Elderly Quality of Life, It's All About IndependenceMost 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.
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. |