Seniors Site

Organizing a theme party is fun and exciting since it involves creativity and resourcefulness. Theme parties are almost always associated with dressing up and just having pure fun and nothing else. With theme parties, one is allowed to go as crazy as can be without hurting your reputation afterwards. This is the perfect opportunity to socialize, at the same time satisfy that inner urge to be a child again; like a license to second childhood!

Unfortunately, those parties organized by younger adults are more often than not, directed to their age-group and not so favorable to older adults. Maybe because it’s somewhat hard to decipher which themes work with us best. Also, many event planners just rely on what’s in fashion rather than spend actual time in getting to know what the participants need. It goes without saying that the best event planner for senior events should also be a senior or at least at the same age bracket of the participants.

Some of the most popular events which involve senior participation are birthdays and anniversaries. As you can see, every year is worth celebrating than the last so virtually, seniors won’t run out of occasions to celebrate. An average, boring day can even compel a senior to an impromptu get-together with minimal fuss. Why not add flair to these get-togethers then? Here are some theme party ideas for seniors:

·    Prom. This one I like best. Prom theme parties are great as it will require us to dress up, dance to “our” music and just relieve the glory days. Prom theme parties are great for class reunions and homecoming. Prepare activities that are similar to the ones you did way back then and don’t forget your king and queen!
·    Medieval Costume Party. This one’s a hit! Seniors will surely get a kick out of medieval costume parties as they get to dress up and feel supreme!
·    Poker/Casino nights. This can be done for a beneficiary or in other words, for fundraising purposes. Seniors love to play and feel the rush that comes with it. What better way to satisfy this urge than doing it for a cause?
·    Luaus. Well, one of the most popular themes for all ages, the luaus or Hawaiian parties.
·    Western parties. I truly believe western parties are the easiest to organize since we seem to have collected western-styled outfits through the years. Just have a quick look inside your closet and you’ll see.

Single and alone? Nah. Seniors today can be single but definitely not alone come holiday season and there’s no reason to be lonely as well. Gone are the days when seniors mourn to death after a loved-one has gone. Of course, they will not be forgotten but it seems, seniors nowadays are more ready to move on and not dwell longer than one should. Thanks to healthier lives and positive outlook, being single later in life is not anymore considered as unique, in fact, some seniors who encountered a bad marriage in their midlife prefer to stay single until the day they die. Not for fear of having yet another bad partner but just because they have learned to live happily on their own.

There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season even without having to feel like a third wheel to your married friends or ending up as a nanny to your grandkids. Here are some few suggestions that you might want to try:

·    If your vacationing kids are not inviting you for an out-of-town trip this holiday season, then leave them be. Plan your own trip with your single friends and see how fun it can be! There are many tourist destinations that you can check out today at very affordable rates.
·    Most travel packages come with itinerary. These are fun activities to know better the destination you are in. Usually, they are conducted in groups of mix and matched people which can also be a great way to meet new acquaintances. What better way to enjoy your vacation than meeting new friends along the way right? Just think of the possibilities!
·    If going out-of-town is not an option for you right now, then you might want to look into other fun activities around your area. You can also take advantage of this special time to rejuvenate yourself by going to relaxation therapy sessions or just doing the things you love to do. If, for some reason, being alone scares you, you might want to visit an orphanage and share your blessings there.
·    Being a senior need not be boring. Visit exotic cities and get ready to be captured by its very essence. A city that is full of life never fails to amuse even the loneliest heart.
·    You have every right to celebrate even if you are a single senior. Bear in mind that you are not alone as more and more seniors are moving in to singletown looking for friendship. Also, happiness is a choice. It is your decision to stay happy or not so use it well.

When talking about “older adults”, be aware that every term has its own implications and one cannot very well go around throwing just about every term pertaining to the senior group without knowing what it really implies. For one, if you happen to Google search the term senior, it will yield results that are more serious, health-related and aged-all-over links. Expect these links to have resources full of helpful information released by your state or government. However, when you type the words “baby boomers”, now you’ll soon notice the big difference between the two even if they share the same exact meaning. It seems that the term baby boomer is more hip and trendy than its wholesome counterpart—that being the word senior. Everything that is nice, naughty and fun in an older adult’s life can be found in the term baby boomer.

