As we transition into our elder years and enjoy the relaxation and rest after years of working and raising a family, it can be easy to fall into a sense of boredom and loss. After all, all those years spent out of the house are invariably mentally stimulating in some sense. No matter the person and no matter the circumstance, everyone is susceptible to “cabin fever.”
Much like a school-age kid stuck inside the house on a rainy day in the summer, elder adults can also experience a sense of boredom and malaise. This can happen especially if their retirement comes unexpectedly or they haven’t planned their lives and routines as they head into elderhood. Although staying at home everyday and watching TV sounds like paradise for many people, this pandemic especially has shown us that it can be mind-numbing and mentally taxing to remain in the house for long periods of time.
One of the best ways to prevent the sense of boredom and malaise that can easily occur in retirement is a hobby or an activity. Many elder persons strengthen their golf game when they retire, enjoying the outdoors and the fresh course on a weekday. Others pick up more social events, such as bridge tournaments, town politics, or many other activities that can fill the day and provide a buffer against the boredom of retirement.
At Senior Steps, we work with each of our clients to tailor their activity level and their lifestyle around what would best serve them and their families. Although some of clients include elder persons who are no longer able to play a round of golf, or go to the movies, or drive a scenic route, there are hundreds of different activities and programs that provide both entertainment and the joy of retirement. One of elder clients spent his early retirement years finally building a stone fountain in his backyard that he had spent years wishing he had the time for. Another client finally managed to finish the book that they had been meaning to write. Whatever the activity may be, as geriatric care managers we are highly in-tune with what our clients enjoy doing and what can benefit their physical and mental health, as well as their overall happiness with life.
As we head into retirement, remember that now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Now is the time to visit grandchildren, go on that trip you always dreamed of, visit that restaurant that you never had the time for. At Senior Steps, we help all our clients lead healthy, fulfilling elder lives. And those who live the best lives are the ones who still have fun.