Opinion: A lifetime of working with the elderly has taught me these keys to a happy retirement

PremiumOpinionOpinion byTerry MiddlemostNZ Herald·9 Jun, 2026 01:00 AM6 mins to readTerry Middlemost is CEO of the Premier Lifestyle Villages, which owns and operates Fairview Lifestyle Village, and Settlers Lifestyle Village on Auckland’s North Shore, which offer independent living for seniors. Loneliness affects nearly 12% of older people, WHO warns. Photo / Getty ImagesTHE FACTSThe World Health Organisation recently identified loneliness as a major health issue that affected nearly 12% of older people.The value of unpaid work by people aged 65 and over in New Zealand is estimated to exceed $20 billion annually.Research has found people with regular social contact at age 60 had a significantly lower risk of dementia.

Almost every week, a resident of one of our villages tells me they’re busier now than when they were working – not because they have to be, but because they want to be. That light-hearted comment reflects something much deeper. There is a growing body of evidence showing