Meeting Like-Minded People in Retirement, Managing Acute and Chronic Pain, and Planning for Medicare and Health Care Costs

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Retirement opens up time—but it can also shrink your daily social circle if you’re not intentional. The good news is that meeting people who share your interests is absolutely possible at any age, and often easier than it was during busy working years. The key is choosing places where conversation happens naturally and repeatedly.

The easiest connections come from activities that meet regularly. Think senior centers, libraries, community colleges, and faith or service organizations. Many local libraries host book clubs, writing groups, and hobby meetups—often free and low-pressure. You can usually find these by visiting your library in person or checking their events page.

Volunteering is another strong option because it pairs purpose with people. Organizations like VolunteerMatch let you search by interest—animals, tutoring, museums, or community meals—so you’re more likely to meet people who care about the same things you do.

If you enjoy lifelong learning, short non-credit classes through local colleges or parks departments are excellent social incubators. You’ll see the same faces weekly, which makes conversation feel natural instead of forced.

If you’re comfortable online, tools like Meetup are designed specifically for interest-based gatherings—walking groups, board games, travel talks, or coffee meetups for retirees. You don’t need to message strangers endlessly; just show up to events that sound genuinely interesting.

AARP also runs local events, classes, and interest groups nationwide. These skew toward your age group and often mix social time with practical topics like health, finances, or hobbies.

For neighborhood-level connections, Nextdoor can help you find nearby clubs, informal walking groups, or neighbors looking for companionship at events.

Go more than once. Familiarity builds comfort, and comfort builds friendship. You don’t need to be outgoing—just consistent. The right people tend to reveal themselves over time, not on the first handshake.

“The Grocery Store on Maple Street”
From the life overview of Robert T., 84, Santa Rosa, CA. Shared with permission.

In the early ’90s, before every store felt enormous and interchangeable, there was a small grocery shop on Maple Street, and I’d stop there nearly every evening after work. The aisles were narrow enough that two carts had to negotiate past each other like diplomats, and the produce section always smelled faintly of oranges and damp cardboard. I knew the place was outdated even then, with its flickering lights and the soft hum of its old refrigerators. Nevertheless, something about it felt steady, almost predictable in a way that the rest of my life, at that time, was not.

One Thursday, I walked in the store still wearing my tie from a long and frustrating meeting, feeling wound tight like a clock spring. Mrs. Patel, who owned the store with her husband, greeted me from behind the register with her usual “Long day, Mr. T.?” She always said it like she already knew the answer. I muttered something about paperwork and deadlines, and she slid a small paper cup of freshly brewed chai toward me. “On the house,” she said. “You look like you’re forgetting to breathe.”

I stood between the canned tomatoes and the cereal boxes, sipping that warm, spicy tea, letting the steam soften the leftover tension in my shoulders. The experience wasn’t anything dramatic—just a few minutes spent leaning against a slightly wobbly display of crackers, listening to the same soft radio station that had been playing in the store for years. But the ordinary kindness of that memory struck me in a way that I didn’t expect.

I left the store with only a loaf of bread and a lighter heart, reminded that even on the most forgettable days, a small act of care can find you in the most unremarkable places.

***

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NYPL What’s on the Menu?
A searchable archive of historic restaurant menus from the 19th and 20th centuries, drawn from the New York Public Library’s collections. It offers a grounded look at everyday life, prices, tastes, and social habits, and it’s easy to spend a few minutes—or much longer—exploring.

Open Source Movies (Internet Archive)
A collection of independent films, shorts, and documentaries shared freely by their creators. It’s a practical way to watch thoughtful, often low-budget work that doesn’t rely on formulas or fast pacing, and many pieces are well suited to quiet, uninterrupted viewing.

Old Weather (Zooniverse)
A citizen history project that invites the public to help transcribe old ship logbooks to recover past weather data. You can contribute at your own pace, read firsthand accounts of long sea voyages, or simply observe how small records help build a larger historical picture.

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Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Screenshots are one of the most useful everyday tech skills. They let you save exactly what’s on your screen—an error message, a recipe, a confirmation number, or a funny text from your grandchild—without printing, copying, or rewriting anything.

Below is a clear, practical guide you can use right away.

A screenshot is simply a picture of your screen.

On an iPhone or iPad
Press the Side Button + Volume Up at the same time.
The screen flashes, and the image is saved automatically in the Photos app.

On an Android phone
Press Power + Volume Down at the same time.
The screenshot appears in your Photos or Gallery app.

On a Windows computer
Press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key to capture the entire screen.
To capture just part of the screen, press Windows Key + Shift + S and select the area you want.

On a Mac computer
Press Command + Shift + 3 for the full screen.
Press Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area.

Once taken, screenshots are saved automatically—no extra steps needed.

If you’re comfortable experimenting a bit, screenshots can do more than just sit there.

Edit or mark them up
Most phones and computers let you crop, circle, or highlight parts of a screenshot. This is helpful when showing tech support exactly where the problem is.

Use built-in tools
Windows includes the Snipping Tool, which lets you delay screenshots or save them neatly. Mac has a built-in screenshot toolbar with timers and options.

Save and share easily
Screenshots can be attached to emails, texted, or printed like any photo—great for sharing directions, receipts, or instructions.

Screenshots are a simple way to save and share information without retyping or printing. Once you know the basic button combinations, they can be used anytime you want to capture something exactly as it appears on your screen.

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Unmissable American gem: Carmel Valley, California beckons as an idyllic getaway for seniors with its sunny vineyards, leisurely wine tasting, scenic golf courses, and quaint village charm perfect for relaxed strolls and open-air dining.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Felt-and-funny characters from classic TV and movies.

STPMUPE

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