Seniors Site

Weather changes are indeed dangerous to a senior’s health since the aging body’s temperature tends to adjust slowly and quite painfully. However, these weather changes can never be avoided and we will just have to deal with it whether we like it or not.

Just like in summertime, winter has its own set of health hazards which seniors might want to try to avoid – or avoid at all cost since they can be fatal. Some of these health hazards are very common while others can be a little strange. Rule of thumb is, whenever in doubt, just stay safely ensconced inside your home and not go out anymore.

• Don’t exert too much effort during winter months. I know how that pile of snow outside your yard can be annoying but just get someone young and built for the job to do the shoveling for you. Too much exertion can bring about heart attack, plus the cold weather can make your arteries constrict and limit blood flow. Add to that the fact that when we age, it becomes harder for our bodies to adjust to the temperature change thus making it especially hard for seniors to cope with the cold weather.
• Monitor your blood pressure. The drop in temperature causes your blood pressure to rise. Generally, blood pressure is higher during winter months and lower in summertime so if you are suffering from high blood pressure to begin with, you might want to prepare for the winter months.
• Take Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D, the one you get when you expose yourself to the sun, is important for calcium absorption. Without it, you risk having and/or triggering osteoporosis, heart diseases and diminishing mental acuity. During winter months when the sun is virtually non-existent, seniors are encouraged to take vitamin D supplements to be able to still meet their daily requirements.
• Socialize more. Winter, for some reason, brings about depression. Perhaps it is the shortness of “sunlight” time affecting our anxiety levels. To fight this, try socializing more. This can be done even if you don’t go out more often. Small get-togethers are fun with family and friends too just as long as you surround yourself with people who matter to you the most.
• Stick with your exercise routine. People, young and old, suffering from asthma can attest to this: in winter it only gets worst. It is because of the dry air narrows the airways thus restricting airflow. To combat this, try to stick with your exercise routine even if it’s quite challenging to do so during winter.

Holidays indeed require lots of energy and merry making thus warranting stress as well. This can’t be prevented or avoided as it comes with the experience however for seniors with little energy to spare as well as for caregivers without much time to give them own selves much less, activities like this, this could spell double stress. Below are some ways to minimize holiday stress and make the festivities something to actually look forward to!
· Plan ahead. It may be a little bit late for this now but planning ahead really does wonders in preventing potentially stressful situations. If you are planning a trip with your senior, it is always better to do a little research on your destination to know what problems you might face when you get there. Same goes for parties you and your senior are invited to; it is always best to RSVP with your host at least 3 days before the event.
· Take advantage of the holiday break and get enough rest and sleep. If you are an active senior, meaning you are the kind of senior who is always up and about all year round, then this is the perfect time for you to slow down, sit back and relax. Now if you are a caregiver, you can perhaps hire someone to cover for you for a day or two, depending on how many days you are willing to hand-over your caregiving duties and go get your well-deserved rest and sleep. However, if you are not comfortable with this, asking someone to give you a hand just for the holidays would also work well just so you’ll be able to do more without actually abandoning your post.
· It’s okay to be NOT perfect. Perfectionism adds unnecessary stress. Who cares if your plates and glasses are not matching? It’s not like you’re entertaining foreign dignitaries and the president (unless of course if you really are expecting them) Gone are the days when it was rude to not use the china when entertaining, nowadays people find casually organized parties more fun.
· Forget deadlines. Holidays shouldn’t be done with schedules to stick to. People are busier these past few years that putting up and decorating a Christmas tree second week of December is not anymore a big deal. Unless you are booked for a holiday trip then there’s no need for a timeline, just do whatever whenever suits you.
· Stick with healthy diet. While festivities are synonymous to food, skipping those bad for your help will help you stay happy and healthy even after the holidays. No need to feel all guilty with whatever you consumed over the holidays just as long as you know you didn’t break any major diet no-nos.

