Nothing to Do? No Way!

According to a report released last month, the keys to enjoying retirement lie not in resting but continuing to stay busy and enjoy what you do. People who continue to work after retirement have fewer diseases and functional limitations than people who quit completely, reports WebMD contributor Bill Hendrick.

The study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, was published in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Researchers found that people who find post-retirement work that is related to their previous jobs report better mental health than those who just call it quits and retire. They compiled data from 12,189 participants between 51 and 61 at the start of the study. The participants were interviewed every two years starting in 1992 about health, finances, employment history, work and retirement life.

Ray and Bernadine Gargac moved into Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Living Community in Pemberville a few months ago. Bernadine was certain she’d find nothing to do in a retirement community besides keeping up with the Cleveland Indians, especially since she doesn’t drive. To further convince her to move, Ray promised Bernadine a big screen TV so she could follow the games. After raising 13 children and keeping tabs on 40 grandchildren, she thought retirement was going to be too easy, too placid.

Ray, too, had given up Charlie and Company, his spunky little donkey and Billy goat to the care of someone Ray described as the Donkey Whisperer. Ray knew he might miss them. He didn’t need to feed, water or exercise those critters or clean his little barnyard. But now what was he going to do with his days?

What Ray and Bernadine found was something entirely different than they’d expected retirement to be. As Portage Valley’s newest bingo caller, strength and balance aficionado and Ladies’ Day Out participant, Bernadine has made good use of her comfortable running shoes. You can see her walking from her villa to the main building for activities and meals morning, noon and night most days.

With the help of what he calls his “Roll-Aider,” Ray, too, has been getting stronger and working hard to keep up with Bernadine. As he reports, “We’re so busy with exercise class, lunching with old and new friends, health checks, coffee talk, outings and getting ready to play Mary and Joseph in Otterbein Portage Valley’s upcoming Christmas production, you should be charging us rent on main building space too!”

Some of Ray and Bernadine’s family surprised them on Nov. 6 at the Willows, Chef Reggie’s fine dining experience in homage to the famous Toledo restaurant icon. They say Dad hasn’t looked this good in a long time. Ray regaled the group with new stories and jokes and you could just see Bernadine was enjoying the elegant evening.

It turns out that putting more life in your years truly can add years to your life!

Would you like to learn more about getting involved and putting more fun into retirement? Join us for two opportunities to learn more and help Hannah’s Socks in December!

Hannah’s Breakfast Benefit
9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Please bring a pair of socks, gloves or some other warm garment to be donated to Hannah’s Socks.

The Christmas Clown
By the way, you can see Ray and Bernadine portray Joseph and Mary in this year’s Otterbein Portage Valley performance of The Christmas Clown, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10. Join us for hors d’oeuvres and fun for all.

RSVPs are recommended. Please call (419) 833-8917 today!
 

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