7 Secrets to a Happy Retirement

Some people move effortlessly into a happy retirement and get right to the business of enjoying their new lives. But, other folks have a much tougher time entering the retirement years. Some of these people may think to themselves, “Am I really cut out for retirement at all?” Well, here are seven traits all happy retirees have…

> Good Health <

Having good health is probably the most important thing that impacts retirement happiness. According to a study, retirees in poor health are nearly 50% less likely to report being happy.

> A Significant Other <

Married or retirees who have a significant other are more likely than singles to be extremely happy in retirement. And it gets even better when your partner is retired with you, because you get to enjoy retirement together.

> A Social Network <

Having friends is far more important to retirement bliss than having kids. Those who have a strong social network are found to be 30% happier with their lives.

> They are not Addicted to TV <

After you retire you are going to have lots of free time to fill. If you want to be happy in retirement, don’t fill all that time with endless hours of television. A direct negative correlation was found between the amount of TV watching and happiness levels: unhappy people watched more and happy people watched less.

> Intellectual Curiosity <

People in retirement who are over the age of 70 and who choose brain-stimulating hobbies instead of watching TV are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Not only will shunning TV make you a whole lot happier, but it will make you healthier too.

> They aren't Addicted to Achievement <

The more you are defined by your job, the harder it will be to adjust to life without it. People who are achievement addicts have the most difficulty transitioning to retirement.

 > Enough Money <

Of course you’ll need enough money to support your chosen lifestyle in retirement. But beyond that, more money will never make you happier. If you have just enough money to continue your pre-retirement lifestyle, then you have enough!

If you don’t have all the traits necessary for a happy retirement, don’t worry, there’s good news for you! All you have to do is put a little work into it. At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, we can help you on your journey to a happy, healthy retirement. 

How to stay healthy after retirement

Once you have hit retirement, it can be appealing to just spend your days relaxing and doing what you love. It is important to prioritize your favourite hobbies, but it is also important to prioritize your health. As you age, your immune system changes, which means your immune system doesn’t work as well as it used too. You are more likely to get sick, healing also slows down and immune systems can’t detect and fix cell defects as easily.

The good thing is you can still take steps to stay as healthy possible…

EXERCISE

Exercise is very important at any age, but it is especially important when you get older. Regular exercise can help you prevent health problems and keep your bones strong too. Many people also say that exercising regularly boosts their mood. If you really don’t like exercising, you should get a friend to join you so they can keep you motivated. If you are new to working out, you should always talk to your doctor first.

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Drinking alcohol regularly can affect all areas of your body, like your brains, heart, immune system and of course your liver. Yes, drinking in moderation is fine, but you shouldn’t drink large amounts of alcohol as you get older. If you are female, limit yourself to one drink each day or two drinks if you are male. If you have ever been a heavy drinker, you may want to limit yourself even more – consult your doctor to be sure.

EAT WELL

Nutrition is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, but it must be a regular part of your routine as you age. Eating well helps you to feel good and encourages a strong immune system. Always be especially careful to limit empty calories like sodium, cholesterol, sugar and refined grains. Also limit how much trans and saturated fats you eat. Becoming someone who eats healthy all the time can be difficult if you have never eaten healthy before, so try and eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lean protein.

BE A GOOD PATIENT

Always go to your regular annual appointments with your doctor and don’t be afraid to call and book ahead of time if you have any health concerns. Don’t ever leave it until the last minute if you are worried there might be a problem that will only allow it to get worse. Have you cholesterol checked regularly and watch out for signs of cancer as well, also make sure that you have insurance that will pay for any serious medical issues that come up.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL STATE

Your mental well-being is also something that you need to take care of. Retirement can be a wonderful time for you, but it can also be a very lonely time if you don’t have a good support group around you. Be sure to make time to see and contact friends and family and join in on activities that you enjoy.

Yes, it may seem like a lot of steps to take to stay healthy, but all of them are completely manageable and for the good of your future after retirement. 

Pinelands Grove Retirement Village can help you on the road to a better lifestyle with our amazing health care facility, residential exercise area and our healthy lifestyle.

3 tips for helping a loved one adjust to retirement living

Moving to a senior community allows older adults to be able to live amongst their friends, peers and people around the same age. It also provides a welcoming environment in which seniors can stay safe, active and social. The change to retirement living allows seniors to become part of a larger community. Here are some ways caregivers and children can make the adjustment easy and fun for everyone involved.

