How to Help Seniors Adjust to Early Retirement?

At a certain age, we start to value our time more. And if we look at age as just a number, then early retirement sounds like the perfect opportunity for a new chapter in life. 

Seniors in the United States now live longer than ever before and the quality of life for American seniors is better than ever before. What’s more, many senior adults happily reach their senior years without any serious health concerns. And it just so happens that early retirement could further increase lifespan.

A large portion of the senior population is capable of living independently or with some assistance. Some choose to move to a retirement home or a less traditional alternative such as a retirement community, others to downsize, but often the preferred option for seniors across the country is to continue living in their own homes. On top of that, LA seniors have easier access to homecare in Cheviot Hills and other communities across the city of Los Angeles.

So what are some reasons to consider early retirement and how can you help your senior loved one adjust to their new way of life?

What are good reasons to retire?

If a person has spent a lifetime focusing on their career, they may eventually become fed up with workplace stress and burnout, and ready for a radical change. Seniors may opt for early retirement for a number of other reasons, depending on personal circumstances:

• Stable financial standing
• Ability to enjoy life and explore new possibilities such as pursuing old passions or taking up new hobbies
• Spending more time with friends and family 
• Chance to improve one’s health

Having a caregiver to rely on for trips to the grocery store, help around the house or mere companionship can be especially convenient for those looking to explore early retirement options due to health issues. Caregivers can help newly retired seniors with limited mobility or similar issues enjoy independent living, especially when family members do not live close by, or provide customized care to seniors battling deteriorating conditions such as dementia or other chronic illnesses. 

How do you help someone adjust to retirement?

Now that work is no longer the focal point, things are much more flexible and there is less pressure to deal with. But many seniors have a hard time adapting because they are used to being productive and feel useless once they retire. To help a senior adjust to retirement, consider the following options:

• Be prepared for the retiree to go through a broad spectrum of emotions: happiness, confusion, anxiety, boredom
• Help them adopt healthy coping mechanisms
• Recommend engaging activities for a more fulfilling retirement routine, such as growing their friendships and expanding their social circle or adopting a pet from the local animal shelter
• Help them set small goals like spending every Saturday with their grandchildren or taking a roadtrip on a monthly basis
• Look for convenient part-time jobs such as mentoring young people or volunteering opportunities such as tutoring kids in the area
• Help them create a realistic long-term budget
• Take advantage of technology: The internet has become an integral part of everyone’s daily lives, and seniors are no exception. With the help of user-friendly technology, retirees can easily keep in touch with their family and friends or even learn new skills.

How long does it take to adjust to retirement?

Each person is different. For some, the first few months of retirement is an exciting time of newfound freedom and thrilling opportunities, for others, it is a source of stress, frustration, anxiety and a difficult period of psychological adjustment. All this may also depend on what other changes retirement involves.

Living in an intimate, tight-knit community surrounded by friendly neighbors is the ideal scenario we all imagine as the life we will lead as we age, but for many seniors, this is not a realistic scenario. Some retired seniors may need to or choose to downsize and relocate to reduce their costs of living.

A caregiver can help ease the transition for new retirees if family members are not around, especially for those retirees who have recently downsized for the purpose of cutting down their expenses. 

Personalized homecare solutions in Cheviot Hills and areas across LA

Access to quality senior care from the comfort of one’s home, especially in the light of the ongoing pandemic, can make a huge difference in a person’s life. If you want to make sure your recently retired parent enjoys a healthy, fulfilled life and an independent lifestyle in Venice or other parts of LA, we can help you make it happen. 

The caregiver we refer offer a full continuum of care for seniors and we can work out an arraignment that works best for you and that best accommodates seniors’ changing needs. Let us help you overcome the challenges of coordinating your senior loved one’s care. For more details on the services offered by our referred caregivers, contact us anytime.