Seniors Site

Come economic crisis and global recession, we seniors need not be stuck at home waiting for the right time to fly and travel. We, seniors should not wait. Never. Traveling is fun and it is a surefire stressbuster, guaranteed to recharge anyone’s tired mind, body and soul.

In fact, studies have found that traveling really does something to a person’s level of productivity, especially if he or she had a good time during the trip. Traveling may cost too much nowadays but let’s face it, it’s an activity that needs to be done—and fast! Afterall, we owe it to our own bodies.

Below are money-saving tips for your next planned trip. They are quite simple and easy to do which guarantee a good stretch for your travel money without sacrificing your trip’s quality:

·    All prescription medications and even OTC ones should be filled up prior to the trip. As much as possible, bring an ample amount to cover the whole trip. These are the ones you need but not necessarily mean you should buy them out of the country. Prices of medications vary from one country to another and there’s a chance that a country doesn’t carry your medications at all.
·    Things to carry along with you:  guide book, map and a dictionary which translates local words for you. The first two, you can buy when you get there since they are much cheaper when you do so. If you are a techie person, you would know that these things are accessible through your phone, BBs, laptops and any other gadgets you might have.
·    Go for B&B when choosing a place to stay instead of staying in a hotel. Local B&Bs are friendly, warm and more intimate—cheaper too!
·    When dining out, hunt down local restaurants and try to stay away from the ones with tourists in mind. Local restaurants which cater primarily to local residents are much cheaper and the quality is evidently better.
·    Try to stay away from peak seasons when traveling because they cost way too much in terms of airfares, and accommodations.
·    It is not bad to buy your food in a grocery store when out traveling. Buy your snacks and beverages in supermarkets and grocery stores like you would back home. If you are staying in a place that has its own kitchen, take advantage of that too by cooking your own food. Dine out only if you want to.
·    When staying at the heart of the city, do without a car. You won’t need them anyway since it is much better to tour the city by walking around. You can call the rental service anytime when the need arises.
·    Call a friend—that is if he resides in the area. A local at your disposal is a guide book, emergency money and tipster all rolled into one.

Traveling is a fun and very enjoyable experience for seniors, both men and women. We travel for many different reasons, doubled if we still belong to the working force. Everytime seniors travel, they are given an opportunity to broaden their horizons by learning different cultures and visiting interesting places. It seems that everyone has dreams of traveling many different countries and cities as much as possible and fortunately, it has become more of a trend for many.

Due to these flights to and fro, not to mention the onslaught of passengers every single day, travel services have greatly improved. It has become common nowadays to hear seniors fly from one city to another just to meet someone up then be back for dinner the same day. City-hopping is no longer considered as a luxury; in fact, it has become a necessity for working seniors especially those who hold high positions such as consultants and company presidents. These positions, as we all know, are no longer limited to the male sector but have been invaded by the women force as well.

Since there are many senior women who choose to travel solo, it is important to apply some safety measures to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip as much as possible. Aside from being a senior which would already put you at risk, being a women all the more increases that risk by up to a hundred percent. Although most of these traveling ladies stay confident on their capabilities in protecting themselves in times of need, sadly, unscrupulous people still look at senior ladies as the easiest target of them all.

These simple traveling tips will help you to somehow lessen the risks when traveling alone:

·    All your valuable documents should stay with your body all the time. This includes passports, visas and any other documents you might need in case of emergency. Invest in a good body bag or any other bag that sticks closely to your body without cramping up your style.
·    When traveling, don’t forget to inform someone of your whereabouts—preferably someone who will be left behind–even if it’s a romantic rendezvous. Let them know your supposed schedule of activities or if this is something you cannot afford then at least, your expected time and date of arrival.
·    Don’t give thieves something they are looking for. When they see you sporting expensive little things, you are only attracting fly with a food. Try to maintain a low-profile whenever you’re out alone.
·    One of the most important things that will keep you alive while traveling alone is your medications. Some cities may or may not carry your prescription medicines so to be on the safer side of things, do bring your own when traveling.
·    As much as possible, try to look as if you belong to that city, country or land. Tourists are often considered by local scammers as gullible and ignorant so protect yourself from these unfortunate incidents by acting confident and blend in with your surroundings.

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.

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.

