Retirement: implications for clinical practice

Retirement is not a negative experience for the majority of people. Most adjust satisfactorily, even though retirement involves the loss of a significant work role and a decline in income. Most retired people report that their health stayed the same or even improved after retirement. However, a minority of retired patients need help and counseling in adjusting to their change in lifestyle. For that minority, the innovative physician may wish to consider adding a retirement counselor to his staff.