Seniors Site

Words are not enough to describe how bad the economy is for seniors nowadays. Gone are the days when you say that retired seniors are living well, jet-setting to and from exotic islands and have nothing better to do than spend money for luxuries and unnecessary things. Seniors are now spending their “retired” time working freelance and extra time for finding money-making ventures they could embark on. Apparently, there was no age limit for money-hunting these days.

These past few months, I have posted about freelance jobs for older adults and full-time job tips that can help seniors find something that they can actually work on and earn money. Extra money is very important nowadays, even if you had prepared well in the past for your retirement years. Moreover, extra money doesn’t really necessarily mean they should be spent the minute you get them into your hands; they should be saved for the rainy days and in fact, you will never know what comes next so it is best to come prepared for it than regret it later. Remember, medical bills are continually rising and it seems that it isn’t stopping anytime soon.

According to surveys, seniors prefer staying at bed and breakfast inns than in any other accommodation settings when they travel. Mostly because bed and breakfast inns are cheaper than hotels plus they provide that homey feel we usually missed the minute we stepped out of our houses. Best of all, it provides lasting friendship between the travelers and the house owner; more like an accommodation on a personal level.

Requirements for a small bed and breakfast business are quite simple: of course you will need a house with rooms you can rent out to lodgers. You also need to be accommodating, meaning you love company and you don’t mind if there are people sharing your house and using your stuff. The house itself should be in a tip-top shape before you can advertise about your small, at-home business. Furthermore, you will need some basic cooking experiencing for the “breakfast” part. If you are currently living with a younger caregiver who could lend you a helping hand then your B&B business could work and earn you money.

Rates for B&B vary greatly, depending on your location and accessibility of your house. It is best to do some research first about your area and if there is an existing competition within close proximity. Also, take time to look for travelers to accommodations ratio if and when a competitor is present. Check online for rates and base your own from there. Of course, don’t expect this little venture to bring lots of money especially during the first few years; like stated earlier, this business is supposed to be an added incentive only and not a large-scale hotel operation so it pays not to expect too much from it.

If you have decided to go for this kind of venture and you have no prior background whatsoever, get help for planning and start-up management. You may want to get your house inspected for pests, cracks and electrical wirings and connections. Call your local agencies and authorities for restrictions and certifications, if you need one. Plus, don’t forget to discuss it over the next family dinner so everyone would know what you are planning to do.

Seniors need to be extra careful now that Alzheimer’s disease research and studies are panning out—close enough but not all-too-specific as we are hoping for. There have been numerous speculations and findings on how this terrible disease invades the minds of older people and how they are contracted but none too specific and targeted to prevent it altogether. Is Alzheimer’s disease genetically implanted with us since birth? Or like any other lifestyle diseases, Alzheimer’s disease is based on how we lead our lives? Is it even possible to avoid or cure this dreadful, not to mention expensive disease? Apparently, we will never know, at least for now, but it will not hurt us if we follow some minor lifestyle changes that might steer us away from Alzheimer’s disease.

Just this month, a research showed that eating curry or incorporating turmeric in your diet once or twice a week could delay Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by slowing down plaque formation within the brain. Further studies are on their way to establish if curry could prevent plaques from forming in the first place. Now, it was said that over-the-counter drugs can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in an older person’s brain and could be potentially harmful for a person’s nervous system.

According to the University of Indiana researchers, most of the over-the-counter drugs seniors are buying nowadays could cause cognitive impairment in general. These drugs, particularly, are for aches and pains, cough and cold, anti-allergy and sleeping aids. Apparently, these drugs block acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter for both central and peripheral nervous system. FYI, there are three neurotransmitters that get affected during an Alzheimer’s disease onslaught: the serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine—the latter being the most affected of the three.

