According to a Gallup survey, the average American retires at the age of 66. Regardless of when aging adults opt to retire, they may have difficulty filling their time. This may seem like a minor concern, but some older adults become depressed or experience other issues related to a lack of purpose post-retirement. Luckily, there are some great ways seniors can spend their time after retiring. Here are six suggestions.
Adopting an Exercise Routine
A healthy and productive way for retired seniors to fill their time is by adopting exercise routines that are right for them. In addition to numerous body and mind benefits, what’s good about doing this is the many options for regular exercise that are available for retired seniors to consider, some of which include:
- Walking daily
- Practicing yoga or similar disciplines that can be done anywhere
- Dancing to favorite tunes
- Swimming, water aerobics, and other forms of water-based exercises
If your loved one needs help with exercising safely, a home caregiver can be a great source of support. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Arlington families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Making Gradual Home Improvements
Ongoing post-retirement projects for seniors can involve their own homes. This can be beneficial because many older adults prefer to remain living at home for as long as possible. The improvements made can be spread out over time and involve everything from painting, making household repairs, and redecorating to updating appliances and making accessibility modifications to make aging in place easier.
Exploring New Hobbies
Discovering hidden talents, rediscovering previous interests, gaining a sense of accomplishment, and even earning some extra income are just some of the many benefits associated with hobbies for seniors. Exploring new hobbies is also an excellent way for retired seniors to spend their time, and it may also lead to extra time with adult children and grandchildren, depending on the nature of the hobby. While the sky’s the limit with hobbies for seniors, some options include:
- Painting and other art-related endeavors
- Writing, photography, and similar forms of expression
- Pottery making, scrapbooking, art/craft making, and similar activities
- Gardening, model building, stamp collecting, and wood crafts
Switching Up Regular Routines
It’s easy for seniors to get into post-retirement ruts if they slip into routines that become mundane. What older adults can do instead is look for opportunities to adjust their routines and incorporate new things into them. This might involve signing up for an online course, trying different recipes for various meals, or going for walks in different parts of town. Changing things up a bit also stimulates the brain and sharpens cognitive skills.
Joining a Group
There are many groups that warmly welcome seniors with some extra time on their hands. Such groups may be devoted to things like mentoring local high school students, reading, taking day trips, working for charitable causes, or enjoying unique interests that might include music, art, or literature.
If your loved one needs companionship and help with transportation to social activities, a home caregiver can be a wonderful resource. Senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way for seniors to regain a sense of purpose after retiring. Many local charities welcome older volunteers, as do many community-based groups. Retired seniors unable to care for pets on a full-time basis could even volunteer at local animal shelters. There are also online-based volunteering opportunities that may appeal to seniors.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Arlington, VA, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. Assisting Hands Home Care can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.
