Senior Socialization

Edna looked forward to each Wednesday with a special sense of excitement—it’s when she volunteered with 5th grade students in Sausalito. Over the past year, she’d formed a strong bond with not only the children, but their teacher as well: her lifetime of experience and knowledge was deeply valued inside the classroom, while seeing students grow motivated her to return time and again. After several years of retirement, these weekly volunteer sessions helped Edna connect more deeply to her community and form new, long-term relationships.

Ed looked up from his desk to see a young woman waiting patiently. She asked where to find books on teaching—she was starting a night course in education and wanted to prepare. The older man smiled and pointed her in the right direction, then went back to cataloging the new books that had just come in, with a smile on his face.

One of the best parts of getting older is the potential for more free time—and what better way to spend it than exploring the city you live in. Especially for those lucky enough to call a cosmopolitan hotspot like San Francisco home, the list of things to do is seemingly endless. Chalk full of galleries, museums, outdoor activities, and fascinating historical sites, this city is one of America’s best. Not to mention it’s also very accessible for wheelchair users, ranking quite high for mobility friendliness.

Moving to a new city can be a wonderful way for your aging loved one to feel rejuvenated. Getting to know a brand new place, seeing fresh sights, and meeting new people are all wonderful benefits of relocating. And although there are a few stressful aspects involved with a move, the experience can provide your loved one with just the right amount of challenge to reignite their inspiration and engagement with life.

Attending my sister’s wedding this summer was heartwarming for many reasons—one thing that really stood out was the celebrant who officiated the union. An older man, Richard, facilitated the ceremony beautifully, bringing everyone to tears. Turns out he was a retired financial adviser who started officiating weddings when his son got married a few years ago. He loved the experience and started getting referrals by word-of-mouth. Hearing Richard’s story reminded me that just because your loved one retires from their lifelong career doesn’t mean they need to quit working altogether.