Seniors Site

Earth Day is an important day for us where we appreciate the earth, assess its changes and see how best we, the mature, can protect it. It is disappointingly true that man’s activities have greatly affected our global home’s health.

Here are some quick facts you ought to know:

1. The planet is around 5 billion years old.
2. Global warming came after each of a few of the famous ice ages that started more than 600 million years ago in the Precambrian time.
3. Europe and most of North America was well covered with ice 1.75 million years ago.
4. About 18,000 years ago, Ice Age Florida was similar to Quebec with winter temperatures approximately 27 to 36 degrees cooler.
5. There are more than 11 million species and humans have successfully named 1.7 million.
6. 70% of the planet is covered by oceans while 80% of the earth’s biodiversity is occupied by forests.
7. Global temperatures have shot highest on record during the last decade and are expected to reach 10.4 degrees by 2100.
8. Severe weather conditions may lead to 150 million to 200 million people relocating by 2050.
9. 11,000 square miles of forest cover has been done away with over the last 8,000 years.
10. Since 1970, temperatures in the oceans have risen by 1.4 degrees with one-thirds of oceans rising due to high ocean temperatures.
11. About 46,000 pieces of trashy plastic can be found in each square mile of ocean.
12. 8% of U.S. energy is from renewable energy, with 37% from petroleum, 25% from natural gas, coal contributes 21% and nuclear energy gives about 9%.
13. Greenhouse gases come from: 35% electric power, 27% transportation systems, 20% from industry, 7% agriculture, 6% commercial and 5% residential.
14. World automobile production has shot by 370% since 1960.
15. Global oil consumption increased by 401%, to 85.8 million barrels per day from 21.3.

We should, however, point out great achievements by the aged, who have taken steps in the right direction. The following instances are worth celebrating;

Due to reduce usage of chlorofluorocarbon, the ozone hole is predicted to disappear by 2050 since it has been at its smallest from 2004. The earth’s polar ice cap can be preserved by soot reduction, since this easy and cheap process halts warming in a great way. Since 2001, more than ten wildlife species, including the bald eagle, have ceased being endangered. Investment in solar power and offshore wind farms has lowered the cost of renewable and clean energy in the U.S.

Jets could soon be using bio-fuel, a lower-carbon source of energy.

Question is, how can we, the mature generation, do to contribute to a better world? As it is, people in their sunset years are always looked up to. Our actions, as we age, would go a long way in dictating what future generations would call home. Here are some best practices to achieve this:

• Buy meat from sustainably raised animals but less often. Low meat consumption eases environmental stress.
• Fix your water heater at about 120 degrees. Setting it to 140 degrees, as most do, is not only wasteful but also hazardous.
• Save 25 gallons of bath water a day by reducing your shower time by 5 minutes.
• Load your dishwasher with dirty dishes without rinsing. This saves around 20 gallons of water per loaded dishwasher.
• Save your fireplace or wood-burning stove for use on special events. Smoke pollutes the air from inside and outside.
• Plant native plants in your garden; they require less water and fertilizer.
• Try not to water or fertilize gardens when rain is coming. Water goes to waste and fertilizer pollutes waterways.
• Practice online banking. It saves paper and your time.
• The Department of Energy also gives tips on optimizing energy efficiency and saving money while at it. Check http://www.energysavers.gov/.

91 year old Robert Lane began his environmental activism in 2006. Along with the residents of New Haven, Conn, Robert formed a “Green Council” to explore how they would make the Whitney Center, their retirement home, a more eco-friendly human habitat. Management at the center made it clear that money had to be conserved along with the environment. So the Green Council looks for ways to save both and have been pressing the management to take action. “They’ve been wonderful on recycling,” says Lane.

American activist over the age of 50 have followed suite with an increasing concern for the environment, with the question “what sort of Earth will we leave for the future generations and what will make our own surrounding healthy to live in?” Most of them have been recycling and conserving fossil fuels while living in their own home and are now forming green committees with like-minded neighbors, after moving to retirement homes.

Robert Lane says. “We have to reduce driving. We have to start thinking in terms of carbon, not money.”

