Seniors Site

There is an ongoing speculation that seniors fear living alone since they tend to succumb to loneliness which eventually leads to depression and health deterioration. This may be true for some seniors especially those in really advanced age wherein they feel that due to their limited Earth time, they should be surrounded with their friends and loved-ones from this day forward. This is also true for those experiencing life-threatening diseases and illnesses.

Like I said, this may be true for some seniors but never for all. More and more seniors are much more comfortable living their life alone without offspring to nag them all the time. In fact, a survey conducted in 2001 showed that more seniors are living alone than any other age group. These seniors are largely composed of widows.

Over the years, our baby boomers learned to live well, adapting a healthy lifestyle which in return prevented them from having poor quality of life. The result? Of course, healthy and independent seniors ready to live up with the demands of everyday life. This may cause alarm to worried younger adults with moms and dads living alone in the old family house, but really, sometimes you need to ask them if they prefer to live this way. And most of the time; they do.

Just imagine a lifetime-worth spent waiting for someone, adjusting to your “housemates” and trying to peacefully coexist with them. These “housemates” consist of your spouse, in-laws, children, their wives and husbands including everyone which happens to stop by your house some time way back then. Nonworking days were spent planning for family’s events which forced seniors to sacrifice their own preferred activity for the sake of the whole family’s enjoyment. Let’s face it, having a family is great and rewarding but it can get frustrating at times too. Living alone is indeed a liberating experience for seniors and this is their time to do their own thing for themselves; free from obligation and responsibilities that they have endured for years. I would like to call this as reclaiming or getting our lives back. Sweet words, aren’t they?

Seniors do need some private time. A time when they can be alone and prove that they can still fend for themselves and manage it on their own. If independence is important to seniors; self-confidence does too. By treating seniors like kids needing help, you take away their dignity and sense of worth. While it is quite understandable for young adults to worry about their seniors and see them as potential health hazards to themselves if left unattended, accord them with respect and try to meet with them halfway. As their kids, you can introduce modern devices and equipments which can make their daily lives easier such as microwave ovens, video phones, and appliances which automatically shut off when left idle for long time. You can also safe-proof their homes by installing emergency systems and alarms for cases of burglary and emergencies and of course, dropping in to check them from time to time is a nice idea as well. This will provide an adequate time to let them know you care without intruding with their lives—like what you preferred during your carefree days.

If and when you feel you need to move them to an assisted facility, just explain to your aging parent why, because if they will clearly see your point, they will not argue with your decision as they know it is what’s best for them. A good, open communication line is always important in maintaining a healthy relationship with seniors.

The greatest hindrance for most seniors taking up a job outside of home is the inconvenience of going to and fro the workplace. For seniors, this takes time and awfully lot of energy which seniors need to expend in a daily basis. But retirement is no joke, especially with hard times like these so needless to say, we must review our options carefully and try to generate income as much as we possibly can.

True enough, seniors tend to keep an erratic schedule due to many varying factors—one of them being health. But since, this generation keeps up with their word of honor, even a bad case of arthritis won’t stop them from going to work, no matter how painful it is for working seniors. Because of this, seniors’ health suffers tremendously. With a somewhat flexible mode of income, there won’t be missed doctor’s appointments anymore.

Seniors should know that no matter what age and gender they are today, they can still generate income—with or without past working experience! All you need is some skills and networking capabilities. And of course, a crash course in internet marketing would be great too. That is, if you are familiar with using the web and you know your way around.

For seniors 50 years and above, internet literate and would want to enjoy a great pay working with flexible hours, you may want to tap in your writing skills for blogs and other freelance writing jobs. Blogs are great because they pay through advertisements so you don’t need to worry if you missed writing for a day—it will still pay you as long as your blog is ranking high in search engines. This option would likewise give you the opportunity to express yourself through your acquired knowledge and expertise. And, did you know that some people even pay for writers to do their blog contents for them? People writing for other people’s blog are called freelance writers and although the pay might be a little lower if you monetize your own blog; freelance writers don’t have to worry about the managing aspects of keeping a blog. Well, if you choose to own a blog and make money from it, you have to pay for certain fees and such. And you have to keep up with the ever-evolving trends of internet marketing and optimization which will require you to pay for webminars conducted by SEO experts. On the other hand, freelance writers write as per received instructions and payments are often fixed.

Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to learn the trick especially if you are pressed for time. The tricks of internet take time to master and it is never a smooth road to travel. There are other income generating things you can do at home. For example, if you are great with crafts and you can create many interesting things just by using your imagination and your reliable hands; sell them instead of giving them away as gifts to your friends. You can do floral arrangements and delivery for friends or you can do gift baskets. Anything you can make with your own hands are guaranteed to be a big hit!

If you have strong organizational skills plus you enjoy party planning and coordinating, you may also do this for a fee and gradually build your reputation around it. Tutorials are also great and you can actually make good, steady money from this venture.

The key to a successful work-at-home senior is the ability to recognize one’s strength and gain some edge from it. If you feel you possess the potential but you need to hone it further then, by God, do so. Think of it this way, you still need to enjoy your retirement years but having some funds to do so is greater right?

A recent study released by Hebrew SeniorLife’s Institute for Aging Research warned residents of long term care facilities and/or their relatives about this new kind of bacteria which is resistant to common antibiotic medications. MDRGN organisms or Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative bacteria exceeded MRSA and VRE, in terms of strength and resistant and it is notably gaining prevalence in long term care facilities.

Unfortunately, studies have been focused only on these two common drug-resistant organisms and it looks like, they were barking at the wrong tree since MDRGN are much more deadly and went undetected for many years until now.

MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus. They are very resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporin. In general, this strain has the ability to resist all beta-lactam antibiotics and could cause trouble in hospitals and health care facilities since they can spread around fast. Elderly, children and others with compromised immune system especially those confined in above-mentioned places, are at a greater risk of MRSA infection.

On the other hand, VRE or Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, is another mutant strain that has the ability to resist certain antibacterial drug Vancomycin. This stain can be found in the digestive system of an infected human and scarily enough, it can pass its uncanny resistance to other dormant bacteria inside the body, making it a battalion of mutant bacteria infecting and altering other neighboring organisms. Just like MRSA, VRE is commonly found in hospitals and health care facilities.

But now, apparently, MDRGN poses greater risk for seniors residing in long-term health care facilities. Residents may be infected but completely unaware since there are no obvious symptoms. This strain manifests by destroying tissues and can cause death when left untreated for longer periods of time. They invade the infected person’s blood stream and unlike MRSA and VRE, MDRGN is resistant to multiple groups of antibacterial/ antimicrobial preparations making it harder for health care providers to deal with.

Since this study was released, long term care facilities are now taking extensive precautions in treating their wards. MDRGN is now under close scrutiny while further analysis is taking place. MDRGN infection is suspected for higher mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays and staggering medical costs brought about wrong diagnosis and nondetection. Overall, Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative bacteria affect seniors’ quality of life and since it travels all throughout the body via the bloodstream, it causes immeasurable damage from head to foot. This can go undiscovered for a long time and can manifest at a later time, depending on your own body’s immune state.

Easter is not only for kids, they are for seniors too! Easter is one of those celebrations wherein seniors are allowed to release creative juices and test their abilities to create something cute with their hands. Of course, it would be a great plus if this “something” turns out to be useful as well.

But since this is the season to be creative and fun, let us just leave out the “useful” part for now and concentrate with the fun part!

Easter provides seniors the time to bond with their grandchildren and have fun with them. This Easter time, seniors can set up an egg painting session with their grandkids and hide them around the yard after drying the eggs for traditional Easter egg hunt. You can color-coordinate your eggs according to their respective rewards and watch the kids scurry off searching for the highest paying egg! You can also make the highest paying egg in color Gold to make it more tempting to the eyes. Don’t forget to boil your eggs first so you can eat them afterwards.

