Seniors Site

Safety threats can easily ruin a senior’s vacation. When vacationing, seniors are more vulnerable to theft and overall dangers of being in some place foreign. If you are thinking that staying in a hotel puts you in a lesser risk then you might want to rethink that since reports of theft occurring inside a hotel room with or without the occupants in there are quite rampant.

Add to that the fact that seniors are the favorite targets of thieves since we look fragile and won’t cause any trouble. I don’t think seniors are coward however, I do believe that seniors are wiser, that’s why they would rather give their valuable to a thief than fight the thief and get hurt in the process. Nonetheless, this should make us, seniors, extra careful when we are vacationing especially if the place is very foreign to you. Below are some safety tips that are simple enough to do when staying in a hotel:

* Never leave your door open and unlocked. Whether you are in or out of your hotel room, you must lock your door at all times. A common thief is more likely to try to open your door casually first before exerting any other effort in opening your door.
* Travel light. This way your stuff will be easier to track than having more than 5 bags and whatnot upon checking in. This also prevents you from being the thief’s apple of the eye. I mean, who would want to risk getting caught for a wallet and a couple of jewelries that were in plain sight when you checked in? They are most likely to chase someone with several baggage just so the odds of acquiring something valuable are better.
* Clear away temptation. You don’t have to leave your money-laden wallet lying around your room especially if there’s someone else – like the cleaning personnel – inside the room. If you really have to leave your valuables behind, at least put it in a safe place and out of view.
* Inspect your hotel room’s doors and windows if they are closing right. If you spot a broken one then report it at once and ask to be transferred to another room. Better be demanding than be sorry for not asking.
* Never ever open the door without taking a quick peek using the peephole to see who’s on the other side. Thieves knock and will use force to get inside if occupants are ignorant enough to open their doors to someone knocking.
* Never ever open your door to someone who is claiming to be a hotel personnel. Watch movies and they will tell you that this is the most common SOP of those who would like to break that barrier that is the door and gain access to the room. Better yet call the front desk and ask what was the visit about.

What I love about Easter Sundays is that it allows enjoyable, quality time for people of all ages, young, old and even those in between. It has that “Christmas morning” quality to it that makes seniors and kids wake up in anticipation. Aside from that, Easter Sundays bring back sweet, old memories of our childhood—when everything seems so easy and right.

However, Easter Sundays, to make it more worthwhile, require activities to fill in the day. Of course, it should revolve around a theme for which case is (Surprise! Surprise!) Easter Sunday! It doesn’t have to be elaborate, nor religious in nature, just as long as the fun factor is there. Here are some terrific Easter Sunday activities seniors and their grandkids can enjoy together:

•    Easter egg decoration. What’s an Easter if there is neither egg nor bunny to celebrate? Easter eggs are a staple—must even be the highlight of the occasion. Start your Easter Sunday by decorating Easter eggs which you can hide around the house or out the lawn for an impromptu Easter egg hunt. If you can’t get hold of eggs to decorate, there are molded, plastic ones you can buy from thrift shops. Plastic ones can be decorated with glitter glue and stickers then be filled with candies and small chocolate bars inside to be taken home. Make sure you have these things by Sunday morning which means you have to buy them ahead of time.
•    Make something edible. If the senior is handy in the kitchen and the grandkids just love everything he or she makes in there then this is the perfect time to bond with the kids and celebrate Easter at the same time. Easter cookies are perfect, to be decorated with rolled fondant or colorful icing by the kids. Or perhaps have them make their own chocolate Easter eggs with a plastic egg mould, usually available in craft stores, and melted chocolates.
•    Have their friends over. It may get messy but if you get them to clean up after themselves, you’re in for a lot of fun. It will also be good if you invite their grandparents over for a potluck. Some socialization on Easter Sunday will do your grandkids and you some good.
•    Start a storytelling session. Again, it need not be religious but make sure it involves resurrection and something that kids would be able to identify themselves into just to be able to keep them engaged and not bored.

