A fruitful pastime for a retired teacher
October 12, 2013 9:22 AM Subscribe
How can a retired teacher (in her 60s) spend her time wisely? Keep in mind she has difficulty walking (she uses a cane because of her hip). She likes to watch old movies but it isn't very healthy sitting around all day. She likes to write poetry and short stories, but she feels down most of the time and doesn't feel like writing much. I really want her do something that would make her feel better without compromising her delicate health situation.
It is worth noting that since she retired, she has undergone two major operations (removing the carotid artery stenosis in both sides of her neck) and she suffers from hip pain (worsened by her being overweight).
It is worth noting that since she retired, she has undergone two major operations (removing the carotid artery stenosis in both sides of her neck) and she suffers from hip pain (worsened by her being overweight).
I think that the more she isolates herself, the less inspired and happy she will be.
Can she do something that combines her interests, like volunteering to teach kids about poetry, or maybe joining a meetup group for people who enjoy classic films? Things that don't need her to be overly physically active, but will still help her have social time would probably be best.
posted by fireandthud at 9:27 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Can she do something that combines her interests, like volunteering to teach kids about poetry, or maybe joining a meetup group for people who enjoy classic films? Things that don't need her to be overly physically active, but will still help her have social time would probably be best.
posted by fireandthud at 9:27 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
You can get garden beds on stilts, like this. A little garden would get her outside for some fresh air, and gardening has both mental and physical benefits. Maybe a subscription to one of the garden magazines would be a good inspirational gift to go along with it.
She could also look into volunteering opportunities that would fit within her physical constraints. Maybe tutoring?
posted by Ostara at 9:38 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
She could also look into volunteering opportunities that would fit within her physical constraints. Maybe tutoring?
posted by Ostara at 9:38 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Lots of schools have some sort of "reading buddy" program where they go and read one-on-one with K-2 kids who still need a lot of help; these are very popular with retired people. Also children's hospitals often need tutors and book-readers and surrogate grandparent volunteers. (Not too many kids in the hospital long enough to need tutors are there for infectuous diseases, so hopefully that'd be okay for her.)
Make she could put together an old-movie series through her church or community center, either open to everyone, or for a youth group. When I was in high school one of my friend's dads would rent a classic movie every Wednesday night, tell us a little bit about it, and then we'd all watch it and discuss it, because none of us had ever seen, like, classic Hitchcock. It was super-fun. That'd be a pretty good activity for a youth group, a classic movie watch and discussion led by someone who loves old movies and has experience teaching kids. :)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:53 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Make she could put together an old-movie series through her church or community center, either open to everyone, or for a youth group. When I was in high school one of my friend's dads would rent a classic movie every Wednesday night, tell us a little bit about it, and then we'd all watch it and discuss it, because none of us had ever seen, like, classic Hitchcock. It was super-fun. That'd be a pretty good activity for a youth group, a classic movie watch and discussion led by someone who loves old movies and has experience teaching kids. :)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:53 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Could she do something like this (reading for the visually impaired) in her area? It would be ideal since it wouldn't require any physical activity. http://www.cincyblind.org/Volunteering/Volunteer_Openings/
posted by elisebeth at 9:58 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by elisebeth at 9:58 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Volunteering with her local adult literacy organization.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:58 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:58 AM on October 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Depending on where she's located she could look into volunteering with 826, an awesome organization that always needs adults who love to write.
posted by justjess at 10:08 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by justjess at 10:08 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Seconding some of the above advice. My way-smart quite overweight 65 year old mom with terrible knees tried gentle water exercise (treading water in the deep end, walking in the shallower end) and not only loves it but has also met a great group of other women in her demographic doing the same thing, which helps keep her motivated to go and also has provided her with a little bit of a social life outside of her church and immediate family. She also really enjoys gardening in the raised beds my dad built for her (she can perch on the edge so there's not as much bending etc.) and volunteering with adult literacy organizations (she meets new adult readers at coffee shops etc. and works with them on fluency and vocabulary).
posted by charmedimsure at 10:11 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by charmedimsure at 10:11 AM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
She might enjoy PostCrossing and/or BookCrossing.
