At Broadmoor Court in Colorado Springs, CO, we're all about providing our residents with the tools they need to live life on their own terms. To that end, let's look at some traditional thoughts and how you can flip the coin on those "rules" in your life.
Traditional thought: Retirement means slowing down.
The tradition of slowing down in older age probably comes from some well-meaning and logical thought. Many people do want to give up the rapid pace of days that involve careers or raising families so they have time for the things they most enjoy. But over the years, this concept has trickled into the physical.
Whether you're a long-time marathon runner or just someone who likes to stay active, older age doesn't have to mean slowing down literally. In fact, working to maintain mobility and live an active lifestyle is increasingly normal for people of all ages.
Partner with your health care provider and others to ensure you're staying active in a way that's good for you.
Traditional thought: You should move to a retirement community.
There's no right or wrong living arrangement for older adults. Consider what serves your needs best, whether that's:
Traditional thought: You should stick to safe, age-appropriate activities.
You should consider your physical fitness, skill level and personal risk tolerance when planning any activities or adventures. However, those lines aren't necessarily drawn according to age. If you want to hike a mountain, learn how to ride horses or enjoy kayaking, don't let something as arbitrary as your years on the planet stop you.
Instead, consider how you can do so as safely as possible. Older adults might start small with adventures, schedule outings with groups of friends or work with professionals and guides to help increase safety.
Traditional thought: You should dress your age.
How about we replace this one with "you should dress how you feel comfortable." Neon pants and a baseball cap? Comfy cardigan and blue jeans? A cozy robe over pajamas that feature creatures like sloths? Anything goes.
Obviously, society does sometimes call, and you may need to follow some basic dress code requirements when stepping out. We're not saying sloth PJs are a good look for dinner out with friends. We're saying worry less about what's age-appropriate and more about what you feel good in.
Traditional thought: You should be frugal and stick to a limited budget.
Do a Google search with the terms "seniors" and "finances" and you'll probably get a lot of results about saving. As an older adult, you might already know a lot about saving — perhaps you did it your entire life so you could enjoy retirement. Certainly, responsible financial management is critical for adults of any age.
However, if you have ideas about travel or your day-to-day lifestyle that don't fit with the concept of a "limited budget," the sooner you get creative about funding, the better. We don't mean "creative" like Walter White in Breaking Bad (if you haven't seen the hit television series, White was a high school chemistry teacher who broke bad to become a meth manufacturer when his life hit some desperate financial hurdles).
What we mean by being creative is considering your goals and desires and working outside the traditional retirement timeline to make them happen. That might look like working part-time or entering the gig economy by selling handicrafts or working online.
Traditional thought: Health decline is a natural part of aging.
Human bodies change as they age. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. By eating right, managing any chronic diseases and engaging in regular exercise, you can help protect the mobility and functionality you still have. Older adults can take part in cardiovascular exercise, weight training and other fitness activities to help ensure they're physically fit enough to tackle adventures and other dreams.
It's also important to realize there aren't one-size-fits-all rules for living out your older years. It's crucial to understand where you are right now, realistically consider your limitations and break the "rules" so you can live a happy, vibrant life.
