Seniors Site

Due to years and years’ worth of abuse inflicted to our own world, it’s bound to make us pay one way or another. For now, the littlest warnings we have been experiencing from Mother Nature are enough to make us rethink of the way how we are living our lives and how large, as an individual, our impact to the world in general. It seems that with every invented technology comes a sacrifice the world has to take. Saving the world requires collective effort from every human living in it. No matter how hard a single person fight for a better world, nothing will ever come out of it but disappointment. Together, we are expected to make a difference.

Fortunately for seniors, we are conscious enough of our own carbon footprints and sustainable living is a way of life for many of us so it really doesn’t matter if we cut back or make a change. Still, as an obliging citizens of this world, most seniors are ready to give everything they can just so the next generation will have something to look forward to.

Simple everyday actions can still be improved ecofriendly-wise, such as reducing our waste as much as we can. This includes making use of those we are already giving up to the waste basket especially plastic containers and leftovers. Almost all of our waste are reusable or at least can be used for other purposes, only it is left to our own imagination as to how. If there’s nothing we can do anymore, at least practice waste segregation. Waste segregation is part of the recycle program that most cities are supporting. People from this program would know what to do with your discarded waste better than to have it end up in oceans and seas. Also there are companies accepting recyclable materials in exchange for cash refunds for those who prefer to earn something from their wastes.

Also, it’s a known fact that seniors take up millions of prescribed medications every year the world over. In fact, it was said that almost 50% of drug purchases belong to seniors whether it’s OTC or prescribed drugs. These drugs can cause disastrous results if it somehow end up in bodies of water so if you happen to have a couple of unused medications, please dispose of it properly or better yet, bring it to proper authorities who are better equipped in handling these things.

Cars are the number one contributing factor in worsening air pollution problem secondary to CFCs. Although most senior citizens prefer public transportation than driving their own cars to and fro their destinations, it is also recommended to try walking especially if the distance is short enough to manage. This proves to be very beneficial to seniors not only for lesser gas consumption but for its health benefits as well.

Bottomline is, when we are trying to live up to sustainable living, we must recognize all luxuries as a gift, not a necessity. These are the things that need to last even way beyond our lifetimes therefore it should never go to waste. This is also the best awareness we can pass on to our grandkids.

College at any age is hard work but like any other job that’s hard to keep, finishing it will certainly give one a kind of fulfillment that only a college graduate can ever experience. Whatever it was that had kept you from finishing it in your younger years, it is good to know that it’s never too late if and when you decide to go back and ultimately finish it.

College in your senior years may be a little different from what it used to be when you were younger. For one, seniors go back to college just because they really, really want to finish it while younger adults go through college with dreams of having a good job and earn big bucks in the future. These intentions alone bring forth many conflicting responses from one generation to another affecting their ability to finish college. With seniors, the only valid roadblock to hinder their way is if health gets the better of them otherwise, they will complete college since they are more inclined to have this “now-or-never” outlook in life. Actually, the only and no doubt, the hardest part in a senior’s college life is the very first day of school which tends to be both exhilarating and nerve-racking. Stop, take a deep breath and clear your mind because there are hundreds of seniors out there who are also taking their first big leap to their most memorable college moment yet!

For seniors going back to college, there are options that you may want to check out:

·    Traditional college school settings. This is when you actually enroll in a school with real life classmates to bother you every now and then and midterms to make your head ache for hours on end. The feel and labor of real college life can be achieved through this setting. The only drawback is that you need to set aside time for it which could be hard at times especially if you are still keeping a 9-5 job. There are also night classes especially conducted for working students if you’re interested.
·    Go Online. With the advent of technology, the impossibility of education for some has been resolved. For most seniors, the issue of time almost always breaks the college deal. Online college degree programs and other courses brought about the high number of seniors in college nowadays, some of them even graduated a few years back. Online college courses are perfect for those who won’t able to physically make it in class but would love to finish college just the same.
·    Another type of study-at-home College is the telecourses which provide instructional materials for the student to study at home. This is great for those who are homebound and don’t have access to neither computer nor internet.

Seniors are not anymore uncommon to college classes these days as they were years before. Seniors are more daring and willing to take any challenges that come their way without any apprehensions. In fact, this revelry and liberation are the newest trend among senior citizens and have been proven to prolong their lives since they are living their lives the way they want it. These seniors have been inspired by their own generation and would like to contribute to the legacy they would possibly leave behind.