Holidays are not safe from scammers, in fact, this is the very time when scammers take advantage of the gift-giving feeling when you put your guard down and really soak up the holiday cheer assuming that everybody is doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately, scammers are more active than ever during holidays and they continually improvise new ways to trick innocent merrymakers!

Dupe online shops. In truth, your search engine a.k.a Google, takes time before they catch dupes – those websites that copy legitimate websites hoping to deceive consumers into entering their personal information (credit card details included) and making transactions with their site. Of course, if you happen to use dupe websites, don’t expect for your ordered items to ever reach your door, instead, brace yourself for your next credit card’s billing statement since that dupe site, must have by then, maxed out your credit line. When shopping online, make sure you are using the right website and not a dupe.

• Online shopping directories. A little bit same when using your search engine and end up in a dupe site however, those found in shopping directories are more organized as they will present themselves as legitimate sellers, their websites all legit looking, designed to only operate during holidays and be gone soon after. If they are not after your credit card details, they are most likely to infect your computer with malware.
• Gift cards from racks. Gift cards must be the most sensible thing to give to loved-ones especially if you don’t have any idea what to get them! Young adults love receiving them as it allows them to shop and get whatever they want and not just contend with a horrible, knitted sweater every single year. However, authorities warn public from buying off department store racks as they are very much exposed to unscrupulous people who steal gift card codes and use it as
  soon as it is activated.
• Online greeting cards. Anything that has a link and the sender asking you to click it should send you doubting big time! Most ecards or electronic cards – the kind that you view on your computer – can be embedded into the email itself which won’t prompt the receiver to click any link anymore. Others will just give you a code which you can use in their website to view your electronic card.
• Undeliverable package notice from your local courier. We’ve had reports from several seniors receiving emails and calls from purportedly “couriers” telling the seniors that they have been trying to deliver a package and wasn’t able to do so. That they needed for the senior to claim it personally or call a number where they can claim their holiday package. Of course, at the other end of the number is a scammer waiting for you call.

Holidays are a great time for travelling! That’s also the reason why holidays are always considered as “peak season” by travelers. It must be because it is the only time when everybody is not working, making it the best time to catch up with one another. However, pitstops are to be expected and quite frankly, a trip without a slight bump is not really memorable right? On the other hand, “slight bumps” while travelling should be kept at minimum, so for seniors who are thinking of travelling during holidays, here are some more practical travel tips for you:
· Avoid the road during peak hours. Or flying during peak hours. If you want smooth and traffic-less travel – which shortens your travel time too, make sure that you don’t fly or drive during peak hours, or days. The times/days you need to observe are usually two-three days before the “big days” a.k.a Christmas day and New Year’s day. If these are the only days you could fly then better to fly on the “big day” itself as the travelers are already in their destinations by that time and you’ll have the road/airport all to yourself. Take note too of the day to two after the “big day” since this is the time the travelers are usually packing and going back home.
· Make the most out of your devices. Before you leave, make sure that your mobile devices are all charged up and ready for the trip. Your mobile phone, iPad, laptop and navigator can be your most valuable weapon when on the road. Your mobile phone, no matter how old or new its model is, will connect you to the rest of the world when need be. iPads or/and other tablet computers have applications that are fun to use, at the same time, will help you find your way in and out even of tiniest streets. Laptops, of course, are very handy when you need to get some work done while on vacation so you don’t have to worry about them anymore. Navigators are of course, very valuable when planning your best routes to and fro destinations.
· Minimize your load. If you are visiting family, surely you could do your laundry while staying at their house. This, of course, will definitely lessen the clothes to bring. If you are planning to distribute gifts while there, better to have them delivered ahead of you instead of carrying the gifts with you. Most online shops offer free delivery on purchase so you don’t have to worry about the cost.
· Check out alternative routes. Expect the roads to be clogged this time of the year. To save you from burning your own bottom sitting inside the car for hours, with your tablet computer or navigator – even a map would do – check out back roads and discover hidden gems along the way!

