Whether you are currently retired or planning for retirement, a critical need exists: the need
to properly understand what retirement is really all about. Throughout this book a mental portrait will be building of
retirement, and exercises will place the reader within the framework. Upon reaching the last page, the image of retirement
should be in sharper focus and a more healthy, happy viewpoint of retirement can result.
Gerontologists tell us that retirement, even when it is voluntary, is a stressful event - even
more stressful than landing your first job. Many of the stresses experienced in retirement come from a shift in a person's
feelings of "worth." After a life time of "punching the clock," the change to "leisure orientation" may be difficult
to master. Attitudes are very important.
Write down personal impressions of your understanding
of how things will be "before" retirement and how they will be "after" retirement. Ex: What changes do you
feel you'll find in your "position" (your social status and importance) in life, before your retirement, then
after your retirement?
Your Career and Life Style-What Changes Do You Think You'll Find? EXERCISE #1:
Before Retirement After Retirement
Your:
1) Position in society
2) Status at work
3) Authority in the community
4) Income
5) Tax Status
6) Civic Duties
7) Health
8) Opportunities
Living Environment in Retirement
By far most retirees continue to live in
the same residence that they did before retirement. However, most do seriously ask themselves whether they should move.
EXERCISE #2 Write your impressions of where you should live in retirement:
- What is the climate
where you live now?
- What would you consider a better climate?
- What are your feelings concerning your "support network?" (Family members, friends, social groups)
-
What support network might you have elsewhere?
- What is your state of health?
- Would a move possibly help or hinder your health?
- What are your transportation options now?
- What if you could no longer drive?
- If you move, what would the transportation options likely be there?
- How do you communicate with you social support network now? (telephone, personal visits, letters)
- Who do you communicate with?
- How would a move affect the way and the people you communicate with?
- What are the activities that you enjoy, or would like to start doing?
- How would a move affect your desired activities?
- What is the cost (both labor and expense) of staying where you live now?
- What would become the fixed costs (both labor and expense) created by moving?
- What life enhancing activities and life styles are available to you now, to add meaning to your life?
- What activities would be available after a move?
Housing Options
Although most retirees stay in the same city after retirement, they may
change housing options. Fixing up a current residence to accommodate age-change needs is the most frequent option.
(About 7 of every 10 older head of households own their home.) This might include placing hand rails in bathrooms and
changing bedrooms to main-level access. In Chapter 2 under "accidents with older people" and in Chapter 9 "crime
and the retired person", ideas are given to improve home safety.
Some retirees, especially in the early
years of retirement, turn to travel trailers, RVs, and other mobile residence life-styles. This may be done on a group
scale as "caravans" create support in traveling.
Multiple-residency options also exist, with retirees
having more than one of "their own places" or living at times with relatives (usually children). "Grandma Apartments"
are a frequently chosen option. The apartment can be free-standing or adjoining with the children's home with a private
or common entrance. Public housing units for older persons, with subsidized rental costs, are found in most cities, even
in smaller towns.
A newer option has, in some cases, drawn strong criticism. The idea is fine:
to buy into a retirement community with a large lump sum. The "community" then provides housing which can vary with
time from individual apartments to single room nursing home care. The problem has been that some of these communities
have gone bankrupt.
Retirement Activities
An important component of happy retirement is to remain active and
feeling productive and useful. EXERCISE #3: Consider the activities that you are currently engaged
in. Does the following describe you?
o You pursue meaningful hobbies, rather than engaging in activities
"just to stay busy".
o You plan some activities with other people.
o You continue educational and learning efforts.
o You stay in touch with younger people.
Studies show that activities preferred in retirement are likely to remain unchanged from pre-retirement.
Few people add "new experiences" during retirement. EXERCISE #4: Answer the following to gain personal
insight:
o What did you like to do when you were younger?
o What have you missed doing?
o How did you like to earn money?
o Did you gain a feeling of contributing to others in your work?
o What do you like to do now in your spare time?
o What have you always wanted to do but never had the time?
o Who may have more need of your time, once you have retired?
o What is it that you promised yourself that you would do once you were retired?
In Retirement, time can be a friend or a foe. Some retirees have difficulty having a "less structured"
life style. Others may find they are even more short of time than before. Your Time Use EXERCISE
#5: Max Kaplan of the University of South Florida asks:
-Do you "run by the clock"?
-Are you regimented by work? By other's demands?
-Do you do things for yourself?
-What does "work" mean to you?
For a fulfilling retirement: Know which activities will make the 24 hours in each day truly rewarding
to you, and know how to keep your weeks full and busy throughout your golden years.
