Seniors Site

Of all the losses a senior must face in his or her lifetime, the hardest must be the death of a grandchild. The bond between a senior and a grandchild is known to surpass any definition there is in a dictionary. In fact, most seniors can attest to the fact that sometimes, it is easier to love a grandchild than to accept their own children’s fault and limitations. For a grandchild, grandparents are considered as heroes such that when they encountered any kind of discomfort, a grandparent can magically make it all go away. They are often considered as security blankets, ready to envelope them in times of need. That level of need makes it easier for seniors to extend their love, care and support for their grandchildren without expecting anything great in return.

Because of this ever-so-unique ties that bind a grandparent to the grandchild, dealing with the loss of the latter is both unbearable and confusing to the former. Some seniors who underwent a situation like this describes the experience as holding a double-edged sword cutting you both ways. You feel pain for the terrible loss but at the same time, you also see your own child needing your support now, more than ever. The situation calls for your strength so it is but normal for you to set aside your own feelings and mourn later. Also, losing a grandchild is a surreal experience which lends seniors a different perspective in life later on.

While mourning could be healthier for seniors when faced with death of a loved-one, these are the times when your innate nature as a parent kicks in. Most probably you will find yourself concentrating more to your own child’s needs and stepping in when the need arises. These are normal reactions and also, they are quite expected from a parent like you but you should also consider allowing yourself a little time to grieve. This way you can now share your strength to its fullest extent without feeling hurt, guilt and even remorse.

Dealing with death is never easy. As a parent, it is much easier to wish all the pain away. Sadly, it is something that is easier said than done. Seniors should remember that no matter how hard we pray for our children to get their normal lives back, it will take some time for the pain to subside–and still after that, life can never be the same again. Hopelessness may set in but rest assured that your presence during this time of need is much appreciated by the receiving end.

Your emotional stability is the most important tool you can use when salvaging a life that’s shattered by a child’s death. Learn to listen to your bereaved child and keep your emotions in check. Seek support when needed just so you will have an outlet for your own grievances too.

Is your job driving you nuts already? Are there days when you feel depressed and overly tired coming home from work only to be bombarded with more tasks to accomplish at home? Do you feel hopelessly lonely and isolated? Then, you must be feeling stressed-out and unfortunately, it’s bearing down on you.

Stress is never healthy, although some say it can lead to a more productive work-pace. It can be, if applied ONLY when needed but if taken 24/7, it can affect one’s competency which in return, can bring down a team’s effort. As for seniors, stress can take its toll health-wise and it is something that all seniors must avoid since their health is at its most vulnerable.

I would like to think of stress as one that possesses a domino effect. That is, when one area of your life gave in due to stress, it will bring everything down with it. Likewise, rebuilding it can be a tedious task to take and will certainly require some time and effort in your part. The most effective way to combat this domino effect is to lessen stress, if not preventing it altogether. If somehow you feel you are already knee-deep with all the stress you are feeling right now, take baby steps to break free from it. Do it one day at a time and soon you’ll be getting your desired result. Here are some suggestions you can do for a stress-free day at work:

EARLY AT HOME: Your “work day” doesn’t really start from the minute you stepped in the office. It starts at home. Early mornings are the most hardest in one’s life, especially if you are living with someone—or many, and you are in charge for most of them. Just ask the sandwich generation! This is the time when everybody must be feeling either pressed for time or too irritated to talk. As for you, try to “isolate” yourself from all these craziness that have been going around you. Just as long as you have prepared everything you need the night before, you don’t need to contribute to the morning noise anymore.

GOING TO WORK:  Walking is a great way to start your day. It works two ways: one, you get your fair share of exercise for the day and two, you eliminate the possibility of getting stressed with the morning traffic. If work is only a short distance away from your house then walk to it, given that it is safe for you to do so. Of course, wear a sensible pair of walking shoes too!

WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Working requires many different levels of relationships. It can be boss-employee relationship, between co-workers, and the unavoidable close, personal relationships (whatever that means!). Between a boss and an employee, it is best if there are clear, reasonable expectations to serve as a guideline for both. Clear instructions are meant to be given to employees and questions must be asked to the boss, if there’s any. This way, stress could be eliminated and the work will be done efficiently.

Try to do away with conflicts involving coworkers. Just imagine how hard it can be when working in a very small world with someone you just had a bitter spat with. A brewing spat can also heighten up the stress so as much as possible, try to maintain a healthy working environment.

