Retirement Links

Projects During Retirement

Written by: Cecilia Mazza

Many people are dreaming of reaching retirement, looking at it as a rush to the finish line to relax and take it easy from then on. This is fine for a considerable number of retirees, but there is an increasing number of older workers that are contemplating a different scenario, in part due to their good health but also the current economical climate is contributing to this re-examination. Some retirees are looking for paths to stay connected to their community, staying active and feeling satisfied, perhaps supplementing their income along the way. The opportunities are ever increasing: working under contracts, alone or in a team, some older workers choose part-time employment and others go for full-time approach. Some seniors start their own businesses, some partner with family members and close friends.

Working in a team can be quite rewarding and it does help maintain the connectivity that many seniors seek. For example three siblings in their 60s and 70s decided to write a book dealing with herbs and their benefits. Each one of the siblings contributed with their areas of expertise. The older brother did the writing being that he had traveled extensively collecting herbs, learned from locals as well as had a background in agriculture. The younger brother edited the content as he had been a language tutor for most of his adult life. Finally, the sister drew the herb images as she had been a high school art teacher since her twenties. This body of work allowed the siblings to collaborate as a family and as professionals, something they had not done in the past. The book became a channel for the brothers and the sister to, hopefully, pass their knowledge to others interested in healing with plants. Also, this book became a source of extra income for these siblings, a way of keeping active and feeling fulfilled.

Being involved in an activity is essential and communities should develop more opportunities for seniors, but it is also up to the retirees themselves to find an activity where they can direct their energy. Whichever way, staying active is what seniors want aiding them personally as well as slowing down their health declines.

About the author:

Cecilia Mazza is the co-author of "Income Ideas for Seniors", now in its second edition, http://www.seniorscanwork.com, info@seniorscanwork.com.