Seniors Site

Keeping your skin younger looking is harder than thought especially for seniors and elderly since our skin must be one of the most troublesome parts of natural aging. As we age, it becomes important for us to care for our skin, since our skin tends to be more susceptible to infections and diseases, not to mention the changes it naturally undergoes such as dryness, itching and even scaling of the skin.
Take note that it is really important for seniors to take care of their skin as skin conditions can bring serious complications which can also be fatal, if not treated at once.
To properly care for your aging skin:
•    Use only mild soap heavy with moisturizers. There are some good brands in the market today that is cheap but at the same time, won’t irritate your skin. If you are weary of these brands, try organic soaps and baby soaps as they don’t come harsh.
•    Lather up with moisturizers. It is important to keep your skin hydrated, in and out, as your skin has only one foe:  dryness. As mentioned earlier, stay hydrated inside out, drink up!
•     Wash your face before going to bed. With or without makeup, you need to take off the grime that has accumulated on your face as your skin will start regenerating while asleep. You wouldn’t want the grime to be part of the regeneration process, would you? Again, apply moisturizers soon after washing your face.
•    Never skip the sunscreen. Enough said.
•    Try to change skin care routine every six months up to one year. If you stay with a certain brand for longer periods of time, chances are, your skin will hit a plateau. As soon as you start noticing that your brand has stopped delivering what it’s expected of, start browsing through skin care racks all over again.
•    Avoid stress. Common sense has it, too much stress will make you look older than your true age.
•    Exercise, exercise, exercise. Exercising encourages collagen production—collagen being a natural skin firmer.
•    Exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating your skin will help you shed off those dead skin cells and bring out a fresh layer of your skin. You can have a professional do it for you or opt for milder ones you can do at home.
•    Improve your blood circulation. Sometimes what goes inside your body also counts so make sure everything inside is in good running condition as well.

The problem with job seeking seniors is, most of the time, they had been out of the playing field far too long that they don’t know how to play the game anymore! Similar to dating, times have changed. Those which worked before such as pickup lines and dining out may no longer be applicable today and may even cost you your chance of getting the job you want.
Before you go on fierce job hunting, it is important to remember that a proper mindset is a must. Nowadays, companies know what they want from an employee long before they announce their need for one—and unfortunately, they don’t look back in firing an employee if he falls short of what’s expected of him since they know applicants are most likely be lining out their doors as soon as you leave the office premises! Sad but true.
So this blog post is to update job seeking seniors who would like to still be in the corporate world despite its very demanding nature. I believe that there are people who were born to be in the corporate world, then there are those who prefer otherwise. The same can be said for seniors or older adults in the workforce.
TECHNIQUE 1:  Get connections—top honchos to back you up. Gone are the days when you get a job just because a dear friend helped you squirm your way into the company office. In fact, most companies avoid getting tangled to such mess since they are not getting the most out of their employees—and it is bad for the company rep too.
TECHNIQUE 2:  Generalized or pre-made resume—include everything you know, even those vaguely connected to the job you are applying to. While it is good to let the hiring manager know that you are indeed an all-around guy or gal, it can backfire. Be more specific. Keep your resume as short and simple as possible—and right on target. What’s important is that your hiring manager will know that you are suitable for the job.
TECHNIQUE 3:  Come strong—and confident. Yes, it is good to be confident—confident that you can do the job right, that is. The company doesn’t need someone who is too strong since it is a sure sign that you are not flexible enough to accept changes when they happen. They just need you to be honest so they will know if they are choosing the right one for the job—never take it personally.
TECHNIQUE 4:  Brandishing your degrees to get the top position. Unfortunately, everyone needs to start from bottom and work their way up, unless your years-experience will be credited. When applying for a job, take it at face value and never expect something more or else, you’ll end up disappointed.

