REGION NEEDS TO OFFER MORE PROGRAMS FOR RETIREES

After spending decades working, every person deserves an enriching, activity-filled and enjoyable livelihood in retirement, too.

However, many people don’t know what that looks like. They stop working and that uncertainty can lead to boredom, hesitancy, anxiety and depression. Too often, I see people go down this mental health spiral, or they rejoin the workforce or immediately overwhelm their schedule with other obligations.

The retirement period is a critical time — mental clarity and support are needed. In response, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center is launching our newest program this fall: a retirement academy.

This new concept assists individuals who have retired or plan to retire soon. The academy includes a comprehensive curriculum with training and workshops that will change their perception of what retirement means. Program participants — or “students” — will be provided tools and guidance on self-management, mental strength and resilience, personal abilities, healthy lifestyles, digital literacy, and finding meaning and purpose in their older adult years.

Retirement resources and advice usually focuses on financial security; however, this program goes a step further and addresses and supports the many facets that create a fulfilled life in the retirement years, including critical mental and physical health tools.

We’re grateful to the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and Sahm Family Foundation for providing the initial support for a three-year pilot program to what we’re hopeful will be a sustainable model that other areas and senior centers of our region can use.

With a significantly growing older adult population in our region, we have a vision of embedding this program model in other areas of San Diego and creating successful and positive change around the retirement age.

For those who identify as a senior adult or have settled into their retirement years, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Jacobs Family Campus hosts social, educational, cultural and recreational programs. We’re here for all seniors — welcoming all faiths and backgrounds — for those who need help navigating their iPhones or want to play a game of canasta with friends. Or for those up for a new challenge, like learning Spanish or art.

In my nearly 18 years as director of senior and adult programming at the center, I’ve never felt quite as warm and joyful as I have seeing people return to activities after living in intense isolation since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Some of our participants spent two years isolated at home alone during the pandemic, and we have carefully opened our doors back up — while following all health and safety protocols — to provide the social interaction and enrichment we all ached for and missed.

One event that comes to mind is the Hanukkah party we threw in December. One attendee wrote to us after, saying he enjoyed the “in-person tables filled with friendly, smiling faces laughing with joy,” and that perfectly captured the magic of the moment.

We love enhancing the lives of all seniors who visit our center. Since our center also has programming for kids and teens, we’re able to create intergenerational experiences. Everyone interacting and volunteering together creates abounding fulfillment among all ages. This summer, we are hosting the JCC Maccabi Games and Access, which will provide many exciting volunteer opportunities. In addition, we recently held an intergenerational Passover celebration, which was a huge hit.

San Diego needs more investment in our senior adults. Our county’s senior population is growing and quickly eclipsing the size of younger generations. Everyone deserves accessible programming and resources as they grow older — especially those without family and friends nearby. We are fortunate to have this here at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and this type of support should be available to everyone.

We’ve worked to create a model of what’s possible, and hope it can lend to future prosperous efforts and resources locally. The delight that one Hanukkah celebration brings to our seniors, or the hope sparked from learning a new skill or art form, encourages older adults to continue living purposefully among others and enriching their lives. Our center serves 500 seniors locally, which is significant, but there’s so much more to do.

Older adult connectivity and community, especially during the pandemic — which is far from over for seniors, especially — is an enormous need. How else can our region step up on an often-overlooked group and provide safe, vibrant spaces and programs to meet this need?

Imagine with me for a moment: retirement and enriching adult programming and assistance in every pocket of San Diego County’s many regions. Doesn’t that sound great?