‘Retirement is nonsense’: Why Retirement May Need a Rebranding
The word retirement — which comes from the French verb “retirer,” meaning “to withdraw” — doesn’t fit the modern view of the last several decades of life when people may be working part time, volunteering or enjoying their golden years.
“I often say the only thing many people are retiring these days is the word retirement,” said Janine Vanderburg, chief executive of the Encore Roadmap and co-founder of Changing the Narrative, an advocacy group raising awareness on ageism. “Today’s 60- and 70-somethings are launching businesses, starting second acts and rewiring their lives. And language is catching up with reality, with terms like ‘unretirement,’ ‘rewirement,’ ‘second act,’ ‘third stage’ and ‘encore’ gaining traction.”
Part of the key to an Active Retirement is the concept of "Healthy Aging": The World Health Organization outlined a model of healthy aging that identifies the concepts of intrinsic capacity and functional ability (Calder et al., 2018; Beard et al., 2016). In their model, both of these concepts, rather than presence or absence of disease, are the most important considerations for healthy aging (Calder et al., 2018; Beard et al., 2016). Intrinsic capacity is the summation of an individual’s physical and mental capacity or ability (Calder et al., 2018). Functional ability is the interaction of intrinsic ability and resources or environment (Calder et al., 2018; Beard et al., 2016).
What Healthy Aging Really Means: Healthy aging is the ongoing process of maintaining physical, mental, and social well‑being as we grow older. It’s not about avoiding aging — it’s about supporting your body and mind so you can stay capable, independent, and engaged in the things you value.
Core Components of Healthy Aging
1. Physical Health
2. Cognitive & Emotional Health
3. Social Well‑Being
4. Supportive Environments
🏔️ Is Breckenridge a Good Place for Healthy Aging?
🌟 The Short Answer
Yes — Breckenridge can be an excellent place for healthy aging if someone thrives in an active, outdoor, community‑oriented environment and can adapt to high altitude.
It offers abundant opportunities for physical activity, social connection, and wellness services, all of which align with the core pillars of healthy aging.
- Built‑in Active Lifestyle
- Strong Wellness Culture
- Tight‑knit Community
- Clean Air, Nature, and Mental Well‑Being
I'll delve into these in depth over the next few months.