An analytical approach to retirement?

Latest findings emphasise the need to keep physically active and engaged socially. That shouldn't be impossible so I'm consciously trying to use my time a bit better. I'd slumped into a comfortable chatty rut! Full marks to janeainsworth on her intrepid bike use. I could never go a bike when I was younger so certainly won't be doing that now!

If there really was anything which could delay or prevent dementia then it would be known

Not so sure about that. Knowledge, especially in health and medicine, isnt likely to be the same in 100 years. Even in dementia I suspect. Hopefully.

MargaretX - I agree with everything you have said.

I prefer mixed age company as I find retired people are mostly either moaning or boasting.

Years ago I suggested to my MIL that she joined an over 60's club, and she said that she didn't want to be with a lot of old people, which I thought funny as I considered her to be old herself. I think I know what she meant now though.

I have just acquired a bike jane10, the first proper bike I've ever owned, a hybrid with 21 gears
I'm using it to go to the supermarket, to Zumba and tennis, as well as going for bike rides with friends & having lunch at the pub.
So more exercise and less car use, win-win

I'm trying to mix things up a bit. I've joined another class which will be interactive but I can't actually get to it without a significant walk. No parking and no convenient bus stop. I definitely do what I enjoy doing but found that I was reading, writing and watching TV for literally hours on end. Definitely not good and I'm feeling it too. Its as if there's a cut out mechanism on my energy and I just run out of puff so easily. Nothing physically wrong (I've checked) just have to build up my stamina. Enjoyable physical activity is the key for me.

Good post MargaretX, I agree completely.Spending retirement doing what pleases us,combined with some duty things, a bit of volunteering and maybe gardening is what I try and do.It's a good life balance, rather than grimly doing excercises.

Jane I'm assuming you plot the graph in quadrants and place your activity in the appropriate box?

My big gap is in the still/solitary category. I really must find more time to play the piano and sit quietly reading all by myself!

If there really was anything which could delay or prevent dementia then it would be known. It is all supposition. As long as you are healthy then spend your retirement doing what pleases and satifies you. Being Sporty if you don't like it, builds up stress!
Dont you have housework to do? Don't forgett a lot of theses blogs and articles etc are aimed at men who, after leaving work just sit either at home, in the pub or at the betting shop, smoking.
Clean your windows more often and walk to the shops or best of all get a dog and take it for walks.
The U3a is glad to take any article especially if it makes older people feel guilty or at least gives them the feeling they should be doing something - preferably at the U3A.
I think joining courses eg photography or cookery or languages is better if you sit in a class with all ages not just with retired people

I agree about finding a balance but I don't think I would be any good at plotting my life out on graph paper. the last time I saw the GP a survey popped up on his computer and he asked me if I would do it with him regarding my level of exercise. when I told him what I do he was very pleased I asked hi if it was enough and he relied 'more than most'. I still don't have an idea if the balance is right for me but I feel I don't have enough of the social relaxing non exercise kind and don't know how to right this. I play golf 2/3 times a week so that's 16 hours in the fresh air. 1 Zumba Gold session a week and every now an then like yesterday do a big walk (8miles). If I have time I pop down to the gym a couple of times a week. We always walk into town a couple of times a week (3miles there and back) and I'm very active around the house and garden. I'm still concerned that I am fat and flabby though and feel guilty about everything I eat. I'm a trustee of a charity and am in the building of developing business plans for that so I'm hoping that will keep the brain active. It does feel that it isn't enough though. I am well and truly guilt tripped by the health police.

Yes I can see your point vegas. The people I meet in the various classes and groups are very nice and friendly but its the old long-term ones that seem the real friends. Living in town I'm lucky that its easy to find sociable activities. I'm also making a point of reducing car use and walking as much as poss. I did join a gym but hated the artificial exercise on those machines and shouty classes! I reckon dog walking would be excellent and I've offered to do this for a friend who's shortly having a hip op. I'm glad I read that article it really made me think!

It is quite difficult, I find, to get the balance right. I have been trying to improve my physical fitness over the last few months, so I am quite conscious of the amount of time I can quite easily spend on my backside. I can't afford gym membership, nor does it really appeal to me, but I use the car now only when absolutely necessary and have built a lot of walking into my everyday activities. I can see though that this is going to be more difficult to sustain over the winter months.

I am quite good at amusing myself as I have lots of hobbies that I enjoy on my own, but living alone as I do, I sometimes have to make a bit of an effort to ensure I don't turn into a hermit. I belong to a French class, a book group and a choral society, but I find it very difficult to turn acquaintances into friends. It always seems to be that most people already have established friendships and are not looking for new friends.

I have 4 or 5 close friends, some of whom live at a distance, but nevertheless are very important to me. My family also are at opposite ends of the country, although I see them regularly. I think there are times in your life, such as being at university or the parent of young children, when it seems very easy to make friends, but I find it harder the older I get.

Thought provoking Jane. I do deliberately keep active, as Iam said dogs are great for this and I have my own and The Hussy staying over so I must get out and walk them soon.

My social life has centred around my family, especially my GC, since we moved to be near them and I left friends behind. I've had little time to make new ones in the last 8 years but I have had a couple of volunteering jobs which take me out of myself a bit.

Did try the U3A but all the clubs I was interested in were full.

I gets a bit stir crazy if I don't get at least an hour's morning walk, whatever the weather. Dogs are great, you have to walk despite aching hips, knees or feet so out you go. The dog walking community is a largely friendly, supportive group of people.
I started but stopped going to the local knit and knatter group because it was hijacked (imo) by someone who insisted we all knit bits of things charity. I found this individual very off putting, judgemental and controlling and couldn't be bothered to do anything about it. A knitting group has started up in the next village so I'll try that.
Otherwise, I keep in touch with friends, but Jane10's OP has made me think about the benefits of other communal activities.

I just have to get off my backside more. Sigh. I find Gransnetting very interactive yet it is sedentary and something done on my own -don't quite know where it would fit on my activity chart thingy.

When we were on holiday in the Dales we happened to chat to some elderly folk outside a home and I said try not to get burnt- it was during our 1 hot week this summer- and they said "we get put outside to air" which made me titter.

I sort of intend to do that sort of thing when I am older.

I know someone who thinks dementia can be slightly prevented by going outside a lot. So she keeps chivvying older people outdoors. I dont know if she is right or not. She is especially concerned about people who are in old people's homes, who dont go out much and then sometimes get dementia.