Retired People

QUESTION: How can I connect with other retired people?

ANSWER:

Connecting with other retired people can be daunting, and sometimes we have to step out of our shy shell to unite with others of our peer group. Church activities are a good choice to find places where other retirees go to interact with each other. If you don’t have a church home, visit several churches to find the one that you are comfortable with in worship.

Other places besides church are quite numerous; it depends on how large of a group you are looking for. You can check your local library for any group activities or call the city hall of your residence. They would be able to give you the names of clubs to contact for meeting times. There are many clubs like the: Over 50s Club, Senior Citizen Centers, Meals – On – Wheels program, biker groups, RV camping groups, and others. Contacting the community’s food cupboard would be able to help you find other retirees and also offer some volunteer opportunities; since many food pantries are run by volunteer retirees who have the time to do the work.

“Soon after I retired, I joined a gym and attended aerobic classes several days a week. There are several activities in our church for retirees. We love to attend these functions as a group. Our church has a singles ministry for single retirees, as many other churches have this type of ministry. If you don’t find one, you can start one.

“There are many beneficial factors in connecting with other retired people. It is now recommended by the medical field to get out at least once a week if at all possible. Connecting with others helps us to avoid depression and stress. It can lower our blood pressure, enables us to exercise a bit, and it has been proven to lengthen lifespan.“

God knew about these benefits when He instructed us to not forsake in joining with others in church. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).