Seniors need to be wise about spending their retirement money. It doesn’t mean that upon retirement, you are entitled to spend everything your nest egg holds—that might have worked years ago but certainly not now and not in the near future either. It seems that the best thing to do now is to find ways to “supplement” your retirement fund so you can live comfortably by it. Here are some simple tips on how to grow your retirement money or make some extra bucks while retired:
•    Downgrade and sell stuff. Now that your kids have flown away from the nest you so fondly call “home”, you no longer need a 5-bedroom house—besides, you may notice how managing such big house becomes a pain. Sell everything you no longer need and earn some extra cash in the process.
•    Find a part time job. Just make sure that it is something you truly enjoy and won’t tire you much. Ideally, get a part time job that you can do on your spare time so you can still enjoy your retirement without work interfering with it.
•    Review your investment options. But please proceed with caution as there are many risky investment schemes offered as well. Contact your broker and ask about the best—but safe—options for your retirement money. The same goes for banking. Shop around for higher interest rate.
•    Take advantage of rewards and rebates your credit card offers. Nowadays, most credit cards offer rewards or rebates programs wherein points are automatically credited to your credit card upon usage.
•    Rent parts of your house. If it’s impossible for you to sell your big house, opt to rent some portions of it instead. It can be a room off the back of the house or your garage if you are disposing one of your cars or even your storage room for those who need an extra space.
•    Sell your produce. Organic produce are ever so popular nowadays, and they cost extra expensive as well! If you do well in gardening, why not try selling your produce too? It will definitely be a hit among your neighborhood and you earn an extra which is the most important part of all.
•    Bake and sell. Like baking? Or even cooking? You can sell them especially during special occasions like wedding, simple get-togethers and whatnot. For this, you can advertise over local newspapers or put up your own online store.
•    Use senior discounts whenever possible. You’ll be amazed on how much you’ll be able to save if you avail these discounts. You just have to ask.

Let’s face it, sometimes it gets really frustrating at work especially if your career has already become a routine for you. Or perhaps you lost interest and would rather do something else. However, we all know that is not easy to just drop everything, pack your bags and leave since most of us are bound by 101 financial reasons.
Nonetheless, not having enough motivation at work does not always mean you do not like your work anymore. Maybe you just need a quick break or you have been knee deep all along and it’s already stressing you out. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy career motivation for us, older adults, who are still in the workforce:
•    Try something new. There should be no such thing as monotonous career. If indeed you feel like you are having one, then it’s time to introduce challenge to your work. Try something new, just to help you get engaged again. Aside from that, you’ll be able to get your career to a whole new level.
•    Find new opportunities. New opportunities represent challenge and work. There’s no better way to get yourself motivated than finding new opportunities and ultimately be successful in making them work to your advantage.
•    Avoid complex situations. Sometimes, having too much complication at work will frustrate you enough to shut your whole brain down, affecting your work flow. To avoid this, try a more targeted approach and focus on the things that matters most. Trivial things can wait.
•    Step back and assess your problem. Is you career weighing you down or it lacks the “kick”? Knowing for certain what you want and how you want it done will help you get your motivation back.
•    Perhaps a change in scenery? As we age, it is only understandable that our body, mind and soul will crave change as well. Perhaps a change in pace or starting anew. While seniors may find it impossible to stop working altogether, you can always find ways to lessen the burden or make it more enjoyable for you to accomplish.
•    Set up goals. Having a definite purpose career-wise will help you stay motivated. It’s like walking toward one goal in which your path is well lit.
•    Remember where motivation comes from. It comes from within you, by the way. You can push yourself ‘til kingdom come but if motivation does not manifest by itself, then maybe it’s time for you to move on.