Easter is also a great way to satisfy one’s sweet tooth. Take a stroll down the grocery and you will find lots and lots of yummy Easter-themed candy treats made for sharing and giving away. But, these candies can be costly at times especially those carrying brand names. Don’t worry, you can still enjoy these sweet treats by making them yourself. Homemade Easter candies are great for this year’s Easter family activity. You just have to buy some usual candy ingredients like marshmallows, peanuts, a block of chocolates, some peanut butter and butter then you can experiment your way to great treats. For beginners, you may want to stick first with the easy, conventional ways like chocolate melting and molding. Seniors can find great Easter recipes over the internet since there are tons of them there. Although this is a time when you can forget your diet for a while, treats are sweeter when taken in moderation; that is, if you have been nice all year round!

Easter candy baskets are great giveaways this Easter time. Not only they are a delight to look at, they are also practical and your recipient will surely love you for all those sweet treats you have sent them. Seniors can fill their own Easter baskets with caramels wrapped in colorful foils, bite-sized chocolates, yellow and pink peeps, Jelly Belly, and a small plush bunny then they can tie it with some wide ribbons to complete the Easter effect.

However, if you are a little bit worried about your blood sugar, there are some other healthy Easter basket alternatives available for you. You can put sugar-free candies, crackers, nuts, chips and gift cards. Moreover, these gifts are great for your diabetic friends so they won’t feel deprived this Easter time.

As far as Easter crafts go, there are one hundred and one ways to celebrate Easter doing artistic stuff. You can do Easter cards, Easter baskets, flower pots and Easter paper weights. Just browse over the internet to get some fantastic ideas to share with your beloved grandkids!

Normally, stretching is done to warm-up the body before an exercise and cool-down after a workout. Stretching improves one’s flexibility, strengthens the muscle and helps establish good balance. Of course, we all know how important balance is to seniors since good balance prevents accidents such as trips and falls.

For seniors, stretching is a whole exercise regime similar to yoga and pilates. This is because stretching has lower impact than any other exercises out there. Being a low-impact exercise, it creates lesser risk for fractures and accidents to seniors but nonetheless, provides them the exercise they need daily.

Stretching gives seniors many health benefits plus it provides them improved quality of life. It improves blood circulation all throughout the body especially in the heart, where they need it the most. Due to good blood circulation, seniors become more alert and have enough energy to perform everyday tasks without the need for aides and help—something that is important for seniors, independency. Stretching can prove very beneficial to seniors looking for a perfect exercise for their aged bodies.

Aside from the fact that stretching can give flexibility, the program itself is flexible for seniors. It can be modified to one’s needs and limitations. This is something that can’t be done successfully with other exercise programs. The instructor can modify according to one’s comfort and ability while the program’s phase and intensity can be adjusted.

Stretching is a fun and relaxing way for seniors plus it gives them the soothing-feel all seniors need. Also, stretching is good for the joints alleviating arthritis problems for seniors. Stretching can be done at home, in the gym and with workout classes. There are some stretch-at-home DVDs you can buy and follow if you don’t feel like going out.

For beginners, you should consult your doctor first before starting any workout program. Although stretching is safe for seniors, you need to know if it is recommended for you or if you need some minor modifications. Also, there are health centers which can assist you with your workouts especially if you need special care.

It is also recommended for seniors to start slow. About 10-15 minutes of low intensity stretching per day then gradually increase in minutes and phase until you reach your most comfortable phase. It is natural to feel some mild pulling discomfort after each stretching session but if you feel persistent or stabbing pain, you need to stop at once and consult your doctor.

Stretching should be done correctly everytime to avoid injury. Allow your body some time to adjust to your new workout. Doing it the right way will benefit your body likewise bring calming effect to your mind.