As we can see clearly now, an older adult’s life is undergoing some kind of metamorphosis for the past years or so which called for certain terms to adapt a whole new different meaning, one of which is the concept of retirement for seniors. It may be due to the demands of time, economic crisis or just plain lifestyle preferences but certainly these anxious baby boomers are ready and gearing to move forward and break free come retirement years!

According to surveys, more and more seniors are making baby steps toward productive and meaningful retirement years nowadays. There are marked changes in the attitude when seniors talk about their plans for retirement. These days, retirement is considered as a positive turning point in one’s life. Some even look at it as a new beginning wherein they are allowed to fulfill their heart’s desire. Even those who are presently tied up to the workforce are making their own choices when it comes to the jobs they take and not just about anything that comes their way. Needless to say, these baby boomers are wiser now and learning to take care of themselves better.

Plans for continued earnings are made as opposed to what it used to be but retirees are making sure that there will be enough room to play around. This balanced coexistence of work and play environment proves to be very beneficial to a baby boomer’s overall outlook in life as it takes away much of the stress.

It was also reported that senior women are more aggressive these days and it seems that they don’t take retirement as something that will hinder success in their chosen profession. They see it as a way to further advance their careers and improve themselves more.

Because of these changes, the senior population is now experiencing quite a confusion. They are now divided into categories depending on how they choose to spend their retirement years. At the end of this experiment, experts also concluded that a senior’s financial security plays a big role on how he will potentially live life after 65.

Truly, senior health care must be one of the most sensitive issues a family is most likely to face at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it should be done whether we like it or not. Mind you, convincing a senior to surrender himself to someone else’s care especially that of a senior health care facility is only half of the story as the real action only begins when you find yourself in face of the real challenge—the terms these facilities are most likely to use when dealing with your case.

Here are some common senior healthcare terms you are most likely to stumble upon during peptalks with their representatives. Expect it to be something of a cross between medical and legal terms, coupled with their own invented acronyms. It pays to familiarize yourself so that you don’t risk miscommunicating with the management before, during and after your case.

·    Advanced Medical Directives. It has three categories under its belt namely Living Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. All these, more or less pertain to a written consent of the senior which designates or assigns another living person to make decisions in his behalf, if and when he’s unable to express his wishes anymore. This should be limited to medical concerns for the senior only.
·    Assignment. This is not your usual kid’s homework as the term adapts a whole new meaning when it comes to senior health care. When the doctor accepts assignment then you’re one lucky caregiver! It means that your kind doctor accepts Original Medicare Plan as a full payment saving you a lot of money.
·    Carrier. These are companies which should be paying your bills in behalf of Medicare.
·    Certificate of Creditable Coverage. A certificate which you need to secure from your health care insurance company which states the coverable period of time your senior is allowed according to the health plan you availed.
·    Custodial care. This is you, as the primary caregiver. These are services received by your senior which are not medical in nature such as bathing, eating and moving around. This is expected not to be covered by your insurance plan.
·    Election. A written decision that is legally binding once signed by the author.
·    IHSS or In Home Supportive Services. This is a financial aid given by the state to the senior/caregiver to help pay the bills for disabled senior who wishes to stay at home and receive care from there.
·    Preventive Services. These are preventive measures done to seniors to ensure that they stay healthy or at least won’t contract yet another health condition while under their care.
·    Risk Adjustment. Since your senior’s health status is bound to change either for better or for worse, expect to have certain adjustments in your payables.

For a more extensive list of common senior healthcare terms, visit LA County Community and Senior Services website.

Just imagine how good it can be if you go through retirement as planned and still have a little something to sustain your luxuries in life. Great, isn’t it? But with the worsening economic status felt the world over, it is easy for retiring seniors to have serious doubts about their well-planned retirement. In fact, most seniors delay retirement as much as they could just because they felt they are not quite ready for it yet.

