Retirees work hard to maintain physical, mental fitness

Gene Blaes hung up his work clothes at age 65 after working for a railroad company for 43 years. Twenty-three years later, his active life is far from over.

“When I retired I thought I would take a life of leisure, but it didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t want to do that because I missed the interaction with people,” he said. “I wanted to get out and do things again.”

For the past 20 years Mr. Blaes, 83, has volunteered and competed in sports events, including the Tennessee Senior Olympics, where he has won several state and national medals.

Mr. Blaes said growing up in Illinois during the Great Depression helped shape his commitment to service.

“Back when we didn’t have enough to eat, there were so many people who were kind to us back in that day that I feel I have to give back in some way,” he said.

Leaders of several volunteer associations and senior centers said more of today’s retirees have shunned shuffleboard and rocking chairs, opting instead for more active lives that include community service, athletic pursuits and continuing education.

Retirees wait longer to leave the work force and work at maintaining their physical and mental fitness, said Dawn Weber, executive director for the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors.

“The new generations are wanting more civic engagement, more information about health and wellness, travel ...,” she said.

Participation in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at the Senior Neighbors center has increased about 25 percent in the last year, and the number of baby boomers involved has doubled, said Colleen Combs, director.

“I feel retirement these days is not a stopping from work, but a changing of lifestyle,” she said.

Michael Insler, 67, who retired nine years ago after spending 16 years in the executive suite, said he quickly realized the leisure life associated with retirement wasn’t for him.

“I got bored,” he said. “I needed something to do.”

So Mr. Insler, who recently moved to Chattanooga from New York City, did an about-face: He returned to the work force after getting his real estate license.

Virginia Thurston, 85, said staying healthy and active was the established rule for her and her husband since they retired. Mrs. Thurston takes ballroom dancing classes at the Senior Neighbors center, plays golf and works out at a gym.

“I think because we heard all of these stories that you need to keep active in order to avoid brain problems and be healthy,” she said.

“Our main motivation is that we don’t want to end (up) in a wheel chair,” she added.

Ms. Weber said knitting clubs and bingo still remain popular among several groups of retirees, especially among those who live in a residential center.

“There are knitting clubs all over the city and people seem to still enjoy hot meals together,” she said.