Have you heard about the senior pass? Well, if you love parks, US citizen, and you are 62 years old or way above, then grab this affordable lifetime pass made especially for seniors!

This affordable pass allows you to access recreation areas managed by US Federal agencies. Plus the senior pass also provides great discounts to some amenities which will normally require you to pay fees such as camping, site tours and boating.

These little babies cost $10 each and they last for a lifetime. You can purchase one with participating government agencies such as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service. All you need to do is personally present yourself to issuing agencies, bring $10 and some proof of identification like driver’s license, birth certificate, or anything that is government-issued documents.

However, fees vary from one site to another so it is best to inquire to the site first before going to avoid inconveniences along the trip and I heard you need to purchase the pass again if you lost them or if they were stolen from you so you really need to look after them closely.

Senior pass is very convenient and will come in handy for seniors who love strolling down national parks and just be one with nature. This is also a great way to enjoy a family outing without breaking the bank. Seniors are allowed to access most of national parks and lands from Alaska all the way to Florida. Senior Pass is part of the American the Beautiful- Natural Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass program wherein they offer different kinds of passes for different needs. This program grants US residents to enjoy their national museums, parks and lands.

The good part is, this pass will not only benefit you but your companions as well. Your pass will allow you, three of your adult companions and one private car to enter the premises without any extra charge. Like stated earlier, discounts are given for any other amenities you may want to avail during the trip and mind you, discounts can go up to 50% if you are lucky!

Other available passes which you can avail through same agencies are access pass for people with disability problems, one year pass for adults under 62 years of age, and free pass for volunteers.

This pass will prove to be very beneficial to seniors considering the money they will be able to save and the number of parks they are allowed to access.

Vacation indeed knows no boundaries. Well, any season would do just fine for seniors, just as long as we have time, energy and of course, money. Who says only college kids deserve spring breaks? We do to.

Speaking of college kids, seniors over 50 could also go broke sometimes. And like students, seniors also need to watch over their money while on vacation especially now that travel expenses are getting ridiculously high even for higher-income families. Everything has risen; from airfares, all the way down to the food we eat while vacationing and everyday it becomes tougher than yesterday. But, vacation is a vacation and chronic vacationers will find a way to make it possible!

This spring, it is highly recommended for seniors to try cruises. They are much more affordable than any other travel options in the market today. Although there might be some affordable airfare deals, seniors should take into consideration the overall cost of the trip, if and when they explore this venue, such as hotel, entrances and other stuff while cruises are all-in package. Also, cruises are both convenient and stress-free for traveling seniors.

Cruise liners offer lodging, meal tickets and entertainment while on board. Considering you don’t have to pay extra for all of these; that makes it more charming right? Of course, there will be additional offers which will require you to pay but that is entirely up to you if you want them or not such as spas, and classes. What’s more, some cruise liners give discounts to their senior customers ages 55 and up.

Seniors on cruise can enjoy island hopping—visiting one island to another, something that is quite impossible if you are traveling by air or by land, not to mention, costly. Cruises are also convenient for seniors since after a long day of walking and touring the island, coming back to the ship would be a welcome refuge for many.

You don’t have to bring a partner, single seniors are absolutely welcome. There are activities for singles on board which allow them to meet and greet other singles on the ship. This is a great way to socialize with other people while vacationing. And of course, seniors on honeymoon are also given their much needed privacy. Surely, anything goes aboard.

Cruise liners are now gearing more towards seniors. That only proves the fact that seniors remain as the number one vacationers across all generations and lately, cruises are becoming their perfect vacation choice due to the fact that cruises are hassle-free and very economical.

For seniors, the best way to recharge their batteries is to have some fun, just to break the monotony of it all. Anything that will drive their mind away from pressing problems, both seen and unseen, will do just fine. You see, when you reach a certain age, you tend to worry less about the present and more for the unpredictable future. This is why sometimes, seniors are deemed paranoid since younger generation, assuming they know all about life, couldn’t see the impending danger. You just don’t say that to someone who survived wars and multiple crises. Younger adults should know how to recognize and respect that so seniors won’t end up in some home care facilities which are really uncalled for.