A trip to your neighborhood hospital is scary enough, adding to your physical sufferings though is the amount you are most likely to pay after you receive the much needed care. For seniors, your insurances and coverage can only do so much. In fact, if you are not careful enough to spot holes on your medical insurance, you might end up paying for most procedures done at the hospital!
One of the most expensive factors in your short hospital trip—assuming that it is not a “long term” thing—must be your doctor’s bill. It goes without saying that the more doctor needed for your procedure, the greater your final hospital bill will be. However, there are ways to cut back your doctor’s bill, may it be an emergency situation or a planned one:
•    Stick with one hospital and your personal doctor as much as possible. If you do frequent trips to a certain hospital for your over-all medical care, you are most likely to be familiar with its billing process and might even be on a first-name basis already with the person in charge of the bills. They, in return, would also be familiar with your coverage—enough to throw you a tip or two on how to cut back on your hospital bills.
•    A costly procedure? Do your research! Get estimates from other hospitals near your home. Of course, you still need to consider the physical state you will be after the procedure so no use in having the operation somewhere far. Also note the cost of the procedure’s aftercare as it should be included in the estimate.
•    Be aware of each and every item that will be included in your bill. If this is a planned procedure, talk with your doctor and ask for his honest estimate for the whole procedure. Also, find out if there are areas of the procedure wherein you can cut back on costs.
•    Always ask for itemized bill so you can review it later on and object if there are discrepancies.
•    Upon your bills’ arrival, take some time to really sit down and review what is being charged to you. Try to remember if these things were used for your care. Check for double billing as it is very common—although not intentionally.
•    Strike a deal with your doctors and the hospital. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to get discounts since there are hundreds of patients refusing to even pay a single cent! Giving you a discount can never be a big deal, you just have to ask.

Your weight loss woes do not end with bariatric surgery. It should never be considered as a cure for obesity, instead it should be treated as an aid to boost you on your way to healthy eating—and living, in general. This is where, oftentimes, obese seniors who underwent the knife go wrong—they instantly assume that bariatric surgery will automatically slim them down without having to exert any effort at all!
Weight management is a choice. You choose to lose weight because it will make you feel better. Aside from that, healthy living will help you tremendously in improving your quality of life. These reasons alone are enough to help you choose wise decisions in life, including bariatric surgery.
Before you go on a weight loss surgery, your doctor will require series of tests, along with ample prep time to have you ready for the surgery itself, and indeed life after it. As mentioned earlier, weight loss surgery is just a part of your weight loss journey and not totally depended on it. It is essential for seniors who just had bariatric surgery to submit themselves to capable hands of professionals—that is, a team of experts who will guide you on how to handle your newfound body, physically and emotionally. Recovery process is usually tediously slow and the adjustments are tough but staying positive and really patient about it can bring you desired results in no time.
Adjustments in your eating habits must be the hardest for seniors who underwent bariatric surgery. You are most likely be provided with postsurgery dietary guidelines which you must follow to a tee. Some of the most common rules after a bariatric surgery are:  chewing your food thoroughly before swallowing and maintaining an interval between swallows are important since it will allow your digestive tract to process the food first before dealing with the next. Also, a patient is to limit intake of hard to digest foods such as steaks or pork meat. In a malabsorption procedure, the senior is advised to avoid sweets and sugary foods. Carbonated drinks are also a big no-no since they are known to stretch your stomach pouch. Alcohol consumption can also bring about more serious complications to a bariatric surgery patient than with a normal functioning digestive system.
As you can see, meal planning is very important, so as having a healthy diet. Those things that were mentioned earlier are more or less, the same things you need to do if you are aiming to lose weight, with or without a surgery. Joining support groups will help you on your way to recovery and be able to fully adjust to your new lifestyle.