Who says Valentine’s Day is only for the young ones? Of course, it’s also an occasion for the young-at-hearts namely, us, seniors. I am not a bit embarrassed to admit that it is one of few occasions in a year when I get all excited, and dreamy, and all swoony. You can’t really blame me, with all the things I need to attend to 24/7, it’s kind of hard to get me and my partner a free time to actually go on a date or make something special for the other. It is the only day we get to spend time with each other. Just the two of us.

If you are looking for Valentine gift ideas, you shouldn’t be here as this post is not all about gifts but will take a little effort too. Valentine’s Day is not all about gifts by the way. Indeed it is sweet to receive a gift from someone you love romantically but it should be more than that, Valentine’s Day is a day when you should receive and give affirmation of love. That’s the most important part of a Valentine’s Day.

For the clueless, please drop the flowers-and-chocolates combo, let’s do something creative and worthwhile this year, what do you say? Try these unique but simple Valentine ideas for your partner:

•    Go out on a date like it’s your first time. For the gents, try to rekindle the old flame by asking your partner on a date and act like it’s your first time. That includes asking her where she wants to eat and what to do afterwards. Kiss her goodnight and you are sure to be rewarded the same night!
•    Redecorate your bedroom according to theme. It should be red, of course, however, you don’t have to repaint the whole room as you can do simple restyling tricks to make it “romance-inducing” such as throwing a sheer red cloth over your lampshade (just make sure it’s safe to do so or you risk burning the house), light a few incense to titillate his nose and perhaps replacing your cotton bedcovers with silk ones. Lastly, you can play soft music to maximize effect.
•    Browse through sex stores–online. You don’t have to go and expose your aging self out there as there are many sex stores complete with catalogues and tips online. This way you remain discreet but still be able to prepare for Valentine’s Day. Don’t worry about getting it delivered as well as most online sex stores promise to wrap your purchases as inconspicuous as possible.
•    Go for couple spa weekend! This is the greatest way to distress, renew and enjoy all at the same time. What’s more, massages are really good for seniors like you and your partner.
•    Eat outside, under the stars. No need for five-star accommodation and the works, just your simple backyard bbq will do just fine.

At some point in your life, you will need to do some serious cleaning around your home to clear away the mess you have accumulated over the years. This may not sound fun to you now but believe me, it will save you a lot of trips down to the emergency room of your friendly neighborhood hospital in the near future! Why? It is because the clutter you have in your home right now is not only hazardous to your health but also a threat to your life.

On the other hand, if you are one of those frustrated offspring of a senior who just won’t let go of their so-called “memories” which to your eyes are only trinkets and whatnots, then you have to be very careful and selective of the words to use when convincing a senior to do a spring cleaning. It will not be easy, that I guarantee you, but it can be done and it needs to be done especially if your senior is living independently. Again, it may not be the most fun thing to do this spring but if you are concerned of how your senior is faring whenever you are miles away from them and would like to have a little peace of mind during those times then spring cleaning must be the best bonding activity for you and your senior to do.

I personally am thrown off with the tedious task of sorting during spring house cleaning. This is the part I most abhor so let’s assume for a moment that it, too, is the problem for your senior. It is important that you absolutely guarantee your senior that there would be less work for them and that you are there to help sort things out. If there is no one to help sort stuff, then get professional help. There are organizations which specialize in downsizing of home and can offer professional, valuable advice to seniors who are hesitant on pushing through with spring cleaning.

When convincing a senior to do a spring cleaning, never imply that their stuff is junk. It is not, for them. Try to look at it through their eyes, won’t you find it offensive if someone called your stuff junk? Surely you are to raise hell with that person. Try to sound practical but at the same time be very cautious of the words you are using.

Give them control. It is their stuff afterall, not yours. Be grateful that you even got to the point of having them clean their homes. The actual cleaning of home is an altogether different issue. To avoid emotional discomforts and conveniences, have a third party whom your senior listens to but at the same time, can express what you have in mind. Never “toss things out” unless you really would like to offend your senior instead give them the option to “donate” their things to Goodwill or perhaps sell them to raise a couple of dollars. Whatever makes them comfortable should be fine.

