What was the name of that Italian restaurant again?   If you are like many people, you hear yourself asking those type of questions more frequently as you get older. Most of the time, you forget little or insignificant things but sometimes you may forget something important like a doctor’s appointment or remembering to take your medication. Part of the problem is that the sheer volume and access to information has increased exponentially. Social media, email, texts, phone calls, news feeds, pop-ups are all vying for our attention. And as we age, it is also normal to lose some cognitive function. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t proactively take steps to minimize memory loss. There are many ways for seniors to stay mentally active [...]

While there are many benefits of retirement, there are also some adjustments that many people need to make in order to transition to this next phase of life. While most of us do not miss the stress that came along with our careers, we do miss the mental stimulation. There is also less social interaction when you don’t go to an office every day. However, instead of dwelling on the downsides, think of all the things you have always wanted to do but never got around to doing. Remember that art history class that you wanted to take but never had time? Or what about when you wanted to learn how to make the perfect lasagna or become a wine connoisseur?   Well, now is [...]

Memories are forever but only if you share them with others! Why not make a permanent record of your personal history through photos, journals or recordings that you can give to your children and grandchildren? There are some easy ways that you can create a gift for yourself (and for others) that will not only be personal but long lasting as well. Here are some tips for getting started:   There are many imaginative ways to display photos and tell a story through them. Apple offers a service that allows you to upload your photos and they will create a hardbound album or even a calendar for you. You can customize with different layouts, colors, text etc. It is fairly easy to get started and [...]

We are finally eliminating some of the prejudices associated with race, gender and sexual orientation. Yet, ageism is alive and well and there doesn’t seem to be any moral outrage against it. Our cultural and structural disregard for older populations “is almost the last prejudice that we are allowed to have.” says Kathryn Lawler, the director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging. This is ironic considering that aging is a universal human experience for those of us lucky enough to have the opportunity to grow older.   And whether we acknowledge it or not, our population is aging and we are going to have to come to terms with the bias that persists. By 2050, the global population of people aged 60 [...]

While Americans 65 and older are the most active demographic group politically with 60% of eligible voters going to the polls, that still means that 40% are not voting. As we age, it is important to be aware of how public policy affects us and the ways that we can get involved.   "A lot of the benefits of our government go to older people," says Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and author of Governing America: The Revival of Political History. "If you look at the major domestic benefit programs, from Medicare to Social Security to Medicaid, the older people just have a greater interest in voting than younger people who don't see the same benefits." So while [...]

In 2017, 68 percent of all households in the United States owned pets, up from 56 percent in 1988. For fellow animal lovers, the reason why is obvious – unconditional love. But many people don’t realize that there are also other benefits that are validated by numerous research studies. Animals can have a positive effect on our social lives, our health and our overall emotional well- being. For seniors, there is no better way to decrease loneliness and stress than to have a pet in their home. Whether you live independently or in an assisted living facility, the best medicine can be named Fido or Miss Kitty.   Increased Social Activity – Many seniors feel isolated as they get older. They may have lost close [...]

How Volunteering Can Improve Your Quality of Life   Getting older can have its’ benefits. One reward is the wisdom that comes with age and life experience. And what better way to share that wisdom than to volunteer? You give back but you get back a lot more. Whether you are sharing your stories at a soup kitchen or helping a student with their reading skills, your life will have more meaning and your age will be an asset when you help others. In fact, a growing body of research has pointed to three main benefits of volunteering including social, emotional, and physical health benefits:   1. Social Interaction As people age, they may experience loneliness or social isolation especially if they have lost a [...]

For many seniors, there comes a time when they need a little extra help and have to decide whether to stay in their own home vs. moving into an independent or assisted living community. There are benefits to both so it’s really important to determine what you need and then weigh the cost benefits as well as your personal lifestyle preferences. Here are three main things to consider:   1. Requirements for assistance The first consideration is deciding on the type of services that you need. Do you simply require some help with household chores and/or meals or do you need full-time assistance because of medical needs? Is your home still manageable or has it become too much to handle because of size, layout or [...]

Whether you are downsizing because of a move or simply to unclutter your life, there are definitely some tangible benefits that can come from the process. Sometimes we end up spending more time taking care of “our things” than ourselves or our friends and family. When you remove some of those obstacles, you have time to focus on what is really important. Here are three positives that can come from downsizing:   Mental space We all spend a lot of time cleaning and moving things around in our houses. In fact, many of us have possessions in our garages that have been there for years and have not been touched for as long. So why do we keep them? Why do we stress out every [...]

Moving, as anyone can attest to, is not fun. Whether you are downsizing into a smaller home or condo or moving into a retirement community, it can be hard work both emotionally and physically. However, there are things that you can do prior to your move that will make it a lot easier.   Tip 1: Make a list and check it twice: Take an inventory of everything that you have within your house and in storage if applicable. Create three lists – stay, go, maybe. This will get you started with the things that you are comfortable letting go. You can then divide the “go” list into various parts like donate, gift, throw away. I know it sounds like a lot of lists but [...]