A Rewarding Retirement
The Savvy Senior
By Robert Goodman, MSW
Geriatric Social Worker
Retirement is a major life changing event. One has to plan for retirement. More and more “younger” people are retiring to South Florida (and Century Village). Many decisions have to be made about how to spend your retirement.
Do you have a plan? What will you do after you retire? Will you move to South Florida as a snowbird, snowflake, or snowdrop or full time? What activities are you going to participate in? Will you continue to work?
Hopefully you have put away money for your retirement and can now live comfortably in this stage of your life. There is a lot to learn about being retired. You have financial, health and use of leisure time concerns. I always say you have to be healthy, wealthy, and wise to retire to Florida. You need your health to enjoy retirement, money to spend, and wise enough to make the right choices on how to utilize your time.
There are many activities to choose from in your community. There are all kinds of classes, clubs, gyms and first-rate local entertainment. There are theaters, educational opportunities, and other kinds of activities in your area. You can’t get bored!
Another way to spend your time and give back to the community is by volunteering. There are many volunteer opportunities available in your own community.
SCORE, the Service Corp of Retired Executives is a wonderful organization with dedicated volunteers who make themselves available to help up and coming entrepreneurs. SCORE offers information and assistance for a business or business idea. Every month SCORE provides FREE counseling to hundreds of budding entrepreneurs. They also offer a variety of workshops. If you have at least 10 years of business experience as an owner, officer of your own business, or served at mid-level management or higher in the corporate world, and would enjoy helping men and women seeking to start or grow their own businesses, Call SCORE at 1-800-634-0245 For to find a location near you. You can also contact the National Executive Service Corps via email at info@nesc.org. Their websites are www.score.org and www.nesc.org.
Local hospitals and social service agencies always need volunteers. Hospitals use volunteers for a variety of patient related duties, like answering phones, transporting patients, and delivering flowers. Volunteers are also needed by the American Red Cross, local area agency on aging, hospices, senior centers and literacy coalitions.