How you can keep busy in your retirement
Posted on 24 April, 2017
![Peter Jones out walking dog](/assets/cache_image/assets/img/CC_465_Peter_Jones_1_700x0_c36.jpg)
Most people look forward to retiring and spending their free time doing something different. For some, this means more time for leisure activities and hobbies, or to enjoy quality time with family. Others see this as a time to take on a voluntary role or find a new job.
Keeping busy in retirement can also be key to keeping happy and healthy. According to Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, working longer could improve the health of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s.[i] Professor Davies said that staying in work was one way to boost health - but taking up new activities in retirement was also another way to keep physically and mentally active.
What are the possibilities for older people when it comes to finding new ways to keep busy?
One option is to join a professional house sitting company like ours, and become a home and pet sitter. The majority of our homesitters are people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are retired, but want to do something to keep busy in their retirement.
Becoming a homesitter and looking after people’s homes and pets is the best of both worlds. The role offers the chance to spend time on leisure activities and earn a little bit of extra income, as well as giving people a sense of purpose and responsibility that comes with working for a professional house sitting company.
One of the big attractions of the role is the chance to travel around the UK, staying in a variety of different homes and the opportunities this presents for visiting new places. For others, it’s the chance to spend time with animals. Many of our assignments involve looking after dogs and cats, as well as more exotic animals such as llamas, potbellied pigs and snakes.
Spending time caring for animals is something many of our homesitters find immensely rewarding; especially those who would love a pet but don’t want the commitment of owning one as they get older. Looking after dogs especially is a highlight for many, as it gives people the perfect excuse for getting out walking, exploring the countryside and keeping fit at the same time.
Another benefit of becoming a homesitter is the flexibility the role offers. People can choose to do as many assignments as they want, and some spend up to half a year away on assignments. The role is also ideal for single people or couples. And whilst the primary rewards for home and pet sitting are non-financial, homesitters do receive a modest remuneration to supplement a pension or other income.
For anyone looking for a new way to occupy their time since retiring, home and pet sitting can be the ideal solution. Please click here to find out more about becoming a homesitter this year.
[i] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/08/keep-working-old-age-good-health-says-top-doctor/
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