Holidays can be expensive! Thank heavens for holiday bonuses and 13th month pays but after the holidays, when everything will be back to normal, one can’t help but think of the holiday cost and the unnecessary cash-outs we did for the holidays and feel its aftermath. Not that spending on holidays is bad but truth be told, there are many instances during holidays that we could have cut cost and still be merry!
And since I consider this week as the start of the holiday season officially, it is only proper for me to give gentle advices to those of you who would want to somehow lessen the holiday cost without appearing like a cheapskate:
· Put aside a holiday budget. Consider your current financial standing and the money you have onhand. If you have been a good senior putting aside little bits of money for the holiday since last January then by now you must have plenty to spare but I’m sure that is not always the case. Some are depending only with the money they have right now and just charge everything against their credit cards to be paid at a later time. Both ways are good although I prefer the former than the latter, however, if you are planning to use your credit card for the holidays, make sure that you limit yourself to your holiday budget and not a cent more. Plus, your holiday budget should only be a month’s worth of your income just so it would be easier to pay them after holidays.
· A holiday budget for all. The holiday budget you’ve set aside should encompass everything that you’ll ever need for the holidays such as gifts, events, trip expenditures (if you are planning to go on a holiday trip) etc.
· Make a list. Everything that you’ll ever need for the holidays should be listed down so you’ll be able to see how much you should allocate each. The same should be done to your gift list.
· Trim down your gift list and limit it only to those who really matter most. Start with your immediate family then work your way out. Work on your friends’ list according to priority. It’s okay to not give every Jane and Joe that comes your way, or if you really have to then no need to give them something expensive, a greeting card would do.
· Plan your shopping. Be a smart shopper and take advantage of the many sales, deals and offers stores are giving away, even online shops are marking down their prices for the holiday! Scour thrift shops as well, if you still have time, since they are excellent sources for antique pieces and vintage jewelry sold at a very low price.
· Skip the gift wrapping. Don’t worry, with all those “eco” thing going on, no one’s going to raise an eyebrow if you hand out unwrapped gifts. Just a little ribbon on top of it and you’re done.

One good way to really feel the Christmas season is to hang your own Christmas stocking somewhere around your fireplace, sit back and wait for it to magically be stuffed by Christmas morning! My grandkids have already hanged theirs and were non-too-subtly dropping hints on what they want in their stockings. That toothless kid who was screaming her head off last Christmas begging the dentist to open shop on Christmas night is still asking for chocolate candies for hers. Lol.
Going forward, here’s my suggestion for Christmas stocking stuffers, coming from a pro like me!

For the gents:

· Ticket to a sport event. You can never go wrong with this. Just pick a sport he likes best then go choose a date when his team would play and you’re done!
· Accessories to his gadgets. Save the gadget for gifts, for Christmas stocking stuffers, go for its accessories. If you don’t have any idea, Ebay and Amazon are good places to start with.
· Slippers. This should be your last resort.
· Pen with his name engraved. I know that engraved things are not anymore “in” but it’s nice to once in a while, be reminded that you own something even as simple as a pen.

For the ladies:

· Spa certificates. Ladies absolutely love getting pampered and since treatments should be personalized, certificates would be the next best thing to give them since it will allow them to pick their own treatment when they get there.
· Chocolates. No matter how fierce they tell you that they are on a diet, chocolates never fail to put a smile on a lady’s face.
· Bath set. Because they love to pamper themselves at home and matching scents are also an alltime favorite!
· Planner. A human planner is also a good idea but he/she won’t fit inside the stocking right? So ladies will be glad to settle with a planner and a nice pen.

For the kids:

· Go for something educational instead of just plain amusing. Some small foldable board games (the one with magnets for roadtrips) are nice. Classic games like Snakes and Ladders and Chess are small enough to fit their Christmas stockings but guarantee hours of fun.
· Art supplies. Twistable crayons, pencils and small doodle pad would be nice.
· Candies and chocolates. Just make sure you have painkillers within reach to avoid any traumatic experience afterwards.