Typical Weekly Activities
Before Retirement in Hours
Eating & sleeping
70
Work
40
Commuting 10
Outside of home recreation - social
12
Home recreation - hobbies, reading, music, etc . 12
Family activities
12
Home & personal maintenance
8
Religious activities
_4
168
*
These hours only represent averages
Exercise #6 Time Management Work sheet
Complete your plan for allocating your time in retirement:
Hours
Eating & sleeping
70
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Types of Retirement Activities
Types of activities that could be considered
include travel, arts, crafts, hobbies, volunteerism, education and sports. Activities currently enjoyed by retired persons:
Reading
83%
Outdoor gardening 73%
Listening to music 68%
Indoor gardening
58%
Remodeling
52%
Crafts
48%
Gourmet cooking 38%
In addition, retirees enjoy using their accumulated assets - particularly through travel:
-They spend 80% of all pleasure
travel dollars in the U.S.
-They travel more often, longer distances, and for longer periods of time than younger
travelers
-There are many discounts and programs available for retirees to facilitate their travels.
-People with special needs can be accommodated.
Many retirees find an enrichment in life through taking care of pets. Pet clubs and Nature clubs
are an organized way of not only interacting with nature but also with others who share similar interests. Some retirees
also find indoor plant life and gardening to be stimulating and fulfilling.
Religious Implications
Due to losses that may occur in later stages of life,
a difficult change, emotionally, needs to be mastered, that of recognizing that help may be required. "It is better
to give than receive" often must give way to "I must receive so that others may give--and get the joy of helping. "
This may be as simple as accepting help in cleaning the snow from your walk-way, or involve more intensive, even daily,
help.
Changes that may come about in aging could effect the time and activity that you have been giving
to your church.
- For some, an increase in activity or freedom from a job leaves time available to give.
-
For some, a decrease in activities is created from health and/or transportation difficulties.
- For most, a
reduced level of "structured time" and reduction of job-related demands leaves more opportunity for self-reflection.
Getting to "know thyself" more intimately is often one benefit of retirement.
Exercise #7 "Know thyself" Write brief impressions about "you" as you see yourself at this time---
Your
most meaningful or enjoyable achievements:
Turning points in your life:
How you've changed:
What "success" is to you now:
What is "most important" to you now:
Things you now enjoy:
"Wellness is a comprehensive frame of reference that view health and quality of life as more
than freedom from disease."
Exercise #8 (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services) This Health test's purpose
is to tell you how well you are doing to stay healthy. (People with certain chronic diseases or handicaps should consult
their physician). Circle the best answers, total each section.
Cigarette Smoking
Almost Some Almost
always times never
1. I avoid smoking cigarettes.
2 1
0
2. I smoke only low tar and nicotine cigarettes or
smoke a pipe or cigars.
2 1 0
Smoking Score: _________
(If you never smoke, take a score of 10 for this section)
Stress Control
Almost Some Almost
always
times never
1. I have a job or do other work that I enjoy.
2 1
0
2. I find it easy to relax and express my feelings freely. 2
1 0
3. I recognize stress early, and prepare for events or
situations likely to be stressful
for me.
2 1 0
4. I have close friends, relatives, or others whom I can
talk to about personal matters and call on for help
when needed.
2 1 0
5. I participate in group activities (ex. church) or
hobbies that I enjoy. 2
1 0
Stress Control Score: ________
Alcohol and Drugs
Almost Some Almost
always times never
1. I avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or I drink no
more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.
4 1
0
2. I avoid using alcohol or other drugs (especially illegal
drugs) as a way of handling stressful
situations or the
problems in my life.
2 1 0
3. I am careful not to drink alcohol when taking certain
medicines (ex: medicine for sleeping,
pain, colds, and
allergies), or if pregnant.
2 1
0
4. I read and follow the label directions when using
prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.
2 1
0
Alcohol and Drug Score: ______
Safety
Almost Some Almost
always times never
1. I wear a seat belt while riding in a car.
3 1 0
2. I avoid driving while under the influence of
alcohol and other drugs.
3 1 0
3. I obey traffic rules and the speed limit when driving. 2
1 0
4. I am careful when using potentially harmful
products or substances (ex: household
cleaners,
poisons,electrical devices).
2 1 0
Safety Score: __________
Eating Habits
Almost Some Almost
always
times never
1. I eat a variety of foods each day, such as fruits
and vegetables, whole grain
breads and cereals,
lean meats, dairy products, dry peas and beans,
and nuts and seeds.
4 1 0
2. I limit the amount of fat, saturated fat, and "bad"
cholesterol I eat (includes fat
on meats, eggs, butter,
cream, shortenings, and organ meats such as liver).
3 1 0
3. I limit the amount of salt I eat by cooking with only
small amounts, not adding salt
at the table, and by
avoiding salty snacks.
3 1 0
Eating
Habits Score: ________
There is no "total" score for the test. You are trying to identify aspects of your
lifestyle that you can improve upon. Scores of 9 or 10 in a section reveal, for that section, an "excellent" rating.
You are aware of the importance to your well-being of the health practices.
Scores of 6 to 8 in
a section reveal, for that section, a "good" rating. There is room for improvement. What changes will you make
for your health's sake?
Scores of 3 to 5 in a section reveal, for that section, a "risk" rating.
For your health's sake, action should be taken. Begin by gaining understanding of the risk and what you can change to
reduce the risk.
