Reorganizing for Retirement and the Senior Life

Whether you decide to retire at age 65 or at a different age, there is a lot to look forward to and plan for. You have an accountant and a lawyer to help you with your estate planning, taxes, and any legal issues. Medicare will take care of most of your medical needs. Family members or friends are ready and willing to help you downsize, reorganize, or move your belongings if need be. Preparing for retirement and for the aging that accompanies it will help you make this life experience a bit smoother and a lot happier than if you wait until the last minute to do so.

How can you make retirement a happier occasion? Despite the things that are lost – regular income, coworkers, a regular routine – you have a lot to gain. Freedom and the ability to travel if you like may now open up. You may find time for hobbies and interests that you may not have had before, and more time to spend with friends and loved ones. Here are five important things to consider doing as you face retirement age.

Reorganizing your life for retirement involves cleaning out and cleaning up, and hopefully finding a tidy place for everything that is important or special to you. Throw away all papers that have accumulated over your life and securely shred the ones that contain personal information. We are weighted down by paper even in this so-called paperless society, so plan to get rid of it. Keep only what is necessary in your filing cabinet. Most tax and banking paperwork should be kept for seven years; credit card statements can be shredded after your payment was received that month. Organize your medical bills and health records as efficiently as you can so they are always accessible to you. (And visit the Social Security website to learn more about what documents you will need when you apply for your retirement benefits.)

You may need to accommodate physical changes as you get older, so plan now. This may mean adding a walk-in shower to the bathroom or adding extra lighting in places to prevent falls. This falls more in the remodeling category, but you should think how you will function best in your existing house. Alternately, you may decide that you need to move to a more appropriate space. If you need help in redesigning your current space, check out the aging-in-place specialists who are available through the National Association of Home Builders. These professionals are specifically trained in planning and developing the best living spaces for those wanting to age in place. Other options may include senior living, assisted living, or if more medical care is needed as you age, a nursing home or village that can provide you with more full-time medical care.

After taking care of the details of finances, paperwork, and housing, now it’s time to have fun in retirement! Find out what makes you happy outside of work or family. Have you always wanted to learn how to garden? Take a gardening class. Do you have the traveling bug but never had the time? Now is the time. Your retirement years are when you should relax, have fun, and do only those things that you enjoy. Fill up your days with things and activities that make you happy and fulfilled, whether that be reading or golfing. Now is the time to enjoy your life.

Another good thing to do as you face retirement is to invest in the help you will need as you age. This could mean a regular cleaning service, a lawn service to take care of the yard, or it could mean checking the medical alert system reviews if you’ll live alone and need a way to call an ambulance or a family member should something happen. Prepare for these expenses BEFORE you actually put in your retirement papers! The peace of mind that will come knowing that it’s already covered will help you enjoy your senior years more.

Most importantly, remember to stay active and engaged in order to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. If you are physically able, go serve meals to the homeless or enjoy the activities at the local senior center. The more active you are, the younger you will feel. It will also help on those days when anxiety or depression gets you down. If you live in an assisted living or senior living community, partake in what they have to offer such as parties, game night, and communal dining. These are just a few perks of living in a community with others your age. Oftentimes these communities (or the local parks and recreation department) can arrange for day trips, bus tours, and other outings that seniors would enjoy.

With a little bit of preparation and planning, your retirement can be the best years of your life!