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.

If you’re a senior and you are currently residing in Australia, avail of this very beneficial service the Red Cross family is offering, the Telecross. The Telecross program is designed and developed by Australian Red Cross to assist older adults with mobility problems as well as those partially disabled individuals who are prone to accidents especially if without in-house caregivers or living alone. It also comes in handy for those cases wherein the referred person is receiving little or no family care. This is an ongoing service for more than 20 years now with estimated thousands of volunteers who patiently make those calls in time every day, 24/7.

Basically in a Telecross community program, volunteers call individuals assigned to them every morning to check them up and ask if there’s something in particular the receiving end needs. This is also done to ensure these individuals are safe and not needing any immediate medical help as of the moment. If and when the older adult requires some help, they are quickly referred to the proper authority to handle their needs. However, if the senior failed to pick up the call, an emergency team is alerted at once and a visit to the senior’s home is made. These calls are done according to specified time the receiving end sets—when it’s most convenient for them to take a call. This service can also be availed temporarily for those who won’t need the service for a long time; in such cases as caregiver in leave or the senior in question is migrating to other place soon.

Mostly, Telecross is offered for free but one can make a donation if he or she feels like it since the program also requires paid resources for it to continue working on. Registration is just a phone call away; you can refer yourself or anyone whom you wanted to receive such service. As soon as the quick registration is complete, calls are made within the next day and will last until your specified date.

This community program proves to be very beneficial for both volunteer and the person assigned to them; it builds friendship overtime and it provides a sense of security for seniors who availed Telecross. There are many ways to support this existing Red Cross program such as:  volunteering, referring a senior, registering yourself to the program and contributing financially either by sponsorship or donorship. Even corporations who would want to participate in the said program may do so by volunteering their entire staff in doing the calls every morning.

Check out if the program exists in your area through Australian Red Cross website.

Aging has its own pros and cons but sometimes, it tends to lean on the “cons” side of things especially in terms of independency. It’s good to know there are still few options left for us seniors to delve in and won’t take too much consultation from people around us; this includes housing options.

Aging is an already given fact and it is one of those things in life that we couldn’t prevent, no matter how much we took pains in delaying it. However, there are things that we CAN do to make our aged-years so much comfortable than it should; all these for just planning ahead of time and preparing for it well.

Retirement should not be something to avoid; in fact, many seniors are having a great time spending their retired years in perfect contentment just because they have prepared well and things have gone according to plan. But of course, included in this planning is the acceptance that there would be things they can no longer attend to such as home maintenance and lawn mowing; trivial problems but problems just the same. Most of these tasks are physically tedious to an aging body or poses a health risk if they dared doing so hence the need for assistance–an assisted living that won’t require giving up seniors’ independence entirely. Apparently, this is exactly what adult retirement communities offer to active seniors.

Adult retirement communities are residential communities which offer homes for seniors and are specifically designed to encourage active lifestyle that is more suitable for older adults. These communities come with recreational facilities such as swimming pool and tennis courts and form groups based on residents’ interests. It comes in handy for seniors who are concerned if they could still manage a household and would want to be part of a community once more.

This type of housing option for seniors is quite popular nowadays; in fact there are plenty of existing adult retirement communities in Florida and a handful scattered all throughout the country; party due to the fact that this type of community is, by far the best alternative to nursing homes and living alone on your own. Safety and comfort of the residents are the first and foremost concern of the community manager—most of the time it’s guaranteed, but you’ll have to pay for it, of course. However, it’s such a small cost to pay considering the amount of convenience you’ll get from living in an adult retirement community.

These communities are with restrictions to maintain the quality of life they provide for seniors so it is best to inquire first if you’re interested in purchasing or renting a home in such communities. Since it tends to be a targeted community, its facilities and amenities are specifically designed to cater to older adults; the same goes for existing rules and regulations the community follows. If you have decided to go for it, then it is most recommended that you take time to attend open houses or inquire personally to the community office to familiarize yourself of how the community operates.

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.

Whether on a tight budget or have been saving up for a great, spend-all vacation of a lifetime, seniors are always ready to travel especially now that summer has arrived! All seniors love traveling to places where there is fun; memories are made with loved-ones within these trips so it’s quite hard to pass-up when an opportunity arises. Aside from our medicine kits, seniors are normally “low maintenance” to have around and they spoil their grandchildren rotten. Active seniors also love to do honeymoons with their partners every now and then so it is safe to say that most seniors are well traveled and wouldn’t mind visiting an exotic place twice.

But of course, older people tend to have their own favorite places to visit and would even dream of owning a house there at some point so it is interesting to know where these places are and what to expect when getting there.

Apparently, the top five favorite places seniors love to visit are:  the US, Canada, France, Europe and Australia. When a little short of budget, seniors would prefer “state-hopping” or exploring different states in the US. No matter what state you decide to visit, they will never fail to amaze you with what they have to offer for you and your family—companion, if in a date. In US alone, you can visit Las Vegas and have fun watching shows and concerts of popular artists. With lots of accommodation options and cheap flights, nothing could go wrong with Vegas; in fact, it is the most popular travel destination for seniors under a tight budget—you can also buy a quick wedding here, if you must! Aside from Las Vegas, there is Branson Missouri, then Washington DC; and of course, the sun and fun of Orlando Florida. Orlando is perfect if you’re traveling with your grandkids since theme parks guarantee 100% fun for both kids and kids-at-heart.

