You retired early so you could spend more time with your grandchildren, go on a cruise, spend cold winters traveling or move to a warmer place. Perhaps you were forced to retire because of health concerns or had reached the mandatory age. Whatever the reason, retirement brings hours and sometimes days to be filled with meaningful activities.

For those who have been through decades of the 9 to 5 routine, filling those hours is sometimes a challenge.

The trend seems to be toward people retiring early. Some start talking about it in their 40s and their goal is to retire at 60 or earlier. Social security has been busy adjusting “retirement age” and the magic number – 65 – has been extended. Even so, many of today’s middle agers, at least those with pensions and/or retirement savings, seem to want to get out of the workforce earlier than their predecessors.

I retired early, about six years ago for several reasons. The biggest was the long work week which included several evening meetings and part of the weekend. But the other reason was I wanted to spend whole days (not just an hour here and there) working at the Historical Society. This was impossible when I was employed full-time, and it was something I truly loved to do. With only Social Security as income, I already had planned on working part-time.

Friends of mine have combined Social Security and pensions, either military or some other kind, and if they don’t have to work, they sometimes get a little bored after a few months or a year doing just what they want to do.

Even though they are getting “itchy” and looking around for projects to keep them busy and involved, they’re not ready for a commitment to anything too demanding of their time.

I’ve always had plenty of activities to fill up my time since retiring, and do many things on a volunteer basis. Knowing that I’m doing something that is important and needed, is fulfilling and in reality, keeps me going. Today, I’m busier than ever, but everything I do is something I’ve chosen to do and I never feel as though my time is wasted.

The last issue of Senior News, published by Southern Maine Agency on Aging includes a fascinating article about their RSVP program. Last year, nearly 500 volunteers, age 55 and over, helped over 100 community organizations in York and Cumberland counties. Some of these commitments were long-term, some short assignments. Here’s an example of what was included:

• Visited seniors residing in long-term care facilities or at home

• Worked in disaster preparedness

• Did tutoring

• Worked as hospital aides

• Worked in libraries and offices

• Reading to children

• Health educators

• Museum guides

• Computer helpers

• Helped in Head Start

• Provided transportation

• Taught classes to seniors and others

At the present time, RSVP is seeking someone to manage and organize a clothes closet for a non-profit agency in Cumberland County; there’s an ongoing need for someone who can type to do data entry and light clerical work, at their own hours; people are needed to read to children in childcare once a week; volunteers are needed to help explain Medicare D (training is provided).

In York County, there are opportunities for volunteers to provide clerical help at a private school, visit elderly residents of nursing homes and do clerical work, collating, filing, etc. for visiting nurses, and many other projects.

Volunteers receive training, placement in the area they choose, support, insurance coverage and in some cases, reimbursement of travel and meal expenses.

If you’re getting “itchy” after retiring, and feeling a little bored sometime, try volunteering. It doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Find out how you can help.

For more information, call Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 1-800-427-7411, and ask for Priscilla Green (Cumberland County) or Lorraine Jones (York County).

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