Retirement is a strange time in anyone’s life. They don’t have to work anymore, so they have a lot more freedom, but because most people retire when they are older, sometimes health or other issues might mean that freedom is limited. In these cases, it is often down to family and friends to help those who have retired live a fuller life and to make the most of their retirement. Here are some ways this can be done.
Help Them With Technology
Our mental and physical health needs to stay connected to friends and family as we age; this can be more difficult after retirement. After all, when we work, we often see people in our day-to-day lives, but this can be harder once there is no more work.
Technology is an excellent way for people to stay connected; texting, email, social media, and video calls are all good ways to stay in touch. However, older people who don’t use this tech in their daily lives currently and who haven’t grown up with it may not find it so easy to use. If you can teach them what to do and ensure they have all the equipment they need to stay in touch, you can help immensely.
How to Stay Connected with Friends and Family Through Technology?
Here are some tips to help ensure your loved one stay connected with friends and family through technology:
- Set up a user-friendly device like a tablet. Ensure it’s charged and has the necessary apps like video chat (Facetime, Skype, Facebook Messenger) and email. Show them how to use basic features.
- Create a list of contacts with key friends and relatives’ phone numbers and email addresses. Help your loved one add these to their device’s contacts list or address book.
- Subscribe your loved one to a shared family calendar you can all access, like Google Calendar. Add birthdays, events, and appointments so they can stay updated.
- Set up automatic photo sharing through apps like Snapfish so new photos are sent to loved ones regularly. This keeps them engaged in what’s new.
- Organize virtual meetups through video chat so your loved one has something to look forward to and stays connected face-to-face.
- Set up Alexa Echo Show or Facebook Portal in your loved one’s home so friends and family can easily call them through these smart display devices.
- Ensure your loved one’s device has accessibility features enabled if they have trouble seeing or hearing. Add captions, increase text/icon size, and adjust hearing aid compatibility.
- Set up email or social media if your loved one has used this and wants to continue. Add favorites/contacts and show them how to receive notifications.
The key is tailoring technology to your loved one’s abilities and preferences. With some setup, you can ensure they stay linked to the people and things they love.
Moving Home
Some people choose to stay in their own homes when they retire, and if they are not lonely or unwell, there is often no issue with this, although it can be expensive. Others will want to sell their home and downsize to something more manageable. Still, more might prefer assisted living in Massachusetts, especially if they need care.
Take the time to discuss what your loved one might want. This can sometimes be a difficult conversation, but it needs to be had to ensure everyone understands the plans for the future. Your loved one already knows exactly what they want, and you may need to help them achieve it. Talk, and then you can work out how to help.
Keep In Contact
Everyone ages differently. Some people are frail and unable to care for themselves in their 70s, for example, whereas others are robust and healthy and live a great retirement life.
No matter which end of the spectrum your loved one might fall into, they will always need you to keep in contact. As we mentioned above, this is good for everyone’s health. With technology, there is no reason why, even if you live hours away, even in a different country, you can’t call for a chat or send a text or email to let your loved one know you’re thinking of them and tell them the news where you are. Even if you don’t need to do anything else, this point is crucial to help them have a happy retirement.
Conclusion
Retirement can be an uncertain and challenging phase of life. Without the structure of work and regular social contacts, it can also be an isolating time. Fortunately, family and friends can make a big difference in ensuring their retired loved ones stay happy, healthy, and engaged.
Taking the time to set up senior-friendly technology enables them to stay connected with the people and interests most important to them. Making thoughtful decisions about future housing needs early on can ease transitions later in life. And simply keeping in regular, caring contact reminds retirees that they are not alone but have a strong support system behind them.
While each person’s retirement situation is unique, every retiree benefits from knowing their loved ones prioritize their healthy lifestyle. Taking key steps to facilitate social connections, independence, and health will pay dividends in the quality of life your retired family member or friend experiences. By empowering retirees, we empower ourselves to confront and thrive in our later years.
