Guest Post – Ideas For Retired Parents

My parents have retired and are slowing down a bit but have strong clear minds and are still capable of so many things.  Here’s an excellent article written by Mary Kremer highlighting some great summer ideas you can pass on to your retired friends and family.

How to Have the Best Summer of Your Life at 65+

Author: Mary Kremer

My in-laws are some of the most active people I know.  At 65 and 75, with 32 grandkids and counting, they manage to volunteer Tuesday-Thursday of every week, teach HAM radio classes, make hand sewn birthday presents for each grand kid, and spend the weekends having dinner with various children and grandchildren. Of the myriad of lessons they’ve taught me, one is age definitely doesn’t have to slow you down.

So, the summer is upon us, and it’s not too late to make it the best one of your life. Here are a few tips on budget-friendly hobbies, activities, and vacations to help you get started on your adventures and spend more time with the people you love.

Start a Garden

Starting a garden might not seem like the most exciting endeavour, but it can actually be very therapeutic and rewarding. It’s also a great way to spend some time outside and exercise your knees and back. Plus, a garden lets you reap the benefits of fresh veggies and beautiful flowers the whole summer through.

If you’re just starting your garden this month, don’t worry, plenty of vegetables will grow just fine when planted in July:

Kale

Basil

Beans

Broccoli

Cabbage

Cucumber

Squash

You might want to try…

• Giving each grandkid a small plot in your garden. If they can stick with it, they’ll learn the value of being self-sufficient when their plants come up. Either way, it’s a great way for you to spend some time with them every week.

• Using raised gardens or cultivating a small garden in your window, especially if you have trouble getting up and down.

• Cultivating an herb garden, especially if you’re interested in natural remedies. You might be surprised at all you can do with herbs. Mint and ginger, for example, are great in tea to quell nausea.

Take a Community Education Class

It’s never too late to learn more about a subject that interests you. Whether it’s an art class or an auto mechanic class. Consider enrolling in a community education class to expand your knowledge. Most community education classes are very affordable, ranging anywhere from $25-$150.

You might want to try…

•  Taking a financial class. Many communities offer financial and retirement planning classes. These might be great assets to help you sort out your time in retirement.

• Taking a dance class, like salsa or ballroom dance. Not only will it help you get out and get moving, but you’ll have something fun to teach your grandkids the next time they come visit.

Explore Nature

Just because you’re getting older does not mean the beauty of the natural world is no longer available to you. If you’d like to get out and go for a hike, but you’re not sure you can handle anything too steep, look for local walking paths. Many communities have paths of nature cutting right through town.

You might want to try…

•  Finding a path that’s both bike and pedestrian friendly and bringing along your grandkids!

• Collecting flowers and leaves to press and turn into a scrapbook. You can also enlist in your grandkids to help in the collecting.

Visit a Farmer’s Market

There’s no better way to really get to know your community than by visiting a farmer’s market. Find your local market and make a habit of visiting it this summer. Not only will you find fresh produce all summer long, you’ll also likely find local crafts and artistry. You can explore pottery, leatherworking, woodworking, art, and textiles, all designed and created by local artists.

You might want to try…

•  Taking your grandkids with you when you visit the market. They’ll love to explore and it will be good for them to learn more about what goes on in their community.

• Hosting a booth at your local farmer’s market! It’s a great way to get out and meet your community. Many local markets allow you to rent the space for just a few days for a few dollars, or for the entire season for a few hundred dollars. Contact your local farmer’s market to find out more details.

If You’re Running Low on Energy

These activities can require a lot of energy. Sometimes, getting our bodies going on a regular basis is enough to give us the energy we need. However, as we age the hormones in our bodies decrease, which can lead to a loss in energy. To learn more about hormone loss as you age and what to expect, check out this article.

 Make this summer a great one and get outdoors with these hobbies and activities. You never know what you’re going to discover as soon as you start exploring.

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