Close, personal relationships are generally not encouraged within a workplace. Why? Because it impairs one’s good judgment. Be it a friend or an affair, it can jeopardize a project.

YOUR OWN CUBICLE: A cluttered space clutters the mind as well. Organize your own space so you can work effectively and won’t be bothered with last minute rummaging for a missing file. Make your own space as comfortable as can be. Make sure that you don’t feel any discomfort while working in this area because you’ll be spending a lot of time in it. Make it as your own “recharging” zone. Music can calm the mind so don’t forget to listen to some once in a while.

ATTITUDE:  Do you know that most people unknowingly put a great deal of stress to their own being? It’s okay to expect great things from yourself but if something becomes too impossible to do so, try to be a little more accepting of your own limitations. It’s okay to be a little bit slower today, it’s okay not to meet today’s deadline; just because you know you did your best.

GOING HOME:  I would like to say that we must end our “working day” right at this very moment. Evenings are meant to relax us and free us from the demands we had encountered during the day. Unfortunately, this isn’t so. Take this time to prepare for the next day (remember crazy mornings?) and if possible, try to do things that will calm your mind—and your nerves too. Practice meditation techniques to help you achieve a calmer attitude.

Single and alone? Nah. Seniors today can be single but definitely not alone come holiday season and there’s no reason to be lonely as well. Gone are the days when seniors mourn to death after a loved-one has gone. Of course, they will not be forgotten but it seems, seniors nowadays are more ready to move on and not dwell longer than one should. Thanks to healthier lives and positive outlook, being single later in life is not anymore considered as unique, in fact, some seniors who encountered a bad marriage in their midlife prefer to stay single until the day they die. Not for fear of having yet another bad partner but just because they have learned to live happily on their own.

There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season even without having to feel like a third wheel to your married friends or ending up as a nanny to your grandkids. Here are some few suggestions that you might want to try:

·    If your vacationing kids are not inviting you for an out-of-town trip this holiday season, then leave them be. Plan your own trip with your single friends and see how fun it can be! There are many tourist destinations that you can check out today at very affordable rates.
·    Most travel packages come with itinerary. These are fun activities to know better the destination you are in. Usually, they are conducted in groups of mix and matched people which can also be a great way to meet new acquaintances. What better way to enjoy your vacation than meeting new friends along the way right? Just think of the possibilities!
·    If going out-of-town is not an option for you right now, then you might want to look into other fun activities around your area. You can also take advantage of this special time to rejuvenate yourself by going to relaxation therapy sessions or just doing the things you love to do. If, for some reason, being alone scares you, you might want to visit an orphanage and share your blessings there.
·    Being a senior need not be boring. Visit exotic cities and get ready to be captured by its very essence. A city that is full of life never fails to amuse even the loneliest heart.
·    You have every right to celebrate even if you are a single senior. Bear in mind that you are not alone as more and more seniors are moving in to singletown looking for friendship. Also, happiness is a choice. It is your decision to stay happy or not so use it well.

The worldwide web indeed has given us a wider scope in life making it possible to access tons of information just by simple web manipulation called “web surfing”. Bear in mind that this fun activity need not exert too much effort since one will only need a computer and an internet access. It can be done anywhere, anytime. The best thing about the internet is that it caters to all, young and old. It can also get you to places and through it, we are able to accomplish tasks that are otherwise hard for us to do back then.

Some of the finest points the internet has been giving us are:
·    Being able to pay your bills and do bank transactions through online banking.
·    Connecting you to your loved-ones without ever worrying about communication bills and such.
·    Online games for stress-free afternoons.
·    Online shopping saves you time, energy and gas. You don’t need to go far to buy your essentials. Just find a reputable supermarket or grocery website and place your order there. Some even provide free delivery service for your convenience.

Like stated earlier, these are just some of the things the internet can give you. See how easy—and tempting—it can be for seniors to take advantage of these services? Unfortunately, unscrupulous people are quick to get wind of it all and sadly, they consider seniors to be their most vulnerable targets. This makes it doubly hard for senior surfers to move around freely and without worries.

Identity theft in general is when a thief assumes an identity, stolen from another person, hopefully not you, and uses it to his or her advantage. Scarily, it can happen even in our normal, living world but with the advent of the internet, identity theft is now easier and faster to do. Losing a wallet can turn your life around in just one day especially if they fell into wrong but expert hands. One account I heard, after discovering about her lost wallet, which she guessed went missing for about two days prior to the discovery, she quickly called her bank, credit cards and others. Much to her dismay, the thief already did some damage and more. There had been online purchases charged to her account—and they are not cheap, mind you. And because she failed to notify the bank beforehand, she is now making some negotiations with the credit card company for payment terms.