Lane states that everyone starts with the light bulbs. Switching from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent is a great achievement. J. Nelson Kling, president of the nonprofit Mennonite Home says, “We have a community of senior residents requesting us to reduce our energy use and our carbon footprint,” He estimates that a single building might have about a thousand sconces illuminating the hallways. He adds that the home saved thousands of dollars in electricity costs after they replaced bulbs.

There are bigger conservation projects of greater impact but have correspondingly bigger price tags. These include; double-pane windows, high-efficiency appliances, low-flow showers, sinks & toilets, native-plant landscaping, rainwater irrigation, and getting off the power grid.

Senior residents of Valle Verde were worried that ways to reduce energy dependency would cost them a lot of money. They got some easy successes early on with things that were inexpensive, and they got some momentum. The following year, the community started installing photovoltaic panels to collect solar power. It also began replacing older boilers with more efficient gas boilers, and utility bills reduced immediately. The community is saving an estimate $100,000.

Nonprofit organizations can afford the latest and greenest technologies through special grants and tax credit when developing new housing for low-income Americans aged 50 and older. One such organization, Berkeley, Calif.-based Satellite Housing, opened the solar-powered Helios Corner, a project that includes 80 rent-subsidized, independent-living apartments for older residents. A hydronic heat system has maintained winter heating bills at $10 to $15 a month per unit, which is significantly lower than the average $60 per unit. The organization is also adding dual-pane windows, solar panels and efficient appliances to the 1970s structures it manages.

A 55-year-old communications consultant from New Jersey, recycles, composts and wouldn’t pay a premium for an eco-friendly hotel room or for cleaning products. “It’s not that I can’t afford these; I just don’t believe in paying more. I am that ‘green’,” says Elizabeth Romanaux.

She is among a rising number of the aging Americans rebelling against the costly side of environmentalism, those who believe that value-for-money outdoes value-for-planet. Most people who have never bought earth-friendly products believe that this stuff is too expensive. According to a recent poll by Crowd Science, about 25 percent of mature people (55 and over) tend to think that shopping green “makes no difference,” compared to 13 percent of younger respondents. It doesn’t necessarily mean our greenness is fading. We just wish to proof that a green service or product is “of the same quality and equally effective” as alternatives, Kate James of Grail Research says.

Tish Leon, a 57-year-old Mexican American, abandoned her Camaro for a bicycle to get to her workplace. This, according to her, was an easy way to get some exercise and move around town.

“It’s incredible how most of us go green without even realizing it,” says Leon.

Biking to work and running other errands is estimated to have saved her $300 or more in gas in 2008 compared to the previous year. Leon also pays her bills online, reuses paper at work and uses a mug instead of drinking from disposable cups.

For other people who have longer commutes, there are several things you can undertake to go green and saves immensely, at the same time. Saving the environment often translates to saving money, senior editor at the Worldwatch Institute, Lisa Mastny, states.

Sometimes aging people have the misconception that going green means buying the newest, most expensive green item at the drugstore. Homemade cleaners which are usually cheaper and greener, work just as well. A contradiction to that popular belief, says Mastny.

“A lot of it basically means going back to basics,” Mastny points out. “Most of the older generation will probably remember using basic soap vinegar and a range of other homemade cleaners.”

According to a 2008 report, the Consumer Electronics Association concluded that over a half of the older consumers plan to employ more environmentally friendly behaviors every year. Many say they were dedicated to buying products from companies that are obliged to environmentally friendly practices, if only their products are of the same quality and price.

Leon adds that living a simple lifestyle has helped her cut back and save. “This started in mid ‘70s, in my hippie days. I don’t even consider it as living green,” She says.

Retirement is viewed as the commencement of old age, a transition from early adulthood to late adulthood. It brings forth a major role change for it alters the way a person manages time and daily activities. It also modifies his/her identity, power, status, and friendships. A big step indeed in everyone’s life, a redefinition of roles of different people.

The overall health of an older person is determined by a composite of the person’s manner of living, physical health, social support system, coping skills, and cognitive abilities. As people age, issues they have grappled with their entire lives, such as alcoholism, family dysfunction, abuse, and other stressors, tend to impact their health.

