Retirement Rx

by Frederick T. Fraunfelder

The Retirement Docs' Proven Prescription for Living a Happy, Fulfilling Rest of Your Life Over the years, Dr. Fritz Fraunfelder and Dr. Jim Gilbaugh have seen thousands of their patients respond differently to the challenges of retirement: some rose to new heights; others hit new lows. The doctors began to wonder, How do some people maintain their vitality, interests, and zest for life in retirement while others became distant, even depressed? Is there a magic formula for retiring well? To find the answer, they designed a comprehensive study involving more than one thousand patients. The results were surprising but clear. Financial planning is not as important to a fulfilling retirement as many may think—the psychological experience is just as crucial. The happiest retirees shared eight key traits; all of them were able to: • plan ahead • maintain a positive attitude • accept change • lean on their support network • have a sense of purpose • keep a healthy lifestyle • engage in leisure