Scores lower than 3 reveal a serious health hazard for that section. You may be taking serious
and unnecessary risks that you need to change now, for your health's sake. In addition to personal actions you can take on
your own, governmental and community programs can assist you. Consult your local health department, your Senior Citizen's
Center, and the some of the addresses given in the back of this book (Appendix 1).
Your Life Expectancy Both quality and quantity of life are important. Many retirees have only
a vague idea of their individual life expectancy. Many are surprised as to how many more years there are to enjoy. Longevity
is measured from many points on the life course. The most quoted "life expectancy table" is based on BIRTH (the average person
will live 76 years now, as measured at birth). But we also more accurately use a personal's current age to estimate his/her
particular life expectancy. Let us calculate your life expectancy. The following table does not differentiate between
males and females, and shows only the current U.S. Averages (to adjust, subtract 3 years if you are a male, add 4 years if
female).
AdditionalLife AdditionalLife
Your Your Age Expectancy Your Age Expectancy
35 35
47.3 68 17.6
36 36
46.4 69 16.8
37 37
45.4 70
16.0
38 38
44.4 71
15.3
39 39
43.5 72 14.6
40 40 42.5 73 13.9
41 41
41.5 74
13.2
42 42
40.6 75
12.5
43 43
39.6 76
11.9
44 44
38.7 77
11.2
45 45
37.7 78
10.6
46 46
36.8 79 10.0
47 47
35.9 80
9.5
48 48
34.9 81
8.9
49 49
34.0 82
8.4
50 50
33.1 83 7.9
51 51
32.2 84
7.4
52 52
31.3 85 6.9
53 53
30.4 86 6.5
54 54
29.5 87 6.1
55 55
28.6 88
5.7
56 56
27.7 89
5.3
57 57
26.8 90
5.0
58 58
25.9 91
4.7
59 59
25.0 92 4.4
60 60
24.2 93
4.1
61 61
23.3 94 3.9
62 62
22.5 95
3.7
63 63
21.6 96
3.4
64 64 20.8 97
3.2
65 65
20.0 98
3.0
66 66
19.2 99 2.8
67 67
18.4 100
2.7
To give further refinement to your longevity score, consider the following:
If the following is true, add the given years to your score:
-Any of your grandparents lived to be 85 or older, add 2 years
-All 4 grandparents lived to be 80, add 6 years
-You live in a rural setting, add 2 years
-You finished college, add 1 year
-You finished Graduate Degree, add 2 more years
-You are over 65 and still working, add 3 years
-You live with a spouse or friend, add 5 years
-Your work requires heavy physical labor, add 3
-You exercise strenuously 5 times/week, add 4 (You exercise only 2-3 times/week, only add 2)
-You are relaxed and easy-going, add 3 years
-You are happy, add 1 year
-You have an annual physical, add 2 years
If the following is true, subtract the given years to your score:
-Either
of your parents died of a stroke or heart attack before age 50, subtract 4 years.
-You had a parent or sibling under age 50 that had (or died from) cancer or a heart condition or
that had diabetes since childhood, subtract 3
-You live in an urban area, subtract 2 years
-You live alone, subtract 1 year
-You are unhappy, subtract 2 years
-You earn over $50,000/year, subtract 2 years
-You work behind a desk, subtract 3 years
-You smoke more than 2 packs/day,
subtract 8 (1-2 packs, only subtract 6 years, 1/2 to 1 pack, only subtract 3)
-You drink 1 1/2 oz of liquor/day, subtract 1
-You have received a speeding ticket in the last year, subtract 1 year
-You are tense, aggressive, easily angered, subtract 3 years
-You sleep more than 10 hours/night, subtract 4
-You are overweight by 50 lbs, subtract 8 years (by 30-49 lbs, subtract only 4 years, by 10-30 lbs,
subtract only 2 years). Use the following table:
Gerontology Research Center & Metropolitan Life:
Normal
Weight (Male and Female) Averages Within Ages:
Height Ages 50-59
Ages 60-69
5' 0"
114-143 123-152
5' 1" 118-148
127-157
5' 2" 122-153
131-163
5' 3" 126-158
135-168
5' 4" 130-163
140-173
5' 5" 134-168
144-179
5' 6" 138-174
148-184
5' 7" 143-179
153-190
5' 8" 147-184
158-196
5' 9" 151-190
162-201
5' 10" 156-195
167-207
5' 11" 160-201
172-213
6' 0" 165-207
177-219
6' 1" 169-213
182-225
6' 2" 174-219
187-232
6' 3" 179-219
192-238
6' 4" 184-231
197-244
Now that you have done all the calculations, you should have a pretty good idea of how
old you will become in this life.
CHAPTER 1 IN RETROSPECT:
1) What have you learned about yourself?
2) Do you think you will change much in retirement?
3) How will your "world" change in retirement?
4) What do you have "to work with?" (ex: summarize your health and what it means to your future happiness and
goals)
5) What actions do you plan to take now?