Healthy lifestyle and vacations don’t really mix well, if you are to ask me. If you are out there with all intentions of having fun and not holding back, is it possible to still remember you are on a diet? Or perhaps remember that old, trusty running shoes you have packed to start your day with a 30-minute power run everyday for the whole duration of your summer vacation? Even elderly with health restrictions will find it hard to enjoy a summer vacation and still maintain healthy “habits”. However, there are still few of us left, brave enough to prove that it can be done. Fortunately, most tourist spots nowadays are making it easier for seniors to do so! Today, it’s all about making wise choices, even with your summer vacation! Here are some handy summer vacation tips to help you stay healthy:
•    Don’t forget your sunblock! You don’t go anywhere without a sunblock especially if it’s summer. Even if you are not intending to go for a swim, you have to remember you still have to go out and be at sun’s mercy, no matter what.
•    Bring your own healthy trail mix for snacks. I find it weird that everytime I go for a vacation, chips and sodas are the cheapest to buy while healthy choices are either hard to find or too expensive to even bother with. Bringing your own will ensure you of a healthy snack when you need it.
•    Always go for water—and lot’s of it! A summer vacation can indeed be boring if you limit yourself to drinking water. This is why I don’t necessarily mean that while your friends are out drinking alcohol, you are stuck with water. What I mean is, for those unimportant parts of your vacation such as uneventful breakfast inside your hotel room, try to load up with water instead of reaching for a can of soda.
•    Avoid prolonged physical inactivity. That is sitting or standing for hours like in an airplane or traveling by car. If it’s safe for you to do so, try to stretch your body every hour or so. This is to help your blood circulate properly.
•    Get moving. You don’t have to be immobile to enjoy your summer vacation. You can ask your partner to have a walk down the beach every morning to catch sunrise or perhaps volunteer to accompany your grandkid around a nearby museum.
•    Limit yourself to one no-holds barred meal per day—preferably lunch. Dining out can easily break, not only your health but also your wallet. Also, I find it hard to enjoy a good meal if I get loads of it. Indulging a little everyday will make it more worthwhile.
•    Get enough sleep. It is important to have your energy last you the whole day, it is not possible if you lack sleep.

Lately, I have been obsessed about obesity—as evident to my recent posts. I don’t know, maybe there are things that when you start talking about, it just never ends. And yes, I have been a fervent devotee of seniors leading an active, healthy lifestyle—one that has a fit body and able to walk at least a hundred steps without having to catch their breath. A dreamer, yes I am, since I dream that all seniors would be able to play with their toddler grandkids and still go out on a date at the end of the day.
With this in mind, I try to get every senior dropping by this blog as informed as possible. Obesity is almost always blamed to inactivity and poor diet—or overeating. Now, let’s add to that yet another factor seniors must consider when dealing with obesity:  the hormone-wrecking chemical obesogen.
As the term may suggest, obesogen was termed as such since the chemical was believed to be causing obesity or at the very least, that stubborn fat you just can’t burn no matter what. Obesogen is considered as endocrine receptors—substances that disguise and act like hormones but what they really do is disrupt the physiologic function of natural hormones found inside your body causing adverse biological effects to humans and animals alike. In other words, it’s no longer a matter of burning more and consuming less calories as your environment is already having a direct effect on how you gain weight.
While your hormones play so many vital roles in your body such as controlling your body clock, your metabolism rate and even your moods, obesogen particularly affects the way your body handles body weight. Just imagine how frustrating it is if you’re trying an all-fruit-and-veggie diet and still not see results, just because the very food you are eating is laden with invisible sheath of obesogen? Here are the things you can do to prevent obesogen from entering your body:
•    Go organic. Organic food can be expensive, yes—a common complaint from seniors who are trying to make ends meet. However, if you have ample time on your hands and you enjoy gardening, why not start growing your own produce? These things you can grow for personal consumption or sell within your neighborhood.
•    Do without plastics. Try to avoid using plastics such as plates and food containers—even reheating with microwavable containers. Known obesogens are plastics-based which means they can be found in most plastic products found inside your home.
•    Grass-fed vs. grain-fed. Of course, I am talking about meats. Grass-fed ones are leaner which are better for your health. Aside from that, grain-fed meats are usually contaminated with obesogen.

