Let’s be honest, there is a part in all of us that fears a loss of independence in retirement. Most people worry about this, particularly as they creep closer to retirement age! One day you’re going to work, spending time with your friends and family, and the next you’re stuck in an aged care facility with nothing to do but chat to nurses, right?
Wrong. This is a common misconception, retirement villages actually provides more opportunities for independence and freedom than you may think.
You still have control over the choices you make. Don’t let the fear of lost independence stop you from living your life. Retirement is an important time for you and we like to view it as the beginning of a new chapter, rather than the end of the book! Here are our top tips on how to keep your independence in a retirement village.
Engage in regular exercise
It may seem like a no-brainer, but the reality is that exercise can feel ‘too hard’ for most mature adults. It’s not as easy to bounce out of bed in the morning and go for a run when your back is sore. So we understand the desire to skip it altogether, but studies have shown that physical exercise is a driver for a healthy and long life for older people. Increased physical and mental health means you will retain your independence and ability to live unassisted. The old saying ‘use it or lose it’ stands true in this case.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a range of benefits to staying active in retirement. It can help to:
- Keep those muscles, joints and bones strong
- Decrease inflammation within the body
- Lessen the amount of falls and injury
- Strengthen the heart
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce risk of colon cancer and diabetes
- Improve mental health and holistic well being.
So if a morning run isn’t your cup of tea, consider these fun and simple physical activities that you can engage in during retirement. You can:
- Start walking
- Engage in a home workout
- Clean around the house
- Find your green thumb with gardening
- Join a for fitness class
- Try yoga or pilates
- Ride a bicycle
- Join a dance class.
The best part about retirement is that you have time to do the things you enjoy. You’ve worked hard to get here, now it’s time to have fun! So choose an activity that genuinely interests you, any amount of exercise is better than none.
Exercise classes are also a great way to meet new friends, which can open another chapter in your life.
Stay connected to your community
Social connection is important to maintain your independence, as it improves your health, happiness and overall well being. A simple human interaction can warm the heart and inspire the mind, but often isn’t prioritised as we are consumed by technology, work and world events.
Experts say a strong social life in retirement helps to:
- Improve cognitive skills
- Reduce risk of dementia, heart disease and strokes
- Lower high blood pressure
- Increase functional skills
- Strengthen the immune system
- Support positive mental health.
Retirement provides the time you never had before to connect with your loved ones. If you’re looking for ways to stay connected with your friends and family, here are some great tips:
- Get social with social media
In this day and age, people use social media to connect with one another. It has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic with ongoing lockdowns and restrictions. So if you can’t make it to that family dinner, no worries! A simple Facebook video call will solve the problem. Social media is also great for day-to-day chats and to keep updated with your loved ones’ lives. If you’re new to the digital space, use this step by step tutorial to get started.
Tip: Do not connect with people you don’t know and avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers online (such as bank cards, passwords and home address). For more information on how to stay safe online, click here.
- Schedule regular social outings
Stay in touch with your friends by scheduling a regular date to catch up. If this is too tricky to achieve with conflicting schedules, even an impromptu coffee date or a casual stroll will do wonders for your mental health.
Start a new chapter by connecting with new and like-minded people. If you aren’t sure where to begin, never fear! Give one of these tips a try to meet new friends in a comfortable environment.
- Get to know your neighbours
- Join your local library and book club
- Become a part of local council meetings and events
- Get involved in fitness and wellness classes
From book clubs to Facebook, it’s easier than ever to stay connected in retirement. The benefits of a strong social life are just one important way to maintain your independence.
Train your brain
Brain training activities are a great way to sharpen your mind and improve your mental independence. Your mind is like a muscle, the more you train it, the stronger it becomes! It also helps to keep life interesting and intellectually stimulating, something you might miss after leaving work.
If you’re unsure of where you should begin, try to:
- Solve a puzzle, there are plenty of types such as jigsaws, crosswords, mechanical, logic and more
- Play a game of chess or solitaire
- Learn a new language
- Take up art
- Improve your technological skills
- Read a book on a new topic
- Get cooking in the kitchen with fresh recipes
- Grow your own plants in your garden
With so many activities available, you’re bound to find at least a few that pique your interest. See our article on how to keep your brain sharp after retirement for more information.
Take your health concerns seriously.
Early action on a health concern can prevent illness and increase the chances of a faster recovery. As the years go on, you become more susceptible to illness, even a cold can be detrimental to your health. It’s important to practise good hygiene for this reason.
It’s recommended that you maintain an honest relationship with your trusted medical professionals. Support from these professionals, as well as friends and family, can make all the difference when it comes to your health. When you have people that will listen to your concerns and struggles, it becomes easier to manage and take action.
Assess your living situation
Where do you see yourself enjoying retirement while you maintain independence? Ocean Gardens is a refreshing independent living retirement village in Perth‘s western suburbs. Here, you can live the way you want.
The truth is, this next chapter of your life can be filled with possibilities. You’ve pushed through mortgages, raised loving families, enjoyed long, fulfilling careers – now you’re free to explore an invigorating new lifestyle that puts you first.
We’re all about encouraging independence and participation, providing as many opportunities as possible for our residents to lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives in their own homes.