Not all over-the-counter drugs can harm a senior’s brain; be especially on the look out for those containing diphenhydramine because it is an anticholinergic. This substance is usually present in antihistamine drugs or histamine blockers. If you are taking these drugs regularly, its effect could pile up overtime and could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. It is also not advisable to take these drugs for maintenance; if you are experiencing chronic pain and you need to manage it somehow, you need to consult a doctor for a more suitable maintenance drug that won’t give you such side-effect. Older adults are advised not to take anticholinergic drugs because of its effect on the brain.

Gardening is great and has many overall benefits for the gardener. I personally recommend growing your own vegetable garden but there are some seniors who prefer growing flowers than vegetables. Either of them can help you maintain a healthy, active life aside from the therapeutic benefits it can give a person. Of course, there is the self-fulfillment or sense of accomplishment once you see the “fruits” of your labor; that is when you see your garden healthy and blooming!

Backyard gardening is really rewarding and because there are many success stories we are hearing about it left and right, many are starting to think about starting their own. Seniors are encouraged to give gardening a try even if their range of motion is limited. Gardening can be done and adjusted to what fits the gardener best. If squatting and getting up is giving seniors a problem, this should not hinder you and give up gardening altogether; you can elevate you garden to your most comfortable range so you don’t have to go up and down every time you tend to your garden. You can also ask for assistance whenever you need to do something that will put you in a potentially dangerous position and don’t try to do them by yourself if you are feeling a twinge of doubt. Gardening is supposed to be fun and rewarding, not something that will land you a bed in the hospital.

A flower garden has its own rewards. Just imagine walking and seeing blooming flowers that your own hands made! It will also attract butterflies that will only add to its charm. It is also calming because of its colors and scents that will greet you when you visit your garden and most of the time, permeates your home. Overall, a flower garden makes a home look and feel alive, youthful and soothing to the eye.

Vegetable garden, being my favorite gets the last place. Like your flower garden, it can also be done in pots or even in cramped lots—you just have to use your imagination to make it work. It is important to note that a vegetable garden can benefit senior’s health tremendously. It can provide you with fresh vegetables whenever you need some. It can also give you herbs and spices you can use for cooking instead of those you find in cans, bottles and packed which is most likely drenched with chemicals and preservatives. It may not be as colorful and as fragrant as a flower garden but it can help you save some on your food budget plus you know it’s fresh and handpicked by you!

You can also work on a flower and veggie garden combined especially if you have a larger lot to work on. However, if you are currently living in an apartment and you don’t have anything except for a small piece of balcony then you may want to consult with your landlord first then get some advices from your friendly neighborhood gardening store. On the other hand, when you already have something in mind, you can browse over online gardening stores for your equipments. Some of them deliver the goods right at your doorstep so you don’t have to walk out for it.

As we age, seniors may find it hard to do intense workouts and exercises like they used to and I would say, it is but normal due to many varying reasons such as health and time constraints. If you have started at an earlier age, let say, in your 30’s and has been doing your routines for quite some time now then you will probably find yourself slowing down or cutting back on your usual “gym” time. On the other hand, those people who have started quite late with the exercise department would find these activities very demanding and rigorous coupled with bouts of back and knee aches. This is because your body is not used to such activities and most probably you were leading a sedentary life then.

Exercise knows no age and it is very important for seniors to engage to activities that will require them to move. This is because your metabolism needs some assistance at this point and exercising can do that; in fact, exercising is the safest thing to do if you want to stay healthy. Believe me, exercising can shed years off, not to mention those unwanted fats you’re harboring all along. Just because we could no longer do intense workout doesn’t mean we should not do them anymore. Just as long as we keep our old bodies moving, it is enough. However, what we can do is find an exercise routine that is more sympathetic to our bodies so that we will be able to stick with it for a long time.

For seniors seeking for the perfect exercise routine, why not try water aerobics? Water aerobics is an exercise that is not gender specific, although its students are mostly women. Water aerobics help tone your muscles relieving you of those saggy arms. Also, it will not put any pressure on your joints so there’s no need to fret about after-exercise aches and pain; above all, soaking in the water cools down the body. Basically, water exercise is beneficial to older people because it is relaxing and at the same time, your body is getting all the exercise it needs.