A person’s income, health, and desire to retire predict his satisfactory adjustment to retirement.
There are so many health care options in our growing economy and in our health care system today. The major dilemma might be that a person will be confused on what to decide for, or what is the right health care option to prefer. The key is to start with the simplest and easiest choice or option available. You may first start with weighing the coverage you could get from employer-sponsored plans from your employer, or from your spouse’s, versus any Medicare coverage for which you are qualified and entitled to. Considering the coverage, benefits, convenience, and total expenses is of outmost importance.

A federal program, COBRA, permits you and dependents under you to stay on your company’s plan for up to 18 months after retiring. This gives you the extra time to look for replacement coverage or reach Medicare eligibility. Since your employer will not be contributing anymore, the coverage you have will not change, but your premiums will increase.

The government’s Medicare, a publicly funded health insurance program, pays for hospital and medical care for elderly and certain incapacitated Americans.

Medical examinations prior to acceptance and limitations regarding pre-existing conditions are required in private health insurances. Nevertheless, private plans may extend greater flexibility and coverage than other choices.

Long-term care insurance is not a health insurance but instead is an insurance projected to pay for services like nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and also home health aides. Considering getting a policy before retirement will lower rates and makes it more low-priced since it tends to get more costly the closer you advance retirement age.

There’s a good deal to think about with retirement. By starting ahead of time and following sensible steps, you should have a fair amount of assurance and security when the big day finally rolls around. The earlier a person has prepared for retirement, the better his outlook and quality of life tends to be.

The only thing that could save you from age discrimination and prevent abuse from happening to you is that if you arm yourself with proper knowledge and information about age discrimination. What pains me is when I hear stories from my senior friends telling me about how they lost their jobs or how they were not able to land a job they really wanted just because of their age. The company didn’t even consider the experience and expertise these old people have, they just flat out rejected them.

First off, there is a law that is designed to protect seniors against age discrimination in terms of employment. If you have time, read more about it here: Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This clearly outlines your rights as a senior in a workplace and what other things the law cannot protect you from. To be more specific, the law covers people 40 years old and above. Please take note of the age as there really is age discrimination within the 40s age group even if that number isn’t even too old to begin with.

In this post, I will try to summarize what was written on the ADEA but like I said, it is better to read the link if you have time just so if I missed a point and you found yourself in that certain situation, you would know what to do.

First off, your boss or the company cannot just fire you because of your age, nor refuse to hire you especially if you are qualified for the job. They also cannot limit your activities as an employee or separate you from the younger ones without a valid reason other than your age. Best of all, your wage shouldn’t be reduced just because you’re old. You should be paid accordingly.

When looking for a job, ADEA clearly stated that job ads shouldn’t mention age or age bracket as preference. As for employment agencies, they cannot refuse to refer you for employment or classify your application according to your age.

Now if you are a member of a labor organization, the org cannot just expel you or limit and classify your membership because of age. You shouldn’t be deprived of employment opportunities by your organization in any way in terms of age.

More importantly, if you found yourself filing charges against your employer or helping someone with their age-related cases against your employer, the employer as well as the company cannot harass you or discriminate you in any way.

It is not right to put all the blame on the recession. Truth be told, we were living a very spoiled life prior to the recession and some countries were not hit as hard as we had been. Granted, some of us seniors suddenly found ourselves in face of our deepest, darkest fears: losing our homes, no jobs, vulnerable nest eggs, etc. All we could think about is why these things are happening when we’re so close to retirement. Times may not be as easy as it once was but certainly you can do something about it since it is all a matter of right frame of mind and kicking bad money habits we’ve been practicing for too long!
· Procrastinating on your retirement plan. Save NOW! It’s not too late, you know. Scrape everything you have, no matter how small you think your income is right now. If you are one of the millions who are jobless at the moment, don’t dilly dally, instead think of other ways to generate income with your available resources. Hey – manpower is one of the most valuable resources a man can have! Be creative, you might find an opportunity where you least expect it.
· Obsessing on tax breaks. Give your taxes a break. There are indeed many ways to cut down on your taxes however this should not be the sole purpose of your existence. Don’t obsess on the numbers instead start examining what taxes can do for you in the future, particularly on your retirement benefits.
· Feeding your work-pay mentality. We were trained to see work as pay so if you don’t work, our minds quickly assume that there’s no pay too hence the panic. However, we must admit that we are not getting any younger and it’s time to slow down, nest egg or none. Work on whatever you can today and save while you can. You can never work forever, you should know that.
· Depending too much on your inheritance. This is something that is not certain. Just think of 101 things that could go wrong before your inheritance reaches you. You’re lucky if it reaches you in full amount that you have been expecting, in some cases, you don’t get even a dime.
· Not getting life plans. You should know that the biggest dent your retirement money is potentially facing would be your healthcare. The more years added to your age, the more medical procedures your body will need.