In the internet world however, there is a threat known as phishing. This too attempts to collect your personal information which you stored in your system. These are viruses which you inadvertently downloaded through sites, both reputable and not. Apparently, they record your keyboarding activities and send it to a remote site which will leave your information to their mercy. Hacking is yet another way to access your online accounts and it is usually done by someone you know. Even scams-disguised as emails can easily find their way into your inboxes waiting to be clicked. Nothing beats right information to prevent identity theft from harming you. Read about them and be aware of these unlawful activities.

Personalized photo calendars make a great bonding activity for seniors and their grandkids. It can also be the perfect gift to give your elderly loved-one this coming holiday season. Personalized gifts like this are both delightful and inexpensive. They are sure to touch your loved-one’s heart! What more if one will be able to see cherished pictures of their families and friends all year-round? All the more better right?

Starting a personalized photo calendar project is easy, especially if you have a computer—better if you have an internet access since some of the best softwares for this can be downloaded for free over the internet. In doing so, you can save time and energy while producing quality results thus avoiding the “hit and miss” part of doing it manually. If both are out of the question, then you can still make your own personalized photo calendars the old school way—cutting and pasting, that is.

·    Scour for family photos that might be hidden in nooks and crannies of your house. If you intend to give this calendar to someone specific such as your grandmother or grandfather, make sure that you include pictures of those closest to their hearts and not of someone they barely know. Have them scanned if you will be using a computer for this. You can also use artworks and medals which they might have missed attending. One idea that could work is aligning the photos to correspond with a certain month. For example, your birthday is in May so put your picture in that month complete with inscriptions of the exact date.
·    Digital photos should be prepared prior to fitting them in your personalized calendar. When doing this, you will need an image enhancer such as Adobe Photoshop or even the one that comes with your computer setup. With them, you can rotate, enhance, crop and resize your photos.
·    Like stated earlier, there are software programs you can use to help you with your photo calendar ventures. They are easier to use since most of them will only require a user to upload photos then drag-drop them to your heart’s desire. For first time users, take advantage of free templates available for you to use.
·    The idea behind customized photo calendars is to make it as personalized as can be. Experiment with fonts, colors and layouts to help “personality” to come out. You can never go wrong with this so never hesitate. Get your creative juices flowing now. Don’t forget to hit that preview button before printing so you know what it looks like. Also, saving your work in a disc or USB can help you retrieve your original work in case something goes wrong.
·    If you are in doubt about printing your work, you can always bring it to photo shops to have it printed for you. It may cost you a little over your projected budget but it saves you a lot of trouble since printing a double sided page can be disorienting at times.
·    Some photo shops also do binding jobs. If yours do, then have it bound there as well or you can take it some place else for binding.

Remember those family trees with funny pictures you get to present in class when you were younger? If you happen to stumble upon one of yours or even your grandkid’s family tree project—if they even get to make those nowadays!—up in the attic today, you will know how good it feels just by looking at them and knowing where your roots are and how they have grown through the years.

Tracing your roots is a fun and fulfilling activity. It was even said that knowing where you came from is very essential to complete one’s being. It’s only then you can rest your troubled soul and be comfortable with your own person. Just take the case of an adopted child whose parents he never saw; just imagine the uneasiness his soul must have been going through all these years and I bet it won’t rest until he finds the only connection he has in this world—a connection only his biological parents can provide. Back then, tracing your roots can be a daunting task to take especially for seniors whose feet may be taken to different parts of the world in search of the missing link or a long-lost cousin. All thanks to the advent of technology, particularly that of the internet, genealogy is made easy and quite frankly, it’s amazing how people who are into genealogy help one another to find their roots the soonest possible time.

If this post got you interested with genealogy, you should know that there are about a hundred of genealogy sites in the web community today. This can make it a lot easier for you to start hunting down your relatives from way back when. The best way to start your adventure is to gather up everything you have—and might have—in your possession: pictures of family gatherings, documents, and even heirlooms. These are your clues in what seems to be a treasure hunt of your history. To make it more interesting, find a family member who is dead-set in finding his or her roots too to accompany you in this search. This makes a great bonding time for you and your kids also.