Traveling is fun especially if you do it with people you love the most. Travels and holidays are always a welcome break no matter what age we are in; kids love them for the adventure traveling represents; moms and dads for non-working days and of course, for seniors who badly need a change of scenery. Furthermore, travels are a good way to bond with your loved-ones and make some more memories for the whole family to cherish.
Special trips with your mom or dad are indeed fun and will be remembered for the rest of your life. Do this while they can still enjoy the trip and none the later. It will be more fulfilling if you prevent minor, as well as major, inconveniences from happening during your trip. Here are some tips on how to plan a trip with your senior.
· Ask your senior where they would want to go. If you must know, a lot of enthusiasm always beats whatever chronic condition your senior might be experiencing today! On the other hand, if you “drag” them to nowhere land where they don’t even want to be in, there will surely be 101 aches and pains your senior’s body will come up with.
· Necessary physical ability. Your dad wants to visit China, particularly THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. Unless he is a lifelong runner of some sorts with will and endurance of a steel, surely you know there’s no way he will be able to endure the long walks and steep climbs. When planning trips and activities, make sure that all necessary physical requirements will be met by your senior.
· Plan expenses ahead of time. Small things like who picks up the tab for dinner tonight or who buys that pearl necklace for mom can be worked out during the trip however, bigger expenses like air fare and accommodations should be planned just so nobody would be surprised – or stressed – come billing time.
· Secure proper documentations. Such as your senior’s prescriptions signed by their doctors or perhaps that medical journal they have been meticulously keeping. You might need them while on trip while I pray not.
· Pack practical. Between you and your senior, you have a lot to keep track of, you certainly don’t need any more. Pack light and pack only those you know you will be needing during the trip. Those you can easily buy can be left behind.
· Safety and security should come first. While it is fun to conquer an unknown territory, you won’t be needing that extra uncertainty while travelling with your senior. Save the “devil in you” for next time.

Holidays are meant for endless get-togethers and parties however, in this flurry of activities, it’s quite easy to forget simple holiday etiquette. Below is a guide to practicing good manners for a merrier holiday!

· When attending parties, don’t forget to confirm your attendance and how many people you are planning to take with you. Even if you are not coming, it is important to let your host know about your plans so that they would be able to prepare for your group’s arrival.

· Don’t be late. Leave home earlier so you can be at the venue minutes earlier and not any later. You see, when they say it’s 5, they mean 5, not 5:30 or 6.

· Don’t forget to ask your host if it’s okay to bring someone along. While you’re sure it will be okay with your host, it shows that you are thoughtful and respectful about invading their space.

· When bringing someone along, let the friend know when or where the festivities will happen and who the hosts are. Make sure your friend is okay with this and that he or she is comfortable in attending the said get-together.

· Try to keep the kids at home especially if the occasion calls for all-adult attendees. Just imagine how awkward it would be if you bring grandkids and expect adults to keep their language “general patronage” all the time for fear of being misquoted by your grandkids.

· Dress appropriately. When I say appropriately, do check with your host about the activities they have prepared for the occasion. Does it call for laid-back-potluck-chitchat style for which you don’t need to dress up anymore or would it be wine-glasses-china-sitdown style which will require you to dress a little more formally?

· Don’t forget to bring a token of appreciation for the host. As a way of truly thanking your host, bringing anything, even a little something like homemade cookies or a bottle of wine, will surely brighten your host’s day.

· Know when it’s time to go home. First rule is never to get too drunk that you won’t be able to go home on your own. Do know that no matter how accommodating your hosts are, they will still need their personal space at the end of the day. Respect this by not overextending your welcome.

· When you are hosting a party, make sure that everybody is comfortable and that they are well-served with food and drinks. Do thank your visitors for coming.

· Send out handwritten greeting cards. Handwritten notes are considered as personalized greetings which means you really thought of them and not just because their email address happens to be in your contacts.

