Seniors Site

Although the initial shock and panic that recession had brought upon us is way behind us now, the crisis is still existent—and for how long, God only knows. Due to this unexpected turn of events that no one had dreamed of, senior workers are now making the move to, at least, damage-control the situation they find themselves in now and making the best out of it, just like everyone else the world over.

Years back, you are at your retirement age when you reach the age of 62. Legally, you are expected to give up work at around this age while others who had been lucky enough in life retire much earlier than this age. Today, working seniors delay retirement for fear of not being capable to make their life savings tide them over for the rest of their lives. Those who made it to the 60th mark choose to stay at work for 5 years more even if they are already having discomforts in going to and fro work.

It seems that a healthy, enjoyable retirement life will have to stay as a dream for now. But these working seniors are still thankful since they still have work considering there are millions out there who are in search of a job, and they are still increasing in number by the minute. Just imagine all that pressure and competition! In a much racked up shape are seniors who just got off work to start their happy retirement days only to be greeted by the ugly economy and now find it hard to acquire a job once again. These unfortunate seniors would have to put up with rough times ahead and hope for the best. Also, they need to be very wise in spending their money and try to find an alternative source of income such as going online or joining organizations which help seniors find jobs suited to their capabilities and limitations.

According to statistics, about half of the senior population in America now is actively hunting for jobs when they should have been enjoying their golden years comfortably at home and with their loved-ones. This could be very hard especially for seniors who are forced to go back working since issues of age discrimination are still prevalent. Not only it will pose as a great challenge considering the competition and what-not but also it will feel like a Herculean job to accomplish!

Job market consultants recommend seniors to acquire additional credits by enrolling in short courses and even finishing your master’s degree to give you an edge over other job candidates. Short courses will refresh and update you with latest applications you can use for your line of work. This will also help you in acquiring or enhancing other skills that you may have while master’s degrees will build stronger credentials hence higher salary to compensate seniors.

One of the many signs of aging is hearing loss. Actually, hearing loss can be experienced even by younger adults but unfortunately, almost all seniors get them since they come packaged with all the other age-related afflictions known to us therefore hearing loss is most associated with older adults.

Hearing loss is not an immediate health risk per se. There is no reported case of someone dying from deafness but many are having accidents which some lead to dying due to hearing problems. Due to this fact, it is only safe to consider hearing loss as an immediate threat to senior lives. The intensity of hearing problems can go from mild to severe—the latter being totally deaf. Hearing loss is a very serious condition and can be very embarrassing at times resulting to diminished self-esteem for seniors.

When you feel something is amiss with your hearing, it is best to see a doctor at once so he can better help your with the problem at hand. Seniors should know that hearing loss has different types and extent. These will be considered by your doctor prior to advising seniors of what to do with their hearing problems. Here are some signs that you might want to watch out for:

·    Having trouble with telephone calls and would shout when inquiring assuming that this is the right “loudness” for the receiving party.
·    It gets hard to follow spontaneous conversation especially when there are 3 individuals involved.
·    When you’re watching TV, others are complaining about its loudness which puzzles you since it seemed fine.
·    Too much mumbling from other people especially when kids are talking to you.
·    Words are harder to understand especially when there is an ongoing background sound.
·    You find yourself leaning towards the person you are talking to just to catch whatever he is saying.
·    You find yourself reading the words directly from the mouth of the person you are talking to and associating them with the little sound you hear instead of relying with the sounds alone

Hearing problems are best handled by otolaryngologist. Otolaryngologists are doctors specializing in ears, nose and throat. These doctors will assess the damage, extent and type of hearing problem the patient has and will then send the patient to an audiologist, if needed. An audiologist is needed if you’re prescribed to wear hearing aids for your hearing problems.

Aside from aging, some of the known causes of hearing loss are:  exposure to loud noises, infections, earwax buildup, medications, hereditary factors and even lifestyle diseases.

Have you noticed a slight difference with how your longtime pet responds to your calls lately, particularly how long it takes for him to finally recognize the call? Or have you been noticing this already in the past and has been bothered to see that it keeps getting worse everyday?