I strongly suggest that you seniors don’t drive around during winter, better yet, just stay at home to lessen risk that can cause you bodily harm. It is not safe outside especially for an aging body like yours. Let’s just say that winters aren’t meant for seniors so you should stay home, safe and warm.

However, there will be times that it will be absolutely necessary for you to come frolicking outside. If it comes to that, you might want to remember these tips to be on the safer side of the road:

•    Plan ahead. Surely you would know if there are road blocks or perhaps road advisories within your locality. Plan your routes ahead of time to save you the trouble of having to deal with it—out there in the cold.
•    Wear your gears. Eyeglasses—check. Hearing aid—check. You don’t have to be ashamed wearing them while driving. They are your first line of defense against road accidents. Wear night vision goggles, if you must, just put your safety first before anything else.
•    Avoid distractions. If you must turn on the radio, make sure that it is news you are listening to and make sure it is not too loud so you can hear “the road”, that is, cars around you, traffic officers etc. Furthermore, never play mellow music as it can make you sleepy.
•    Have your car winter-ready. Nothing can be worse than driving a not winterized car, especially if a senior is behind the wheel. Your car has different needs during winter to maintain optimum efficiency on the road. For one, it needs different set of tires so you must see to it that you change to winter tires before going out.
•    Be a conscious driver. You should also note that driving during winter is different from driving under any other weather. It requires different approach and indeed it can be very tricky. If you are doubtful of your capability to drive during winter, it is best to have someone drive you around instead.
•    Double check your emergency kit and tool boxes. You’ll never know what’s out there but it’s good to be always ready if an accident happens.
•    Drive slowly and with caution. No one expects a racing car during winter anyway plus your best bet on staying safe when winter driving is to go on it slow. This way you’ll be able to react properly if a road problem arises.

We seniors do love to entertain! Having a group of people over for the holidays make the occasion more worthwhile and cherished however, entertaining has its own downside as well since most of the time it tends to break our piggybanks! In other words, seniors have to choose between penniless-but-with-company or with-some-money-but-alone. Well now, there are some ways to fix this dilemma and still be entertaining after holidays even you’re on a budget!

•    Proper mindset. Set your mind on being simple yet better. In reality, it really doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a gathering, your closest friends won’t even notice, what’s important is the bond you’ve been sharing with these people and how much you wanted to catch up with each other’s lives.
•    Go for potlucks. Actually, potlucks are made for this type of situation—and don’t be ashamed of it too as many parties are doing it now. You don’t have to shoulder everything just because you opted to host the holiday gathering this year, neither does your friend or the other friend. Everybody can bring a dish for everyone to share.
•    Go for brunches or picnics. Your holiday gatherings need not always be dinners, you can also entertain in the morning or perhaps afternoon when it’s all sunshiny outside. Your well-tended garden can certainly make up for the inexpensive things you are about to serve however, if it’s all snowy outside, move the gathering to the nearest fireplace for some relaxation.
•    Do an activity instead. For a change, host an activity which you normally see during holidays such as singing carols. This way everyone will still have fun without having to spend too much on a gathering.
•    Enjoy a movie night. Put on a holiday-themed movie, serve some popcorns, sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Just make sure you have enough room for your company. Check online as there are websites offering rental services for new releases such as Netflix and Blockbuster.
•    Do something good. Holidays are meant for giving but if you’re broke and you don’t have any money to buy gifts, then why not volunteer yourself to a good cause? A goodwill party will do you and your friends some good as it will be the perfect time to get together and at the same time feel good about the time spent doing the activity.
•    Quite thirsty? Go for mixed drinks. Wines and other alcoholic drinks sure are a little steep for your budget but you can still enjoy the festivities with booze if you know how to mix. Also, if you’re entertaining quite a number of guests, you can have them bring a bottle to share.

