pro-
grams allow you to sign up
for the trips you want to take,
browsing through different
adventure options like train
travel, hiking, sea trips and
more, and they do the plan-
ning for you.
Traveling by yourself? There
are tour groups that cater to
single senior citizens as well.

LOOK INTO DISCOUNTS


AARP and other organiza-
tions for senior citizens offer
travel discounts on flights, © ADOBE STOCK
hotels, rental cars, cruises
and tours. Check out what train tickets throughout (April-May, September- National Parks pass for $80, less outdoorsy types can find
options are available. Often Europe, according to Rick October), when prices are allowing entry into all the easy hikes or beautiful drives
insurance companies and big Steves; ask at the train station lower because it’s not peak national parks and monu- through some of the coun-
box stores offer discounts as what discounts are available. season, but the weather is ments throughout the coun- try’s most pristine, gorgeous
well, so find the best deal you Even without special deals, still fairly good. try. landscapes, including the red
can. When you go to muse- retirees have the advantage of For the outdoorsy types, rocks of Zion National Park,
ums and other sights, ask more open schedule. Rick INVEST IN A this is an inexpensive way to the geysers of Yellowstone or
about a senior discount. You Steves suggests traveling NATIONAL PARKS PASS spend a day or a weekend the green, rolling hills of
also can get deal on some during shoulder season Seniors can get a lifetime hiking or camping. Even the Shenandoah National Park.
10 2018 SENIOR LIVING
SENIOR LIVING | CAREER

Going Back to Work


R etirement is a great opportunity to travel, learn, read, rest and spend time with your family. The last thing you want
to think about is going back to work. However, many retirees find themselves heading back into the workforce out
of a desire for more career challenges, a way to fill time or a need for money or health insurance in retirement.
As you’re thinking about
returning to the workforce for
full- or part-time work, con-
sider several questions. Health
insurance may be a big factor,
according to New Retirement.
People who retire before age
65, when Medicare kicks in for
all Americans, may find insur-
ance and other out-of-pocket
costs eating into their retire-
ment savings, so getting a job
that provides health insurance
can be the most financially
sound option. There are some
part-time jobs that offer
health insurance, so consider
those options as you’re look-
ing at a return to the work-
force.
Other people find they have
not saved enough money for
retirement and need the sala-
ry. Determine how much
additional money you need
each month to determine if
you need full- or part-time
work. It’s also a good idea to
talk to your financial planner
to see if you’ll face any tax
implications.
In addition to your planner,
talk to the Social Security
Administration in your area.
According to New Retirement,
© ADOBE STOCK
Social Security income could
be reduced if you go back to
work, depending on what age Security each month. If you deducts a dollar in benefits for go back to work for the same check with the company so
you were when you retired. retire and go to back to work every $2 you earn above the company or organization that you don’t get an unpleasant
Full retirement age is 67 for before you reach 67 (or the annual limit, though this is you worked during your surprise your first month. Your
people born 1960 or later, and full retirement age, which may not a permanent change. career. Often, companies will pension shouldn’t be unaffect-
if you retire before 67, you will be younger for those born Finally, if you have a pen- suspend benefits when you ed if you work somewhere
receive less money from Social before 1960), Social Security sion, it could be affected if you get back on their payroll, so new.
2018 SENIOR LIVING 11
SENIOR LIVING | DOING GOOD

Giving Back to the Community


W ithout a regular
job to go to,
many retirees find
themselves with lots
of time to volunteer
in their community.
Many community organiza-
tions need volunteers who are
available during working hours
or who have the flexibility to
travel for days or weeks at a
time. How Stuff Works had a
number of suggestions for best
ways for seniors to give back.
Being a foster grandparent
or working with young people
in some other way is a low-im-
pact, self-guided opportunity
that is available in almost
every community in the U.S.
The Senior Corps Foster
Grandparent program con-
nects people 55 and older with
children in Head Start pro-
grams, area schools and other
youth groups. You can also try
Big Brothers Big Sisters, chil-
dren’s hospitals, the school dis-
trict and more. This also pro-
vides a sense of community for
senior residents who live far
away from their own families.
Love your local museum? © ADOBE STOCK

Volunteer as a tour guide or


docent at a museum, land- bound residents. This is a good available in all 50 states and opportunities can be in your in different homebuilding
mark, botanical garden or his- opportunity for particularly has more than 1.5 million vol- neighborhood, but Habitat projects.
torical site. There may also be social people; many of the unteers, many of them retir- also has retired and semi-re- Retirees are frequently a
behind-the scenes work for elderly people who are recipi- ees, delivering meals to more tired volunteers who go to good fit for a variety of disaster
people with a passion but who ents of meals don’t get as than 1 million seniors each disaster relief zones and other relief efforts, particularly those
don’t want that much time many visitors as they would day. parts of the country as part of with special skills, such as doc-
with people. like, and, in addition to drop- Want something a little out the RV Care-A-Vanners, a tors, nurses, EMTs, pharma-
Meals on Wheels is fre- ping off meals, drivers have of the box? Habitat for group of about 6,000 volun- cists, language interpreters,
quently looking for volunteers the chance to visit with resi- Humanity offers opportunities teers who, as their name sug- lawyers and even chaplains
to deliver meals to local home- dents. Meals on Wheels is to help build houses. These gests, drive RVs to participate and fundraisers.

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