If you have been living with your pet for a long time now and you are certain he’s already way pass his expected doggie lifespan then it’s time for his visit to the vet for a round of consultation. Due to the “life extension” that most vets give to our ailing pets, it was proven that pets are now living longer than what’s expected of them. This, to the delight of pet owners since we love our pets so much, we wanted to keep them for life but unfortunately, longer lifespan exposes them to a disease similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or CCDS is also referred to as doggie Alzheimer’s. This condition manifests as our pets age. CDS is also found out to be a brain disease, as what Alzheimer’s disease is to humans. It also makes our beloved pets to have erratic sleeping patterns, confusion and disorientation at times and losing control of their housetraining pattern. The latter being the number one problem for pet owners since they have to put up with messy pees and poops.

According to statistics made for canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, dogs—and even cats—are more exposed to the disease when they reach the age of 8 and above but goes into full force at about age 13 and accelerates as the years progress. The common symptoms of CDS are:

·    Confusion and disorientation. This includes wandering aimlessly around the house and walking in circles. The pet owner would also notice the lapses in reaction time such as greeting a friend or when the owner calls him. Sometimes, you would notice that he’s fast becoming distant and won’t come when called.
·    Erratic sleeping pattern. A pet owner is most likely to notice unpredictability in his pet’s sleeping pattern which includes sleeping all day and wandering aimlessly at night when he should have been sleeping. As the disease progressed, there will be more sleep and less waking up. Sometimes, pet owners refer to this symptom as fatigue.
·    Limited interactivity. Your pet no longer greets you at the door, oftentimes, ignoring you. Most of all, he would bark at friends and families like he sees danger when he used to love them.

When you see these signs, it is best to seek help from your vet to advise you on how to handle these things and also to rule out other age related illnesses that can affect your beloved pets such as hearing loss and other internal disorders.

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.

As health-conscious seniors, we know that the best possible solution to beating cancer is through prevention or even early detection. Although there is no known cause of cancer to prevent as of the moment, health care providers aim for early detection as much as possible since cancer, in early stages has higher survival rate and it is easier to manage and defeat.

We can detect cancer; that is if we know exactly what we are looking for and if we are conscious enough of how our own body works. By staying alert and vigilant of whatever changes that are occurring to our body, we have better chances of surviving the said disease. Actually, doctors worldwide recommend seniors to undergo preventive health measures such as screenings and tests since seniors tend to succumb to the disease at a faster rate than younger ones. Here are some cancer signs that you might want to know about:

·    Chronic stomach problems should be addressed at once, no matter how trivial it seemed. Frequent stomach ache could signify something more fatal than a regular digestive disorder. A normal digestive disorder is a reaction therefore it should have a preceding event that would trigger it while in a chronic stomachache, it just goes on and off in random times and intensity. When you experience constant or chronic stomach pain, it is best to seek help from a doctor at once just so you would know what’s happening in there. Some types of cancer with noted symptom of stomach pains are colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia. Stomach pains vary from acid stomach, dull aches, stomach cramps, and abdominal pains.
·    Take note of your bowel movements as well. Abnormalities in such areas could signify a cancer among your internal organs. This includes rectal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation and irregular bowel movements. On the other hand, difficulties in urinating could be a symptom of prostate cancer.
·    Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite; although this is one of the most common attributes of a disease, it could also signify cancer most likely spreading all throughout the body and in return, affects your appetite. Difficulty in swallowing could sometimes be more than just a sore throat so it pays to have it checked especially if it’s already giving you a hard time. If you are experiencing this, note the color of your stool and urine as well before consulting a doctor.
·    One of the most apparent signs of liver cancer is yellowing of the skin, also referred to as jaundice. The same goes for pancreatic cancer in later stages.
·    Aside from lung cancer, a cancer that manifests itself first in other internal organs could also affect your lungs causing you to have difficulties in breathing such as shortness of breath. Try to take note of your usual energy level and consult a doctor at once if it changes abruptly and without an apparent cause.
·    Take some time to study your nails. Usually, when something is upsetting your system, your nails are the first ones to bear signs.

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.

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.