For a senior with limited range of motion, food preparation becomes almost impossible. That must be the reason why Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs for seniors are popular. Nonetheless, we still need to have something in the pantry for a quick fix in cases of emergency, that is, if food is nowhere to be found! Here are some things you can keep in stock as they are healthy for you and their shelf life is quite longer than others:
•    Granola bars or energy bars. Nothing can be quicker than grabbing a pack, tearing it open and munching up anytime you want to! It can even satisfy your sweet tooth as most granola bars are flavored—flavors ranging from peanut butter, to vanilla, to chocolates.
•    Crackers. The ever dependable crackers! Salted, sweet, savory, whole wheat, multigrain.. –you name it, your friendly neighborhood supermarket is most likely to have it!  Just make sure that you pack them in re-sealable containers so they will maintain their freshness.
•    Trail mix. Trail mixes are good for you. They have nuts and they are energy boosting foods. Same as your crackers, they should be stored in vacuum sealed, re-sealable plastic containers to maintain freshness.
•    Peanut butter. Unless you are allergic to nuts then peanut butter must be the best quick fix for seniors since it can be paired with just about anything!
•    Freeze dried fruits. They are high in fiber and rich in anti-oxidants. In other words, they will help your digestive system to move a little smoother while keeping you younger looking.
•    Canned soups. Contrary to popular notion, not all canned soups are bad. Some are made especially for people with health problems. All you have to do is check labels and make sure you are getting exactly what you need and not those you don’t need at all!
•     Power beverages. They can be filling, energy boosting as well as nutritious, not to mention great tasting too. They can also be stacked in the fridge for a quick fix whenever you feel like it. Find one that makes miracles with your metabolism.
•    Fruit juices. They are great when chilled and you need to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to worry about calories. Also, most fruit juices in the market today are fortified with vitamins which can be beneficial for you.
•    Cereal. They can be eaten dry or with milk. Either way, they are so convenient, they deserve a place in your pantry!

Problem with an aging body is that, more often that not, we lose energy even before we get through the bottom of our everyday to-do list. Like it or not, the unlucky bottom ones would then be pushed to the next day or to the nearest, most convenient day our schedule will allow—probably next year. Yes, yes, it could be procrastination as well but really, what else can you do with a tired and worn out body but let it rest?
There are many factors—well, besides aging, of course—that contribute to your fatigue or dwindling energy levels. Knowing what these factors are and how are they affecting you will help you plan ahead, enabling you to combat them and make the most out of your day. Here are some energy-sapping factors to consider and how you can fight them off:
•    Health problems. Think of it as a baggage you carry around 24/7. Health problems can weigh you down thus forcing your body to use more energy than it normally would. Also, low energy levels are usually a sign of an illness so it is best to consult your doctor if you are beginning to experience persistent fatigue.
•    Your medication. Some medications prescribed for age-related conditions can cause drowsiness, confusion and fatigue, especially if they are not reacting right with your body. A drug is not right for you if at first week, you experience such discomforts. You should tell your doctor at once.
•    Inactivity. As ironic as it may seem, if you don’t move around much, chances are you’ll feel tired, sleepy and lazy the whole day. To fight it, you need to start your day with a physical activity—preferably a cardio one–to get you going such as walking, jogging or running.
•     Not enough sleep-hours. Lack of sleep, as well as oversleeping can make you feel tired and exhausted. Although sleeping is almost a luxury to most seniors, it is important that you maintain good sleeping habits. If that is nearly impossible, grab some quick naps during afternoons to restore energy.
•    Dehydration. Like any other body-health condition can affect your alertness and can cause fatigue. Drink plenty of water especially during summer months when the sun is in its hottest.
•    Extra weight. Obesity and fatigue go hand-in-hand. Shedding a few pounds will help you get your energy back and be able to move around without burning your body off. Also, it will improve your quality of life.
•    Not enough nutrients in your body. You need them and unfortunately, the things you eat nowadays are no longer capable of giving you ideal amounts. It is now necessary to get them from other sources such as supplements recommended by your healthcare provider.