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 [...]

Downsizing can be emotionally overwhelming. It can be especially hard for seniors moving to a retirement or assisted living community who may be leaving a home where they raised their family and accumulated a lifetime of memories. However, there are upsides to downsizing and it can be both liberating and rewarding if you follow these tips:   Love the people and not the stuff The first positive is that consolidating things allows you to start focusing on what’s most important to us. It can create “mental space” and free you to appreciate experiences and people rather than inanimate objects that really are just that – objects. The real value of things is usually associated with the memories around them so write down what made those [...]

Age-related changes mean unique hair care needs   As with just about everything, hair changes with age. Over time, the fibers in your hair thin and fall out, especially if it’s been dyed or color treated over the years. Pigment cells stop producing and hormones that once stimulated hair fibers weaken. Fortunately, there are methods that can help maintain you or an elderly loved one’s hair to keep it looking and feeling healthy. Elder hair care can also mean less hair care   Interestingly enough, a key to maintaining the health of aging hair is to clean it less. It’s still important to maintain a daily hygiene routine, but skipping a hair wash every day or two can provide benefits outside of reducing the regular [...]

How healthy eating may help alleviate depression   As people get older, most of the common health issues they experience are fairly noticeable. If, for example, someone is in pain or discomfort, this will be evident, and hopefully a test or examination will reveal the problem. But one ailment that affects many older people is something that isn’t always obvious and won’t show up on any test: depression.   It is estimated that as much as five percent of the elderly population is affected by depression, and there are many reasons for this. Medical conditions such as dementia can lead to depression. There have also been links between depression and certain medications. But whatever the cause, it is vital that it is identified and addressed [...]

These tips can help an aging individual stay independent   Aging isn’t an easy process – both for a senior and any caregiving family members. As a caregiver, it’s difficult to watch a parent or loved one progress in years and have the roles become reversed. The last thing either of you want is for an individual to lose their independence. But one thing is for certain – you and your loved ones are not alone in this challenge.   According to the Census Bureau, once all of the baby boomers are 65 years or older (by 2029), they will make up more than 20 percent of the total US population. And by 2056, the population 65 years and over is projected to become larger [...]