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Senior Communities

Happy senior woman smiling and using laptop computer in coffee shop

Best Events and Websites for Self-Improvement of Seniors

by Guest Blogger December 15, 2019

written by Guest Blogger

You might have chosen the right senior facility for you. Needing long-term care is something normal when aging, as your body weakens. And some senior facilities might organize social and outdoor events to meet your needs.

If you are a senior, it does not mean that the self-improvement process has ended. Instead, one must always aim at improving its skills and abilities. This gives you a unique perspective that will make you more open and wiser.

But where to start? Nowadays lots and lots of startups are being set up every day. So, it might be hard to make the best choice of self-improvement for seniors when you have so many options. To help you choose the best events and websites that meet your wishes for improvement, we have outlined a list of events and websites to choose from.

Websites

You might look for something to read about History. Or just something funny to make you relax a bit. We have compiled a list of websites presenting topics from health to finance and technology.

1. Senior.com

Senior.com is your one-stop-shop for seniors. They have everything you need to age well and remain in your own home. Specialists in fall prevention and mobility products, their customer service can help you find exactly the right product for you. Just call them at 949-713-1400 or visit Senior.com.

2. AARP

Aarp.org is a website that offers a lot of articles for seniors. They talk about sensitive topics like sex life or Alzheimer’s disease and the latest studies in the health domain. If you choose to become a member, you also have discounts and benefits for healthcare, wellness, travel, and entertainment. Even though you are not looking for something specific, you will surely find something interesting to read. AARP is one of the most comprehensible websites.

3. Love to Know – Seniors

Love to know is a website devoted exclusively to seniors and their caregivers. They offer a lot of advice on financial planning and health. When it comes to fashion and hair, Love to Know is the perfect place to go to. It presents different senior hairstyles you can choose from. You can also find gift ideas, poems and activities ideas.

4. Road Scholar

If you are into traveling and exploring new places, then Road Scholar is for you. It is the best website for seniors that want to explore the world. They have studied over the years what makes a trip unforgettable and extraordinary. They have found that every human has its own way of seeing the world and of traveling. They have compiled a blog with trips with different structures and itineraries. So, you have plenty of resources to read. And maybe you will decide to travel and enrich your experience and view of the world.

5. Evergreen Club

Evergreen is a traveling website that aims at facilitating the process of traveling for seniors. You always stress that you have to book a room and to choose what to visit. Evergreen comes in help and establishes a network of friendly accommodation across North America. If you become a member of their club, you have access to more than 2000 friendly accommodation. And the prices are incredible! You will pay 20$ for two per night, with breakfast included.

The great thing is that this network is established especially for seniors. So, you can be one of the seniors that have a free room and wants to help other senior travelers. You can add your room to this network and welcome friendly seniors that are visiting your city. And you can visit them too!

6. The Senior’s Guide to Computers

Technology is in the constant evolvement and you might feel overwhelmed by these ever-changing changes. The Senior’s Guide to Computers wants to help seniors keep up with technology by offering video lessons and articles to read. You can find videos about emails, internet, security, and the basics of computer use.

7. WebMD
When it comes to medicine and health problems, webmd.com is the perfect option. No matter the health topic you are interested in, WebMD surely has some articles about that. You can read about physical problems like arthritis, cancer or allergies. But they also have articles on mental health problems, like depression, ADHD or sleep problems. WebMD also has a section about living healthy. You can find a lot of articles about beauty, food, sex, and exercise.

WebMD is one of the best websites because all their articles are written by doctors and are easy to understand by everyone.

8. Investopedia

Investopedia.com is a must-read for every senior that wants to invest his money. Investopedia offers a wide variety of online courses held by experts. You can do the courses at your own pace. You can choose from courses like investing and trading for beginners, financial modeling or technical analysis. The great thing about Investopedia is that they have an online simulator where you can compete risk-free with virtual money. They always share the latest news in the domain, so you will be constantly updated.

Events

Maintaining a social life is important for your mental health because they are so important for our wellbeing. Playing and socializing can have enormous benefits on your mental sharpness and emotional wellbeing. There are events organized especially for seniors. But what events should you take into consideration? Which ones are suited for you?

1. Active Games Events

You might think that you might not have the physical condition to play sports with fellow seniors. It is true, you might be slower than a few years ago. But do not let this thought prevent you from exercising and having fun with friends. Playing sports is good for your health and helps you stay fit. It also improves your hand-eye coordination. And playing with friends or funnily competing against them has good benefits on your well being too. You can choose from a lot of sports, like golf, tennis, frisbee tossing, badminton or volleyball.