Generally, when a person reaches the age of 55, things start to change. Unfortunately, the first ones to fail are those important when driving such as your visual and hearing capabilities. This proves to be a hurdle to an older adult’s driving life even if they already spent years behind wheels. Common aging issues usually separate a senior driver from his car, whether they like it or not.

But, seniors are hard to convince and it would be doubly hard if you are hitting the wrong strings. They will defy especially when they are given orders; in fact, resistance is a very common thing when it comes to senior driving. Although we know that it can be dangerous for seniors to still drive around especially if they are already experiencing difficulties with minor chores, and most probably they are aware of that too, you will have to let them decide for themselves.

The quickest way to let them know if they are still safe to drive is by assessing their driving skills. This way, you and the senior in question would be able to establish his or her capability in driving. If he doesn’t make it, he’ll accept your point but if he meets all the requirements then be ready to accept the fact that he can still drive.

The great way to do this is challenge the driver for a little trip around town to assess the senior’s driving skills. If he falters, then something is wrong and he knows it. But assuming that he’ll go for the ride, here are some points you must consider:

·    Notice if he is having some difficulties in switching pedals. Normally, a driver will not lift the whole leg when switching pedals.
·    Vision impairment such as blurring and reduced vision is apparent when the driver couldn’t merge with passing traffic. This means he can no longer gauge the speed of approaching automobiles.
·    Even younger drivers have problems when driving at night, more for seniors with failing eyesight.
·    Notice the driver’s reaction time. This includes sirens, lights, and beeping cars.
·    The driver should be able to stay within his driving lane.
·    Take note of the speed of the car. It should not fall within the recommended speed for the street you are currently in.
·    If the driver often finds himself involved in near-collisions these past few months, then it’s time to hand-over the keys to more capable hands.

Safety when driving should be the number one concern of this assessment, not proving anybody’s point. For the caregiver, understand that it is not easy to give up something that gives a senior the freedom to go places without asking for anyone’s permission. For the senior driver, you should know that it is not only you that your driving puts in danger; the lives of other people who happen to cross your path during your unfortunate driving accident will also be affected.

Words are not enough to describe how bad the economy is for seniors nowadays. Gone are the days when you say that retired seniors are living well, jet-setting to and from exotic islands and have nothing better to do than spend money for luxuries and unnecessary things. Seniors are now spending their “retired” time working freelance and extra time for finding money-making ventures they could embark on. Apparently, there was no age limit for money-hunting these days.

These past few months, I have posted about freelance jobs for older adults and full-time job tips that can help seniors find something that they can actually work on and earn money. Extra money is very important nowadays, even if you had prepared well in the past for your retirement years. Moreover, extra money doesn’t really necessarily mean they should be spent the minute you get them into your hands; they should be saved for the rainy days and in fact, you will never know what comes next so it is best to come prepared for it than regret it later. Remember, medical bills are continually rising and it seems that it isn’t stopping anytime soon.

According to surveys, seniors prefer staying at bed and breakfast inns than in any other accommodation settings when they travel. Mostly because bed and breakfast inns are cheaper than hotels plus they provide that homey feel we usually missed the minute we stepped out of our houses. Best of all, it provides lasting friendship between the travelers and the house owner; more like an accommodation on a personal level.

Requirements for a small bed and breakfast business are quite simple: of course you will need a house with rooms you can rent out to lodgers. You also need to be accommodating, meaning you love company and you don’t mind if there are people sharing your house and using your stuff. The house itself should be in a tip-top shape before you can advertise about your small, at-home business. Furthermore, you will need some basic cooking experiencing for the “breakfast” part. If you are currently living with a younger caregiver who could lend you a helping hand then your B&B business could work and earn you money.

Rates for B&B vary greatly, depending on your location and accessibility of your house. It is best to do some research first about your area and if there is an existing competition within close proximity. Also, take time to look for travelers to accommodations ratio if and when a competitor is present. Check online for rates and base your own from there. Of course, don’t expect this little venture to bring lots of money especially during the first few years; like stated earlier, this business is supposed to be an added incentive only and not a large-scale hotel operation so it pays not to expect too much from it.