Interviews in forms of chitchats with relatives should also be performed when gathering clues. Your best candidate would be someone who was born several years before you, preferably a minimum of 10 years but when there’s none then anyone who’s nosy enough to know distant relatives unbeknownst to you would do fine. They don’t have to know specific dates or years as it may be a little hard to remember all that but names and locations can definitely help you so much. Jot down notes and go to your friendly neighborhood library where newspaper clippings are free for everyone to view. I hear these collections are now kept in slides for easy browsing. You can also consult your ever-dependable Google and just type in your keywords. Some areas still have a Family History Center, although it can be rare, but if yours happen to have one then you’re in luck!

Try to come up with important documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, wills and just about anything that has a definite date you can look up to. This way you will have a clear point of reference, time-wise. When faced with a dead-end, it’s ok to feel disappointed but it also helps to bounce back and try other leads once more since this activity should be fun and must yield positive results for you.

When talking about “older adults”, be aware that every term has its own implications and one cannot very well go around throwing just about every term pertaining to the senior group without knowing what it really implies. For one, if you happen to Google search the term senior, it will yield results that are more serious, health-related and aged-all-over links. Expect these links to have resources full of helpful information released by your state or government. However, when you type the words “baby boomers”, now you’ll soon notice the big difference between the two even if they share the same exact meaning. It seems that the term baby boomer is more hip and trendy than its wholesome counterpart—that being the word senior. Everything that is nice, naughty and fun in an older adult’s life can be found in the term baby boomer.

As we can see clearly now, an older adult’s life is undergoing some kind of metamorphosis for the past years or so which called for certain terms to adapt a whole new different meaning, one of which is the concept of retirement for seniors. It may be due to the demands of time, economic crisis or just plain lifestyle preferences but certainly these anxious baby boomers are ready and gearing to move forward and break free come retirement years!

According to surveys, more and more seniors are making baby steps toward productive and meaningful retirement years nowadays. There are marked changes in the attitude when seniors talk about their plans for retirement. These days, retirement is considered as a positive turning point in one’s life. Some even look at it as a new beginning wherein they are allowed to fulfill their heart’s desire. Even those who are presently tied up to the workforce are making their own choices when it comes to the jobs they take and not just about anything that comes their way. Needless to say, these baby boomers are wiser now and learning to take care of themselves better.

Plans for continued earnings are made as opposed to what it used to be but retirees are making sure that there will be enough room to play around. This balanced coexistence of work and play environment proves to be very beneficial to a baby boomer’s overall outlook in life as it takes away much of the stress.

It was also reported that senior women are more aggressive these days and it seems that they don’t take retirement as something that will hinder success in their chosen profession. They see it as a way to further advance their careers and improve themselves more.

Because of these changes, the senior population is now experiencing quite a confusion. They are now divided into categories depending on how they choose to spend their retirement years. At the end of this experiment, experts also concluded that a senior’s financial security plays a big role on how he will potentially live life after 65.

Truly, senior health care must be one of the most sensitive issues a family is most likely to face at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it should be done whether we like it or not. Mind you, convincing a senior to surrender himself to someone else’s care especially that of a senior health care facility is only half of the story as the real action only begins when you find yourself in face of the real challenge—the terms these facilities are most likely to use when dealing with your case.

Here are some common senior healthcare terms you are most likely to stumble upon during peptalks with their representatives. Expect it to be something of a cross between medical and legal terms, coupled with their own invented acronyms. It pays to familiarize yourself so that you don’t risk miscommunicating with the management before, during and after your case.

·    Advanced Medical Directives. It has three categories under its belt namely Living Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. All these, more or less pertain to a written consent of the senior which designates or assigns another living person to make decisions in his behalf, if and when he’s unable to express his wishes anymore. This should be limited to medical concerns for the senior only.
·    Assignment. This is not your usual kid’s homework as the term adapts a whole new meaning when it comes to senior health care. When the doctor accepts assignment then you’re one lucky caregiver! It means that your kind doctor accepts Original Medicare Plan as a full payment saving you a lot of money.
·    Carrier. These are companies which should be paying your bills in behalf of Medicare.
·    Certificate of Creditable Coverage. A certificate which you need to secure from your health care insurance company which states the coverable period of time your senior is allowed according to the health plan you availed.
·    Custodial care. This is you, as the primary caregiver. These are services received by your senior which are not medical in nature such as bathing, eating and moving around. This is expected not to be covered by your insurance plan.
·    Election. A written decision that is legally binding once signed by the author.
·    IHSS or In Home Supportive Services. This is a financial aid given by the state to the senior/caregiver to help pay the bills for disabled senior who wishes to stay at home and receive care from there.
·    Preventive Services. These are preventive measures done to seniors to ensure that they stay healthy or at least won’t contract yet another health condition while under their care.
·    Risk Adjustment. Since your senior’s health status is bound to change either for better or for worse, expect to have certain adjustments in your payables.

