Even Chimpanzees Enjoy Retirement
One visit to Chimp Haven, a sanctuary for older chimpanzees, tells you very quickly that even chimpanzees enjoy retirement. This wonderful place houses older chimps who have been part of medical research and are now being set out to pasture after being the subject of experiments designed to improve the health of humans. Created in 1995, Chimp Haven has played a leading role helping these creatures who are so similar to humans but have no advocates for their wellbeing. Although the biomedical research on chimpanzees ended in 2015, there was a need to have a place for aging chimps to go to. Chimps have played a role in research for decades and even participated in the space program. The Chimp Haven was created to take care of the older members of this animal species that has been put on the endangered list.
You’re invited to take a tour of their website and, if you wish, support them with a donation, a visit or just spreading the word about what they do. A little tour of their website will let you know that even chimpanzees enjoy retirement. Through an incredibly dedicated staff and a wonderful group of volunteers, the chimpanzees are well taken care of in their golden years through a balanced diet, exercise and creative and stimulating activities to keep their minds sharp. Sound familiar?
We sometimes forget that, as retired humans, we have certain things that we have to do to enjoy retirement to the fullest. And it doesn't have to be a chore. We strongly advocate new and challenging activities to rekindle old interests and create new ones. Even chimpanzees enjoy retirement so why not you? You can learn a lot by how they take care of retired chimps at Chimp Haven. Regular medical checkups are a must, and a balanced diet (with occasional treats) are part of the daily regime. But what is also critical, is to make sure physical activity and mental stimulation are part of the environment. This website tries to make that a reality by suggesting new ways to keep in shape physically and new challenges to keep sharp mentally.
It's never too late to take up golf, tennis, pickleball, jogging or energetic walking to keep your body fit. Physical exercise is good for your brain as well. When you can combine physical activity with enjoyment you’ve got something that will provide you with hours of beneficial pleasure. Do you like to play golf? Try walking the course rather than using a cart. Do you exercise on a regular basis? Try working out with a friend to make it a social activity as well. If you’re physically challenged, work with a doctor to learn the best approach to build your strength and endurance. I have had a problem with my back for thirty years so running is not something I can do. I don’t have access to a pool on a regular basis and I’m not crazy about swimming so that has led me to walking. Even there I have a bit of a restriction because my dermatologist does not like me to be in the sun! So, I have found that walking on a treadmill is the best way for me to keep fit and to make it almost enjoyable, I listen to my favorite music. That makes an activity that would normally be drudgery into something that can be tolerated more easily. At Chimp Haven they have found that music can calm almost any creature down. You see, even chimpanzees enjoy retirement.
Even Chimpanzees Enjoy Retirement! So Should You!
But it’s not enough to stay physically fit in retirement. We need to keep our brains active. There are always new things to learn. Retirement can be the educational journey of a lifetime. If you’ve explored this website at all, you know I hated school. But I absolutely loved to learn. I just wanted to do it on my own terms. I became absorbed with subjects, and I still do. If I came across something that interested me, I wanted to spend as much time as I needed to answer all the questions I had. For me, this is one of the joys of retirement. When we travel, it is so enriching to read about the history of the area or about the people who live there. How do they make a living? What are some of their favorite foods? What do they do for fun? It makes every experience unforgettable and reading about something always triggers other questions. So many people ask whether or not you felt like you really got to know an area on a cruise or tour. With a little research before your trip, you can feel like you know the area even before you get there and what you experience takes on an even greater meaning. It’s a great exercise for your brain!
At Chimp Haven, all of the residents are challenged with creative activities designed to ensure that they stay alert mentally. We should do the same! After all, even chimpanzees enjoy retirement! We should make that our mission. It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!
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