Plan to Stay Young and Live Well in Retirement  

When you decide the date of your retirement, you may feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. This is natural. When we have lived on a schedule with deadlines, appointments, and routine duties, it can seem daunting when those demands are no longer there. The critical thing to understand is that, yes, you will have more time for hobbies and friends, but you need to plan for your future life now. There are several things to consider. When you give each of these areas some thought and planning, you'll be able to enjoy your retirement years. 

Getting Your Financial House in Order

A sound financial plan will help you determine your upcoming budgetary requirements. You will need to consider future expenses, such as home remodeling. As you get older, you may also want to consider extended-term care health insurance to cover any hospital costs, home nursing, or rehab. These nursing homes manage multiple things by using nursing home software like daily adult daycare for socialization, living supervision, and assisted living facilities. Thinking through these potential costs ahead of time can help save your hard-earned nest egg in the future.

If you have decided to age in place in your home, you'll need to consider any modifications or remodeling that will be required to keep you safe and independent for as long as possible. Senior living communities offer the advantage of providing move-in ready, accessible accommodations. For some, this is a desirable option, although most people are nowadays opting to stay in their home. 

Consider any features of the home that could be more dangerous as you get older. Falling is especially common and destructive as people age. Are your wood floors a little slippery? You may need to put down carpeting or rugs to prevent falls. Grab bars in the bathroom will also be helpful. If you experience arthritis, you may want to change the doorknobs to a lever style to make it easier to turn. Walk-in showers and accessible doorways are also things that can help make life more comfortable as you age. Medical alert systems for the home now monitor movements to detect falls and notify your support network. Look at your home with a discerning eye when you decide to age in place - even exchanging your multistory home for a single-story house or condo. 

Technology Can Help!

Not only can technology, such as smartphones and tablets, help you remain in contact with family and friends, but it can also help in many other ways. Many people are familiar with wearable technology that can alert medical personnel or family members if there is an accident or a problem like a fall. This is an easy, affordable way to provide peace of mind. Other ways that technology can support your new lifestyle are phone apps for ride services (Uber, Lyft), medication reminders, and apps for ordering food and personal items (UberEats, Postmates, Walmart). The ability to have food, medications and other things delivered can help when you cannot get out. 

Consider spending time learning the many ways that the virtual assistant on your phone (such as Siri) can help with everything from opening apps to scheduling appointments and playing music. The Internet also allows you to explore the collections of museums worldwide, take classes online, attend lectures and read books for low or no cost. The options are vast to engage with other people and new material. And talk with your physician about the telehealth options that you have. Being able to chat with a nurse when you have a question or symptom can save you much. 

Exercise and Wellness

While you may have an established exercise routine, you should consult your doctor for any specific advice to maintain your wellness. Routine checkups and monitoring of any chronic health conditions are part of the plan. Regular physical activity helps maintain mobility and muscle strength. It will also boost your energy, lower stress, and lift your mood. Beyond regular exercises, you can also include other activities such as walks in the park, gardening, or strolling to visit a friend. These are more passive but still contribute to your wellbeing. 

Getting outside and seeing other people can boost your mood. If you don't currently exercise regularly, your physician can point you to appropriate resources. While you are thinking about health, consider your diet. Eating a well-rounded, nutritious diet will significantly improve your health. Lastly, as you will have more time, consider pursuing activities to keep your mind engaged and active. Many seniors find volunteering to be a rewarding way to remain involved in their community. 

Nurture Relationships

We have family and friends around us in one way to reduce any feelings of anxiety or depression. Engaging in a community center is one way that some choose to remain active. Even if you cannot physically be with other people, technology allows you to video chat with loved ones. Social media is another way to keep up with friends and family. 

Friendships can be even more critical to our healthy being than family ties as we age, as AARP relates. And for family, some seniors choose to combine households with children. Pew reports that there are now 64 million multi-generational households in the US, and the numbers are growing as America's demographics change. Multi-gen families enjoy the benefits of having children growing up with their grandparents, while parents can get help with the kids.

Retirement is a time when you can pursue a variety of things that you never had time for. This may be traveling, learning a new skill, pursuing a hobby, or spending more time with the grandkids. It's essential to spend time considering what's necessary and planning your future before you ever retire. Your retirement can be the most satisfying part of your life, consisting of you at your best and in your best years.