b'CAREER GUIDE| | CAREER GUIDEAre You Ready?The Psychological Aspects of Retirement By Carol Myers, OTRR etirement conjures up rosy images ofStage 1: Winding Down and Gearing Up: 5changes from work life. Some retirees feel seniors basking in the sun and fun- years or less before retirement anxious, unsettled, and bored after spending filled cruises. Although these imagesAccording to Dychtwald, in the five yearsmost of their life in a work-centered identity. might be true for many retirees, at least onebefore people retire many feel overwhelmedMany retirees grieve their loss of identity and third find challenges in their new lives.with work and look forward to engaging inworkplace friendships. More than a third have Retirement can be a time of loneliness andleisure activities they enjoy. Many in thisdifficulty structuring their time more so than social isolation, or a time of self-actualiza- stage are busy and feel stressed with 74 per- before they retired, and almost 50 percent tion and growth. As more research is con- cent stating that work is the biggest barriercontinue to focus on being productive. This ducted on retirement, it appears to be a timeto them having more fulfilling leisure. Thetransition requires preparation for how one of transition rather than an ultimate destina- pre-retirees feel optimistic about retirementwants to spend their non-work time.tion. Furthermore, more studies are findingand are preparing for the next stage. However,Stage 3: Greater Freedom and New Choices: that psychological readiness is as import- during this stage preparations lack a specific3-15 years into retirementant for successful retirement as financialfocus on identifying the desired experience,Once retirees transition away from work and preparedness. including how much time and money will beadjust to retirement, they report a deeper A Bureau of Labor Statistics report showsspent on those activities that bring the mostappreciation and enjoyment. As a new retire-that approximately 41 million people in thefulfillment. ment identity is embraced, a sense of happiness, workforce will be 55 and over, including 13Stage 2: Liberation and Self-Discovery: 0-2contentment, and confidence soar with spon-million who will be 65 or older by 2024. Foryears into retirement taneity increasing and anxiety diminishing.some, finances are the primary reason toOnce retirement ensues, 78 percent feel they As retirees separate from full-time work remain in the workforce, but for others thefinally have enough time to engage in alland feel comfortable with their post-work fear of leaving work is the impetus to remaintheir desired activities. An enormous senseidentity, being increasingly replaces doing employed. of liberation and relief is felt as 92 percentwith less guilt about not using leisure time Retirees live longer; therefore, the qualitysay retirement provides them with the free- productively. The majority (74 percent) report of retirement life has become more import- dom to pursue their hobbies and plans. In thisthat structuring their free time is easier than ant. In the past, most retirement preparationstage, many retirees seek personal growth andit was during their pre-retirement years.focused on financial planning. Interest shownadventure, including hiking and biking, tripsRetirees exercise, shop, read for pleasure, in the psychological aspect of retirement hasthat offer learning and even home sharing.volunteer, take classes, and spend time with been largely ignored until recently. For some,The majority (72 percent) want to try new lei- friends. The pace and spending on travel retirement is a relatively smooth transition,sure activities compared to the familiar ones.increases in immersive experiences such as but for others it creates unexpected psycho- Leisure is a priority, but 24 percent continuevoluntourism (a combination of volunteering logical issues impacting their quality of life. to work, with 68 percent working part-time.and tourism), cruises, adventure travel, interna-Volunteering is enjoyed among 22 percent oftional sightseeing, RV travel, and overnight spa STAGES OF RETIREMENTretirees. trips. At this stage, only 9 percent are still work-Ken Dychtwald, PhD, founder and CEO ofAlthough liberation and self-discovery areing, often in different and more fulfilling ways Age Wave, Psychologist and Gerontologist,prominent during this stage, it remains a timethan they did during their previous careers.ISTOCK identifies four stages of retirement: of transition that requires adjustments andStage 4: Contentment and Accommodation: 20 CAREER GUIDE|2020| www.elitecme.comwww.elitecme.com |2020| CAREER GUIDE 20'