Apparently, bedbugs are infesting senior housing facilities all throughout America, the most recent reported case being the one in Boston where residents were asked to prepare their things for pests’ extermination come Friday. As to where the residents will stay during the 5-hour mandatory evacuation of the said building during the extermination period is still undisclosed. This is to address the parasite problem discovered sometime last week

Bedbugs in senior facilities have been a major problem for sometime now, no matter how hard housing authorities fight to keep and maintain their facilities habitable for occupants. Parasitic problems such as this one are considered as stressful for senior residents; as much as possible house keepers make sure their facilities are clean and free of any biting bugs to bother their residents. Unfortunately, these things seem to find their way in albeit uninvited.

Some residents are quite unhappy about these bedbugs and seek help from their landlords; After all, this is the housing management’s responsibility but it seems that there are landlords who choose to do little or nothing at all about the problem at hand. Because of this, seniors are stuck trying their best to live with bedbugs until the management finds time to address the problem.

Bedbugs multiply fast; that is why if given 2 years, they could cover the whole area effectively. Actually, bedbugs are widespread and their mode of transmission is fairly easy. They can easily be transported from one hotel room straight to your home or from your home to the senior housing facility via your luggage. Bedbug bites cause allergic reaction for some aside from the very visible bite mark it leaves behind. Because of the ever increasing number of reported cases over the last few years, a bill was introduced last May 2009 that aims to protect Americans from bedbugs. The bill, aptly named as “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2009”, intends to have lodging facilities inspected for bedbugs although senior housing facilities are not mentioned within the bill as it is targeted towards hotels and motel rooms so far.

The best way to prevent bedbugs from invading your home is knowing how to look for them. Almost always, they come from hotel rooms during vacations which means, you must be aware of the telltale signs such as fecal spots, blood spots and musty smell when renting out. Bedbugs are nocturnal creatures so you won’t see them during the day and they usually surface only when they know you’re already asleep. The best place to look for bedbugs is the bed since this is the place where they live; however, for heavily infested areas, they can also be found in walls and cabinets.

When it comes to clothes, seniors tend to be more specific on what their bodies need rather than focusing on latest fashion and trends. Due to this fact, style is greatly sacrificed for functionality and comfortability which sometimes, could result to diminished self-esteem to the person wearing these garments.

A senior’s clothing preference is greatly influenced by comfortability as it is the main factor to consider when they shop for clothes. The clothes should also be convenient enough to wash and wear anytime the need arises and should not, in any way, restrict or impair the freedom of movement. With this in mind, the fabric is also something that the shopper must mull over when buying clothes for seniors; choose those that won’t require dry cleaning or any other special care when washing. Best clothes for seniors are those they can wear casually everyday, preferably in cotton since cotton is cool and absorbent.

If you are planning to shop for gifts to give your beloved senior and you’re thinking of giving them clothes, always be on the safe side by asking his or her caregiver what type of clothing works best for them. You see, one of the hardest activities a partially disabled senior must do everyday—and hard for the caregivers too—is changing their clothes. There are some seniors who prefer not to change clothes for days on end just because it is very uncomfortable for them to do and sometimes, could be painful as well. You should be aware of their limitations; their caregivers could help you with that.  Also, avoid those that need to be zipped and buttoned. Certainly we don’t want them to fiddle around just to get dressed right? Choose those that are easy to slip over the head and could be taken off with ease.

As far as pants and bottoms go, seniors prefer those that could be easily slipped in and out of. Fleece pants are great since it also provides warmth during cold days. The same goes for robes, when choosing one.

When shopping for footwear, look for shoes that are slip-resistant but never buy rubber soled since rubber soled shoes tend to grip the floor–so strong it throws seniors off balance. Although it prevents slips from happening, it still poses health hazards for seniors. As much as possible, choose footwear that could be worn comfortably and specifically designed for older adults. Choose among dozens of types made especially for seniors:  orthopedic and diabetic footwear, and shoes with Velcro instead of shoe laces.

Clothes that are specifically designed for older adults are also referred to as adaptive clothing for seniors. There are many online shops that are offering these kinds of clothing needs for those who won’t be able to go out and shop. Mostly, they are delivered right at your doorstep but you can also opt to pick them up if arranged.