Now that the holidays are almost over—read: “almost” over as I am sure there are still some of you seniors still partying to the tune of “post-holiday” songs—we now need to pay attention to our holiday-abused bodies. The unfairness of it, as to what I see and feel, is that for every party you get yourself into, there would be ten times the effort to get the body right. With that said, you need to practice moderation at all times.

However, it is quite impossible to not join in the fun so below are some tips on how to do a post-holiday cleansing diet to help you get back on track:

•    The idea is to “cleanse” the body of all and any accumulated toxins during the holidays. Consider this as starting the year right by thinking healthy however, it is strongly recommended for you to consult your doctor first before starting any cleansing diet as each has their own restrictions and can be a health hazard for an aging body like ours.
•    Assess your body. Know what gets your bowel moving. For me, a bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with a sachet of organic psyllium husk usually does the trick. Some may opt to use mild laxatives, however it is not always recommended and never for maintenance. Choose healthy alternatives such as castor oil.
•    When trying to cleanse the body, try not to think about your diet, nor food. The usual trap when dieting is spending too much time thinking of what to eat and what not to, by which you end up hungry and feeling deprived.
•    For liver cleansing, take cold pressed extra virgin olive oil every night. This is the safest dosage, by the way. Please consult your doctor if you plan to adjust dosage for a maximum effect.
•    Sweat it out. There are other means to flush out your holiday toxins and it is not always southward. Sweating it out is one of the safest way to detoxify your body without really harming or upsetting any internal organs. Exercise if you can or if your range of motion limits it, go for a sauna.
•    Stick with anything liquid for a week. Having said liquid does not mean you do without the solid stuff. You still eat them however, to help your digestive system, you will need to mash it. Shakes and smoothies are good for a detox diet.
•    Do not take animal protein while on a detox diet. This include meat and dairy.
•    Of course, there should be no sugary and starchy foods for now.
•    Most seniors are healthy enough not to require a full blown detox program. Some may get away with a simple fruit-and-vegetable diet for a week.

Holidays are always a hurdle for elderly diabetics since this is a season where sweet-sugary stuff can be found in every corner of the world. In fact, keeping a sugar-free diet during holidays is quite hard considering the holiday treats that are being sent to you in observance of the yuletide season.

Just one look at that calendar of yours and you’ll see that these past few days were clearly dotted with gatherings that are sure to raise sugar-alarms left and right. For a diabetic who is in a strict diet, this means disaster! However, there are some ways for senior diabetics to maintain healthy diet and still enjoy the festivities:

•    Naturally, avoid fatty and sugary foods, if possible. It ain’t easy, yes, but it can be done. Just remember the food pyramid, and you’ll be okay. Your best bet would be vegetables. Don’t fret, most people have gone healthy nowadays so having a salad on the menu is not any more uncommon.
•    Take a light snack before the event. Nobody expects you to stuff yourself silly on their parties anyway. While it is upon good etiquette to finish everything on your plate, your host will understand it if you just nibble on few unhealthy selections, if you must take them.
•    Have a variety, if you are hosting a party. If you want everybody to enjoy your party, make sure you got everybody covered by offering a variety of food. Do note that not all of your guests can tolerate not-so-healthy foods so make sure you also have something for them to eat.
•    Look for healthier alternatives. Lesser evil may work in situations like this, you know. Instead of going for buttered vegetables, why not reach for that fruit kebab instead?
•    Know your host. Just by knowing your host, you’ll know, more or less, what’s on the menu. Surely your host won’t deprive himself come party time. If you know the host to be health conscious then most probably you won’t have a problem attending his party.
•    Bring something healthy..on potlucks. Potlucks may work to your advantage since you are required to be a food to share with the group. By bringing something that is both tasty and healthy, you are sure not to go hungry.
•    Mingle with other people. Holiday gatherings are not all about food, you know. Socializing is one easy way to not tempt yourself with foods on the table while not offending the host by not eating a lot of what they serve.

