As we grow older, our children have left, and we have retired from full-time work, it can be assumed that our lifestyles will, at some point, change.
Of course, some seniors will remain on the job longer than others, but age is still likely to change how we live our lives. While one senior's lifestyle might look vastly different from another's, the chances are good that none of us is living as we were when we were thirty years old.
This portion of our web guide focuses on the changing lifestyles of senior citizens, whatever that might look like.
The age at which someone becomes a senior varies, as there is no universally accepted standard. Membership in the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) begins at the age of 50, but Social Security benefits (in the United States) can begin as early as age 62 or as late as age 70, and the full retirement age usually begins at age 66 or 67. In most Western countries, the onset of old age is thought to be at age 60 or 65, which is when most Americans retire. On the other hand, one of my brothers took early retirement in his 40s, after which he began wintering in Florida.
Senior lifestyles can refer to various aspects of living well as a senior adult, including health concerns, exercise, nutrition, social connections, and housing options.
Some seniors, particularly those who own their own homes, might elect to age in place, remaining where they know their neighbors and are familiar with local businesses and medical facilities. Others might opt to downsize, selling homes that are larger than their needs require, in favor of smaller homes with lower utility costs. People who grew up in small towns that they moved away from during their working years might decide to return, living out their last years where they had lived their first.
Less often today than in the past, at least in the United States, some seniors will move in with one of their grown children.
Seniors who live in northern, cold-weather areas, might spend their retirement years wintering in warmer-weather areas. My brother has a home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but after retirement, he bought a small home in Florida, where he and his wife spend the winter months.
Others might buy a motor home and spend their retirement years traveling. It's not unusual for seniors to sell their homes and live in motorhomes year-round. Less common, but not unheard of, some seniors will elect to live in a van or even something smaller. Some of them supplement their Social Security payments through social media channels documenting their lifestyle.
After their children become adults and move away, some seniors will move to a dedicated senior community, most of which are restricted to residents 55 years old or older. Such communities tend to be governed by Home Owner Associations (HOAs), which are quite restrictive, but some people like that. 55+ communities do not allow children or younger people, except as visitors, so residents can enjoy a like-minded social network and a more peaceful neighborhood with features and amenities built for people their age.
Independent living communities might include retirement villages, active adult communities, or senior apartments.
Seniors with medical considerations might find that they are better off in an assisted living facility, many of which have individual apartments for residents along with communal spaces for meals and social activities. Staff may be available to assist with housekeeping, personal hygiene, and medication reminders. Many assisted living communities include a section dedicated to memory care.
Those with greater needs might choose a continuing care retirement community, also known as a life plan community, in which living arrangements are provided on a single campus, allowing seniors to move from independent living, to assisted living, to skilled nursing care, as needed.
There are several other housing choices that seniors might make in their later years, but there are other lifestyle changes that might also come about.
As seniors retire from fulltime work, they might adopt a sedentary lifestyle, or they might fill their lives with hobbies or sports, such as golfing, fishing, hunting, photography, or sightseeing. Some seniors even decide to go back to school, in-person or online.
Many cities have senior citizen centers offering activities, and these places can become a regular part of their daily lives. Seniors might use social media to keep in touch with family, friends, and former co-workers or neighbors, or they might make new friends on online discussion forums designed for seniors.
The lifestyle of a senior citizen can differ greatly from that of a young adult. While they generally have more time to spend on hobbies or other activities, this is often inhibited by limited funds, arthritis, or other medical difficulties.
 
 
Recommended Resources
American Association of Retired Persons
AARP is an interest group focused on issues affecting people fifty years old or older. The AARP website has several different sections, including managing money, health, jobs, leisure time, family, caregiving, games, travel, technology, and entertainment. Founded in 1958, the organization is an influential lobbying group. It also sells memberships and markets insurance and other services to its members. Its AARP Rewards program and membership benefits are highlighted.
https://www.aarp.org/
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
The AAAWM provides a range of services to senior citizens and adults with disabilities in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties of Michigan. Its services include information, assistance, care management, nutrition programs, and caregiver support. Its organizational structure, leadership, partnerships, and employment opportunities are set forth, and its services, advocacy issues, and programs are featured, and contacts are provided.
https://www.aaawm.org/
Association of Mature American Citizens
AMAC is marketed as a conservative alternative to the more liberal AARP. Founded in 2007, membership is open to seniors fifty years old or older. Members receive access to AMAC Newsline and AMAC Magazine, as well as its senior resources network, social security advisory services, retirement planning, and other benefits to card-carrying members. As AARP lobbies for liberal causes, AMAC includes a non-profit conservative advocacy organization where members may participate.
https://amac.us/
Caring Advisor is a network of websites formed to connect elderly adults with resources from local care communities, including assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing homes, and memory care facilities. Each of these types of facilities is described, and information on how to choose a facility is included, along with a resource library of related material and answers to commonly asked questions. Vistors to the site may browse by state and city or search via keyword.
