Yeah... changes... and just as much as there are differences on the financial side, so too, are there changes in what we do. It doesn't happen all at once, and in most cases, we don't really notice big differences.
To simplify, I'd break the changes into two parts... physical, and mental. At that, living in a CCRc, and seeing people our age,as well as much older, there are vast differences. People my age - some walk a mile or two every day, while others are bedridden, or limited to wheelchairs, and many (including my DW), rely on a cane or walker... for her, when walking on uneven ground. One of our best friends, is 97, and drives on a daily basis. Two weeks ago, his wife, at age 96, underwent successful hip replacement to alleviate unbearable pain.
Physically, my activity has slowed down. Partly because of a concern about recent diagnosis of AFIB, but mostly just because of muscle loss. What as recently as two years ago, was a 15-25 mile bicycle ride, is now down to less than five miles... without major hills. Work around our park model, no longer includes using ladders, and my chain saw is safely stowed... not to be used again. Sitting down on the floor to fix stuff, becomes a planned enterprise... bringing all possible tools to the repair site to avoid getting up and down. Sounds silly, even to me, but it's reality. We still do mall walking, but not as far or as strenuously.
Not all is bad... with regular medication, my blood panel is perfect... all in low and normal ranges where it matters. BP normal @ 120/70 or less. Cholesterol down from 312 to below normal, and triglycerides which topped at more than 500, also below normal. Never would have guessed that.
All of that may sound less than meaningful, but for me, some of the changes that have taken place. A bigger problem, physically, is the change in the get up and go... More content to watch TV news and favorite programs. More time sitting in front of the computer [emoji23] ... obviously.
The mental part is more of a concern. Creeping Alzheimers or dememtia. More on that here:
http://www.early-retirement.org/for...of-frugal-retirement-62251-3.html#post1854374
Post number 285
Am evermore convinced that there is a differentiation from the commonly described symptoms/problems, in that two part of the mind are working... one for memory, and the other part for the deeper part of the intellect. Curiosity, reasoning, problem solving, and the basics of what we call intelligence... are still there. It's just the memory part... particularly for proper names, places and events from the past.
The question was about losing interest... no... even more so... Time for mental exercises and exploration through technology. .
As to energy?.... Plenty of mental energy, not so much physical. And Travel... The inconveniences of planning and getting ready outweigh the values. The travel days in retirement went from age 53, to the early 70's. After that, the comforts of home, and the avoidance of long times of driving or riding outweighed the enjoyment.
The other part... not the least... is the concern for DW... We both have ups and downs... Major adventures and decisions work best when both of us are on the same track.
.............................................................................................
Difference strokes for different folks. The 90 year old widow who lives in the villa across the street... five houses up... is home for a total of about two months out of the year. Travel... relatives friends, US travel to almost every state, international travel.. back to her native Germany, Europe, and even Africa...
Generalizing doesn't work. We're very happy to be in the top half of our age
range... still alive. The rest of life is a day at a time, knowing that it's tenuous. That simply enhances our joy at being here, and appreciating every day. What used to be worry about "the future" or about "money" is just not there any more.
So I/we can't speak for others... but our assessment of life at this age, is happy.