The problem we, seniors, usually have to face during the gift giving season is finding the perfect gift for our loved-ones. Rarely will you find a person who, despite their age, still has a knack for landing the perfect gift for the right person. I personally find it hard to decide what to give to my, say, teenage grandson. Actually, the easiest age bracket to get gift for would be those tots 1-2 years of age as they don’t usually require too much of anything hence the very early Christmas shopping. I am assuming that I am not the only one having these troubles.

However, it is important that when we give gifts, thoughtfulness and care are expressed. Gifts are expression of love and our way of thanking the person for everything that they were able to give us, both tangible and intangible. Everything considered, we give gifts to people whom we consider valuable in our lives and, in a way, we give them the recognition they deserve.

Below is a guide to choosing the perfect gift for your loved-ones:

* Personalized and homemade gifts are the best because it instantly gives your gift some character. Remember how the kids loved your last year’s Christmas cookies? Why not whip up a huge batch a week before Christmas then pack them in cute baskets to be distributed to friends and relatives. Of course, don’t forget to send a pack each to your favorite grandkids!
* Do something charitable – in the name of a loved one. Some people are uncomfortable receiving gifts and would rather enjoy your company or see other people happy. Although they are of the rare kind, I find this especially true in some seniors. It would make them more appreciative of your gift if you donate it to a worthy cause and acknowledge your loved one upon donation.
* Get them something that they’ve always wanted but won’t get it for themselves. There were times when practicality wins over luxury or need over want. You probably know about it as well since it is almost everyday that we try to decide between the two. Try to find their “wants” then choose the one they wanted the most.
* Go for practicality. Running out of ideas? You might want to look around their house – or place - then determine what they need for their everyday life. You wouldn’t believe how a yoga enthusiast will appreciate a simple yoga mat to replace their old one!
* A trip down the memory lane. Keepsakes are for the ones who have everything. These are the only things that will definitely leave a mark in their hearts.

Holidays indeed pose another set of challenges for us caregivers! It’s hard enough to get our seniors moving everyday, what more when there’s unusual cheer in the air? The biggest challenge of all is to actually make holidays fun for both the senior and the caregiver.
If you are planning to take your senior to a holiday vacation, you might want to read these handy tips so you’ll have more time for fun and less time for stress!
· Research, research, research. Familiarity is your best friend. Even if you are going to a remote island that is new to you, there are tons of reading materials online as well as offline such as books and maps in your library. Or perhaps a friend has a story to tell about his or her experience going to that place. Do take note of the weather as it can definitely make or break a vacation.
· Use a lot of foresight. While doing your research, make sure that you are also playing different scenarios wherein your senior is the lead role. Try to imagine how your senior will be able to cope with the conditions you are about to face such as the weather, the accommodation, the facilities, transportation – these are only half of the battle so you really have to come prepared.
· Make a list. And check it twice. Sometimes it gets really hard to remember all the things that need your attention especially when caring for your senior 24/7 hence the need to jot everything down on a piece of paper. All of them. Together.
· Get clearance from the doc. Just because your senior is feeling the holiday cheer, acting all medically sound and happy, doesn’t mean they are okay to travel. You really need to consult their doctors first and tell them your plans. Also secure necessary prescriptions as you might need them when carrying medications abroad or cross country.
· Plan as many pit stops as you can. You know it’s not really good for old people to get all folded up for long periods of time unless you would like for them to die of embolism. They should be able to get some “stretch” once in a while.
· Bring in the weapons! Don’t forget your gadgets and aids as they will save you lots of tears when you get there! Don’t be afraid to “over accessorize” since you might need them anyway and afterall, it’s okay to bring a walking cane and not use it during the trip than end up buying a second cane because you didn’t bring your own.
· Keep things nice and simple. If your holiday vacation plans include a senior then you must work around their comfort. Activities like bungee jumping or trail hiking must be given second thoughts definitely while museum trips and beach walks are highly encouraged.