When in Canada, the group can visit the Canadian Rockies, Niagara Falls, Old Quebec City, Nova Scotia and Vancouver. You can find little gems of places scattered all throughout Canada that is why tourists never tire of visiting this place.

If you are looking for a romantic, unforgettable vacation then head on to France, where everything is shiny and sparkling. The City of Lights never fails to make every couple fall in love all over again; maybe because of the beaches, or perhaps the wine, but whatever it is, France is truly an amazing place to visit. When in France, drop by the Louvre, Notre-Dame, museums, the Eiffel tower, and churches. Don’t forget to sample their cuisine on your way out!

On the other hand, when touring the whole Europe, don’t forget to make a pitstop to these cities:  Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Berlin, Venice, and Stockholm. Pictures taken in these cities always have the mystique of Europe printed all over them so don’t forget your cameras when you go.

The last on our list, but definitely not least is Australia. Sydney would be the most popular destination in Australia but there are many great places that seniors may want to visit while in the area such as the city of Cairns and the pretty beaches of Gold Coast.

There’s an existing notion that a senior’s life is mainly composed of trooping back and forth in hospitals and several doctors’ clinics for appointments and endless checkups. Well, the truth in this notion seems to be depending on how you have been taking care of yourself all along. If you have been nice to your body which includes daily checkups even if you feel as healthy as a horse and you’ve been conscious enough of your health then chances are, your senior friends will never see the day you come into some doctor’s waiting room!

Yes, it is possible for older adults not to be bound by health concerns during their golden years; if only they would plan ahead and be alert for signs that usually signify both minor and major health problems, they could prevent it from happening now and even later. It was said that prevention is always better than cure but sometimes it is hard to prevent something that we don’t know for certain right? AND, even if we get a hint, we usually put it off to a later date because we’re to busy to deal with it. Apparently, studies have shown that the earliest we deal with potentially fatal health problems, the better our chances of living a stress-free senior life—this is something that all seniors dream of.

By submitting ourselves to preventive health care, we are giving ourselves a chance to enjoy life even at a very advanced age. This means more quality time to do the things we missed doing when we were younger; more time with our grandchildren and of course with our kids and enjoying our “me” time free of health-related stress and concerns. Although preventive health care still includes visiting your doctor quite regularly and submitting yourself to lab tests from time to time, it eases so much weight out of your chest just by knowing that you’re there not for treatments but for prevention.

Preventive health care doesn’t only exist within the confines of a doctor’s clinic; it should start from you. Be very vigilant of your body’s responses to everyday stress and when you feel something is above normal or not a common reaction of your body, it pays to consult your doctor at once. Also included in a preventive health care routine is lifestyle adjustment which means you need to lead a healthy, clean life by regular exercise and right diet.

There are a couple of screenings which are very important for seniors such as cancer screenings. Vaccinations are also important if a senior wants to prevent viruses from infecting his or her body. Some seniors opt to undergo complementary therapies which can be used together with standard medical care you are currently receiving. Some of the popular alternative therapies known to us are acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicines.

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.

Sparked by health concerns surrounding the King of Pop Michael Jackson’s death, the analgesic Demerol is once again, under close scrutiny by the media and various health sectors worldwide. This is something that seniors should also take note since Demerol is a staple for many seniors’ medicine cabinets worldwide.

Actually, Demerol should be taken in lower doses if the patient is already a senior but it seems that the largest market of the said drug belongs to this age group.

For those seniors who are not familiar with the drug Demerol, this drug is usually prescribed by healthcare providers for seniors experiencing severe pain—enough to interfere with lives and daily activities. They are painkillers, also referred to as narcotic analgesics. Their common uses are for surgeries, birthing, and major dental procedures. Demerol usually interferes with pain signals from the brain therefore making the body pain-free even if the cause of pain is still there. Relatively, it works like anesthetics which numb the body of any pain it could possibly feel up until the drug wears off. By interfering with the central nervous system, it clearly puts every internal organ of the body at risk, most especially the heart.

Due to its very sensitive nature, doctors are very careful in prescribing Demerol. They will explain extensively why this drug is being prescribed to the patient and for how long it should be taken. Demerol is strictly prescribed drug therefore it should not be given to just about anyone especially if you’re not a doctor, no matter what the urgency is. This drug reacts with other medications you may have been taking and it is noted that some individuals develop allergic reactions with narcotic analgesics such as Demerol.

Generally, Demerol has less side effects than most prescription drugs in the market today, but the problem with this drug is that it’s habit forming, partly because of its effectivity of completely easing the pain. Like any other addicting substances, a person who decides to stop using them will immediately experience withdrawal symptoms. It was also noted that seniors are more sensitive to these side effects when Demerol is taken for a longer period of time making them prone and vulnerable to complications. It is not also safe for pregnant women to take Demerol during term and labor unless it’s medically necessary and pros and cons are weighted carefully by attending physicians—even after pregnancy or during breastfeeding stage.

Demerol is not, in any way, a maintenance drug therefore it should not be considered as one; its main role is to support medical procedures that have to be done with less pain as possible. Prescribed doses depend on your doctor’s discretion and it should not be adjusted nor stopped abruptly without your good doctor’s advice.