Postcrossing is a nice way of getting in touch with others through sending and receiving postcards, while BookCrossing is mainly about labeling books that you're done with, then sending them out into the world and tracking them.
Both are international communities with a high number of smart, friendly people, and have lively forums.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:54 AM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Postcrossing is a nice way of getting in touch with others through sending and receiving postcards, while BookCrossing is mainly about labeling books that you're done with, then sending them out into the world and tracking them.
Both are international communities with a high number of smart, friendly people, and have lively forums.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:54 AM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Group activities are so important when you don't have built-in human interaction like you get at work. I took up knitting several years ago - I took a class through the city - and that led to a permanent knitting group that's a ton of fun and I recently joined a knitting Meetup. It's not about the knitting for me although I like it. It's about the social interaction avenue it gives me. If I were so inclined, a lot of knitters just hang out and knit and gab regularly at their local knit shop. If she doesn't want knitted stuff for herself, there's no end to the philanthropic things she could make - hats for cancer patients, mittens for the hopeless, etc.
posted by cecic at 11:22 AM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cecic at 11:22 AM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
It might help for her to talk to a therapist about being "down". A lot of things seem much more difficult or unenjoyable if someone is suffering from depression.
posted by gjc at 12:05 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by gjc at 12:05 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
If she's able to drive and get out of the house, that opens up a lot of stuff. If you have a Literacy Volunteers chapter, they're often looking for people in all sorts of capacities. I spent a very short time one-on-one coaching with adult ESL learners but couldn't keep up with the odd hours; a retiree night have done a lot better.
Budget-strapped schools with lots of working parents often welcome volunteers to lead after school activities. Even if she can only manage one afternoon a week, and even if she can't do anything more strenuous than supervise a homework club, it could be greatly appreciated. That said, it may not be a great option if her health is such that she's prone to sudden periods where she'd have to cancel at short notice a lot.
My mother's church choir is very accommodating of older people who can't stand up to sing, so if she's musically inclined she may find a similar group.
A writing group (online or IRL) may also help her find the motivation she needs to put pen to paper. Or a poetry blog! You may have to drum up readers for her so she doesn't feel like she's writing into a void, but some people function better with a deadline.
My mother has really gotten into ancestry.com. It's taken her interest in family history and opened it up into an interest in American and world history, and the annual subscription fee takes a lot of guesswork out of Christmas shopping.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:27 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Budget-strapped schools with lots of working parents often welcome volunteers to lead after school activities. Even if she can only manage one afternoon a week, and even if she can't do anything more strenuous than supervise a homework club, it could be greatly appreciated. That said, it may not be a great option if her health is such that she's prone to sudden periods where she'd have to cancel at short notice a lot.
My mother's church choir is very accommodating of older people who can't stand up to sing, so if she's musically inclined she may find a similar group.
A writing group (online or IRL) may also help her find the motivation she needs to put pen to paper. Or a poetry blog! You may have to drum up readers for her so she doesn't feel like she's writing into a void, but some people function better with a deadline.
My mother has really gotten into ancestry.com. It's taken her interest in family history and opened it up into an interest in American and world history, and the annual subscription fee takes a lot of guesswork out of Christmas shopping.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:27 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I really want her do something that would make her feel better
First she has to want to do something to make herself feel better. Until then your suggestions may be unwelcome.
I would simply take the time to call or visit her, and encourage others to do the same. Let her ask for help first.
posted by crazycanuck at 1:51 PM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
First she has to want to do something to make herself feel better. Until then your suggestions may be unwelcome.
I would simply take the time to call or visit her, and encourage others to do the same. Let her ask for help first.
posted by crazycanuck at 1:51 PM on October 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't know if she's mobile, but if yes, I would try and gently push her to get out to one scheduled e event each week. It might be too obvious, but what about a writing workshop? It would capitalize on her interest, let her socialize with people of all ages, and possibly give her a weekly assignment to occupy her and give her a sense of accomplishment.
posted by thinkpiece at 2:28 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 2:28 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
What about suggesting she go to the senior citizens center and interview the 'older' folks for oral histories?
