What activities might you envision doing that would bring you fulfillment in your retirement when you might face some physical limitations?

Even with diminishing capacities, Felix found ways to give his life in a retirement community purpose by helping fellow residents, mentoring younger doctors and caring for his wife. What activities might you envision doing that would bring you fulfillment in your retirement when you might face some physical limitations?

I love to read, of course, so that could continue. And when my sight fails, there are large-print books and my Kindle. I love to knit and crochet, so those activities could continue. I think I fear losing my sight or hearing more than losing my ability to walk. No wait! That would be bad too. Oh, I can see why people don't like to think about losing their physical abilities. It really is troubling. I just hope I can meet whatever comes with grace.

As I am already retired and living in a great retirement community, I know that what brings me the most fulfillment and purpose is volunteering as much as physically possible. I'm in an Independent Living apt. but my husband spent a year in Memory Support and then 4 more years in a Skilled Nursing Unit before passing away last year. I spent so much of that time visiting him and helping take care of him that I feel most comfortable volunteering in the Skilled Nursing Units visiting and taking strolls outdoors with several residents. It makes me aware that there are so many others with worse disabilities than mine and it is my pleasure to help brighten up their days by spending time with them.

I agree with the above: reading and volunteering. Definitely if I was able, to help others more infirm in some way. I'm a retired librarian and love to facilitate book discussions, so I could see myself helping in that capacity.

I've been doing ballroom dancing for a number of years, and most of the dancers in my class are seniors - maybe all of them. That's something I'd want to continue, along with reading, bridge, and volunteering. Right now we volunteer three days a week at our community library, sing in our church choir, play in the bell choir, and serve on church council and church committees. I'd love to lead a book group or a current events group, for example. We also work out with a personal trainer once a week and walk as often as we can. Those physical activities are critical more now than ever, and I'd like to continue them as long as possible.

I heard someone say once that to be happy in life, we need something to do, something to look forward to, and something to love. I plan to keep that in mind as I age and as my physical condition makes it harder to get around.

I hope I can always be somewhere where I can have a cat, because I don't think I'd be happy without one.

If I had limited mobility I would still enjoy being with family, friends, reading, watch PBS and similar programming, knit blankets for Project Linus have quality meals and wine delivered to the house.

I think being active is SO important even if it's just doing seated exercises. I love yoga and know it has contributed to my staying flexible. I hope I will be able to continue that as well as reading and rug hooking. This book has made me want to look into maybe doing some volunteer work once I retire. Maybe getting some training to volunteer with hospice. I like the idea of having quality meals and wine delivered too!??

I love to read and participate in live and on-line book discussions. I love yoga and am a yoga teacher, as well, so I could envision myself teaching gentle and chair yoga, reading, knitting/crocheting for my family or an organization such as Project Linus. I don't watch much TV, but I do enjoy watching football and baseball with my husband, and I love a good movie, art museums, live theater and hope I could continue to enjoy these activities.

I love to read and be in book discussion group. If I lost my sight, I would be able to listen to books on tape and still participate in discussions. I like to walk and if that were limited perhaps I could just exercise some body parts (i.e., legs, arms etc.) Being with friends and family is fun and never boring. Watching tv doesn't have to be visual, I would be able to listen to the story and the words. Physical limitations do not scare me but what does is the loss of mental capacities. When you cannot make decisions and choices, what does living mean?

Travel until I could not longer travel...explore the world, its people and life's issues through books until I could not longer enjoy reading (listening), watch the fascinating world of film until I could not longer see, radiate a positive outlook to family, friends and community until they just don't want to hear me, advocate for public education until I could no longer communicate and engage in our democratic political system until I could no longer communicate at all.

I would escape to the lake where the wine and beer frig would be stocked. Book shelves would be filled with great reads. The bedrooms would be filled with friends and family. Morning coffee would include Bailey's Irish Cream and excellent caramel roles and a visit from an eagle perched in the tree by the deck. In the afternoon I would escape to my mother's secret garden to read and sip wine. The evening would bring a marvelous dinner with an extraordinary dessert followed by a glass of port on the dock watching the marvels of the universe and then please let me die.

If I were hampered with physical limitations, I would find a way to compensate. As an avid reader and Book club member, I would certainly substitute audio books and/or use Audible.com if my eyesight declined. I would also still attend and participate in Book Club discussions. I could still listen to music and attend concerts with friends who would be willing to assist me with transportation and possible walking limitations. I love being outdoors so I could still sit outside enjoying the fresh air, bird songs and warmth of sunshine.