Although water exercise is a perfect fit for seniors, you still have to consult your doctor first before starting the program especially if you just had a surgery and open wounds. You should also take note of your heart rate and warning signs during the exercise itself. If you experience some breathing difficulties, notify your water aerobic instructor at once to prevent complications from happening. If you doubt your own judgment then it is much wiser to bring someone with you, in case something happens.

You can find water aerobic classes in fitness centers and local community swimming pools near you. Call them for schedule of classes and go there personally to meet your instructor prior to the class itself. Water aerobics is also good for people with mobility issues. If done in groups, it will also benefit your social life and overall health.

Due to the latest tragic air accident of Air France Flight 447, travelers are now in doubt about airline safety and how safe it is to travel by air. Here are some tips to avoid, if not prevent, air travel accidents:

1.    Avoid connecting flights, if possible, or lessen them if you need to. By flying nonstop routes, you avoid the four major phases of aircraft flying: take-off, climb, descent and landing. This doubles the malfunction rate than flying straight to and fro.
2.    Get to know the aircraft you are going to board. Seniors should do their research and get to know the aircraft. Some information you should search for is the model and its accident rate, if any. Apparently, larger aircrafts are much safer to board than smaller ones and they hold better passenger survival rates, in case of accidents.
3.    Every time a plane takes off, there is always a preflight briefing. It is important that you pay attention to what the flight attendant is talking about each time because every plane has their own emergency exits which will also depend on your seat location. Take note of the suggested routes to use in case you will need the emergency exit. You can also count the seats between yours and the exits in case there will be heavy smoke and you couldn’t see very well.
4.    Do not place heavy items inside the overhead storage bins. They might fall off directly into your head during turbulence and minor disturbances. You can put it securely under your seat so it will not roll off and disturb other passengers. Don’t try to hand-carry big luggage because they don’t belong inside the passenger area. They will only cramp your space and will limit your range of motion.
5.    Seat belts are meant to protect you; maximize its use every time you board a plane. Take note of its mechanism to avoid fumbling with it during an emergency. If you are having some problems with your seat belts, ask your flight attendant about it and they will gladly assist you. Taking off your seat belts during the flight is not encouraged so it is best to stay seated during the flight, if possible. Do some leg stretching only if necessary to avoid DVT or deep vein thrombosis during long flights.
6.    It is also advisable to wear sensible clothes that will allow you to move however you please. High heeled footwear may injure you especially if you are having trouble with your balance. Try not to wear synthetics because they catch fire easily, instead wear cotton.
7.    Stay away from booze. Alcoholic drinks can impair your judgment in case of emergency thus will take precious time better spent on saving yourself and helping others. It was also said that alcoholic drinks, when taken onboard, can affect a person more strongly.
8.    It is always great to be prepared at all times. By creating an emergency plan, you will be able to move and exit without so much of a fuss.
9.    There is a passenger safety card provided to all passengers aboard. Take time to review them for your own safety.
10.    Don’t smuggle hazardous materials. Surely you don’t want the accident to start from your own baggage right?

Hurricane season is officially here, are you ready for it? Annual Atlantic hurricane season starts from June 1 and will end on November 30. This is also the time when coastal resorts lower their rates to “incredibly affordable” that even your grandkid could afford to pay for the family’s vacation! These resorts are the ones built on the Caribbean islands, some parts of Mexico, Gulf and Atlantic coasts and Florida.

As the month of May rolled by; and June officially rolled in, some communities and cities are helping their local residents especially their senior locals to prepare for the hurricane season. Particularly, new projects were developed by community leaders in Florida for seniors who they deem are the most vulnerable ones during this season. Local government of the said state also offers assistance during hurricane season for older adults.

