Statistics show seniors can be vulnerable after their working years
By David L. Podos
The term “Golden Years” was coined in 1959 as an advertising pitch for Sun City, Ariz. It was a catch phrase directed at people who were close to retirement (check out Bedford estate planning attorneys), and the possibility that after a long career of working, would find solace in then-America’s first large-scale retirement community.
The thought was retirees would enjoy the endless days of warmth and sunshine, golfing, hobbies or just plain “doing nothing” by sitting by the poolside sipping a favorite cocktail. It was a huge success.
After working 30, 40, or more years, for many people the idea of retirement is a sweet one.
There will be less stress and worry, more time to attend to overall health, perhaps a membership to a local gym, yoga, or rock climbing, sleeping longer, hanging out with more family and friends, and travel.
However, for many retirees the picture isn’t so rosy, and, in some cases, can actually be deadly.
According to the research nonprofit group American Progress, about 3.4 million seniors aged 65 and older live below the poverty line. These are apart from the millions more who are barely making ends meet or slightly above the poverty line. The plight of retirees in debt is characterized by relentless loan payments, decreasing assets and day-to-day budgeting problems. Consider getting the services of an asset protection attorney or estate planning lawyer that has a thorough understanding of estate planning and can advise you on how to avoid or minimize taxes, creditors, and other costs. Since this is a very important matter that could have ramifications for your loved ones, it would be best that you do your research and find a well-established and highly experienced estate litigation lawyer to work with.
Money woes among the elderly affect not only their physical and mental health, but also put a strain to their relationships brought about by regrets over bad decisions and actions of the past.
With the increasing number of elderly people struggling with financial instability, many are also facing challenges when it comes to finding affordable and quality care. This is where assisted living facilities like Spring Creek Chalet of Montrose, CO can help. These facilities provide seniors with a comfortable and supportive living environment, as well as access to necessary healthcare and social services. However, the cost of assisted living can be prohibitive for those living on a fixed income. As a society, we need to address these issues and find solutions to ensure that all elderly individuals have access to the care they need and deserve, regardless of their financial situation.
One way to address the challenges faced by the elderly is to consider retirement homes like Holly Hall, a Houston-based retirement community that provides various levels of care and support to seniors. Retirement homes like Holly Hall offer seniors a safe and comfortable living environment, access to healthcare services, social activities, and a community of peers. They provide seniors with the opportunity to live independently while still having access to the care they need. Moreover, retirement homes offer an affordable alternative to in-home care or assisted living facilities, making it possible for seniors to receive quality care without breaking the bank. As the population of elderly individuals continues to grow, we must continue to invest in and support facilities like Holly Hall retirement home to ensure that seniors can live out their golden years with dignity and comfort.
So, is early retirement a healthy idea?
A study at Shell Oil Co. looked into that very question and found that people who retired at age 55 had almost twice the risk of death compared to people who retired at age 60.
More disturbing news comes from an article written by Patrick J. Skerrett, former executive editor for Harvard Health:
“A new salvo comes from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. They looked at rates of heart attack and stroke among men and women in the ongoing U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Among 5,422 individuals in the study, those who had retired were 40 percent more likely to have had a heart attack or stroke than those who were still working. The increase was more pronounced during the first year after retirement, and leveled off after that.”
‘I was very nervous’
Of course, everyone’s situation is different and unique.
Suzie Lupinski, who lives in the town of Columbia in Herkimer County, retired just over a year ago after 35-plus years in the insurance business.
“I was very nervous in the beginning when I started to give some serious thought to retirement,” Lupinski said. Finally, she made the decision.
“My stress levels went up. I asked myself, ‘What am I going to do now’? I got up every morning at 5:15 to get ready for work. After retirement, I still was waking up at the same time. It took a while to break that pattern and while I was adjusting, I was still dealing with added stress and anxiety,” she noted.
Now settled and relaxed into a healthy routine, she can spend more time with family and enjoy other activities. Lupinski said a big part of adjusting to retirement is having something to do, like hobbies such gardening. She and her husband have a large garden and both enjoy the time together attending to it.
Paul Mortka, a special education teacher at Herkimer County BOCES, retired back in 2009 after 30 years of teaching at the Herkimer site.
Mortka said his biggest challenge once he retired was filling the people void.
“I interacted with over 80 people every day, then it was completely gone,” he said.
Mortka, who prides himself on being an excellent teacher, said, “I had to find something to be great at again.”
Lucky for him he had talent in landscaping. Being retired provided the time needed for improvements on his property.
Mortka has some suggestions for those close to retirement: “Don’t retire from something, retire to something. Build your social network, volunteer, take care of your health, and stay active.”
Here are some additional common tips that retirees can follow.
— Utilize the services of local senior citizens’ organizations
— Work part-time
— Find a hobby
— Volunteer
— Stay physically active as possible