2. Board Games Events

More static than sports, board games offer you the opportunity of doing some exercises for your mind. You can compete with other seniors in a public event or organize a board game night at your house. This way, you keep your mind busy with finding new strategies and improving the existing ones. You have plenty of board games to choose from. Try Uno, Chess, Monopoly, Canasta or Backgammon.

3. Outdoor Events

These activities might not be so physically demanding like playing sports. Instead, they come with mood benefits. Spending time in nature has always been recommended by doctors. Connecting with something greater than you gives you the astronaut effect and you can become happier and aware of your surroundings. By starting gardening, you will improve your knowledge of how plants grow and what nutrients they need. You can also try nature photography and choose from a wide variety of photography pieces of training. Start exploring and spending more time in nature!

4. Crafting Events

More and more seniors choose to attend crafting events because they have a lot of fun. Why won’t you try it also? Crafting events are a lot of fun and also help you improve your creativity. You can choose from activities like water coloring, oil painting or pastel drawing.

Some events challenge you more, with activities like wood crafting, papercraft or even jewelry making.

5. Active Learning Events

You are never too old to learn something new. So, why don’t you choose to attend an event that encourages active learning? There are specially designed for seniors, so you will make friends too. You can make learning fun by choosing to do something for your own sake. And you can also improve your skills. You can learn to play a musical instrument. Or write stories. Or cook exotic dishes. Either choice you will make, for sure you will improve your skills.

Conclusion

“There are a lot of websites and events to choose from when you are looking for self-improvement. Even though you might think that age prevents you from learning something new, this is false. You can keep your mind and body active by staying informed, reading and being part of outdoor events.” said John.

Choose to travel the world and become part of a traveling community. Learn how to better use the computer and your email. Read about health discoveries and future plans.

Keep your body fit by choosing sports with friends. Golf and volleyball have never been such fun unless you competed against your friends. You can also choose to attend crafting events and board games nights. Try something new and learn how to play a musical instrument or to craft wood. There are plenty of options and ideas. You only have to try them!

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By Eric H. Anderson

Eric H. Anderson is an editor and journalist at AustralianWritings. I like traveling and I have visited more than 100 countries around the world. You can find me Facebook and Linkedin

December 15, 2019 0 comment

Housing Tips

Benefits of Living in an Active Adult Community

by Jagger Esch December 9, 2019

written by Jagger Esch

Today’s seniors could discover an active adult community is exactly what they’ve been missing. Offering an ideal environment for retirees seeking a low-maintenance, but still active lifestyle. Many senior communities have resort-like advantages for residents.

As retirement nears closer, many people wonder what benefits come from leaving their pre-retirement home. Exploring an active adult community is a great start.

The number of seniors looking for an adult community across the country is on the rise. This could be the cause for the more recent increase in such communities.

Sometimes a retiree prefers to live in a more comfortable climate or needs to downsize for financial reasons. Other times it’s a matter of wanting to live closer to their loved ones.

Benefit from Living in an Active Adult Community

Neighborhoods specific to a 55 and older community are retirement homes or active adult communities. These neighborhoods aim to accommodate the lifestyle of a retiree.

Today, more individuals are moving into adult communities before retirement. State and federal rules regulate these communities. Each neighborhood has its own rules and regulations. Some require ALL residents be at least 55 or older; however, others may only require 80% of residents to be 55 or older.

Congress initiated an 80% rule to allow younger adults to stay in their home should their 55+ spouse pass. However, children under the age of 18 may not live in an active adult community full-time. Most associations allow 30-60 days each year for minors to visit.

Although, rules and regulations may vary depending on the community guidelines. Additional regulations may include the retiree’s income, financial situation or criminal background.

There are many reasons a person may decide to move into an active adult community.

Older Adults Benefit from a More Active Lifestyle

One of the most beneficial aspects of moving to an adult community is the active lifestyle that comes with it. Many communities have various activities to choose from; all of which are fun and easy enough for everyone.

From fitness centers, recreation rooms, and different exercises to keep you healthy. No matter what pace you need to go, activities accommodate all residents.

Some of these fun lifestyle activities range from cooking, painting, shuffleboard, picnics, barbecues and much more!

A Social Community is Important with Age

The quality of life can change drastically with or without a sense of community, especially as we age. Living in an active adult community can provide residents with that community-like environment.