Although last year’s was considered as the fourth most active since 1944, experts believe that this year’s a slower and gentler one; rising a little above the average, give and take. By the way, these dates do not imply that hurricanes only occur during these times; hurricanes and storms can occur even outside of the said dates, only they are found out to cluster around June to November. However, even if there are no indications of the hurricane season being violent this year and as destructive as last year’s, we should still prepare for it. Here are some tips for seniors and their caregivers:

1. The emergency kit. Review your list and prepare them when you have time—and I mean soon, not later, not tomorrow or the next day. You will never know when a hurricane will hit so it is best to prepare than be sorry.
2. Your important documents should be kept safe and dry so it is best to place them in resealable, waterproof plastic bags.
3. For the caregiver, it is important to prepare an emergency plan if the calamity strikes. You should know at once when, where and how to carefully transfer your ward to a safe place without inducing too much harm to the patient’s body. If you are having problem with this, visit some organizations that can help and assist you when the need arises such as American Red Cross.
4. You should also take note of weather forecasts and weather news. If you are already having a bad feeling over a heavy rain then don’t hesitate to heed the call. Sometimes, gut feel is stronger than any weather prediction there is.
5. An extra help is always better than doing it all on your own. Whether you are a senior living alone, or a sole caregiver living with your ward, seeking help from your neighbors is always a good idea for seniors. It will enable you to move faster and more efficiently.
6. When a hurricane warning is issued, it usually has more or less, 24 hours before the anticipated strike. Almost always, residents are advised to evacuate the area and it is wise to do it while you still have clear roads to go through.
7. Always remember to stock up your water supply before a hurricane strike so you will not have a hard time if the water goes unavailable after the hit.
8. Evacuation routes will be provided by your local government. Follow them to safer areas.
9. Don’t forget to secure your house before you leave. Lower down shutters before leaving.
10. Don’t try to go back to your home unless authorities announce it to be safe.

Sleep is important no matter what age you are in. Seniors do need sleep especially if they are trying to nurse their body back to health; they need sleep as much as any younger adults do. Sleep is essential for all living humans; this is the time when the body restores itself. If the body doesn’t get its required sleep every single day, it will not be able to repair itself properly. Your body’s restorative cycle is then broken down resulting to minor nerve dysfunction each time you miss a goodnight’s sleep. These nerves are your body’s main “message” ways which connect and transmit messages all throughout your body. Just imagine if you messed-up these neurotransmitters badly by not getting enough sleep accumulatively overtime. It was even suggested that lack of sleep results to plaques in the brain; an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.

Unfortunately, it gets doubly hard for seniors to get enough sleep for many varying reasons; some of them are for health reasons, medications and abnormal sleeping patterns. These, among other reasons, get in the way of senior’s goodnight sleep. A study was found that seniors age 65 years and above experience chronic sleep disturbances that usually leave them feeling sluggish and unenergetic in the morning. This is because your circadian rhythm is wrecked.

Circadian rhythm is your body’s 24-hour clock; it tells your body when it’s time to sleep and wake up. It encompasses your basic biochemical, physiological and behavioral processes. In layman’s term, this is when you feel sleepy and you start to slow down, something like your body shutting down and getting ready for sleep. You will understand this better if you experienced jetlag in the past. All living things, including plants and animals have circadian cycle or rhythm.

Your circadian rhythm solely depends on the light and dark patterns entering your eyes. This is not your usual light bulb pattern but your 24-hour solar light, night and day pattern. The nerves in your eyes process the signals to be sent to the master clock of the brain. Sadly, these nerves deteriorate overtime and get affected with age-related macular diseases such as hypertensive retinopathy. If and when this happens, your circadian rhythm will only get limited amount of solar light and therefore cannot send the right signals to the master clock.

Alzheimer’s disease can also affect a person’s sleeping pattern because of neural deficiencies common to sufferer of the disease. Lack of outdoor activity for seniors can also add up to development of irregular sleeping pattern among seniors. Although there are light devices in the market today that help stimulate your circadian rhythm, they are sometimes too bright and glaring and would therefore defeat its purpose altogether. One research found out that blue light works better than white light in stimulating our circadian rhythm. The project for this finding is still on-going and developers are hoping this is the answer to seniors’ sleep problems.