I’m 61 and thinking about retirement…diagnosed 4 years ago. Want to spend more time doing the stuff i want to do and focus on exercise and keeping as healthy as i can. My wife is concerned without working i’ll lose mental stimulation and will develop dementia, doesnt seem keen for me to retire She’s 4 years younger than me and still working. I have a reasonable but not luxurious pension and we’ll be slightly worse off financially. Are her concerns reasonable, should i just keep working, i don’t hate the job, but would rather be doing something else.
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Hello Fluffybunny … I am 70 years old & going through all my medical correspondence getting ready for a very important consultation with a new neurologist. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in June 2023 BUT there were signs before then that I was gradually declining in what I could physically do … I read a letter from December 2021 from a consultant that said. I examined Steve2 for … He tells me that he regularly walks 10 miles a day if he doesn’t play golf … Fast forward only 3 years & I have had to give up golf & really struggle to walk much over 100 yards on a good day. I can’t even go shopping I have to have what ever I want delivered.
I don’t think any of us know how fit we will be in 3 years time & I am shocked at how much I have gone down hill.
But we are all different.
If your next 3 years pan out as mine have done what would your decision be ?
Best wishes
Steve2
If you don’t hate your job, could you look at other options such as reducing your hours or compressed working? The financial costs of Parkinson’s increase as the disease progresses so you might want to build up savings to be a buffer for you and your wife later? Work does provide good things to help with aging and cognitive decline including a social network, having routine, projects to work on, etc etc so your wife is pretty spot on there.
Good to see you back Fluffybunny - and thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully our forum community can provide you with some great insight. All the best
I do not think that not doing full time paid work is a cause of dementia.
I’m of the same mind…my target is to be retired 12 months from now. I’m not sure my public sector employer will give me ill health retirement though
Hello Fluffybunny
You raised some valid points in your post that I think are probably shared by others in a similar position. Further to the replies you have already received, I would like to add the following comments.
- I would agree with Douglas - not doing full time paid work would not of itself cause dementia. Your wife is right up to a point that you could lose the mental stimulation that work gives you and that may give rise to low mood, depression, apathy etc if you do not recognise this as a potential risk factor.
- For this reason you need to give some thought as to how you might fill your day when paid work has stopped. You don’t have to plan in minute detail but most people benefit from havig some structure and routine Such plans could potentially replace the mental stimulation your wife is concerned you might lose.
- You do need to make sure you do your sums carefully, especially if you will be worse off.
4.This next point is something that is rarely considered but which I think is quite important and that is the extent to which you define yourself by what you do for a living. Some particularly those who are perceived to be in high status jobs, an airline pilot arguably being the most obvious, can be affected by a loss of perceived status and struggle to come to terms with retirement. I have had a varied working life and I have enjoyed it but it was never the main motivating factor, that is far more mundane - in the absence of a private income I had to earn a living to pay my way. It is nice to be able to say I enjoyed my work, there are many in jobs for the same reasons as me but which gives little satisfaction, but I have never missed work since the day I left paid employment.
Finally just a cautionary note as you mentioned retirement on ill health grounds; this process is not for many people, an easy walk in the park. It is often a long and drawn out process which at times can be quite brutal.
I hope my comments are of interest and that whatever you ultimately decide it works out well for you.
Best wishes.
Tot
Hey Fluffybunny how’s things ?
I’m around the same age (60 this Dec 2025) but was dxd 20+ yrs ago. I’ve “retired” at least twice so far - first time from my “proper job” (or career) 19yrs as a Firefighter before having 5yrs "practice retirement!"but I needed interaction so rebooted to become a Volunteer Coordinator (even went back to University and got a BA).things are starting to stiffen and ache - i fightback but I’m no spring chicken any more either.i suppose what I’m really saying is don’t rush into it - beware spending too much time alone.Exercise and sleep are important and if the meds work , take them @!!Retire gradually and don’t let the DwP tell you , you tell them
Enjoy
ion
Ive only recently been diagnosed at 56yrs old. I think looking after yourself, not getting stressed with work, exercising, nutrition and getting a good sleep pattern. Will be far more beneficial to you than working. Join a good gym, study nutrition to keep the mind active, learn to cook youre favourite nutritional meals, go for nice strolls, get fresh air and enjoy life, while you can, for nothing in the future is guaranteed 
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I think it’s important to recognise you are part of a couple so your wife’s concerns will also be relevant. Will she continue to work? Perhaps you can offer to take on more of the housework or cooking in the house and if you have children you can do more with them too. I notice that you didn’t mention having more time to give to your relationship - talking to her about this might aliveate her concerns.
Partners are aware of the apathy that comes with Parkinson’s and this can be very hard to live with so anything you can do to help your partner will help!