The goal of creating long-lasting memories and knowing their neighbor is a common benefit among residents. For those that don’t live close to their relatives, this can be a great way to stay social.

Getting older doesn’t have to mean loneliness. Many individuals find great friendships and a sense of belonging within the social community of an active adult organization.

Maintenance-Free Living

We’re not talking about just snow plowing, leaf blowing, and basic lawn services. Maintenance-free means all exterior building services including streets, roofs, driveways, and sidewalks.

Adult community staff generally handles even interior repairs, replaces hard-to-reach lightbulbs and other things. Sometimes, having loved ones living close by makes these tasks less difficult.

However, not all people have the help of their family members. For some, the idea of a maintenance-free life is exactly what they need.

Support Services Available

Living independently is something we all strive for, especially as we get older. Although, many of us will experience illness or accidents that prevent us from living without any help.

Fortunately, communities for 55 and older, have multiple services available for residents. Some places require additional costs for using certain support services.

Typical services such as housekeeping, meal prepping, light errands, and pet care. Personal support services like physical rehab, daily living assistance for those in need, and medication reminders.

Convenient Locations

When looking for an active adult community, location is one of the biggest things to consider. Some individuals prefer walking or taking public transportation over driving. For these adults, the location should be near certain places.

Completing tasks like shopping at the mall or attending church events may be difficult if living in certain areas. Moving to a community near hospitals, churches or shopping malls may be ideal for those unable to drive themselves.

Living near grocery stores, theaters, restaurants, and other community facilities make life convenient. Many adult communities are located close to these venues to provide residents with a better quality of life.

Feel Safe & Secure

Many active adult communities have strict security policies in place, allowing only approved residents and guests on the property. Additional security staff is on-site to ensure the safety of all residents. Perks include well-lit parking lots, common walkways, sidewalks, and streets.

Other safety features include working fire alarms and smoke detectors. Also, emergency maps displayed for evacuation purposes and exit doors clearly visible.

As we age, it can become easier to get confused or lost. Having well-lit and clearly marked can help a senior greatly in emergency situations.

Don’t Wait Until Retirement

Active adult communities are “retirement communities”. However, there’s no need to leave your employer to live here.

Although, restrictions for the residents usually include age and income. A common misconception is that members must be retirees to live in a 55+ park. However, that’s not always true.

Members of the community can travel freely or enjoy an active lifestyle without the responsibilities of owning a home. Living in one of these communities can free up more time for retirement activities or just a more relaxed lifestyle.

Be Happy in an Active Adult Community

The baby boomers are moving into retirement. The right residency may offer an active social life, recreation, and activities, privacy, and security, but most of all relaxation.

Most community designs keep the resident’s needs in mind. Offering a socially, physically and mentally active lifestyle for all within the community.

Also, members may meet new people and make new friends. Doing so is easy while taking part in some of the different activities the community offers.

December 9, 2019 0 comment

Aging

Coping with the Emotions of Downsizing

by Kendall VanBlarcom November 2, 2019

written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Many older adults find themselves coping with the emotions of downsizing, these emotions may include anxiety, stress, and sadness. Take time to speak with a counselor and work through your emotions. Not so that you won’t feel the way do, but so you can understand why.

Reasons You May Feel Sad

Moving from a big house to a smaller house, an apartment, or into a relative’s home, can be a good solution for many older adults. Whether the shift is due to health concerns or financial constraints, know that a good decision can also come with feelings of sadness.

Sometimes individuals or couples who are downsizing grieve over moving because they are emotionally attached to the memories made in their homes. This can be exacerbated if there is a neighborhood community full of friends and long-term neighbors.

In other circumstances, coping with the emotions of downsizing is related to having to let go of belongings. In the process of donating furniture, mementos, and daily living items accrued over decades, it is common to feel a sense of loss. Saying goodbye to a life you have built can be painful at any age.

Focus On Your New Home

Feeling upset about leaving a neighborhood is normal, but for your own health, it’s important to become involved in your new community and home.

Make your new home as comfortable and cheery as you can. Don’t worry about keeping all of your belongings, simply keep the ones that bring you joy and are practical for your new home. You don’t have to be the keeper of family items for your entire life either. Give them the items now, while you are downsizing.

From there, learn about ways to be involved in your new neighborhood. Volunteering or joining a group that meets weekly to pursue a hobby are great ways to connect and make new friends. And if your first volunteer shift or club isn’t a good match, don’t sweat it. Simply shift and choose another route, there are new friendships to be made, you just have to find them.

