Seniors Site

For once, let us put aside the common misconception that seniors have slow learning capacity, avoid all complex things and most of all, they are NOT so into computers. Let us consider that not all seniors fall into a category wherein staring at the computer 24/7 is not an option. There may have been a number of them who are considered “computer illiterate” but let me assure you, there are just a few of them who developed quite an indifference towards computers. Many have acquired computer experience through working since computers have become a staple for offices and businesses, both big and small.

According to a study, almost ¾ of the senior population is very much updated with the computer and all its happenings, even social media sites and social networking. The remaining seniors are only hindered by one reason or another but definitely, the usage is never dependent on one’s age. Thanks to nonstop improvements made for internet users, the computer has grown user-friendly over the years, providing the ease of use everytime—even a two year old kid can operate a computer nowadays! Also, as seniors begin to discover new things via the internet, the more it becomes easier for them to navigate their way around.

There are many reasons why a senior may opt to use computers instead of any other means of communication to the world. It was found out that if a senior has an offspring who uses social networking sites on a regular basis, it can be reason enough for them to explore what’s in there too. Having a grandchild that “twitters” all day can double that effort since seniors may see this as the easiest venue to keep in touch with their loved-ones and have a little piece of their grandchild’s day too without having to impose or demand for their time. Here are some more reasons why seniors are enjoying the internet more than ever:

·    Online games have never been more fun! They can be quite addicting too especially now that they have successfully integrated with most social media sites like Facebook and MySpace.
·    News hunting is made easy with the use of RSS feeds paired with feed readers.
·    It is easier for seniors to maintain social relationships even without going out. Stay in the comfort of your home but be able to communicate with people who matter most.
·    Seniors shop online. They also do their research via the internet because it’s faster and easier.
·    It keeps them updated with the latest happenings and trends the world over.
·    The internet is like a one-stop shop, everything you need is in there, just a few clicks away.
·    Support groups and online communities for seniors are updating over the internet as well.

You fall into this generation if you are:  anywhere between 35-55 years of age, caring for at least one aging parent and at the same time, caring for your own children—marriage is never in question just as long as you have these three basic qualifications. Sandwich generation or SandGen for some is when you are torn between your obligations to your aging parent and caring for your own growing kids. The explanation alone will tell you how hard your situation can be—that is, if you are not feeling it yet.

Being in the sandwich generation is hard especially if you are the primary caregiver. This should mean you are personally taking care of things for both generations such as school meetings for the kids and doctors’ appointments for the seniors. Studies show that those who are experiencing this type of arrangement are taking a lot of stress from almost all aspects of his or her being. Unfortunately, the sandwich generation is not strongly supported by the community, much less recognized.

Financially, most SandGens are experiencing a total crunch time just by balancing the household expenses. This situation can be greatly alleviated if a family member is sharing the expenses but it can get doubly worse if the SandGen in question is the sole provider for the whole family. Physically, taking everybody to and fro can take a toll to a person’s body. Some even say that it even feels like living inside their cars for the whole day and disorientation occurs on a regular basis. Not to mention looking after everyone and not having enough time for yourself. Then there’s the question of privacy, being in the SandGen will automatically put you in a situation wherein privacy is considered as a luxury. Here are some coping strategies for the sandwich generation to help ease the stress away:

·    Seek help. It’s never bad to seek help when you need one and it won’t kill you either. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness but it can save you your sanity in the long run. Bear in mind that you are balancing three parties here: your parents, your kids and yourself—that is, if you stay unattached.
·    Being in the SandGen can affect your relationships with other people. If you are married, expect it to undergo some changes, so does your social life. Time is never enough for the SandGen group and most of the time, this can be a potential root cause of a failed relationship. Although it is highly advisable for this generation to maintain healthy relationships, it will also take some more effort from your part.
·    Practice stress management. A good stress management should help you identify your major and minor stressors and try to arrange them in a way that you won’t feel suffocated with one stressor after the other.
·    Stress comes from your own reactions. Gauge your own responses to stress and try to control them before they actually manifest.
·    If you are really determined in taking all the responsibilities then might as well look after your body too. How else would it maintain its peak performance if not for you?

Contrary to popular notion, seniors do have sex lives too. Nowadays, many seniors are enjoying close, intimate encounters with their partners, never minding their sexual limitations—things that are beyond their control. The good news is, these sexual problems can be discussed with your healthcare providers and they can be helped—even treated—when assisted early on. An active sex life during your senior years can be achieved, especially if you’re all out in pursuing it. In fact, studies show that sexual satisfaction does not diminish with age but is rather hindered by age-related health conditions.