Like everyone else, seniors use their brains and naturally, these brains need to rest even for just a little while or else, it will take its toll. Seniors need to relax and feel safe with families and friends. They need to feel connected, needed and loved. For seniors, this doesn’t necessarily mean making new memories but sometimes, they just need to go back to their happier times. These past memories are from childhood memories, teenage years, married life, family life and midlife. For seniors, these are valuable, priceless memories that no money can buy.

What better way to improve our little walk down the memory lane than incorporating it with sports that we actually enjoy doing. Considering our age, doing a sport is important to keep our bodies healthy and strong. Of course, healthy and strong means good quality of life for us, right? It is important to be active likewise having fun while at it. Choose a sport that will keep you moving and busy but safe enough to prevent fractures. Meaning, you should not do contact sports anymore unless you want to spend the rest of your life in your bed, unable to move. But of course, there are some few exemptions especially if you are a pro. If it’s the only way to get you moving, then by God, do so!

For seniors, engaging in a sport doesn’t necessarily mean competition. Most of them won’t care if they take home the price or not. From time to time, seniors need to unwind and start anew. This allows them to shut down to the world for a moment and say hello to their own selves. Funny as it may seem, sometimes while trying hard to fit in, we lose ourselves in the process. Sports can save you from drowning in this kind of mud since it releases tension and promotes good camaraderie, companionship and belongingness to other human beings.

Choose your sport. Don’t hesitate to turn your back to something that scares you away. If you don’t feel like doing some exercise with this kind of equipment, there’s a bigger chance that you won’t use this thing anyway so don’t bother. Fishing is a good sport as well as swimming. These sports are kinder to the body and will not put you in too much stress. A mere 30 minutes, 5 times a week is enough for seniors trying to maintain a fairly active life and of course, it will benefit you tremendously in the long run, bills and all.

Exercising can be a bit drag for seniors. It can be boring, too strenuous, task orientated, so on and so forth but as you can see, if you take up a sport you really love, then you eliminate all these daunting feelings and go get moving. This is the magic of sport as oppose to exercising. It is really important to be passionate about the things you do and to the things you keep. Do this with your friends for instant bonding moments. Enjoyable activities should be shared with loved ones. Remember that your body is designed to move and lack of movement will bring disastrous results. Physical limitation is something you should conquer, not the other way around. Consult your doctors for options.

Sports are fun. Try one now!

The hardest part for a senior is to endure living alone in a quiet house that was once filled with boisterous joy and laughter, especially those experiencing “empty-nest” syndrome. Although they might be quite adjusted to their way of life by now, sometimes they need a family to remember them and say hello once in while.

The best way to establish good connection and bonding with aging parents is to visit them regularly. Nothing beats a human touch to reassure us that we are indeed loved and remembered. Seniors like to hold their grandchild’s hands and see their excited faces when sharing stories and taking them to imaginary places they have never been to.

To some extent, seniors understand, or at least try to understand, why sometimes it takes years and years before they see their families again. We know it’s work, it’s family, it’s life in general and we know, it’s nothing personal against us. Well, you kids do what you got to do and we’ll be fine, just as long as you pick up your telephone when we call and talk to us even for just mere minutes.

God gave us voices to be heard. When we talk, we use our voice to express what we need and what we want. Telephones for seniors are the greatest tool ever invented by man since it provides simplicity and usability for seniors to hear and be heard. Phones connect seniors to their loved ones whether they are just one block away or half-way across the globe. Seniors clog up phones lines everyday just to stay connected with their families and friends. While some of them are familiar with other means of communication like the internet or the cellular phone, telephones still remain as the number one mode of communication for them, hands down!

