Fatigue levels drop after retirement
Wednesday November 24th, 2010
Retirement reduces mental and physical fatigue and depression, according to the findings of a major European study published today.
The findings come as developed countries seek to manage their costs by increasing retirement ages.
Retirement is a major life transition that affects daily activities, social relationships, and income and is believed to have important consequences for health, say Dr Hugo Westerlund of Stockholm University, Sweden, and colleagues on the website of the British Medical Journal.
But "empirical evidence on its effects on health remains inconsistent". Some studies have suggested a beneficial effect, others an adverse effect, and still others no effect. A clear answer is needed given current moves to raise the retirement age in most developed countries.
The researchers followed 11,246 men and 2,858 women in France from seven before to seven years after retirement.
No effect was seen for chronic diseases such as diabetes or coronary heart disease. But retirement was associated with a substantial decrease in the rate of both mental and physical fatigue. A major decrease was also seen in depressive symptoms.
The researchers say: "If work is tiring for many older workers, the decrease in fatigue could simply reflect removal of the source of the problem." They believe a "redesign of work, health care interventions or both may be necessary to enable a larger proportion of older people to work in full health".
Writing in an editorial, Professor Alex Burdorf of Eramus MC in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, says: "To help elderly workers maintain good health, efforts are needed to improve working conditions; adapt job activities to the capabilities of ageing workers, especially those with chronic diseases; and adopt preventive interventions that will improve the health and health behaviour of workers."
Burdorf, A. Is early retirement good for your health? The British Medical Journal, 2010;341:c6089.
Tags: Europe | Fitness | Geriatric Health | Mental Health
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