Certain physical changes come with the aging process. Your sexual functions, together with your reproductive system are the firsts to go. No matter how much you want to engage in sexual activities—since desire can still be felt—sometimes, the body may not react the same way as it used to be. Older women may feel their vaginas literally shrinking while men must have been experiencing erectile dysfunction every now and then. Lubrication is also a problem for senior women. Unfortunately, this condition can have a tremendous effect in sexual contacts women may have. Vaginal dryness can bring discomfort and sometimes pain, making it hard for the sufferer to enjoy sex. Sexual problems are mostly caused by age-related conditions such as:

·    Medication
·    Disabilities
·    Illnesses

Heart attack, being a condition that limits the use of excessive emotions, can make a person doubtful during sexual encounters for fear of triggering the condition or making the matter worse. Furthermore, women who underwent surgeries especially those within their genital areas are more careful when it comes to sex—to a point wherein they avoid doing it as much as possible. For one, a woman who recently underwent mastectomy is prone to feeling undesirable and less feminine. If the partner is not sensitive enough of the sufferer’s feelings, it may even leave an emotional dent in the relationship.

Aside from erectile dysfunction, one of the most common culprits that affects a man’s ability to have a healthy sex life is his medication. Some maintenance medications that are taken by older men are known to decrease sexual desire and worsen erectile dysfunction. Common drugs that are known to have this side effect are those prescribed for blood pressure, antidepressants, and even antihistamines.

For seniors who worry about their declining sexual activities, you should know that sex takes two aspects in a person. One aspect is emotional while the other half is physical. If one aspect is not up for it, chances are, it won’t work or in other words, it won’t be as satisfying as it should be. Nurture these two areas while you can and there will be no stopping you from having sex, even at any age.

The internet has become as necessary as food and shelter for mankind and this includes the boomer generation. Gone are the days when seniors were afraid of the advancement in technology. They are more daring and willing to learn now, more than ever.

The embracement of technology came as no surprise for many since the internet has been providing new and efficient ways in making our lives a little easier to live. Certainly if younger generation can make use of these conveniences, why not seniors?.. In reality, it is the younger ones who encourage seniors to use computers as they will benefit from it tremendously.

Without seniors even realizing it, they have been receiving a lot from the advancement in technology. Take for example the ever-evolving medical advancement which extends lives. Without them, an aging body harassed by everyday stress can never last that long. On the other hand, one of the most important benefits the internet can give you is bridging the gap between seniors and their loved-ones who are miles away from them now—a common setup for many families worldwide.

Seniors who have learned to use computers were able to connect with their loved-ones in many ways. In popular social networking sites such as Facebook, seniors are able to get to know their grandkids better through live feeds. This kind of interaction is never possible if they will only rely on telephone conversations and letters. Also, the internet proved to be more cost-effective than any other communication means. There are tools available over the internet which provide the ease of use for elderly users. Some can even be downloaded for free. Others come with the computer itself like onscreen keyboards, magnifier and narrator.

Aside from the communication side of it, the internet can also be utilized for other things such as paying bills or buying stuff online. This alone can be of big help for seniors especially for those with mobility problems. Almost all banks do online transactions making it easier and safer for seniors to manage their bank accounts. Basic online safety measures should be applied when dealing with personal information as such. Read more about online safety here.

Communication as well as range and scope of seniors are not the only ones improved by the internet. Even socializing and potentially meeting a partner can be achieved when you finally get used to using the internet. There are hundreds of online dating sites intended for seniors and they are a surefire way to meet other seniors who are looking for love.

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.

Now that the tears have all dried up and you’re quite ready to move on, it’s somewhat normal to find the world overwhelming and a little exhaustive. Isolation can also be an issue to most seniors who find themselves suddenly single after years of being married or living with a partner. Although it may seem hard at first, the sooner a senior makes this crucial first step, the better are his or her chances of moving on with their lives.

Your family and friends are your best allies at the moment. They can guide you better in your attempts to return to the normal world since they know what you’ve been through. Seniors who lost a loved-one must know that they should take small, positive steps to familiarize themselves to their new lifestyle. Expect this to be a hard, frustrating road to take and it will take some time but with the right attitude and good support system, you’ll get there eventually.

One of the most common traps for seniors who find themselves suddenly single is rushing to find love even if they are not quite ready for it yet. Due to this, experts believe that a senior’s ability to good judgment is now impaired and almost always, it leads to impulsive decisions and more heartaches. It is highly recommended for suddenly single seniors to take his or her own sweet time stabilizing their lives first before looking for someone to love again. No matter how tempting it might be, loving someone has its own set of challenges to conquer and one problem can never be answered by another complication. Surround yourself with a good support system and heal your wounds first before setting for yet another challenge.

