What does the term
retirement community
have in common with
koala bear, funny bone, and two-toed sloth?
The answer is, they’re all ‘misnomers.’
A koala bear is really a marsupial, not a bear.
The funny bone, which is not a bone, is actually the ulnar nerve and it’s
anything
but
funny when you hit it on the corner of a table.
Two-toed sloths in fact have three toes on each foot, and two fingers on
each hand.
And retirement community? A misnomer, when you consider the fact that
retirement
suggests withdrawal or cessation. Maybe this was appropriate for a generation
or so ago, but not any longer. Today’s seniors aren’t looking to retire or
pull back…they’re eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in their lives.
Forbes
evaluates this phenomenon, with possible substitute terms including
rewirement, encore life, and third act, ultimately landing on “retirements.”
This suggests that during one’s golden years, there will be multiple
‘what nexts.’
Today’s ‘retiree’ doesn’t live a staid and static life.
New Retirement
proposes that the first thing a new retiree should do is investigate and
consider whatever it is that makes them happy. Suggested books to navigate
this journey include
Purposeful Retirement, The Joy of Retirement, and I Could Do Anything If I
Only Knew What It Was
.
Many people in this chapter of their lives, choose to take their newly found
free time to
travel
. Whether it’s a state or two over to visit friends, or on the other side of
the ocean to check exotic locales off your bucket list, this is a top pursuit
of retirees. In planning travel, there are various considerations including
mode of transportation (
driving
,
motor coach
,
cruise
, flying);
budgeting and accessing discounts,
and exploring different senior-friendly
destinations
. And best of all there are many
resources
from which to choose, that can help you with all of your travel coordination.
Many seniors take their travel bug one step further to become snowbirds…. or
some other kind of bird. There are so many different ways to relocate
seasonally, including through a
house swap
, recreational vehicle, or home rental.
It may surprise you to learn that the most consummate
entrepreneurs
are retirees. Americans ages 55-64 launch new businesses at a higher rate than
people in their 20s-30s. This demographic has more experience, is less worried
about risk, and has greater financial security. There’s a world of opportunity
out there to start something new and be your own boss. In fact
Forbes
reported that the most successful entrepreneurs are not millennials, but are
“middle age and beyond.”
Even if you’re not inclined to become an entrepreneur, you might wish to be
gainfully employed. So, get a job
!
Zety
offers a list of 110 of the bests jobs for retirees, including tutor,
brand ambassador, food or product demonstrator, mail carrier, handyman,
and more.
Want to work somewhere other than in the Chicagoland? CoolWorks’
Older and Bolder
site has ideas for seasonal work for seniors in exotic locales including
Alaska and Colorado.
One of the more innovative seasonal schemes is called
workamping
. This is where you can stay at a great campground for no charge, in return
for working for the owner.
Of course, a great option for staying engaged is volunteer work. Not
only does this give you the opportunity to give back, share your expertise,
help others, and remain engaged…but it’s been shown that volunteering can
increase your
well-being
. Aside from multiple volunteer work opportunities throughout your community
such as
Feed My Starving Children
,
Ronald McDonald House
,
Children’s Home and Aid
, and area schools, take some time and investigate more out-of-the-box
ideas. Did you know the
Peace Corps
doesn’t have an age limit for participation?
Whatever you choose to do with your newly found free-time, know that
‘retirement’ is just a start to the next very exciting time in your life.
