Seniors Site

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

At some point in our lives, we will suffer tremendous stress or may have been going through a lot of transition which could be very hard to keep up. Sadly, these are the moments when depression sets in and seniors are no exception to the rule; in fact, the most vulnerable to depression among all age groups are seniors since mostly their transitions are life-changing and some of them are unexpected by the person himself.

Some of the known factors that contribute to seniors’ stress and depression are:  careers, jobs, forced retirement, lifestyle downgrading, medical bills, health issues, mobility, chronic pain, financial stability, death of a loved-one, caretaking and even inability to drive could all lead to depression and may worsen if left untreated.

The problem with depression is that it became a household name thus people now assume that it’s a common, normal occurrence to a person when it is not. Depression is never normal, no matter what age you are in and it should be treated at once since it can cause other health complications if not. Although depression is not a life-threatening condition during early stages, treatments are highly recommended by healthcare providers since it contributes to low quality of life among seniors. Aside from that, studies have shown that seniors, as compared to younger people, tend to have a hard time bouncing back when depression attacks; even if they do, traces of depression are still apparent especially if they didn’t seek therapy or medical help.

Before introducing any other treatments to a patient suffering from depression, healthcare providers usually go for psychotherapy first and see how it goes from there. Psychotherapy is another term for counseling. In psychotherapy, seniors are encouraged to speak their minds and bring out everything that bothers them at the moment. These are supposedly done with psychotherapists but some support groups perform group therapies free of charge.

Psychotherapy works well against depression especially for older adults. A good therapist will help you identify the root cause of your depression and will also guide you in finding the perfect solution for your problem. Its main goal is to assist you in adjusting to your current lifestyle and help you understand your situation better. Medications can also make you feel good temporarily but it never solves the problem; the sooner you face your demons, the better your chances of winning the battle against anxiety and depression.

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.

Generally, fibromyalgia is characterized as chronic, severe pain that spreads throughout the body. A person with this kind of disorder tends to have a heightened, painful reaction to even the slightest of touch. Aside from this major manifestation of fibromyalgia into one’s body, a person suffering from this disorder often finds himself experiencing constant fatigue, has trouble sleeping and always nursing joint stiffness and pain (similar to arthritis). Fibromyalgia can also trigger other bodily responses depending on one’s degree of fitness which include difficulty in swallowing and breathing, motor and cognitive abnormalities, irritable bowel syndrome and overall dysfunction of the central nervous system; all of which lead to severe, emotional depression. There are no established criteria for fibromyalgia yet; doctors make assessments based on symptoms that are brought up by the patient together with certain lab tests to rule out other disorders and illnesses.

BUT, if you’re a senior age 60 and above then that’s another story. Apparently, younger adults experience these familiar pains of fibromyalgia while seniors are most likely to suffer from fatigue and tissue swelling. This, in fact, leads to many misdiagnosed cases of fibromyalgia among older adults. Overall, a person suffering Fibromyalgia at age 60 would find fatigue as the most bothersome symptom of the said disorder. Complaints include headaches, anxiety, irritability and discomfort when doing common physical activities.

Causes of fibromyalgia are yet to be determined but experts suspect that it has genetic factor to it thus the disorder could be passed from one generation to another. As pointed out by these experts, stress is a major trigger of the said disorder. As of the moment, there are no generally accepted medications for fibromyalgia. Prescribed medications are given to sufferers to alleviate pain and help subside the swelling, if there’s any. Self-care is also recommended to avoid pain attacks from happening; both methods are advised by physicians to seniors for two reasons:  one is to avoid pain as much as possible and two, is to improve overall quality of life. Other techniques that may help you with your condition are:  exercise, physical therapies, meditation and stress reduction.

This puzzling—almost baffling—disorder indeed affect our way of lives but rest assured that many healthcare providers are working on fibromyalgia and hopefully soon, they would be able to come up with something that will take away the disease forever. As for now, right diet, adequate exercise and natural therapies can help us get through with fibromyalgia.

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

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

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

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