They call it the Golden Years for a reason – you are given the privilege to do nothing but enjoy life. Unfortunately, what comes with age are certain infirmities and while the mind is willing, the body is no longer what it used to be, therefore senior care homes popped up into existence so that the elderly may retire with dignity but staying at a group home is not for everyone as it can be debilitating to surrender your self care to caregivers and also you become isolated from the outside world. How are you supposed to live an exciting life when you’re stuck in a routine? Here are a few suggestions on really making the best out of your Golden Years and no, you don’t need a ton of money to achieve this.
It’s all about traveling within your means and abilities
70% of all retirees say that the best thing about being retired is the travel, and why not? You’ve spent your whole life chasing after material things and providing for your family. Being able to stop worrying about finances, relax and see more of the world while gaining new experiences is the dream for many. You don’t need to go on a first class vacation, if you can only afford to go on a budget cruise, it’s more than enough. You can also choose to go on a volunteer program, if you are still relatively fit, there are animal sanctuaries that need volunteers to help them in animal husbandry or if you’re more of a people person, you can join Habitat For Humanity and build homes for the homeless or less privileged. Studies show that volunteer work, or the act of charity, increases happiness by a hundred percent.
Look into getting a personal caregiver
Depending on the severity of your infirmity, perhaps you can get a personal caregiver to help you achieve your life’s ambitions. Not only will they will follow you and assist you in living, they will facilitate you in whatever you want to do so you will always have someone by your side to help you with the bags or in navigating around. You will be free to travel without bogging down a family member. While it could be nice to have a close family member or relative to take care of you, professionals highly advise against it because it could also create a rift between you and said family member due to time constraints, lack of pay or simply due to existing familial bonds. Leave the caring to professionals and spend time with your family instead.
Assisted living for those requiring medical care
If you find yourself in need of medical care and do not have the means to hire a personal nurse, there are assisted living facilities that can help you keep your independence whilst administering care. Plus, more of these facilities are built with the comfort of the elderly in mind. Therefore, you will have access to entertainment such as bingo nights, mini golf and other gentle activities which are suitable for those with advanced age.