Fraud affects up to 25 million people per year in the United States alone and seniors are especially vulnerable. If you are age 60 or older—you are at an increased risk of being a target of con artists who sell fake products and services by email or telephone. And with mid-terms right around the corner, electoral fraud is another potential threat. Posing as political volunteers, they try to lure voters into donating money by asking for cash or a credit card number. They may even offer to register you over the phone if you provide your social security number (which is not a legal method of registration in any state).   So what are some other common fraudulent schemes to watch out for and how [...]

Part 2 in a 2 part series. In our FirstLantic blog last week, we provided some inspiring examples of baby boomers who have embarked on new career paths. This week we want to help you get started on planning your own “encore” career with helpful resources. One of the most intimidating parts of the process can be figuring out where to even begin. And then the old self-doubt starts to creep in. “Am I too old to start something new?” ‘Will I be able to keep up with my younger peers when it comes to technology?” “What new skills will I need?” Fortunately, there are organizations that were started with the express intention of making it easier for boomers to start fresh whether that be [...]

Part 1 in a 2 part series Have you ever contemplated what it would be like to have an “encore” career? It wasn’t that long ago that an idea like that would have been considered impossible. But like many outdated notions, that’s no longer the case. Many baby boomers aren’t satisfied with simply settling for golf and bridge games in retirement but instead are embarking on completely new careers. Boomers have always valued hard work and were willing to pay their dues to get ahead. That’s why many boomers are not afraid to start a new chapter. They have acquired valuable skills in their work life and they see an opportunity to parlay those skills into a second act. In fact, 74 percent of workers [...]

In our FirstLantic blog last week, we focused on how to speak with your parents about uncomfortable topics. And while that may be challenging, it could be even harder to discuss certain subjects with your own children such as their approach to parenting. One of the biggest benefits of being a grandparent is that you can spend your time spoiling instead of disciplining, however, there are boundaries that you have to respect especially as it comes to rules and structure that have been established. The last thing that you want to do is ignore your children’s wishes or undermine them. So what are some things that you should keep in mind to ensure that you maintain a positive relationship? First of all, respect boundaries. You [...]

Do your kids ever roll their eyes at you when you’re talking to them? Have you ever done the same thing to your own parents? Generational differences have always been a challenge and that becomes even harder as our parents age. It is extremely difficult to see someone you love start to become more forgetful or frail. After all, your parents were the ones that always took care of you. They comforted you when you skinned your knee and helped put you through college and reassured you when you were having problems with your own kids. So how do you have that difficult conversation when you think they might need help? While it may not be totally comfortable, there are some communication techniques that can [...]

Part 2 of a 2 part series   It wasn’t that long ago that most people felt the need to hide the fact that they had a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, times have changed and the topic can now be discussed much more openly. In our last blog, we talked about the type of options that are available. In part 2, we want to talk about what you should consider before you decide whether it’s the right solution for you. And we want to provide some resources that can help you make the right decision.   Why are you getting cosmetic surgery? That question may seem fairly obvious and many of you are rolling your eyes right now thinking “well, uh I don’t like the way [...]

Part 1 in a 2 part series   You work out to stay physically healthy. You read, watch movies and attend lectures to stay mentally fit. But then you see yourself in the mirror and you don’t look nearly as young as you feel. As more seniors are defying the limitations of aging, they also want to roll back the clock when it comes to their outward appearance. According to Dr. Richard Erlichman, a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, “seniors are now the largest growing group of patients by age category.” And it’s not limited to cosmetic surgery alone, seniors are also taking advantage of fillers, Botox and other anti-aging services and products.   But should we bother? There are certainly [...]

Part 2 in 2 part series In part 1 of our blog dating after 50, FirstLantic gave you some great resources for ways to meet other singles. In part 2, we want to focus on how to make that date a success. As we get older, we like to think we are getting wiser. But many people make the same mistakes when they are dating after 50 as they made when they were in their 20s.   The biggest don’t Don’t get discouraged if you have a bad date. As the saying goes, you may have to kiss a few frogs to find your prince or princess. Even if the date doesn’t go as well as you would have liked, pat yourself on the back [...]

Part 1 in a 2 part series. The reality is that dating after 50 is different than dating at 25. However, it’s not as different as you might think. There are still the awkward first dates and the anxiety over how much to reveal about yourself. And of course, the age-old challenge of finding someone who is compatible and also ready for the same type of relationship at the same time.   So, why even bother? Well, we all have a need for companionship and for many of us that means having some sort of romantic relationship. So, if you’re ready for the next step, read on for some tips to help you get back in the game.   Ways to Meet The main difference [...]

In our blog last week, FirstLantic featured helpful tips on smart phones and tablets that are specifically designed with seniors in mind. So now that you have some options for user-friendly technology tools, let’s talk specifically about online games that will help you stay mentally sharp.   You might ask why online games? Well, studies show that specific types of games can help your memory, focus and mental alertness. According to an article in SeniorBrains.com, scientists from Poland discovered that all of their subjects between 65 and 75 years of age that completed a series of several computer games were able to improve memory, expand attention and increase sequencing abilities. Jennifer Wagner, 52, a blogger in New York City, is addicted to playing games like [...]