How to Overcome Senior Depression After Retirement

October 31st, 2017 by John Wilson

For most seniors, retirement is an exciting time they’ve looked forward to for many years. However, sometimes it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. For those who make the move to senior assisted living and even some who choose to age in place, depression can be a real problem. Some seniors feel they are no longer as useful as they once were and they may feel lonely when they aren’t getting out and interacting with people on a daily basis. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to find ways to combat these feelings.

Create a Schedule

It’s often a lack of structure that leads to depression among those who are retired. One of the best ways to combat this is by creating a schedule. When one day flows into the others and you can hardly remember which day is which, it can be difficult to feel happy and content. Come up with a schedule for your housework, errands, social time, hobbies and more. The more structured your day is, the less likely you will feel depressed on a regular basis.

Make New Relationships

Getting out and meeting new people is a great way to find people with whom you share interests. Affordable assisted living in OKC makes it easy to connect with others, especially with those who may like to do the same things as you. While it’s important to maintain your old contacts, making new friends can be a great way to keep things fresh and new.

Get in Shape

Staying active is one of the best ways to combat depression at any time in your life. Even something as simple as taking a walk on a regular basis can clear your head and help you feel more focused. However, a trip to the gym or even taking an activity-based class can make a world of difference in how you feel and can help you fill out your spare time.

Give Back

Another great way to fill your time and feel good about yourself is to give back to the community around you. Since you aren’t worried about making a living, you have plenty of time to make life better for someone else. Volunteer your time tutoring kids in school or caring for animals at the local pet shelter.

Learn Something New

There’s no better time than now to learn something new. Whether you take a class offered in senior assisted living or you find one at your local community college, you will be able to get involved in something you’ve always wanted to learn.

Consider a Part Time Job

Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you can’t continue to earn an income. Many people find it comforting to continue to work. This can give you a schedule, as well as allow you to interact with other people. For some people, full retirement is never an option.

Assisted living communities in OKC work hard to keep seniors involved and give them plenty to do after retirement. If you have any questions about how we keep seniors active and involved, contact us.