We’re going to continue this series of videos for folks approaching retirement on important items to have on your “aging checklist.” Today, we are going to discuss health related items.
Here are some thoughts to consider.
- Make a list of all your doctors as well as any medications that you take.
- Help coordinate benefits between care providers and insurance companies.
- And here’s a Planning Tip:From a mental health perspective, make sure that you are retiring to something and not from something. Retirees are advised to pursue activities that involve daily structure, relationship building, and working towards a goal to keep mentally sharp and motivated. Unfortunately, hobbies don’t always fit those requirements.
Remember, while financial planning is essential, it’s astonishing how few people have a realistic strategy for how they will actually spend their time in retirement. You may not like your boss or daily commute, but retiring to eliminate those annoyances is not a recipe for happiness. The sad truth is that most hobbies, such as golf and traveling, generally aren’t sufficient to occupy all of one’s time and will leave retirees bored and unfulfilled.
A more realistic view of retirement may be to work part-time, volunteer, and to have regularly scheduled visits with family and friends. A combination of these activities can help provide daily structure, social interaction, and intellectual stimulation, all essential factors for staving off rapid physical and mental decline. It’s essential for those nearing the end of their career to have a well-defined and practical plan for how they will spend their days in retirement. And this is definitely something you should include on your aging checklist.