No matter how poor you see yourself right now, there is definitely an estate to plan hence the need for an executor. An executor is someone who will administer your estate when you pass away and he or she should be someone who is very much capable of doing so — not to mention, willing to. To be able to know both, you and your executor should have “the talk” as soon as possible and get things straight.
Bear in mind that the talk between the executor and you is, most of the time, not a one-time talk. As long as there are changes in your life, or something came up, the need to talk with your executor is instantly there. For example, if one of your kids die ahead of you or you remarried or perhaps there has been a change in your financial flow, these things will prompt a talk with your executor and shouldn’t be delayed. Buying a new home and even thinking of adopting – whether a pet or a child – should also prompt a brief discussion with your executor.
As soon as you determined what is included in your estate, choosing the executor is the next step. If your chosen executor is not your own personal lawyer, it would be a good idea to bring him or her to meet with your lawyer to discuss your estate and straighten things out. Discuss and be honest about what’s involved and what needs to be done. The executor’s role should also be discussed straight away such as distribution of assets, paying off your acquired debts, handling of insurance policies and inventories, and lastly, handling the sale of your home and other saleable items you own. He or she should be empowered to handle your estate and be the point of contact when there are issues pertaining to your assets. Your executor, to be able to successfully handle and facilitate this, should have a copy of the list of people who would get in touch with him or her for certain issues. While it is quite honorable to be chosen to be an executor, he or she should realize this is more than your trusting them with your asset but a responsibility to make sure everything will run according to plan. This is why choosing the most suitable executor is a must – it may not necessarily be a relative but someone who has the capabilities of executing your will as written.
Spending some time with your executor is also recommended as it will somehow explain the things you have written in your will like why this should go to who and what should go to who. Distribution of asset has always been a touchy subject for surviving families and you wouldn’t want your executor to weather these things our right?

I have high regard for lifelong couples since they don’t take relationships as a game. In this day and age, 25 years of togetherness is commendable enough but more than that is truly admirable and somewhat inspiring. While I don’t have anything against divorces and breaking up, I just believe that it is important to really think things over before committing into something. That true love, when found, is really beautiful and could last a person a lifetime while if you try to couple up with every “love” that comes your way, you are wasting your time and you might miss your true love. Well, that’s just me.
Lifelong marriages have one thing in common: true happiness. A senior who belongs to a lifelong marriage is genuinely happy and content. Lifelong marriages have secrets too, as it also takes effort from both sides of the marriage. Do take note that lifelong marriages shouldn’t be one-sided such that one person loves the other more. What I found out is that love and understanding should come from both persons involved.
· Grow together. Not necessarily growing old together but the point is, humans, by nature, grow. As an individual, the need to grow is there; as a couple, the need to grow together should come naturally. Both should have the desire to grow and experience life with the other.
· Communication is the key. By the way, nagging is not communicating, I just want to make that clear. When you communicate, you talk, you listen, even if they are not too important things. Respect should also be there. When the other half is talking, you listen then in return, you should be given time to speak and be listened to. If communication is quite a pain, then that is a sure sign things are not working the way they should.
· Fight fair. When you suddenly find yourselves in opposing sides of an issue, do remember that winning an argument is not everything. Disagreements are okay – they can even be healthy at times since you will be able to get to know more about your partner but the difference is, you also have to know how to play fair and when to back down as well as accept defeat when necessary.
· Have fun and enjoy the relationship. Lifelong marriages are not a matter of being too comfortable with one another, it should be that you are still enjoying the company of your partner despite the years of togetherness.
· Stay physically and emotionally connected. The attraction should still be there and the need to cuddle should be as strong as the first time. Kissing, cuddling, snuggling and yes, sex, should still be part of the deal!