For a more extensive list of common senior healthcare terms, visit LA County Community and Senior Services website.

Just imagine how good it can be if you go through retirement as planned and still have a little something to sustain your luxuries in life. Great, isn’t it? But with the worsening economic status felt the world over, it is easy for retiring seniors to have serious doubts about their well-planned retirement. In fact, most seniors delay retirement as much as they could just because they felt they are not quite ready for it yet.

The pockets may not agree with your desires anytime soon but let’s not forget that the body does have its own limitations and sooner or later, it is bound to shout “enough is enough” at you. Certainly, you wouldn’t want this time to arrive especially when there are still sights to see and things to experience and you need your body to be at its top-shape when they happen. The good news is, you can still make it happen, on your own terms—and while taking your own sweet time.

Scouring the streets for a job, both part-time and full-time is dead flat hard especially for seniors who might have been enduring bodily aches and pain all the while. Lay-offs are not only a scare for seniors but may also signify the end of comfortability and the start of something really doubtful for aging bodies to undertake. Unfortunately, layoffs know no boundaries and it will come when it does. The worst thing that can ever happen to a person is when you are down and broke the moment a nasty layoff comes your way. The good news is, seniors can now welcome them with open arms and even quit their jobs ahead of time if they want to without feeling guilt and remorse over the matter. All you need is a computer and a good internet connection. Considering that these two are almost a staple to anybody’s home, there’s nothing to hinder a senior from acquiring an online retirement job that is easily manageable and rewarding too!

The world of internet is a very vast place wherein you can see great opportunities especially if you’re creative and resourceful. Experts say that online opportunities are virtually boundless and they are just waiting to be discovered by anyone who has the inclination to do so. Truly, the world your internet has created is one that’s entirely separated from the world we’re so used to living in. Career-wise, internet marketing is the most popular route one can take but the competition is a little stiff there and it can get really dirty at times—a situation that is not so healthy for seniors who are looking for a slower pace in life but suits perfectly for those who love challenges.

The idea is to find the job that suits you most. It must be something that you are most comfortable in doing and it should feel less of a burden. It can be an interest such as photography or web design. It can be a skill such as organizational skills for office or businesses. You can even be a blogger for somebody so you can satisfy both heart and wallet. For those with little or no work experience at all, there are paid surveys you can participate in. Bottom line is, your work level is never put in question when in comes to online retirement jobs, it’s only your willingness to try since most jobs won’t require you even a penny to spend but will reward you just the same.

A caregiver’s job is no joke and burnouts are never far when you engage in this kind of task. Unfortunately, caregiving is an obligation that usually leaves one with no choice but to do it and try their very best to somehow make it work.

First and foremost, it is important for caregivers to maintain their overall health at all times. Health is what you need in order to cope with everyday demands of the job. Health is what keeps your sanity intact. It is what you and your senior need to be able to make it through hard and trying times.

Although we commonly hear horror stories about caregiving, those who really went through one can say that it was not always horrible. It has its own rewards and friendships are forged. This is one good example of a relationship that is formed by sweat, tears and pure human nature.

As humans, we have our own limitations. Our beings can only do so much and pushing it over the edge is bound to give you undesirable results, one of which is irritability which is not a good trait to have when around seniors since they tend to be sensitive at times. Burnouts happen when, as a caregiver, we are drained and exhausted from all the work yet we wish not to seek help whatsoever from other people around us. It involves physical, emotional and spiritual states of one’s being and can affect the way we handle things tremendously.

Burnouts happen when you give in to that overwhelming feeling that comes when caring for an aging loved-one especially if they are terminally sick. One of telltale signs of a burnout is when you start feeling guilty when you give time for yourself. Another is when your senior’s concerns invade your thoughts 24/7 which leaves nothing for your own.

While taking good care of our senior should be a responsibility that is taken with great seriousness, it should not be our ultimate responsibility in life. we are also responsible for our own health and well-being. Once in while, you need to break free from this responsibility, if only to recharge and renew your senses. Keep frustration at bay by freeing yourself from any undue burden.

The best tool for stressful situations is education. Get yourself educated particularly to the issues concerning your senior like their illnesses and emergency plans. Support groups can provide you with the right information you need. They can also help you cope with the work you are doing right now. Find one within your area so you don’t have to go far when you need support.