Ageing in Place: Vocational Wellness

 Aging in place with grace involves understanding and embracing six key dimensions of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and vocational.

Vocational Wellness

A sense of purpose brings fulfillment. For many of us, vocational wellness might involve mentoring. Retirement is often seen as a time to relax and enjoy life’s freedoms but for some of my cohorts, it can feel like stepping away from a sense of purpose, leading to a feeling of being “retired from life.” The truth is, having a purpose—something meaningful to look forward to each day—can bring incredible fulfillment and even add years to your life. The good news is, that finding that sense of purpose doesn’t mean going back to work or taking on responsibilities that feel overwhelming. It’s about discovering small, meaningful ways to stay engaged with the world around you.

Consider what made you feel accomplished or connected. Those same activities—or new ones that spark your curiosity—can still bring joy and meaning. For example, mentoring someone younger in your community or sharing your life experiences with a group can be rewarding. You don’t have to be an expert or even commit a lot of time; just offering guidance or listening to someone can make a difference for both of you.

Volunteering is another wonderful way to reawaken that sense of purpose. You might help at a local library, food bank, or animal shelter. These opportunities allow you to contribute to causes that resonate with you while meeting new people and feeling part of something larger. Volunteering doesn’t just help the community; it can give you a reason to get out of bed each day with a smile and a sense of anticipation.

If structured activities aren’t your style, rediscovering hobbies can be just as fulfilling. Maybe you used to paint, garden, or fix things around the house but set those interests aside over the years. Picking them up again—or trying something entirely new—can reignite a sense of accomplishment and creativity. Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a project come to life, whether it’s a painting, a thriving garden, or even a model airplane. These activities bring a quiet joy that nourishes the soul and fills your days with purpose.

Even if you’re not interested in traditional contributions to society, finding purpose is about realizing your value in the world and your ability to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. Think of the ripple effect: smiling at a neighbour, sharing a meal with a friend, or writing a letter to someone you care about can create connections and warmth that spread far beyond what you might imagine.

Studies have shown that having a purpose is linked to better health, increased happiness, and even a longer life. It’s not about doing grand things; it is about finding meaning in your daily actions and interactions. When you engage with life—whether through mentoring, volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or simply being present for others—you’re actively enriching your own life in ways that bring profound joy and fulfillment.

A retired teacher, for instance, could find joy in tutoring children or sharing wisdom through storytelling. Organizations like VolunteerMatch connect seniors with opportunities to give back, while platforms like Etsy enable them to turn hobbies into rewarding ventures.

Over the last few posts, I have talked about the six dimensions that empower us to age in place. I believe that understanding these six dimensions empowers seniors and caregivers to create a balanced approach to aging in place. When all areas are nurtured, we experience greater joy, resilience, and independence. Caregivers, too, gain insight into addressing their loved one's needs comprehensively, fostering a deeper, more meaningful connection.

By integrating these dimensions into daily life and leveraging helpful tools, we can truly age in place with grace and confidence, surrounded by the support and understanding we deserve.

Senior Centers

As we move into 2021 we need to focus on the re-opening of our senior centers and open up recreational opportunities for our senior population for a number of reasons. Some of which are below:

A large body of literature shows that social participation is associated with better mental and physical health. The following provides a snapshot of some research findings:

For every 1-point decrease on a social activity scale, there was a 33% more rapid rate of decline in motor function (e.g., grip strength, muscle strength) within an average of five years (Buchman et al., 2009)

The risk of developing a disability in activities of daily living decreased by 43% over an average of 5 years for each additional social activity engaged in; the risk of mobility disability decreased by 31% (James et al., 2011)

Among older adults with depression, those who were highly socially active were over 2.5 times more likely to have improvements in their depressive symptoms 2 years later than those with low social activity (Isaac et al., 2009)

An intervention that combined structured social activity with light- intensity exercise (e.g., card games, croquet) significantly improved older adults’ memory function and sleep (Naylor et al., 2000)

The rate of cognitive decline was reduced by an average of 70% in older adults who were frequently socially active compared to those who were infrequently socially active over an average of 5 years. (James, Wilson, Barnes, & Bennet, 2011)

Older adults who participated on a daily or weekly basis in social activity had a 40% reduced risk of developing dementia compared to those who were not socially engaged (Wang, Karp, Winblad, & Fratiglioni, 2002)

Older women who participated in organizational activities or study circles had half the likelihood of dying within a twelve-year period of time, compared to those who did not participate in these social activities (Agahi & Parker, 2008)

The benefits of senior centres

Research on senior centres demonstrates that participation is associated with social, mental, and physical health benefits. Senior centres promote health by providing health and support services, encouraging active and healthy ageing, and fostering a social environment that is conducive to social participation and well-being. Senior centres are also ideal venues for health promotion interventions, such as fall prevention, influenza vaccines, diabetes management, and so forth.

Key findings from our interviews with older adults from a study called, Social Participation and its Benefits by the Manitoba Centre for Ageing are:

Virtually all participants felt that the activities they engage in almost always or often give them a sense of accomplishment.

80% or more also felt that the activities increased their knowledge, helped them gain self-confidence, and provided an opportunity to try new things.

Many participants thought that the activities provided them with social benefits, allowing them to socially interact, be part of a community, and develop close relationships.

88% of participants indicated that it is almost always or often true that the activities help them stay healthy. Many participants also indicated that the activities contribute to their emotional well-being (90%), and help them to relieve stress (85%).

Opportunities to stay active and socially engaged helped several participants cope with mental illness and addictions.

Senior centres promoted older adult health by providing opportunities for physical activity and access to health information, education, and health services.

Senior centres offered a range of educational opportunities that promoted learning, creativity, and skills development.

Volunteering opportunities enabled older adults to socialize, contribute to their communities, and share their knowledge and skills