Caring for an incapacitated senior can be overwhelming. Aside from their medical needs, you also need to consider the legalities of what’s happening and what would happen in the future. These things, if they are not addressed soon enough can certainly cause problems in the future. At this point, you will need a lawyer who specializes in elderly law. To find a lawyer, you could ask for referrals from friends and associations near you.
Legally, your senior needs to address these things: who will manage the senior’s financial affairs as well as medical decisions and personal care. Also, their assets should be assessed so that there will be a clear arrangement of where the money would come from for housing and caring payments. Do take note too that drafting and finalizing of last will should be done at this point and distribution of assets must be placed.
As much as possible, the act of choosing an attorney to handle your legal planning should take place while your senior can still make his or her own decision or still has the ability to do so. This must be determined on a case-by-case basis and ideally with the help of your senior’s doctors and healthcare providers.
Your senior has many options to choose from to manage their assets. This should be discussed with an attorney since each has their own pros and cons thus should have a suitable assigned person to handle the job.
Along with planning and assigning the right people, a financial plan should also be put together since it is one of the most important things needed when acquiring long term care for your senior. It would be best if you could sit down with your senior while he or she still can and assess their financial standing. Examine their insurances, the programs they are currently enrolled and other local support they are entitled to. If in doubt, you can always seek help from a lawyer, a doctor and/or non-government organizations.
If you’re the senior in question, take into consideration some assets you need to protect, like that of your spouse, surely you wouldn’t want to leave your spouse penniless when this most unfortunate time comes. Have a talk with your lawyer what applies to your case and what best to do to be able to protect your spouse in case you get incapacitated and would require longterm care.
Remember that the best way to go forward about this is to find a lawyer. Ask for recommendations from family and friends since a lawyer whose expertise lies on elderly law is quite hard to find.

Life is short, celebrate it! Just how many times have I heard that line and yet, it’s quite easy to forget it especially if you are living this so called life. Celebrating life makes it more worthwhile and meaningful!

Celebrate your family! Every person is unique, so does your family - its members. I’m sure by now you know that no matter how much blood you all share, each and every person in your family has their own unique traits. This uniqueness brings joy and color to your life – something to celebrate about.

* Pay attention to small things. The problem with the world today is that we are always in a hurry and we miss out on the little things that make us happy. Things like your grandkid’s laughter or the bloom your garden is experiencing or perhaps that early morning sun peeking through the clouds. Stop and savor these moments.
* Public display of affection is allowed! When you feel the “want” to hug a loved-one right now, don’t let being in public stop you. Be spontaneous with what you feel, hug whenever you feel like it!
* Show appreciation to lifelong friendships! True friends are hard to find, more so friends that last a lifetime. This is the best time to show them how you treasure their gift of friendship. Go out of your way just to express your gratitude.
* Have a trip down the memory lane. It’s nice to, once and a while, look back and remember the past, both good and bad. Browse through photos taken during reunions and holidays, talk about those sweet memories you shared with your friends and family, the possibilities are endless!
* Celebrate other people’s success. Be happy with someone else’s accomplishments and luck. While it is sometimes easier to let the green-eyed monster get the best of you, it is more exhilarating to cheer for others and share their joy.
* Everyday is a brand new day! Celebrate the fact that you are given yet another day to enjoy life. Start it right every single time. Do things that will make you look forward to another day. Correct mistakes before the day ends so it will not carry over the next day.
* Be thankful for all the little things that make your life easier to live in. Like your caregiver, or perhaps your hardworking secretary, or even your mobile phone.
* Appreciate your job or career. Granted, careers can be a pain sometimes but it certainly keeps you going and gives you a purpose so it is time to appreciate the things you do and would continue doing.
* Thank people who criticize the work that you do because they make you a better person by pointing out your mistakes and giving you the opportunity to correct them.