Exploring Post-EMS Retirement: Activities and Adjustments

Retirement from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry can bring about a plethora of new activities and adjustments. Whether it's taking up hobbies, volunteering, or simply spending more time with family, retired EMS professionals have plenty of options to keep them engaged and content.

What Do You Do When You Retire?

Most people have several options when they retire:

Take up hobbies Volunteer Pick up a part-time job Travel Spend time with friends and family

For instance, my mom started taking care of her grandchildren and volunteering at her church when she retired. Today, as she nears 80, she still helps with after-school care and volunteers at her local church. Similarly, my brother-in-law has taken up baking pastries and bread and enjoys traveling. My sister-in-law, who hasn’t yet retired, has found that restoring and repairing her home and volunteering keeps her active. My father-in-law, before health issues, continued to operate a small local airfield and fly. My step-father is engaged in genealogy, and until recently, he still played bridge and Magic: The Gathering.

Keeping Active in Retirement

Retired people keep active as long as they can. My plan once I retire is to:

Spend more time biking Travel as often as possible Bake more, especially bread Play Magic: The Gathering with my twin and others Paint more miniatures

In short, I intend to continue my hobbies, and maybe even volunteer at a gaming store or local library.

Spend Time With Friends and Family

One of the primary reasons to retire is to spend time with friends and family, and we should all make it a priority. In my case, retiring 17 years ago, the first thing I did was move out of Washington DC, although it was actually Fairfax Virginia (that's close enough for government work).

Personal Reflection on Retiring

Retirement simply means not being obligated to work. Of course, other obligations, such as family responsibilities, do not cease. Personally, I like to find and do interesting things. This can range from mundane tasks like fixing something around the house to exotic journeys like a trip to Antarctica. Currently, I am trying to learn how to play the piano.

What are your plans after retiring from EMS? Let us know in the comments below.