The pockets may not agree with your desires anytime soon but let’s not forget that the body does have its own limitations and sooner or later, it is bound to shout “enough is enough” at you. Certainly, you wouldn’t want this time to arrive especially when there are still sights to see and things to experience and you need your body to be at its top-shape when they happen. The good news is, you can still make it happen, on your own terms—and while taking your own sweet time.

Scouring the streets for a job, both part-time and full-time is dead flat hard especially for seniors who might have been enduring bodily aches and pain all the while. Lay-offs are not only a scare for seniors but may also signify the end of comfortability and the start of something really doubtful for aging bodies to undertake. Unfortunately, layoffs know no boundaries and it will come when it does. The worst thing that can ever happen to a person is when you are down and broke the moment a nasty layoff comes your way. The good news is, seniors can now welcome them with open arms and even quit their jobs ahead of time if they want to without feeling guilt and remorse over the matter. All you need is a computer and a good internet connection. Considering that these two are almost a staple to anybody’s home, there’s nothing to hinder a senior from acquiring an online retirement job that is easily manageable and rewarding too!

The world of internet is a very vast place wherein you can see great opportunities especially if you’re creative and resourceful. Experts say that online opportunities are virtually boundless and they are just waiting to be discovered by anyone who has the inclination to do so. Truly, the world your internet has created is one that’s entirely separated from the world we’re so used to living in. Career-wise, internet marketing is the most popular route one can take but the competition is a little stiff there and it can get really dirty at times—a situation that is not so healthy for seniors who are looking for a slower pace in life but suits perfectly for those who love challenges.

The idea is to find the job that suits you most. It must be something that you are most comfortable in doing and it should feel less of a burden. It can be an interest such as photography or web design. It can be a skill such as organizational skills for office or businesses. You can even be a blogger for somebody so you can satisfy both heart and wallet. For those with little or no work experience at all, there are paid surveys you can participate in. Bottom line is, your work level is never put in question when in comes to online retirement jobs, it’s only your willingness to try since most jobs won’t require you even a penny to spend but will reward you just the same.

Planning for your retirement should not be all about the financial aspect of it. In fact, retirement is considered as one of life-changing events a man is expected to undergo at some point of their lives. If a senior is lucky and was able to retire earlier than expected, is in great health and not too old to have fun, he or she would be able to adjust and fit well enough to the retired life. Unfortunately, not all seniors are that lucky and like they say, seniors’ habit is the hardest to bend.

One aspect in a senior’s life that needs to be addressed when planning a retirement is the emotional aspect of it especially when living with a partner. Whether or not your partner is also undergoing this transition, it is highly recommended for the couple to sit down and talk about retirement before it actually happens since retired life is sure to affect both parties concerned. As a couple, issues must be discussed such as moving, lifestyle changes, vacations, expectations and such. Basically, it is necessary for retiring couples to consult one another before making a decision and never assume that your partner is totally okay with what you have in mind. Take for example this case:

Mimi is a sculptor. She sculpts not only for passion and fulfillment but for the good money it brings her. She managed to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother for years, at the same time do what she does best, sculpting. She observed her talent at its peak when everyone is out of the house and she’s left alone with her craft. She find silence as her best tool in sculpting. She has her own work room at the back of the house facing the river. Everything’s fine and working well until Rick decided to retire. Aside from having Rick around the house 24/7, he expects Mimi to accompany him on endless road trips now that the kids are all grown up and there’s no work to worry about. This “new” set-up definitely drives Mimi crazy and Rick is clueless why Mimi is acting strange nowadays. Sounds familiar?

The case of Mimi and Rick must be the poster child of “financially stable but emotionally unprepared for it” retirement. In Mimi’s part, she did not expect Rick to be a nuisance and had not seen it coming for if she did, she would have arranged an agreeable set-up for both of them. As you can see, sculpting is Mimi’s life and she’s nowhere near giving it up. From Rick’s point, due to many years of being work-bound, he quickly jumped into retirement plans without even consulting his wife. A major disaster indeed!

Like any other life changing event, retirement should be prepared ahead of time. It should be discussed well if you have a living partner, or any other household member for that matter, to avoid emotional stress when the big day comes. Retirement is meant to be fun, plan ahead so you avoid stress from happening.