1. Help set up their new space
When moving into a retirement community, make sure not to forget to bring along plenty of pictures, mementos and trinkets to put on the walls and surfaces. This room will be your loved ones new home, so it should make them feel comfortable and happy. Try to bring along items that will remind them of their family and loved ones, like drawings done by grandchildren or family portraits. Once they have settled in, take them shopping and pick out a few items to decorate their new living space with. Don’t forget to bring along some fun board games and electronics.

2. Encourage them to get involved
Joining a senior community is just about one of the most exciting things an older adult can do! Seniors have the opportunity to get involved in life enrichment programs that will help them get more comfortable in their new home and also become more social with fellow residents. There are many activities to get involved in, like exercise, shopping and other social events. By encouraging your loved one to become involved in their new home is essential, especially since

3. Always stay in touch
It’s so important to stay in contact with your loved one, especially when they first move to the residence. Visit often, voice call and message them on social media sites. Be sure to ask them all about their new home and how they are enjoying it so far and don’t forget to show interest in events they have been part of, the friends they have made and the activities they enjoy. In return, make sure to keep them updated about your life, showing pictures and telling stories – it will be greatly appreciated.

It can be tough for seniors to move to a retirement community, not to mention it’s also very difficult to adjust. Ensure that you use these tips and make the change as positive as possible. 

If you are considering if Pinelands Grove Retirement Village is the right place for you or your loved one, contact us today. We offer a fresh approach to your retirement and attention to detail is our promise to you!

Some lessons the younger generation can learn from seniors

For many people, retirement is the time to reflect on what truly makes you happy. Because seniors have decades of experience, they can offer great insight and advice into what’s most important in life.

So, here’s what the older generation would say to the younger generation if they could tell them only one thing…

*Follow your Dreams*
One of the most important lessons to remember is to always follow your dreams. Living life with regrets only creates unhappiness, and it can cause people to feel as if they have missed out on an opportunity. It is important to take advantage of all opportunities so you can find peace and live the life that you've always dreamed for yourself.

*Find your Truth*
Staying completely true to yourself is another important piece of advice that seniors have for younger generations. There was a statement made by seniors in Time magazine that said… “Do not hesitate to switch interests, majors or fields of concentration. Find your preference of your passion, then focus on it to your heart’s content.”

*Be open to Change*
Flexibility is extremely important if you want to live a happy, healthy life. Life is a huge mix of good days and bad days, and the key to staying happy is knowing that it can all change in a second. Always remember that some days it will rain and pour, but it’s pointless to worry about it.

*Care for Others*
While it’s important to focus on your own happiness, it’s also valuable to spread joy and happiness to others. In fact, there are reports that show that volunteering is not only good for the community, but also great for your own well-being. Give back to your loved ones and neighbours by volunteering at a retirement home or hospital – you get more love when you give back.

"The best currency that you can spend very freely and get much more than you pay for is love, spend it!"

Book your place today at Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, we have a distinctive, vibrant community of adults and we promise to provide healthy living and wellness in a safe, secure environment.

3 Advantages of Retirement Living

Imagine if you never have to worry about preparing a meal again? Think about what it would be like to have plenty of exercise classes and recreational activities available to you every day during your retirement. If you become a resident at Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, that desire will become a reality.

At a retirement village, you can shift your focus from performing tasks of daily living or managing health or mobility challenges to simple enjoying everything that retirement living has to offer…

-> Healthy, Delicious Meals
Cooking three meals a day and trying to make sure they are healthy can be quite labourious, especially the grocery shopping and meal preparation beforehand. After spending many years sharing this responsibility with a spouse or relative, it can be a huge relief to have someone else take care of it for a change!

-> Physical and Social Activities
It can be quite difficult to find interesting activities close to home that are also inclusive of seniors with mobility challenges. Transportation to and from these activities can also be expensive and cause an inconvenience. At Pinelands Grove Retirement Village, those issues done exist!

-> Secure and Supportive Environment
Security can be a huge concern for seniors who feel uneasy about being home alone, especially if they’re unsteady on their feet or require extra support to complete everyday tasks. At a retirement community, you know that you are surrounded by peers and dedicated staff members who can offer you assistance or just companionship whenever it is needed.

If you are considering whether retirement living is right for you, simply read through these three advantages and you will find that Pinelands Grove Retirement Village is the right choice for you.