Retiring with a chronic illness: How can you prepare for this new chapter?

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Somya.P

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09/10/2024 at 18:00

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Somya.P

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Hello everyone,

How are you doing? 😊

Retirement is a major life milestone, but it can become even more complicated when living with a chronic illness. Between managing daily symptoms, handling administrative tasks, and adjusting finances, preparing well is key to making this transition as smooth as possible. This period can also be an opportunity to reorganize your time to better prioritize your health while still enjoying life.

What advice or tips do you have for managing retirement with a chronic illness? What concerns you the most: managing your healthcare, daily organization, or keeping up with medical follow-ups?

@aggy2017 @Yank34 @AngelaP63 @Susie39 @amandeep @Tigger.co.uk @Janetted @Chrisclarke @Lizzie413 @WeeBlu9Legend @SCARE1 @NaturalApproach @jeanp52 @FredaBurke @jayne22 @cbw746 @Lynmandy @STEVIE1010 @Topaz13 @Sallyvalentine @mikesalmons @AlexBolland @Herkimer-diamond @fernster @thelicencee @nath61 @sallyk408 @ColinSalter @Chalmm @Bella10 @Man67uk @NickyGoodman @Janice @judahtwo @helenadair @margaretwade @audieb @Lina679 @Phoebe @Steve62 @hackie54 @BertaC @blackcabmike123 @HannahAitken @babrailey @ferret @bungalowmave791 @Jaks157 @Mrs E Larkin @bearskin @florazey @Janetmcsorley @janeabuckhursthill @lesley273 @Germantara @DianeSimpson @JuDen1949 @Lwlxmo3 @vuwutuva @jinny1 @Jaynewadlow @Dysondotty @Juliafrances @AngieNolan @Bollyhare @Sue1954 @Huricane @Ringo678 @Angiebaby1964 @Colguhoun @suzy2u @Angelabretton @Flowers @Annabella56 @Coralis59 @SP3RDN4 @muzoman @Dboyle1 @mariam2 @wiltshireman @lar123 @byronlion @beryl50 @eugenie @Diligaf @KarenDry @Flip5ter @Biffet @RobHighsted @llooker @Brimmer @Mariajohn @Welshblues @Mumek8 @ZoeLara @Roseby @MargaretBarlow @Folioc @naughtynodmail @ImaniMcLean

Your experiences and tips can be a great help to those preparing for this new stage!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼

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Flip5ter

09/10/2024 at 18:11

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Flip5ter

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 19:37

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Retired was diagnosed with COPD 10 years later, I manage it very well with a strict regime of exercise, it does not impact on my lifestyle at all other than my running isn't as good as I would like it to be, but at 69 with a 33% lung function, I am happy and living a normal life. I have a fitness age of 61.5

Retiring with a chronic illness: How can you prepare for this new chapter? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/retiring-with-a-chronic-illness-how-can-you-prepare-for-this-new-chapter-5433 2024-10-09 18:11:32

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Flip5ter

12/10/2024 at 17:47

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Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 19:37

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@LifeDelineator unsure when I contracted the disease, but it’s not an ailment, I was apparently fit and well when I retired at 55 years old, I went on to seek 3 further jobs whilst in retirement. I was diagnosed with COPD that has no cure at 65 yrs, it will more than likely be a deciding factor in my death. But in the mean time I will exercise as hard and long as I can to maintain a normal lifestyle.

LifeDelineator

12/10/2024 at 18:02

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LifeDelineator

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@Flip5ter - Thank you for responding to my symantiscs inquiry. Since you referred to COPD as a disease, is it contagious?

Flip5ter

12/10/2024 at 18:07

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@LifeDelineator no

Flip5ter

13/10/2024 at 09:45

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@LifeDelineator Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, I don’t refer to it as such, that is what it is. But I am one of the motivated people who have it. I manage it well myself. Remaining as active as you can within your ability, any illness impairment seems to be able to be managed better with some activity. The body needs movement.

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robjmckinney

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12/10/2024 at 16:09

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robjmckinney

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No change in retiring as a crip, our path is a for gone conclusion, the problem comes with a weakening mind of old age!

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LifeDelineator

13/10/2024 at 01:19

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LifeDelineator

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@robjmckinney - I too have never referred to us as handicapped or disabled; because we are neither. Realistically, if you can’t cure it, it doesn’t grow back; or, doesn't move on (like "transient ischemic attack), you are not handicapped. You are not disabled. You are crippled.

It is disappionting you have allowed a non-cripling ailment to propel you to using the self deprecating descrption"a crip". There must be, at least, one accomplishment illustrating where you have adapted to OPD, rather than accepting it as a defeat.

robjmckinney

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13/10/2024 at 01:31

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robjmckinney

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@LifeDelineator I work within my limits, when working I changed jobs to suit my abilities, I use the same techniques my other more serious illnesses, plus my crip wife, we live with our abilities. As we get older we incorporate our new limitations on how we resolve the way we deal with day to day tasks, simples!

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robjmckinney

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13/10/2024 at 06:54

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@robjmckinney - At this point, even though I am responding to you, I am writing this for the enlightenment of others, who might read this exchange. The ease which you, continually, use an obvious slur to describe yourself is incomprehensible. Especially, when you refer to your spouse in the same derogatory fashion.

I never considered a possibility where anyone could make the words handicapped and disabled preferable; but, you have.

As George Bernard Shaw said: "Britain and America are two countries separated by a common language." This is the most uncommon example of that I have ever seen. My deepest condolements to your, overly tolerant, wife.

LifeDelineator

13/10/2024 at 14:11

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LifeDelineator

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@robjmckinney - Regatdless, your choice of words identifies you, and your undeserving wife, as "cripples", not, being crippled. Unlike Bill Veeck and myself, I infer a sense of pride as a victim, rather than a victor over your ailment. Your wife does not deserve that. In the future, I hope you make better use of your endowment of free will and self-determination.

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Jane1371

12/10/2024 at 17:32

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Check you pension numbers and your suitability for ill health retirement (IHR) from the company/companies you work with, (pensions department or HR can help) also if you have to pay for the assessment by an Occupational Health Doctor, it's normally around the £2000 mark.

It can be a long process, keep any medical letters, reports etc to support your application, some companies have different tiers such as permanently unfit for any work, currently unfit for work for a period of time (normally 3-5 years) or fit to work.

If sucessful there may be an option for a lump sum or monthly payments or a split.

It's advisable to get advice as pension is treated the same as income from employment so is taxed.....ouch!

pollyj4

12/10/2024 at 21:57

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I suffer with 3 chronic illnesses, Diabetes type 2, Pancreatitis and Arthritis.

The hardest to work with is the Diabetes because I am my husband with Alzheimer's carer and getting enough exercise is very difficult. He also loves chocolate and cakes. The drugs I take for the Pancreatitis affect my glucose levels so I adjust them when possible. Being retired means I don't have the people around me to talk through issues the same as I did when working.

Retiring with a chronic illness: How can you prepare for this new chapter?

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