Find happiness in your single blessedness. Consider this as an opportunity to love yourself and no one else. This is the time to rediscover yourself, your abilities and your limitations as well. This opportunity can never be possible if you stay living with a partner your entire life. Loneliness is only a state of mind, and so is happiness. These two emotions are based on your mindset and mindset is something you can control. Don’t ever let your emotions get the best of you.

Grieving period has its own course to run, allow it and don’t rush things. Instead of looking for love, try to meet new friends and consider doing the things you want to accomplish prior to losing your partner. As much as possible, keep activities as single-minded as can be and avoid doing activities that will require you to have a partner. You don’t need to socialize if you don’t feel like it. Be with people you feel most comfortable with at the moment and wait for the right time to come when socializing feels normal again.

When we get older, one of the most common questions that we may have is how to live longer and healthier. As seniors, we know that it is always proper nutrition and exercise so as soon as we recognize the signs of aging, we quickly jump into the “health wagon”, hoping that it’s not too late for us. What we don’t know is that prevention starts earlier than we ever expected and people who actually grow older than a hundred are living healthy since birth.

Knowing this for a fact should teach us not to expect too much especially if we start treating ourselves right a little too late. On the other hand, it’s better late than never right? Plus, healthy changes in your lifestyle can never hurt you.

According to a study conducted to a group of senior men, age is not the only factor that affects longevity. Among the top 5 affecting factors in one’s health, particularly that of an aging man, are:  smoking, diabetes, weight, blood pressure and exercise. These health factors increase the risk of dying early tremendously. This study also concluded that those who survived are living well despite any diseases they may have right now. This only shows that even if seniors are plagued with illnesses, their healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to stop but it has to be maintained all throughout.

Smoking is one of the best-known killers of all time and it becomes doubly harmful for seniors. Its direct effects are fatal enough but long term use has its own set of side-effects that can seriously impair a man. It can reduce bone density exposing you to fractures. Quitting the smoking habit can be your best choice, so far and quitting it early is definitely a plus. Read more about this study in this post:    5 Easy Steps to Living Long and Well.

It is also recommended by healthcare providers for seniors to maintain an adequate weight by eating healthy and exercising as much as possible. Along with aging comes the tendency of the digestive system to slow down making it harder for the body to remove toxins. To combat this condition, digestion-friendly foods should be introduced. Fiber should be included in a senior’s diet since it aids in healthy digestion and removal of waste. Hydration is also important in maintaining a healthy body.

Overall, keeping all aspects of your life active is your best weapon in maintaining a healthy, longer life. This involves physical, social, emotional and spiritual. Start early so the body can adjust well even before it shows signs of aging.

The Art of Mindfulness was introduced as one of the many concepts of early Buddhism that’s still put in practice today due to its effectivity to calm the mind. In this concept, one is taught how to be conscious and aware of what the body is currently doing. It involves sensations, feelings, emotions and functions. Mindfulness techniques can teach you how to stay focused on the “now” and simplify life as it is. In western psychology, these techniques are also applied to alleviate most mental and physical conditions.

The idea behind Mindfulness is being consciously present on what is happening to your body right now and be able to disconnect yourself from all bothering thoughts of the past, future and other tidbits hidden deep within your subconscious mind. These negative thoughts are considered as stress factors and should be eliminated when practicing mindfulness. It was believed that a clear, conscious mind can help you achieve goals better than having your stressors push you everytime. Also, mindfulness yields better results since a person is deemed productive when he is mindful. However, there are some techniques in mindfulness that contradict other productivity principles.

Before adapting mindfulness into your life, you must remember that it is a kind of meditation practiced by Buddhists for centuries now. It is meant to relax your mind and free yourself of stress. It is most recommended for seniors who cannot afford anymore stress in their lives and subjecting themselves into one can even be harmful for their health. Here are some basic mindfulness techniques you can do today:

·    Avoid automatic reactions. When we do everyday tasks, our bodies immediately recognize the task hence turns on an automatic reaction to finish the task. It involves every muscle fiber in our body directly following orders from an “auto-piloted” mind. Notice how you absent-mindedly do household chores and finish it without even thinking about it or do them while your mind is wandering off to the next task. Being mindful is focusing your mind on what you do now.
·    Avoid multi-tasking at all costs. It is impossible to be mindful if there’s a barrage of whatnots going through your head. Multi-tasking is never encouraged in mindfulness. It will only confuse the mind resulting to undesirable results.
·    Worrying about the future will do you no good. If you have prepared well for it, there’s no need to worry about what the future holds. Surrender everything to the higher beings and enjoy the present moment because if it passes, it won’t ever come back.
·    Your aging body has had enough of living the fast-paced life and slowing down will certainly make your soul happy. Don’t rush through tasks in attempt to do it all at once. Give your body a chance to relax and do things at its own comfortable pace.
·    Spend time with loved-ones. I mean, REALLY spend time with them by being consciously there, absorbing every minute of it. You’ll soon realize that there’s more fun in bonding with them and appreciating the beauty of it.
·    Give yourself a quiet, 5-minute “me” time. This way, you’ll be able to rest your whole being and just relax. In a way, you’re also preparing for the next task ahead.

