Open Minds Have More Opportunities!

MAKING THE MOST OF OUR SENIOR YEARS  

People are living longer than they used to. After reaching 65 years old, average males can expect to live to 83 and females to 85. That is roughly 20 years and represents almost a third of our adult lives. Those in good health can expect a higher quality of life and even greater longevity than the overall average. So, let’s not squander the significant and precious time we have left acting as though the game is over. There are so many ways to make our golden years fun and productive, and even if we are experiencing these joys already, we might still want to examine different possibilities, set thoughtful goals, and pursue new dreams.

 As we move through the many phases of our lives, changes in our minds, bodies, social relationships, and curtailed activities present themselves as new challenges to address. Historically, society has adopted the mindset that those of retirement age are through with the serious world, and they are relegated to playing golf, endlessly watching TV, or just waiting alone for the grim reaper. These stereotypes belie both the reality and the opportunities available to seniors today.

 Our task begins with self-reflection to affirm who we are and determine who we want to become. The opportunity for change at this point is manifest. By reviewing our histories honestly and considering our strengths and our weaknesses, our skills and our deficits, our assets and our liabilities, and other factors we can shape what our preferences for change may be. This can lead us to deciding whether to attempt to reinvent ourselves or continue on our current paths.

 The modern senior can become engaged in a range of activities including childcare for their grandchildren, volunteer work, starting new businesses, pursuing hobbies, traveling, enrolling in online and traditional school courses, participating in physical fitness programs, and a million other things. Social engagement is a critical component of healthy aging, and other articles, blogs, links, and archived podcasts on this website address many elements of socialization with a focus on preparing for dating, second chances, and meaningful accomplishments.