Everyone Needs to Be Part of a Retirement Community--and the More, the Merrier!
by Steve Vernon, FSA
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If the phrase "retirement community" conjures up images in your mind of planned communities where retirees live and play together, often safely insulated from the rest of the world, then you must think I've lost my marbles. Sure, such communities will work for part of the population, but for everybody? And the more, the merrier? What am I thinking? Or maybe more telling, what have I been drinking?
For all of us who are either in or quickly approaching our retirement years, I've got in mind quite a different spin on the phrase "retirement community." In fact, I should probably call them "rest-of-life" communities. And here's why.
A rest-of-life community isn't a physical place, one you move to when you're older and ready for your next phase of life. Rather, it's a community you can create no matter where you live. Its primary goal is to provide you with a strong social support system that will help you as your needs grow or change in your later years. Let me offer some rationale for this.
Many Benefits!
A substantial amount of medical research illustrates the significant benefits to your emotional and physical health of having a robust social life in your later years (see this month's video highlight for more on this topic). In addition, it's critical to have a support system when life throws challenges at you; examples include help around the house when you're sick, a ride to the doctor when you can no longer drive, sharing resources in order to save money, or simply having a friend to talk with when you're feeling lonely or down.
The benefits of a strong social support system can include increased lifespan and healthspan, lower bills for medical and long-term care expenses, and improved quality of life. Putting a social support system in place is as important as planning ahead for your financial needs, and nurturing your network is a good investment of your time and effort.
Here's yet another benefit: If you've taken care of one of your parents, as my wife and I have in recent years, most likely you've experienced a definite peace of mind when you know they're doing well. By developing your own robust social support system, you can give your children that same peace of mind down the road--they won't need to worry as much about your well-being as you age.
Many Possibilities!
There are lots of ways to participate in rest-of-life communities; many do double duty by meeting personal needs in addition to building your community.
- First and foremost, your immediate and extended family can be a supportive community. You can increase your involvement in family activities--maybe even be the one who initiates more get-togethers.
- In your immediate neighborhood, be active in or start a group with common interests; examples include a Neighborhood Watch program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a book club, a regular wine club, a happy hour potluck gathering, and so on.
- If you live in a condominium or townhouse development, you can be active in the homeowner's association, working to maintain and improve your neighborhood. You'll get to know your neighbors this way and may even make some new friends.
- In addition to meeting your spiritual needs, churches and other centers of religious or spiritual practices have been traditional sources of social support and community. If you're not already involved, get started today to meet like-minded people.
- Volunteering for causes that you're passionate about can provide plenty of friends with similar interests, while also providing you with a source of deep gratification. In our later years, it's vital to feel needed and useful to others, which actually improves our own physical well-being. Examples include providing tutoring or care services for children, helping to deliver food or services to the needy, or working to develop and maintain local educational and recreational resources, such as parks and museums.
- There are a whole host of possibilities for making connections through hobbies, adult education classes, special interests, physical exercise groups such as yoga or ballroom dancing, and personal development. Again, these activities meet personal needs--such as physical exercise--in addition to your social needs.
- High school or college alumni and reunion groups provide opportunities to reconnect with old friends.
- With the internet, you have a whole world of virtual communities and can keep in touch via email, Facebook, and so on.
An Opportunity Deserving Special Mention
As I've mentioned in previous newsletters, one special challenge facing our nation is how to deliver long-term care and affordable housing for seniors. A trend that's gathering steam around the country is to foster and support independent living for seniors in their homes for as long as possible. This can be as easy as having an informal group of friends, neighbors and/or church members to do grocery shopping or chores around the house for elders, to check in with them periodically to make sure they're OK, and to provide rides to the doctor or other errands.
This concept can also include participation in more organized groups, such as your local Area Agency for Aging. To learn more, do an internet search for your area on "Area Agency for Aging," or visit any one of the following websites:
If you participate in any one of these groups now, you'll be building a community that you might need for yourself or your loved ones down the road.
How and Now
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to build a support system that will help you stay independent as long as possible. And remember the old saying "The best way to have a friend is to be a friend." You can be the first one to reach out to your neighbors, invite them over for a happy hour potluck, start a club, or otherwise get involved. Or stay closer in touch with younger generations of your family. Having grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews around that you're close to is a blessing for anyone.
As you get started, you'll want to focus on activities that you're passionate about, are easy to access, don't cost lots of money, and offer plenty of opportunity for interaction with others. Another good goal is to be with people of all ages--they'll keep you young at heart! And finally, look for opportunities to continue learning; not only will you have fun with like-minded people, but you'll keep your brain sharp.
You probably have older friends and relatives who are whirlwinds of activity, living very robust lives. Most likely they're very healthy as well. Keep them in your mind as role models--ask them how they do it and put their words into practice for yourself.
The holiday season can be a time of reflection and presents opportunities to see your friends and family (and maybe even your good role models). It's a great time to start building or nurturing your "retirement communities." And don't forget to add this to your list of New Year's resolutions.
For most of the year, I've written in these newsletters about investing in your health and financial resources. Now's a good time to think about investing in your life. It will be an invaluable present to you and your loved ones for years to come.
P.S. Wishing you a great holiday season!
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Don't Miss Our Popular Video Highlight! |
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See a brief video clip on YouTube featuring John Robbins, Joe Piscatella and Susan DeLude, discussing the importance for your physical and emotional health of having a robust social life in your retirement years.
To see more informative clips, visit the Video Library on our website. |
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Welcome to
Our Newsletter!
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One of my first newsletters outlined an overall strategy for security in your retirement years. In this month's newsletter, we elaborate on one of the critical subjects that was summarized in that issue. If you wish to see past issues in our email newsletter archive, click here.
Our Promise to You
We fulfill a need for trusted, practical strategies that you can use to plan your rest-of-life (aka retirement). We rely on the latest research and analyses, and we'll keep it simple! And that's all we provide; we don't sell investments, insurance or health products, so we can "tell it like it is."
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Steve Vernon spent more than 30 years as a consulting actuary, helping large employers design and manage their retirement programs. Now he's president of Rest-of-Life Communications, where he specializes in providing unbiased, trusted information about retirement.
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For information on keynote addresses, workshops or presentations on retirement issues, visit Steve's website at www.restoflife.com, or email him at steve.vernon@restoflife.com
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Want to Learn More?
If you want to learn more about a topic, or if you have any ideas or thoughts on the topics in this newsletter, please send Steve an email at:
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| © 2009 Steve Vernon/
Rest-of-Life Communications
All rights reserved.
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