We say unconventional if it’s out of the ordinary, or what the society perceives as unnatural for some reason or another. Sadly, when it comes to romantic relationships, it should be within the same generation, no more no less, for it to be socially acceptable. But we all know that it’s not always the case in senior relationships. Some seniors may find themselves falling for someone half their age and the only thing that’s keeping them from taking the plunge is their doubts.

Falling inlove is a great feeling we, as humans, beg to experience even for once in our lives. When we love, it’s our hearts that rule us and it doesn’t always conform with our minds. Love certainly knows no boundaries, much less age. In addition, loving someone is not a game with certain rules to follow but it is indeed doted with challenges, more if it’s unconventional. This is what you expect in a May-December romance.

Aside from the issue of social acceptance, seniors who wish to engage in a relationship with apparent age-gap face many challenges ahead. Unlike any other regular couple out there, a relationship like this involves serious consideration and hard thinking. It is important that the senior knows exactly what he or she is embarking into and determining one’s true feelings for the other half must be realized first. Assessment is the key. The sooner you realize why you are attracted to this person, the better are your chances of a successful relationship. Ask yourself if you are willing to spend the rest of your life with this person come high or low. Are you willing to accept this person come what may? Consider the fact that you may only be experiencing empty-nest syndrome and undergoing emotional turmoil right at this very moment.

One of the hardest things to contend with in an age-gap relationship is the generation gap itself. Your generation is clearly different from the generation your partner grew up in and it is normal to find huge differences between the two. A May-December relationship requires both individuals to adjust their lifestyles depending on what’s comfortable for both of them. You need to establish that common ground for your relationship to work. It needs understanding and willingness to grow alongside each other. Don’t be afraid of changes and try other things even if it’s unusual for you.

One of the dangers an age-gap relationship may have is its ability to change a person. I put emphasis on the word danger since it is not healthy for a person to alter his life just to meet his partner’s needs. You went ahead with the relationship as a couple bearing different personalities and backgrounds. While your relationship requires certain changes, it need not change you as a person. Self-identity is the only thing you can safely take with you if and when the affair dissolves. Guard it as much as possible.

As with any other relationship, maintaining a healthy communication line is essential. It is important that you keep an open line at all times since you’ll be tackling a lot of issues especially within the first few years of the relationship.

Stress can occur anytime, anywhere and can be caused by numerous factors. In fact, stress is a very general term used if the body experiences tension and unnatural discomfort. It can be physically, emotionally and mentally or even a combination of two. But, going to work seems to be the most stressful of them all since the workplace involves ALL factors of stress.

Please be reminded that when a person reaches a certain age, the body is no longer pliable to external assaults such as stress. When stress is induced to an aging body, it will then respond differently by bringing out underlying diseases and illnesses. These conditions are considered as stress-triggered and usually don’t have any existing cure yet.

Stress in the workplace is hard to ignore. It’s always there and no matter how hard you try to leave it when it’s time to come home, it will just follow you like a shadow. The best thing to do is try to minimize the stress as much as possible. Remember that it is your health that’s at stake so you really need to do something before it gets the best of you.

TIME AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

When at work, your mortal enemy would be time. Time can do a lot of things to a person. It can even drive you crazy if you let it be. Along with time management, you also need to learn how to manage your energy and make it last longer so you don’t have to come home tired and stressed. In energy management, you need to know when you feel productive during the day and take on jobs that are appropriate for your energy level. Take small breaks in between jobs so you don’t lose momentum without draining your body of much-needed energy. Forget multitasking, it’s not healthy for you.

THE ART OF PRIORITIZING

Prioritizing means knowing what should be done first. It involves creating a timeline for your projects which will clearly indicate what needs to be done in advance and what can be left out for later. It also involves knowing when is the right time to do some certain tasks. Timing is important, know when to attack.

ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE!

Things are done better and more efficient when they are properly organized. Organization also means knowing how to delegate tasks and be able to monitor the project’s progress. You don’t have to do everything by yourself because if you do, you’re only subjecting yourself in a lot of stress. Find the most suitable person for a certain task and let them do the work. This will give you enough space to think of other productive approaches for the project at hand.