Retirement, what’s next?

SAMUEL KUTTY -
MUSCAT, JAN 25 -

For many people, retirement is a transition from the present to the new and another space in their life to do things that they have been dreaming about.

But for several others, retirement comes as a frustrating period, after decades of work marked by deteriorating health with limited resources to overcome it.

According to Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Senior Consultant, Old age Psychiatrist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, retirement is not itself what affects health, but what you do after retirement.

“Individuals who reach retirement age represent work capacity, and production gained experience over many years,” he says. When Nassar Ali realised that he was retiring, unlike many of his colleagues, he was not scared by the oft-asked question — what’s next?

A DIFFERENT TALE

He was not ready to leave his profession as a human resource expert even after retirement. Nor did he want to be haunted by the so-called retirement ills.

While sharing his experience with Observer after retiring from a government service, Nassar said, “I was still physically and mentally fit to continue working. I could find a job. The scare of retirement never came in my way.” Nassar is now human resource manager at a known finance company. He has 13 grandchildren from his two sons and three daughters.

“I am happy as ever before. Even though it is a new job, I find it a continuation of what I was doing,” says Nassar.

But Mohamed Yakoob has a different tale. He finds his retired life with a bit of challenge. He feels bored, isolated and sedentary.

The reason, he says is his ill health and lack of money in his account.

“I used to be somebody important. I was respected when I was working. Now things have changed after my retirement. And my financial position became weak,” says Nassar.

A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Studies point out that the quality of life for retirees in Oman is one of the best as there is plenty of clean fresh air, and a warmer climate helps to keep a person healthy for longer.

Dr Hamed, who is also the Chairman of Oman’s Psychiatrist Society, says, “retirement is a period to relax, explore, and have fun unburdened by the routines at work places.” He points out growing evidences from studies that loneliness and social isolation linked to illness, cognitive decline and death after retirement.

“Illness or disability prevents a retiree from taking care of himself. If you can maintain your standard of living, interactions and sense of purpose, then retirement may not have an impact on your quality of life,” he says.

While suggesting to ensure that the standard of living is appropriate for the retiree, Dr Hamed also asks them to maintain the same economic situation as before without reliance on others.

“After retirement, you can do the work you love, maybe volunteer in the same field you did before retirement. The community needs your expertise, and voluntary work gives you a sense of happiness and giving,” he urges.