With age can come loneliness
Being a senior can be lonely, being a retiree even more so.
As children and young adults, we make friends in school and have a wide social circle. As parents, we get to know other parents and there are work colleagues and more neighborhood events than we can count. Then something happens: the kids move out and on and friends move away. Work comes to an end and perhaps we downsize to a smaller home in a new, unfamiliar neighborhood. All of a sudden, our social circle, which seemed so large, shrinks down to the size of a penny and too often our world consists of what we can view from outside of our living room window. To connect with other seniors, consider joining a club. There are many that are geared towards retirees and are either free or have a nominal membership fee. Here are a few that you may not have considered:
The American Birding Association and National Audubon Society.
Have you ever thought about getting up close and personal with our fine feathered friends? If so, the ABA may be the club for you. Membership starts at $30 a year. In addition to a digital magazine and access to their website, you can sign up for birding travel experiences, both near and far. For more information, go to https://www.aba.org/ and learn more. Another organization related to birds is the National Audubon Society. For an annual fee of $20, you can attend local birding events and if desired, become a volunteer and help preserve bird habitats. https://www.audubon.org/
AmeriCorps Seniors.
This is a government organization that provides service opportunities for people aged 55 and older. If you want to get out and help in the community, this organization can help you find volunteer activities that are a good fit. Go to https://americorps.gov/ for more information and to create an online profile.
Good Sam.
This club may be for you if you own an RV or camper and want to hit the road. Membership begins at $29 a year and multi-year memberships are available. If you want to join in the fun but do not own your own vehicle, rentals are available, as is roadside assistance. https://www.goodsam.com/
SeniorNet.org
This is a non profit group that helps seniors learn about technology and connect with others, through their online community. They also offer games and trivia, for some extra fun. https://seniornet.org/
Silver Sneakers.
If you are over 65 and have a Medicare plan, take advantage of this club and work out alongside other seniors. There are more than 80 types of classes available, from outdoor walking to courses on nutrition. What a great way to meet new people and stay fit at the same time! https://tools.silversneakers.com/
Red Hat Society.
Recess is not just for the kids anymore! If you are a woman in the need of a "playdate" and some fun, then this group is for you. Known for their vibrant purple outfits and bright red hats, the women in these clubs join to form friendships, stay fit and active, and quite simply, to have a good time. At only $30 a year, this is truly a phenomenal way to meet new people in your area and learn about the positive power of fun. https://redhatsociety.montonton.com/site/about
Book Clubs.
This is a great way to keep dementia at bay, make friends, and learn about something new all at the same time. A book club can encourage you to read a title that you never considered and see life from a new perspective. Most libraries offer book clubs and a local independent bookstore can also help you find a book club that interests you. From murder and mayhem to genteel classics, there is a club available for every literary taste. Here is a handy website that can help you get started. https://bookclubs.com/
Garden Clubs.
Do you enjoy playing in the dirt? Are you excited to see a strawberry pop up out of the ground? If so, a garden club may be right for you. There are garden clubs across the globe, with focuses that vary from fruit and vegetables to growing fresh flowers, classes about horticulture, bees, and the environment. The opportunities are limitless, so if you can envision the Gardens of Versailles in your backyard, check out The Garden Club of America and see if any of their many offerings are of interest. https://www.gcamerica.org/
An interesting bit of trivia:
the "Blue Moon" woodland phlox is the Garden Club of America's plant of the year. You can read more about it on their website.Travel Clubs.
If you are tired of being at home and are ready to venture out into the world, then why not try a travel club. There are as many types of clubs as there are seniors, so whether you want to walk, camp, glamp, kayak, or stay in a palace and whether you wish to stay close to home or check out the other side of the planet, there is a club for you. Here is an article that mentions several different options: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/senior-travel/best-travel-groups-for-seniors
National Senior Games.
If you are fifty or older and have always enjoyed sports and competition, then you will not want to let this opportunity pass you by. These games are typically held every other year and include such challenges as tennis, golf, shuffleboard, and even some non-ambulatory options, so all ability levels are welcome and encouraged. So check out their site and then get moving Bring a friend and if you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but go. You will be so glad you did. https://nsga.com/
103 year old Julia Hawkins, a National Senior Games champion, put it best, when she said, "When you get old you should have a lot of passions. Passions keep you going. They make you want to live and want to do. Get out there and make new friends and do something new every day."
Let us all listen to Ms. Hawkins and try something new, Perhaps one of these clubs will open doors or opportunities you had not considered, or maybe they will inspire you to try something different. That passion is waiting for you, just around the corner, so finish reading this newsletter--of course!!--and then go online and select a club or two or three and get busy! What are you waiting for? New friends and exciting adventures await! Get going!
Warmly,
Kimberly Wolf and Your Team at Pacific Financial Advisors