If you have decided to go for this kind of venture and you have no prior background whatsoever, get help for planning and start-up management. You may want to get your house inspected for pests, cracks and electrical wirings and connections. Call your local agencies and authorities for restrictions and certifications, if you need one. Plus, don’t forget to discuss it over the next family dinner so everyone would know what you are planning to do.

Due to the latest tragic air accident of Air France Flight 447, travelers are now in doubt about airline safety and how safe it is to travel by air. Here are some tips to avoid, if not prevent, air travel accidents:

1.    Avoid connecting flights, if possible, or lessen them if you need to. By flying nonstop routes, you avoid the four major phases of aircraft flying: take-off, climb, descent and landing. This doubles the malfunction rate than flying straight to and fro.
2.    Get to know the aircraft you are going to board. Seniors should do their research and get to know the aircraft. Some information you should search for is the model and its accident rate, if any. Apparently, larger aircrafts are much safer to board than smaller ones and they hold better passenger survival rates, in case of accidents.
3.    Every time a plane takes off, there is always a preflight briefing. It is important that you pay attention to what the flight attendant is talking about each time because every plane has their own emergency exits which will also depend on your seat location. Take note of the suggested routes to use in case you will need the emergency exit. You can also count the seats between yours and the exits in case there will be heavy smoke and you couldn’t see very well.
4.    Do not place heavy items inside the overhead storage bins. They might fall off directly into your head during turbulence and minor disturbances. You can put it securely under your seat so it will not roll off and disturb other passengers. Don’t try to hand-carry big luggage because they don’t belong inside the passenger area. They will only cramp your space and will limit your range of motion.
5.    Seat belts are meant to protect you; maximize its use every time you board a plane. Take note of its mechanism to avoid fumbling with it during an emergency. If you are having some problems with your seat belts, ask your flight attendant about it and they will gladly assist you. Taking off your seat belts during the flight is not encouraged so it is best to stay seated during the flight, if possible. Do some leg stretching only if necessary to avoid DVT or deep vein thrombosis during long flights.
6.    It is also advisable to wear sensible clothes that will allow you to move however you please. High heeled footwear may injure you especially if you are having trouble with your balance. Try not to wear synthetics because they catch fire easily, instead wear cotton.
7.    Stay away from booze. Alcoholic drinks can impair your judgment in case of emergency thus will take precious time better spent on saving yourself and helping others. It was also said that alcoholic drinks, when taken onboard, can affect a person more strongly.
8.    It is always great to be prepared at all times. By creating an emergency plan, you will be able to move and exit without so much of a fuss.
9.    There is a passenger safety card provided to all passengers aboard. Take time to review them for your own safety.
10.    Don’t smuggle hazardous materials. Surely you don’t want the accident to start from your own baggage right?

You have been living alone with your pet for quite some time now. By now, you must admit, your pet has been a great help in nursing you back to life and you owe him a lot for staying by your side through your darkest moment. Now that you are stepping out of the dark, are you leaving your friend behind?

Of course not; anywhere you go, he does too. In fact, a survey conducted by a pet product company revealed that more than half, or should I say almost all, of seniors prefer traveling with their own pets in tow. Whatever reasons these older people may have, they surely are ready for some road trip action with their pets as soon as the weather permits them to do so.

Your pets are the best travel companion ever especially if he is well-trained and very comfortable with you. He provides the sense of security and the right amount of companionship; surely you will have lots of fun traveling with your pet. But before you engage in “the trip of your lifetime” with your beloved pet, you may want to check out some important details first such as health and permits.

You should also take note that most pets live with familiarity. This means your dog could react differently and unexpectedly especially if this is your pet’s first time to travel out of the house and to unfamiliar territories. You may want to secure your pet’s proof of health through your veterinarian since this serves as their pass to some hotels and other public places and areas. While you’re at it, it is best to consult your vet if your pet can or cannot travel with you and update vaccinations as well.

Take time to consider the type of trip you are embarking in; if it’s pet conducive. This should be safe and fun for your pets as well and not for you alone. Moreover, bear in mind that some countries do not allow pets and will put them in quarantine at once especially for international travels. Be sure to check these areas first to avoid inconveniences from happening; on the other hand, there are cities which encourage pet travels.