But we all know that voices are sometime not enough to ease the pain and loneliness right? We need to see them, we need to hear them, and we need to talk to them like they are here with us just to fill the void and to reconnect even for just a little while. We need to greet our grandchild face to face when their birthdays arrive since we cannot personally be there anymore. Even though we often say it’s okay, deep within us, we hurt.

Personally speaking, it is good to see familiar faces once in a while. To be able to see our grandchild smirk, laugh and smile. Telephones may bring some warm feelings for seniors but seeing their grandchild and talking with them real time is just an awesome feeling which nothing can ever compare. That is why videophones work so well with seniors since it adapts the simplicity of the familiar phone combined with the technology to see faces without the usual complexities of usual “techie” stuff. Videophones become an instant hit to seniors and manufacturers are making it better everyday!

With this video phone, seniors can now see their grand babies projected to TV screens via the phone unit. They just have to connect the phone unit to their computer monitors or TV. Seniors can also use them as photo frame while the unit is on standby mode, just to show off to their visiting friends plus there is no need to memorize those nasty numbers since this baby has photographic memory, up to 300 contacts! You will never have to worry about losing those numbers again.

Don’t let this handy video phone stop you from living up to your social life; you can step out of your house anytime and not lose a single call ever again. This video phone allows your callers to leave messages while you’re away.

All these plus your traditional video phone features will be a great gift for your loved ones today. Check them out at this site.

Stress urinary incontinence for female seniors can be bothersome at times. This condition is the milder version of urinary incontinence that plagues men and women of senior ages. With stress urinary incontinence, only a small amount of urine is passed when the sufferer coughs, laughs, sneezes, and made other abdominal movements which apply extra pressure to the bladder causing it to mildly leak some urine uncontrollably.

Stress urinary incontinence or effort incontinence is just one of many types of urinary incontinence and it is very common among senior women. Unfortunately, some women suffer the same condition after giving birth since their pelvic muscles are most likely weakened from carrying the child in their womb for nine months. Because of its insufficient strength, the urethra can easily be moved downward, pressing and forcing the bladder to leak some urine.

On the other hand, urinary incontinence in general is the involuntary leakage of urine due to many varying factors. Since this is a bladder problem, urologists mostly handle these kinds of conditions and treatments. Also, some types of urinary incontinence can be treated if consulted to a doctor at once especially within early stages.

While stress urinary incontinence can be quite embarrassing for senior women suffering the condition, almost 30% of women across all ages suffer accidental leaks during their lifetimes. Some will most likely experience SUI once or twice but others develop to a more severe bladder condition. For women suffering stress urinary incontinence, it is best to consult your urogynecologist. Urogynecologists are specialists which handle and treat incontinence and uterine prolapse; conditions which occur specifically to women.

Treatments available for stress urinary incontinence are surgery, electrical stimulation, procedures, devices and simple pelvic exercises such as Kegel. Bulking agents are also developed by manufacturers and have been approved for use by FDA. These bulking agents are injectable implants which will treat SUI and relieve women of the distressing bladder condition. The bulking agent is then injected under urethra and patient should come back to her doctor for consultation from time to time.

With senior women, the loss of hormone estrogen within their menopausal stage is mostly the cause behind stress urinary incontinence. Low estrogen levels can lead to weakened pelvic muscle support which results to SUI. Three other types of urinary incontinence are: transient incontinence, urge incontinence and overflow incontinence; the last mentioned being the most popular to seniors.

Incontinence, if not treated early on can lead to complications and other disorders closely related to the bladder and its surrounding areas. For urinary incontinence in general, your medication should be taken in consideration so it is best to round them up together and list them down before consulting your doctor.

However, if the patient in question is suffering advance stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease wherein the problem is more psychological than physical, urinary incontinence could go untreated hence the use of absorbent pads and bedpans to aid the condition. These things are used for last resort only when no other options can be applied to the patient anymore.