The senior generation didn't just embrace the American work
ethic; they embodied it. Year after year, decade after decade,
they took great pride in giving an honest day's work for an
honest day's wages. Then they retired. Abruptly, that precious
and rare commodity known as free time filled their lives. What
were they supposed to do? Some took a while to adjust to their
new state of life. Others acted like the proverbial kid set
loose in the candy store.
Defining "leisure" isn't easy. One person's job is another's
hobby. In general, leisure-time activities fall into several
broad categories:
--Temporary shutdown: this is being a couch potato, which
just about everyone enjoys from time to time, although obviously
it's not good when it fills up an entire schedule
--Time alone: this might be reading or "people watching"
--Creative time alone: this would include activities such as
knitting or carpentry projects
--Service: this is simply volunteer work
--Socializing: this is spending time with friends, family,
and others for personal enjoyment
While a recent retiree may find a satisfying combination of
the four for a while, that initial burst of enthusiasm doesn't
always last. Then, too, as the years go by, declining health may
mean adjustments have to be made.
Here are some recommendations for what you can do to
encourage your care-receiver to keep active:
--Understand why your loved one may be doing less. It could
be that an illness has become the focus of his attention for a
time, but as he begins to feel better, or to adjust to his new
circumstances, his old hobbies will start to appeal to him
again. If not, it's important to know that a lack of interest in
the things that used to give him pleasure is one of the symptoms
of clinical depression.
--Keep in mind that sometimes a care-receiver may hesitate to
continue a favorite pastime because it's not going to be the
same as it was before. Maybe she played cards with a group of
friends for years, and now she's the only one who hasn't moved
away or died. Playing with new people just isn't the same for
her. After all, it wasn't the card game that mattered; it was
the companionship. And even though your loved one may want to
make new friends, she hesitates. Won't they also just move on or
die? She may think, I'm too old to make new friends.
--Ask what he or she wants to do. Help your loved one by
asking, "What is it you've always wanted to do?" Encourage him
or her to dream big.
--Help your care-receiver get whatever supplies, equipment,
or instructions he or she may need. Check out what resources are
available in the community. Some community colleges offer
classes for seniors at little or no cost. Senior centers provide
classes, activities, meals, and socials. Explore with your
care-receiver what type of volunteer work he or she might enjoy
doing. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), an
organization that helps seniors get involved in their
communities.
--Be careful not to pack your loved one's schedule from dawn
to dusk. Remember: the point is to encourage, not to dictate or
overwhelm.