So it’s the time of the year when you finally sit down and look back to what have you’s as we end the year 2010. Have you been productive? Were you able to make your year worthwhile or perhaps more challenging to live in? Or better yet, did you manage to do all those tasks you were putting off year after year? If yes, then it’s time for new resolutions! If not, then you need to seriously assess your list and have another go at it!

For the clueless—mind you, there are many out there!—below are some simple New Year’s resolutions you can use to make your own:

•    Live without regrets. Being a senior and all—which naturally we assume there will be 10 or less years ahead of us—we often find ourselves looking back and playing with “what-have-beens”. While it may help you make your life better, do know that it can also make you less productive and indeed a little less confident of yourself. Mistakes are made and we live on consequences; no need to dwell on it.
•    Spend more time with your loved-ones. Money is important especially for us seniors with 101 reasons why we need them—75 of them being health-related, mind you—but the time you spend expanding your empire is also a time less spent with your loved-ones. Relationships are like plants; they need to be nurtured. You should know that, of all people.
•    Volunteer for a cause. Nothing is more rewarding than giving a part of yourself to something you believe in, more over if you have a lot of free time to spend.
•    Eat healthy. It may be a pain preparing a healthy meal for one or two but consider it as an investment—an investment that will save your body from illnesses thus saving you time and money treating them.
•    Make new friends. Friends are treasures and they will make your life longer and happier. In fact, it is most recommended for seniors to keep their network of friends for varying reasons, particularly for support.
•    Put your important documents in order. Make a will or update your existing one. Gather your documents and put it in one safe place. Visit your lawyer and seek counsel for other things that you missed. It will never hurt you to do these things even if there is no presentiment of death. One of the reasons why you do these things in advance is for them to not get in the way when an unfortunate time comes.
•    Learn something new. There’s no better why to exercise your brain than committing yourself to learning new things. Sign up in a class or perhaps learn to use the internet and surf your way around it.

Gift giving is a tradition made especially for the holidays. Without it, I don’t think it will ever get to be so much fun particularly for kids and kids-at-heart. However, gift giving can burn a hole in your pocket too and sadly, most gifts we give end up in attics, forgotten and collecting dust.

Of course, this is not what we have in mind when we bought these gifts and this is not, in any way, eco-friendly as the idea behind “eco-friendliness” is reduce, reuse and recycle. But, it is really possible to give a gift that is eco-friendly too? Yes, it’s possible. Below are some gift ideas that is both eco-friendly and very practical, some of it you may even find inexpensive and very easy on the pocket!

•    Bring something edible and festive looking. You’ll never go wrong when it comes to holiday foods especially if the receiver is fond of foods. These things you can easily cook or bake in batches from your own kitchen or if your range of motion limits you, order a couple of them from a nearby bakery and distribute to family and friends. A good wine is most welcomed as well.
•    Not too keen on the kitchen but have a foodie pal? Then give them something they’ll be able to use in the kitchen or when serving. Serving dishes are great and would be appreciated greatly or perhaps a good china for afternoon tea. Some old traditions are still fun to do, you know.
•    Grow it! Plants must be the best eco-friendly gift this holiday season—trees if there is a place for them on your receiver’s land. For this, you just have to determine your receiver’s level of expertise in gardening then just ask your friendly neighborhood garden center for suggestions. For newbies, get them something that is easily maintained and grows beautifully.
•    Water bottles. It’s practical, it can be personalized and best of all, it can be as cheap as can be. By giving water bottles—not the ones that go with bottled water by the way—you are promoting good health practices while staying eco-friendly. Also, it is important for your elderly friends to always stay hydrated so a neat water bottle will come in handy especially when traveling.
•    Ecobags. This may sound awfully unromantic but you’ll be surprised to see how ecobags have evolved since its birth few years ago. Now, they are no longer just companions to the grocery stores but they can be your travel buddy as well! There are actually fashionable ones in the market today, some are made with recycled materials too.