Planning Your Move While Coping with the Emotions of Downsizing

Deciding what to keep and what to donate, packing up your home, and taking care of all the paperwork surrounding a move can be stressful. If your move is happening in tandem with shifts in your family, for example, if you are moving into your child’s home, be sure to take advantage of all the family help you can. If family isn’t available, consider hiring help. There are many organizations that help with downsizing.

It’s ok to feel sad, but there are benefits of downsizing to focus on as well. A smaller home means less work on home upkeep. And remember, every life change comes with adjustments. An end to one period of life is the beginning of another. Talk through the frustrations you are feeling and look forward to your new home with positivity and interest.

November 2, 2019 0 comment

Aging

How Technology is Disrupting Aging

by Carol Marak October 24, 2019

written by Carol Marak

A report by the Consumer Technology Association says the active aging industry which includes safety and smart-living technologies, health and remote care, and wellness and fitness technologies will triple over the next few years. It confirms that health and remote care lead the way.

As boomers grow older, they gravitate to more activity, independence, and technology as the big disruptor allowing these goals. If you’re an entrepreneur with tech development skills, here’s your opportunity.

Medicare Advantage Plan companies continue to sink revenue into technology as a big part of the puzzle of how they provide health care services that the older adults demand. They believe a health care system focused on preventing disease could mean work & income need not pivot around saving for future health & long-term care costs.

The Study

Some key findings from the Consumer Technology Association study say seniors have concerns about the cost and learning new technologies. But caregivers have less concern over those issues. Both caregivers and seniors show high levels of concern over potential emergencies, and the caretakers are more concerned than seniors over every day safe living.

A few things consumers look for when buying technology or any device that helps them age in place:

Recommendation from a doctor and health care provider, especially if the device collects health data.
Available tech support for any product or service to ensure proper installation and they know how to use it.
Installation and management services to ease concerns when implementing new technology.
Ease of use – need the product or service to have an easy-to-use app that both seniors and caretakers can use.
Reassurance – the family or paid caregivers need reassurance that the product will keep the care recipient safe and well.
Rely on testimonials, case studies and referral programs to see and hear from others who have used the product successfully.
Manage day-to-day care is as critical as solutions for emergencies. This is an important ingredient for caregivers.

About eighty percent of seniors own a smart phone and one-third of caregivers own a smart speaker, so digital assistants, like Alexa and Google Home, with voice control will play a greater role in active aging. Use this tech in your product if you can.

The Consumer Technology Association survey is an online panel of seniors. Thus, some of the data such as technology ownership is amplified because this sample is already comfortable with technology.

October 24, 2019 0 comment

Fall Prevention Tips

How to Fall-Proof your Home

by Kimberly Johnson March 12, 2019

written by Kimberly Johnson

Did you know, according to the National Institute of Aging, that 6 out of 10 falls happen at home, where we spend most of our time and neglect to consider safety? Most of these falls could be prevented by making some simple changes to your home. At Senior.com, we are experts in fall prevention and consider it our mission to help you live as independently as possible, for as long as possible.

We suggest you invite a friend or family member to make this safety assessment with you. Often it takes a 2nd pair of eyes to see hazards you no longer consider. Remember, we are fall-proofing your home so you can live independently as long as possible, so accepting change is required. Being proactive now will allow you to have more freedom later.

