Month: November 2019

You might think that your youth is the best time to pursue new things, but with work and formal education out of the way, retirement proves for many to be the perfect time for their hobbies. Whether you’re continuing a lifelong passion or looking for something new to try, here are some great hobbies to keep seniors mentally and physically active.

Making music

It’s never too late to learn something new. If you’re looking for a new hobby during retirement, why not pick up an instrument you’ve always wanted to learn how to play? Or perhaps you played an instrument when you were younger and want to start again. You might be surprised by how quickly it comes back to you.

Board games

Bridge is usually the game associated with seniors, but there is a huge variety to choose from other than this. Not only a huge number of card games, but also board games that are becoming increasingly popular, with board game cafés popping up all over. From casual, light-hearted games to more in-depth strategic games, they are great for engaging the brain and having fun with friends and family members.

Video games

And don’t rule out video games. There has been a huge rise in recent years of older adults playing games on consoles, PC, and mobile. The best example of this is Shirley Curry, aka the Skyrim Grandma, who has her own YouTube channel with more than 750 thousand subscribers! She posts videos of herself playing the game and has gained such a huge following that she’s even going to appear in the upcoming game in The Elder Scrolls series that she enjoys.

Arts and crafts

If you’d rather create something out of your hobby, there are lots of different arts and crafts to try out in your senior years. Drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, model making, photography, jewelry making, woodwork, and so many more. There’s sure to be something that takes your interest. Creative activities have even been found to help dementia patients and may even make dementia less likely to occur in healthy adults.

Golfing

It might be a cliché, but golfing among seniors is hugely popular for lots of reasons. It’s a great way to get out in the fresh air and stretch the legs while also playing a fun and challenging sport. It’s great for socialization as well as mental and physical health. Bermuda Village is located in the Bermuda Run Country Club with its own 36-hole golf course, so this is a hobby that’s easy for you to pursue if you move into our independent living community.

Now is the perfect time for you to try out different hobbies, whether at home, at local classes, or in an independent living or retirement community. Get in touch with Bermuda Village if you have any questions about the activities we offer for residents.

Do you look forward to your golden years of retirement? However you plan to spend those years, it’s important that you plan and prepare for them so that you know you have everything you need. If you suddenly need healthcare or senior living, then you and your family want to know that this can all be taken care of.

Let’s look at some tips to help you plan for a healthy and happy retirement, whatever stage of life you’re at.

Saving money for retirement

It’s never too soon, or too late, to start putting extra money away for your retirement. But it also helps to know how much you’ll need for a comfortable retirement. Start by planning out a budget. What will your expenses be like when you’re in retirement? If you’re a long way off this point, then this process might be a little more difficult, but you can work with a financial planner to help you plot out your budgetary needs.

When determining your budget, don’t forget to account for emergency needs like healthcare and senior living. It always helps to have an extra pot stashed away for these kinds of emergencies. Think about regular healthcare as part of your budget, too. Dental check-ups, medications, vision care, and other expenses should all be taken into consideration.

When saving for retirement, it’s important that you understand all the ways you can contribute toward this retirement pot. Put your own money away whenever you can, but also make sure you understand your employer’s pension plan and how to make the most out of this. If they don’t offer one, then why not suggest it to them?

Planning care for retirement

Planning for retirement isn’t just about saving up. It also helps to have contingency plans in place for various different outcomes. Can you continue to live in the same home or will you move into a more accessible one? Or perhaps you can adapt your current home to make it more suitable. If you need care, who will provide it, a family member, a professional caregiver, or an assisted living community?

You will also need to think about legal issues like assigning a power of attorney and finalizing your will. You want to be prepared for every outcome and make sure both you and your family are looked after in any eventuality.

If you want to prepare for your future care needs, then contact Bermuda Village to find out how we can support and accommodate you as your needs change during your golden years.