You probably aren’t as social as you think you are. You may think of yourself as a social being,
but what happens if you are not? When
you retire you no longer have a
career, a business, or special functions to attend. There is no place that you have to be. It is quite a shock when you realize how
small your social network actually is. When you leave work you promise to keep
in touch with everyone, but you don’t, and you soon learn that your colleagues
have moved on without you. Your former social
network is no longer there.
The social aspect of work is what kept you sane. Whether you loved or hated your job was
immaterial. Sharing your feelings with
others in the same boat created a special bond. When that bond no longer exists you are alone,
perhaps for the first time in your life.
Your family is your closest support system, but even that isn’t a
given. Relationships, even family
relationships, need to be nurtured in order to endure. Not everyone is lucky enough
to be a part of a large family. Some
families are small or nonexistent. The
choices that you have made will determine what you need to do now.
As people grow older, family members and friends
move away or die. My favorite cousins
have lived in the same area for many years. It is a community where everyone
knows everyone else. Every week or so
she tells me that they have attended funeral services for someone they know. Typically, their circle of friends is getting
smaller every year. Outliving friends
and even your own children is a valid fear for many older people.
People who move into
communal or institutional settings find that it is difficult to maintain social
relationships on the outside. Family and
friends are often reluctant to visit because of the rules and regulations that
govern communal living. The invitations
and visits dwindle until they stop altogether. Many people opt to stay in their own homes or
live with adult children for such reasons.
Relationships are important as you grow older.
If you choose to stay in your own home or your own community you have to make
the effort to keep the lines of communication open. If you open your mind and heart and avail
yourself of modern technology you
can make it happen. Telephone calls,
e-mails, and Skype make keeping in touch as close as your living room.
Social interaction plays an
important role in successful aging. It will be up to you to make the first move. Volunteer your services and share your
knowledge. Make those extra years count
for something.
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