Arrange your furniture so you have plenty of room to walk freely. Remove items from stairs and hallways.
Remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking. Pay special attention to clutter, small furniture, pet bowls or beds, electrical cords, throw rugs and standing lamps.
If possible, remove throw rugs permanently. At the very least, secure carpets to the floor and stairs. Use only non-slip rugs or attach rugs to the floor with double-sided tape.
Use non-slip items in the bathroom. Install non-slip flooring if possible. Add a non-slip mat or strips in the bathtub or shower.
Add a raised commode to your toilet because most falls occur in the bathroom. Adding a raised commode or grab bars on either side of the toilet can reduce this risk substantially. No one wants to be found on the floor of a bathroom so address the bathroom first.
Install grab bars in the shower or tub. Consider adding a safety pole if you prefer not to put permanent holes in your tile or walls.
Install safety poles next to beds or couches where you need assistance getting up.
Add a reclining lift chair. Lift chairs have proven to help people stay in their homes longer. When you struggle to get out of a chair you put too much weight on your arms and shoulders often causing injury or a fall. If an injury occurs, you are looking at increased caregiving and possibly the loss of your independence. A lift chair gets you standing fast, safely. In addition, our lift chairs are so comfortable you can sleep in them all day or night.
Add a bed assist bar or handle to help you get in and out of your bed.
Move items in high cupboards to lower places so you are not climbing on unstable stools. Get a “reacher” so you can grab items out of reach.
Look at the entrances to your home and add ramps and hand rails where necessary. Consider the height of thresholds and have them altered for smooth walking or rolling over.
Consider how slippery your floor can be when wet. Use only non-skid was on waxed floors. Always clean up spills right away. Assess whether you need to add low profile carpet to a room for safety and warmth. One drawback to carpet is shoes can trip if you don’t pick up your feet. However, slippery hard floors cause more injuries than soft carpets.
Add lighting to dimly lit rooms and on the stairs. Use automatic nightlights in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, kitchen and outdoors. Use light bulbs that have the highest wattage recommended for the fixture. Since lighting is often referenced after a major fall, it’s important to proactively inspect every room at night to see potential hazards.
Place a lamp next to your bed along with a flashlight for emergencies. Consider setting up your lights on a smart-home system such as Google or Amazon’s Alexa so you can verbally command your lights.
Add an additional handrail on the wall side of your stairway. Make sure you can hold either side of the stairs as a guide.
Keep your cell phone on you in the event that you do fall, you can call for help. Or consider wearing a call-service-button for help.
Add automobile aids so you don’t have an fall getting in or out of your car.
Wear non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes or lace-up shoes with non-skid soles that fully support your feet. It is important that the soles are not too thin or too thick. Avoid flip-flop style sandals. Do not walk on stairs or floors in socks or slippers.
Stay physically active! Lower body strength and balance exercises PREVENT FALLS. Find low cost fitness classes at your local senior center, YMCA, church, gym or city.

Our favorite shop to find Fall Prevention items is Senior.com. Use coupon “Senior10” for $10 off your order! Senior.com always offers Free Shipping and 15% off to all active military or veterans.

March 12, 2019 0 comment

Caregiving

How to Find the Right Senior Care Facilities For Aging Parents

by Kendall VanBlarcom January 5, 2018

written by Kendall VanBlarcom

It’s never easy making the decision to put your aging parent in a nursing home or senior care facility. Understandably, it’s hard not to feel guilty about the situation even if deep down you know that it’s for the best. As I have written before, caring for your elderly parent is nice but it doesn’t make you a bad person if you don’t do it. How to Find the Right Senior Care Facilities For Aging Parents

Remember, finding a safe, healthy home for your parent is something a lot of people do. And they don’t do it because they’re selfish or lazy. They do it because they know that moving their parents into senior care facilities is in their best interest. How to Find the Right Senior Care Facilities For Aging Parents
Of course, an important part of that process is finding the right home for your parent. To make sure you’re choosing the best one, you need to take the necessary steps.

Steps to Take When Looking for Senior Care Facilities

1. Get your parent involved

To make the transition easier, don’t leave your parent or parents out of the loop. Involve them in the search and note down their preferences. If your finances allow it, present a range of options so they can be assured that you’re looking for a place they can feel at home in.

2. Do the math

If you’ve crunched the numbers and are coming up short even after looking into social security and veterans benefits, you may need to pool resources from everyone in the family. You could also sell a family home or check long-term care insurance and see how much of it will cover senior care facility costs.

3. Read reviews

Most senior care facilities have websites. But you shouldn’t limit your research to information that these websites provide. Google reviews, visit forums and be proactive in asking questions.
Make sure you check the amenities, activities, and services each facility has to offer, weigh those against your budget, then narrow down your options.

4. Go on tour

Once you have a list of facilities, the next step is to visit each one. Don’t just research on the Internet and call it a day. It’s important that you get a feel for a facility by checking the living quarters and talking to the current residents.

5. Decide

The time has come. If you never had a chance to involve your parents in the decision-making process because of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the next best thing to have the support of everyone in the family. You can also talk to a Personal Consultant who has a lot of experience helping families make this type of decision.

Need Help?

I’m here for you. If you need a caring and compassionate personal confidant, I’m just a phone call away. How to Find the Right Senior Care Facilities For Aging Parents
Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of my special offer for new clients. For only $49, you can try an introductory session with me. I also offer a $10 Senior Discount on the First Session.
Look at the Senior.com Housing Directory for more information on communities near you.ow to Find the Right Senior Care Facilities For Aging Parents

January 5, 2018 0 comment

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