That would cover a whole slew of possibilities: she'd meet people, some her own age; oral history is very important--she would feel productive, and it would give her contacts with the historical associations in your city/state; and she would be helping seniors who may be lonely and need companionship. And if she gets into it, there's lots to do usually--trips, card games, parties--she may find just hanging out is something she enjoys.
I started dropping in when I was in my 30s--many of the oldsters are a hoot!
posted by BlueHorse at 8:53 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
That would cover a whole slew of possibilities: she'd meet people, some her own age; oral history is very important--she would feel productive, and it would give her contacts with the historical associations in your city/state; and she would be helping seniors who may be lonely and need companionship. And if she gets into it, there's lots to do usually--trips, card games, parties--she may find just hanging out is something she enjoys.
I started dropping in when I was in my 30s--many of the oldsters are a hoot!
posted by BlueHorse at 8:53 PM on October 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Talk her into getting a scooter. I spent two years almost entirely indoors and depressed before my son finally convinced me to get a scooter and now I'm out running around all the time. Having spent her life teaching others how to move along through life, she needs the means to get moving again herself now. I started by using the scooters in grocery stores and finally convinced myself I could actually drive one of those things. When I found out how amazing it is to just go wherever I want whenever I want again, it was glory. I spent the first couple of years just running around the immediate area, using nearby stores, etc. but then branched out to the city bus system. They have training buses and programs to teach the scooter person how to load onto the bus, and once that was mastered, I had the keys to the city again.
Seriously - it's a miserable day-to-day life when the only thing you have to focus on is your INabilities. Being able to make your own choices about even the little things, like dealing with a craving for fresh oranges by simply scootering off to the store and buying some, makes life worth living.
Medicare will purchase power chairs if a doctor determines that the patient needs one INDOORS, but they don't care whether you get outside or not. I bought mine used on Craigslist four years ago for $600; it's a 3-wheeler, has a front basket and a back basket, and is pretty heavy duty. Some are advertised as being lightweight and easy to break down for transport, etc., but they can also tip over easily - mine has never even tried to tip over. Mine is made by Invacare - a good brand.
And FYI, I'm 67, overweight, on oxygen 24/7, with Parkinson's, very advanced COPD, and a herniated disk; I can't walk more than 20' without having to get down, NOW - due to pain and shortness of breath.
My scooter has turned my life around; I hope it will do the same for your friend.
posted by aryma at 12:29 AM on October 13, 2013 [4 favorites]
Seriously - it's a miserable day-to-day life when the only thing you have to focus on is your INabilities. Being able to make your own choices about even the little things, like dealing with a craving for fresh oranges by simply scootering off to the store and buying some, makes life worth living.
Medicare will purchase power chairs if a doctor determines that the patient needs one INDOORS, but they don't care whether you get outside or not. I bought mine used on Craigslist four years ago for $600; it's a 3-wheeler, has a front basket and a back basket, and is pretty heavy duty. Some are advertised as being lightweight and easy to break down for transport, etc., but they can also tip over easily - mine has never even tried to tip over. Mine is made by Invacare - a good brand.
And FYI, I'm 67, overweight, on oxygen 24/7, with Parkinson's, very advanced COPD, and a herniated disk; I can't walk more than 20' without having to get down, NOW - due to pain and shortness of breath.
My scooter has turned my life around; I hope it will do the same for your friend.
posted by aryma at 12:29 AM on October 13, 2013 [4 favorites]
Could she help with ESL classes? There is always a need for volunteers.
posted by Cranberry at 12:56 AM on October 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Cranberry at 12:56 AM on October 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Wow, thank you all for these wonderful tips. I'll see which ones will work with her.
posted by omar.a at 11:35 AM on October 13, 2013
posted by omar.a at 11:35 AM on October 13, 2013
Lots of good ideas here. You also might want to check with the local library for book clubs, volunteer opportunities, etc.
posted by snarfles at 3:26 PM on October 13, 2013
posted by snarfles at 3:26 PM on October 13, 2013
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Can she put up a bird feeder or two and watch the birds? Or how about a book club or writer's group?
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:26 AM on October 12, 2013 [4 favorites]