Potluck parties are best when the host, as well as the guests, are too busy to organize a formal party but would love to get together and just enjoy the bonding moment. Not only potluck parties save time for everybody but it also provides a great way to assemble friends and families in a less formal setting where everybody is expected to bring only themselves and the food they are going to share with the rest of the group.

Most potluck parties are done on impulse but there are some get-togethers made in such setting just because it’s the most comfortable thing to do for the whole group. On the other hand, seniors love to throw potluck parties because it’s fun, easy and the best way to sample others’ cooking expertise. When you are invited to a potluck party, it is but natural to bring the most delicious dish you could prepare but sometimes it can get harder than one could think since ideas to bring never runs out.

The usual blunder a potluck party could commit is that when almost all of the guests have brought similar types of food so basically, potluck party STILL needs a little organizing to ensure this mistake never occurs. The host should designate a type of food a particular guest could bring along. Also, it would be great if a guest could specify what kind of dish he or she is going to bring to the party. Again, this is done to avoid two identical foods from arriving to the event. Furthermore, don’t forget to assign someone for the drinks—something that is always forgotten in a potluck party. Here’s a list of what needs to be brought based on themes:

·    Appetizers
·    Main course
·    Dessert
·    Drinks

If you are the host, don’t forget to prepare serving plates, utensils and other stuff your guests might need ahead of time. Usually, guests arrive with their share still in pots and pans so you’ll need to transfer them in serving plates, baskets or warmers, if needed.

Whether you’re the host or you’re about to attend a potluck party, your share should be something that is not too painful to prepare and not too hard to transfer from one house to another. You should never base the amount of food to the number of people attending the party but that doesn’t mean you should carry less too; bring an adequate amount you could easily transport. Usually, when the host specifically asked for your signature dish, it’s because they want that dish to appear during the party so don’t attempt to make fancy dishes that won’t satisfy the rest of the group. Some of the most popular dishes in a potluck party are:  casseroles, breads, cookies and salads.

For all those self-confessed packrat, now is the time to clear up all those clutter and start seeing the beauty of your home once again—after all, it has been a while. Older adults tend to accumulate knick knacks overtime. Whether intentionally or not, apparently it happens and at some point in our lives, we need to let something go to make way for something new right?

No matter how hard we cling to our life-long possessions, wishing that they would all bring us back to cherished memories they each possess, there will come a time when we can no longer care for them like we used to. Sad but true, they need to go. In order for you to launch a successful yard sale or garage sale, you need to give your stuff—and yourself too—some closure. If this is your first time, try operating a joint garage sale so you could pick only the ones you’re willing to let go. With joint garage sale, nobody would notice even if you bring a little of your stuff since there are several others pitching in. This way, you could also test if you’re meant for this kind of job without hurting yourself too much.

Launching a yard sale is not that easy; considering you need to go through your own, personal stuff and deliberate how much you’re going to tag each one. To an untrained eye, it’s hard to set a price especially if it’s far less than what it is really worth so if you’re the kind of person who gets sentimental about things, you need to seek help from “yard sale pros” just so you would know how to properly price them. After having a “half-baked” idea of what’s going to happen and how much you’re going to get after the sale, decide on the time and date when your yard sale will take place. The most recommended, of course, is on sunny weekends since this is an outdoor affair. Call up your friends who might be interested in joining you and schedule a meeting one week prior to the event so nobody would get lost when the event comes around. Delegate other tasks as well such as spreading the word and distributing notices; this can be done over the internet as well. Also, don’t forget to assign a member of your family to keep track of all incoming payments since you’ll be very busy hawking your wares during the yard sale. Contact a local charity to pickup all your unsold stuff after your little event; these are the things you don’t need back inside your house.

Inquire about any existing restrictions around your area regarding yard sales; some localities may require permits to be secured first before one could operate so to avoid unnecessary occurrences, it is best to follow these rules; the same goes for posting signage.

Don’t forget to make an inventory of what goes out of the house. It also pays to clean them first so they become quite attractive to customers. There should be a nearby outlet to test your electronic things that need to be tested without having to run inside the house–and out again—for a customer.