Regarding obedience and temperament, it is very important that your pet knows how to socialize with people and obeys basic commands from you. To test his reaction to people, bring him out for a walk then gradually introduce him to public places such as parks and market; if he behaves well within these parameters then most likely, he will be able to handle the trip very well.

Your pets can get lost during your trip so it is best to come prepared for it. A simple collar and pet ID tag can save you and your pet if he somehow ends up in a local shelter. Keep him on leash while walking so he won’t get distracted and dash away from you. Try to maintain him in this arrangement up until he properly adjusts with this new environment.

If your current situation does not permit you to carry your pet along during the trip, you may want to check out dog care facilities around your area. Usually, they have programs made for your dog while you’re away on a trip and they can make your dogs comfortable as can be.

Have you heard about the senior pass? Well, if you love parks, US citizen, and you are 62 years old or way above, then grab this affordable lifetime pass made especially for seniors!

This affordable pass allows you to access recreation areas managed by US Federal agencies. Plus the senior pass also provides great discounts to some amenities which will normally require you to pay fees such as camping, site tours and boating.

These little babies cost $10 each and they last for a lifetime. You can purchase one with participating government agencies such as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service. All you need to do is personally present yourself to issuing agencies, bring $10 and some proof of identification like driver’s license, birth certificate, or anything that is government-issued documents.

However, fees vary from one site to another so it is best to inquire to the site first before going to avoid inconveniences along the trip and I heard you need to purchase the pass again if you lost them or if they were stolen from you so you really need to look after them closely.

Senior pass is very convenient and will come in handy for seniors who love strolling down national parks and just be one with nature. This is also a great way to enjoy a family outing without breaking the bank. Seniors are allowed to access most of national parks and lands from Alaska all the way to Florida. Senior Pass is part of the American the Beautiful- Natural Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass program wherein they offer different kinds of passes for different needs. This program grants US residents to enjoy their national museums, parks and lands.

The good part is, this pass will not only benefit you but your companions as well. Your pass will allow you, three of your adult companions and one private car to enter the premises without any extra charge. Like stated earlier, discounts are given for any other amenities you may want to avail during the trip and mind you, discounts can go up to 50% if you are lucky!

Other available passes which you can avail through same agencies are access pass for people with disability problems, one year pass for adults under 62 years of age, and free pass for volunteers.

This pass will prove to be very beneficial to seniors considering the money they will be able to save and the number of parks they are allowed to access.

Vacation indeed knows no boundaries. Well, any season would do just fine for seniors, just as long as we have time, energy and of course, money. Who says only college kids deserve spring breaks? We do to.

Speaking of college kids, seniors over 50 could also go broke sometimes. And like students, seniors also need to watch over their money while on vacation especially now that travel expenses are getting ridiculously high even for higher-income families. Everything has risen; from airfares, all the way down to the food we eat while vacationing and everyday it becomes tougher than yesterday. But, vacation is a vacation and chronic vacationers will find a way to make it possible!

This spring, it is highly recommended for seniors to try cruises. They are much more affordable than any other travel options in the market today. Although there might be some affordable airfare deals, seniors should take into consideration the overall cost of the trip, if and when they explore this venue, such as hotel, entrances and other stuff while cruises are all-in package. Also, cruises are both convenient and stress-free for traveling seniors.

Cruise liners offer lodging, meal tickets and entertainment while on board. Considering you don’t have to pay extra for all of these; that makes it more charming right? Of course, there will be additional offers which will require you to pay but that is entirely up to you if you want them or not such as spas, and classes. What’s more, some cruise liners give discounts to their senior customers ages 55 and up.

Seniors on cruise can enjoy island hopping—visiting one island to another, something that is quite impossible if you are traveling by air or by land, not to mention, costly. Cruises are also convenient for seniors since after a long day of walking and touring the island, coming back to the ship would be a welcome refuge for many.

You don’t have to bring a partner, single seniors are absolutely welcome. There are activities for singles on board which allow them to meet and greet other singles on the ship. This is a great way to socialize with other people while vacationing. And of course, seniors on honeymoon are also given their much needed privacy. Surely, anything goes aboard.

Cruise liners are now gearing more towards seniors. That only proves the fact that seniors remain as the number one vacationers across all generations and lately, cruises are becoming their perfect vacation choice due to the fact that cruises are hassle-free and very economical.