How to Live A Happy and Fulfilled Life Throughout Retirement
A retirement living community means maintenance-free living. And maintenance-free living is the perfect opportunity to live your life to the fullest.
But despite living the life you’ve always wanted, you’ll still need some time to adjust and adapt to your new surroundings and lifestyle.
How long does it take to adjust to retirement? It varies per person. Adjusting to retirement life can take some time, from a few weeks to a few months.
So to help you start living your retirement life to the fullest, here are tips on how to transition smoothly into a retirement community.
Read More: ADJUSTING TO RETIREMENT PART I:
Know Your Support System in the Community and Lean on Them When You Need Help
The best way to find all the information you need about the community is by asking. So once you’ve met the support team, such as the resident services manager, staff, and the welcome committee, don’t hesitate to ask for help getting to know the area.
Make the Most Out of Orientation
When you first move into Ottawa retirement residences, the resident services manager will give you an orientation to introduce you to your new home. This orientation will provide you with all the information you need about the building’s amenities, programming, dining times, and anything else going on.
Take this opportunity to ask as many questions as you need to. And don’t be afraid to speak up about any concerns you might have.
Learn More from the Welcome Committee
Find the welcome committee and spend your first few days with them while you get acquainted with your new community. The welcome committee is made up of residents who have lived in the retirement community for a while. So they can give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know about life in your new community while providing much-needed support to newcomers.
They will help you feel more comfortable as you adjust to your new lifestyle.
Attend New Resident Meetings
New resident meetings are held regularly to help review topics from the orientation that you might have forgotten or that you’d like to learn more about. These meetings also provide an opportunity to meet new residents, talk to the welcome committee, and find like-minded individuals who could become your new friends.
Socialization Is Key
Be open to forming new friendships and maintaining old ones. You’ll likely meet new friends with shared interests when joining groups, classes, and recreational activities. Even having one good friend can help relieve stress, especially during this transition to retirement living.
Mingle With Your Peers and Staff
Get to know your neighbours and the staff. Your neighbours and peers can become your new friends, and the staff is there to make sure you’re well taken care of.
Developing friendly relationships with these people will help you feel more at home and surrounded by those who will support you and feel like a second family.
Get Involved
Join activities, events, recreational programs, and clubs (such as book clubs) around your community. The more involved you are, the more likely you’ll meet new people and settle in your new environment comfortably.
Stay in Contact With Friends and Family
Invite your friends and family over. Since this is your home, you should continue having loved ones visit as you normally would at your old home. Making plans with friends and family will help with the transition and settling into your new home.
Even though your home has changed, your relationships haven’t, and home is where you get to enjoy these special moments with those you love.
Personalize Your Space
Make your suite comfortable by personalizing your space and making it feel like home. Whether you want it to resemble your old home or you just want to add a few touches, bring your most cherished items with you to your new home. And decorate your living area with your favourite photos, art, trinkets, and décor
Stay Physically and Mentally Active
Staying mentally and physically fit will help ease the transition to retirement living and maintain a better quality of life.
Check out the available activities and events in the residence and out in the community. Invite a friend to go out and explore the neighbourhood so you can find local places to shop, eat, and spend free time.
Explore new activities that interest you and meet new friends to make these experiences even more enjoyable.
Exercise Regularly
Assuming your doctor approves, regular exercise will help reduce stress, boost your mood, increase your overall health, and prevent illnesses. So make the most of the recreational amenities in the community, join clubs (e.g., walking clubs), and stay active to maintain a good quality of life.
Read More: 10 TIPS FOR ACTIVE SENIORS
Study a Course
It’s never too late to learn something new. And lifelong learning is essential for feeling fulfilled, having a sense of purpose, and maintaining mental acuity.
So take a course on something you’d like to learn more about, e.g., painting, languages, or social sciences.
Play Daily Memory Games & Brain Exercises
Another way to stay mentally sharp is by exercising your brain with memory games and brain exercises.
Take up a New Hobby or Go Back to Your Old Ones
Old hobbies and routines will help you adjust to your new home more quickly. And taking up a new hobby or an old one will help you explore your new community while making the most of your retirement.
So consult with the retirement community’s activities calendar and start pursuing your hobbies and interests.
Read More: DISCOVER A HOBBY IN GENEALOGY
Remain Patient and Stay Positive – Give Yourself Time to Adjust and Feel All Your Feelings
It takes time to adjust to a new home and lifestyle. And it can be nerve-wracking meeting new people and learning how to get around your new community. But it can also be exciting.
So allow yourself time to adjust and feel all your feelings. You may feel a sense of loss after moving and retiring. But try to stay positive, focus on the many benefits of retirement living, and keep an open mind to the many new opportunities and experiences available for you to enjoy in retirement.