Yard sales are fun especially when you get the hang of it. It’s a great way to get the clutter out of the house and make some money while doing so—money you can use to buy other things. Also, it’s a great way to bond with friends and make some new ones as well.

I have never met a senior who doesn’t love barbeque parties; almost every senior loves BBQ so much they look forward to anyone’s invitation. But a BBQ party is most satisfying when spent with family and friends; this proves to be a great way to bond, reconnect and just enjoy each other’s company so why not organize your own today?

Summer days are perfect for a BBQ party and quite frankly, weather is the first and foremost factor to the success of the said occasion. It pays to check on weather forecast within your area prior to calling up your chosen participants so there would be no frustrations if something unexpected happens. Remember that this is something which everybody looks forward to, so cancellation should be the last thing on your list.

Next, you need to finally announce your BBQ party to lucky participants. Some send out interesting invitations while others prefer just calling everybody up. The former works if your BBQ party is something big and a little formal but for simple gathering of friends then the latter would be enough; you don’t need to convince them stronger than you do now—they will come no matter what! After you finish notifying everyone, it’s time to arrange your house. Decide where you would want the BBQ party to commence. The most recommended venue is of course, outside; it can be by the pool or in the backyard. You should also consider setting the mood by decorating the place a little bit and don’t forget to consider rain even if you have already double checked with the weather bureau.

Bugs can be pesky and could ruin the party. Mosquitoes could drive your guests out in record time so make sure you have set enough repellant to last the party until it’s over. You wouldn’t want to go that far only to be ruined by these bloodsuckers right?

BBQ parties are all about food which means you need to spend time marinating your goodies prior to the party. Here are some food suggestions for your guests:
·    Burgers
·    Sausages and hotdogs
·    Chicken wings
·    Ribs
·    Fish

For your vegetarian guests, try tofu or veggie burgers. Throw in some vegetables as well such as corn and mushrooms. They could be skewered-in alone or along with the meat. Salads are also a great addition to your planned menu. Moreover, don’t forget to provide plenty of drinks for the guests; if it’s an all-adult party then by all means, supply beers! On the other hand, if you dread the party to be boring then plan some games and activities where everybody could participate in.

Nowadays, it is common to see grandkids being raised by their grandparents–often considered as their guardians. Just like dutiful “parents”, they go to their grandkid’s school, attend PTA meetings, recitals, recognitions and many more; most of the time, they are the ones more dependable than the parents themselves so kids tend to go straight to the grandparents for assistance and care.

Caring for your grandchild comes in many different settings. It could be you living in your daughter/son’s house and assisting them in raising their kids—eventually taking over your grandchild’s affair or your daughter/son living with you, leaving the child to your care while he or she goes off to work everyday; these settings, of course, have no legal strings attached whatsoever. If brought to court in case of parental absence for whatever reasons, the maternal grandparents automatically gain legal custody of the child unless there’s an existing legal document stating otherwise. But what if the parents are living somewhere far and unknown, plus there’s no court ruling transfering the child’s custody in your name, what happens then?

Technically, the child still belongs to the parents and you’re just a temporary caregiver of the child although you could make a claim for guardianship especially if the parents pose great danger to the child’s welfare. If facts were presented then later on proven, and the court rewarded you the kid’s guardianship, the parents would have to go to court to reverse this ruling.

If your grandchild would have to stay with you for a long time, it is best to seek legal rights over the kid as soon as possible. These things are very important to ensure legal documents of the child such as school and medical records. Legal custody is also important, if and when the grandparent would seek financial help or assistance from the government to raise the child properly. There are many legal options which a grandparent may choose to take in raising the child, most common of which are legal guardianship or actually adopting the child which will award you with full parental rights over your grandchild from that point thereon; each has their own set of rules and restrictions applied. If you’re quite confused on how to go about these issues, consult local senior organizations and child welfare agencies near you. There are also support groups that are ready to assist you anytime.

Contrary to popular notion, caring for your grandchild can never put strain on your health; in fact, it was found out that the mere nurturing activity that occurs during the stage itself prolongs an older adult’s life. It’s a natural instinct for all living things—well, most—to care for their own and that includes us humans. Knowing that someone is depending on us makes us struggle to live and survive. Seniors who have had experience being a “parent” once more to their grandchild swear that they even altered their lifestyles because they were afraid to die early and leave the child on his own.