https://caringadvisor.com/
The global network of caregivers offers at-home care services to older adults who wish to age safely in their own homes rather than entering a care facility. Included are personal care services, Alzheimer's care, transportation services, and others tailored to each client's unique needs. In business since 1994, the program joined forces with Honor to create what they claim is the world's largest home care service network. Its history, social purpose, care resources, and locations are stated.
https://www.homeinstead.com/
Established in 1991, the LCA seeks to improve the lives of Latino seniors through advocacy and education, offering helpful information, and assistance in the creation of new programs and services directed toward. Latino seniors. Its mission, organizational structure, contacts, and ways in which others can help are set forth, along with videos, announcements of upcoming programs and events, and other resources. The website is available in both English and Spanish.
http://www.gerolatino.org/
The Maine Senior Guide is a web resource about programs, issues, and support for seniors, from reverse mortgages to transportation, independent living to volunteer opportunities or other topics of interest to seniors in Maine. Those representing a senior community or senior service, like elder law or home assistance, are invited to contact the site at the email or telephone number provided for possible inclusion. An informational article library is included, and upcoming events are noted.
https://maineseniorguide.com/
Senior Life publishes four territorial newspapers each month spanning northern Indiana. Its topic covers many areas of general interest to seniors and others, including entertainment, health and wellness, housing, retirement, and health services, as well as travel destinations, finance, sports, a calendar of events, and spotlights on local residents. Published from Milford, Indiana, its address, contacts, and office hours are stated. Advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.seniorlifenewspapers.com/
Also known as Free Senior Placement, this website represents a placement agency serving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area that provides professional guidance to seniors and their families who are looking for a suitable senior community. Their services include placement services for independent living, personal care, memory care, and respite care facilities. Pricing, financial benefits, expediting the placement process, and facility comparisons are available, along with other information.
http://freeseniorplacement.com/
Offering advice and online resources for seniors and caregivers, the site features a directory of senior living options, including retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, as well as information on health, technology, safety, and estate planning for seniors. Reviews and recommendations for various products and services are provided, such as medical alert systems, hearing aids, and home security systems. Links to its YouTube channel are included.
https://www.seniorliving.org/
The Senior Paper is a Canadian publication featuring upbeat stories written by seniors for seniors. Published eleven times a year, it is available only by subscription. The publication is focused on nostalgia rather than current events, as seniors from across Canada share moments from their own lives that are interesting, relatable, and enjoyable without the negativity and divisiveness seen in much of the media today. Articles, stories, jokes, recipes, photographs, and sketches are often seen.
https://theseniorpaper.com/
The free monthly publication was first published in 1933 and then distributed in a handful of communities in west-central Minnesota. Today, it is distributed in nearly fifty Minnesota counties and the southeast corner of North Dakota. The publication is not focused on hard news, politics, or offensive or highly charged stories but on informational stories on health, finances, future planning, and issues of aging. It also includes poems, recipes, jokes, cartoons, and games.
https://www.srperspective.com/
Affiliated with AARP, Senior Planet is a collection of people aged 60 or older who are encouraged to embrace opportunities to reshape their lives, connect and help one another, and change the world for the better while learning, growing, and having fun. A learning community for adults, Senior Planet includes classes, articles, videos, and activities to help older adults learn new skills, save money, exercise, and make new friends. It offers in-person activities in five locations.
https://seniorplanet.org/
Owned by Ross Media Solutions, the site offers a guide for seniors covering topics such as aging in place, home care, downsizing, retirement living, active adult neighborhoods, and non-profit agencies on aging. Ross Media also publishes Seniors Guide Magazine, with issues specific to various geographic areas, which are listed on the site. Informational articles sorted into topical categories are available on the site, which may also be found through a site search. Events are posted on the site.
https://www.seniorsguide.com/
This free online discussion forum is only intended for seniors, fifty years old or older. Participation requires registration, but there are no registration fees or advertising on the site. The forum requires the use of a first and last name; pseudonyms are acceptable as long as they look like real names. Online since January 2015, the forum includes several discussion areas, covering a wide range of topics, including education, activities, reminiscences, relationships, politics, and games.
https://www.seniorsonly.club/
Published monthly since 2004, Today's Senior Magazine features content related to lifestyle for people fifty years old or older, post-retirement activities, vacation programs, health and wellness articles, movie reviews, and other topics intended to address the needs, entertainment, and engagement of seniors. It is distributed to senior centers, gaming locations, retirement and assisted living homes, restaurants, and other businesses. Advertising opportunities are available.
http://www.todayssr.com/
Designed to combat isolation and loneliness among homebound seniors, VSC offers online learning through "enliveo," a hub that connects seniors to live virtual classes, curated content, and peer-to-peer chats. Interested seniors can sign up through a link provided, and organizations are invited to contact its team to learn how VSC can benefit their community. For an annual fee, seniors can access up to eighteen categories of educational and entertainment programs. Sample schedules are posted.
https://www.vscm.selfhelp.net/