Hair loss is normal for seniors—even younger adults experience them especially if they fit the criteria for hair loss perfectly such as hereditary factors and misuse of hair products. Many diseases that affect older adults also trigger hair loss; for one, popular treatments for cancer cause baldness to patients, men and women alike. While it is but natural to lose hair when we get old, the number one contributing factor to hair loss is poor hair grooming practices seniors have been applying over the years. As experts have warned, common hair products destroy the natural cycle of hairs which in return cause damage to the follicle and ultimately, result to hair loss.

In general, anything that stresses your hair can cause hair fall. Depending on the degree and intensity of the stress, your hair will react accordingly which means, hair fall could be anywhere between mild to severe. It could also manifest as attacks in which it could stop anytime only to begin again sometime after. Since hair loss is a reaction or response of the body, it is important to know what triggers these attacks and prevent it as much as possible. By improving your hair care regimen, you can protect your scalp from untimely hair loss. Here are some tips on how to take care of your hair and scalp properly:

·    Even if your scalp is so itchy, don’t scratch it to take away the itch. Instead, find a way to take out the source of itchiness. If it’s dandruff, try remedies you can do at home. There are also natural home remedies for dandruff that you must check out. If it’s scalp dryness, switch shampoo at once.
·    As much as possible, try to avoid hair coloring treatments, perming, curling or straightening the hair. Anything that will alter its natural composition could damage your hair and scalp as well. The healthiest part of the hair is the one nearest to the root and the most damaged is the farthest end from the root; cut your hair short if it’s already damaged to make way for healthier ones.
·    Never comb your hair when it’s wet. Let it dry a little before doing so because when the hair is wet, the pores on your scalp is wide open and the hair is a little loose from its sac therefore a little tug could take the hair out of it. Choose a brush that has bristles with rounded ends, and it should be bendable preferably a wide tooth comb.
·    Don’t be fooled by any hair treatments offered by your favorite salon; there is nothing to save your hair once it’s damaged. The reason why it glows after every session is that the chemicals they use coat your hair like a plastic wrap. After it’s shed, the glow disappears as well.

While hair loss is inevitable since its progress depends on many varying factors, one can definitely delay it. Remember that your hair is your crowning glory therefore we should take care of it while we can.

The most qualifying factor for lowering senior’s quality of life is pain. Chronic pain is terrible since there is no cure, only medications that will temporarily take away the pain. Unfortunately, when the drug wears off, the pain begins all over again. Apparently, the cycle just goes on and on. This proves to be very painful and bothersome for seniors trying to enjoy life as it is.

Pain is brought about many different factors. It could be from current disease you have; infections can also bring pain to sufferer or even those injuries you acquired 10 years ago. Degrees and levels of pain also vary widely and quite frankly, you can never tell how painful the next hit is. Pain affects seniors’ lives tremendously and it seems that the problem is mostly insufficient pain management information to help us get back right on track.

Pain can be controlled; if seniors only knew how to manage pain properly, their lives should have been so much better. Pinpointing the root cause of your pain will help you arrive in a more adaptable plan to avoid feeling it as much as possible. Excruciating pain is a major symptom of almost all illnesses common to seniors such as cancer and fractures. Health care providers noted that under treatment for chronic pains is certainly making matters worse. Some of the reasons why some people prefer not treating their pain are:

·    They were not informed properly by their health care provider; whether they didn’t express the concern early on or for some reason, the doctor preferred not to do anything for the pain.
·    Seniors with high tolerance for pain and see no reason why they need to seek help for the pain.
·    Seniors living with pain for too long that they already think that pain is a way of life.
·    The patient can no longer communicate thus he is stuck to the pain no matter how agonizing it is.

Do take note that if chronic pain is left untreated, it could lead to complication, mostly emotional such as depression, anger and even suicidal tendencies. Pain triggers different responses from the body such as higher pulse rate, panic, anxiety and sweating. It also interferes with work, relationships and almost every corners of your existence. Usually, prescription drugs are advised by health care providers to alleviate a senior’s pain but there are other alternative methods that will also deliver the same result if you fear addiction such as Pilates, acupuncture, and massage. If and when you feel doubts about a certain prescribed drug, it is best to express these concerns to the doctor at once.