Leslie Newlife

Senior Health Tips: Maintaining Healthy Bones, Muscles, and Joints

One of the first things to go as you age is your bone density, muscle mass, and joints. You can’t get around as well, you’re prone to injuries, and, for some seniors, it feels like you’re shrinking or losing weight. Your joints lose fluid and cartilage causing them to be stiff, and your muscle mass decreases as muscle tissue reduces. Though this is all a natural course of aging, it can make living out your golden years very complex, and for some, even painful. 

To prevent the likelihood of developing common bone, muscle, and joint issues like osteoporosis, arthritis, and fasciculations, and/or to reduce the symptoms of these conditions, it is essential for seniors, family caregivers, home health aides, and senior living communities to focus on a few key components. 

Nutrition

Positive health always starts from the inside out. Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to remain in optimal shape. To improve bone health, for example, seniors need to be consuming a diet that includes calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. To sustain muscle mass, seniors need to be eating diets rich in protein, omega fatty acids, and the B vitamins. For healthy pain-free joints, it is imperative for seniors to consume anti-inflammatory foods. 

Consuming low-fat dairy, green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish, chicken, and lean beef can help improve your muscles, bones, and joints. It helps to slow the natural process of aging and/or reduce symptoms from conditions like arthritis. For seniors with dietary issues or small appetites, taking daily supplements containing these key vitamins and nutrients and/or drinking your nutrients in smoothies or protein shakes for women and men are ideal. 

Exercise

Seniors that incorporate exercise or physical activity into their daily routines are less likely to fall or become injured than those who don’t. Weight-bearing workouts are best for reducing bone loss, improving stamina, and increasing muscle tone. 

A wide misconception is that exercising has to be done in the gym or in front of the television with a DVD. However, there are a lot of physical activities seniors can engage in to maintain optimal muscle, bone, and joint health. They might want to try dancing, going for hikes, walking briskly, playing tennis, climbing the stairs, or even gardening. There are also exercises like yoga which can be ideal for improving balance, flexibility, range of motion, and strength. 

Seniors should always check with their doctors before starting a new exercise routine to ensure they won’t worsen their health or injure themselves. They can then work out with other seniors in their community, join exercise classes, or take advantage of fitness programs available at a community center. 

Hydration

Drinking plenty of water is also essential to maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints. When seniors are drinking enough water, the water helps to provide necessary nutrients to the muscles while also removing waste so that they become stronger. Drinking more water also helps to keep joints lubricated so that they don’t rub together causing friction and inflammation which leads to pain. 

It’s recommended that the average person drink at least 8 cups of water each day. To try to encourage more hydration for seniors to be sure that they have fresh water sources whether it be a filtration system or bottled spring water. Incorporating fruit into the water helps to add taste and key nutrients which are great for allover health. Senior centers might help with the consumption of water by serving water as an option with each meal or having easily accessible water fountains or dispensers on the premises. 

Sleep

Last, but not least on improving bone, muscle, and joint health in seniors is getting enough sleep. Your body is constantly working, when you’re sleeping, it provides your body with the time it needs to repair, build, and heal. Your bones and muscles especially, need to go through a repair process in which old tissue is replaced with new tissue which is most effectively done when you’re sleeping comfortably. 

Getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep can be hard. If there is an underlying cause to your sleep-deprivation, talk to your doctor about treatment. Otherwise, ensure that your sleeping environment is comfortable with proper bedding, temperature, and lighting control. 

Osteoporosis, arthritis, and other skeletal, muscular, and joint conditions become more common as you age. You can reduce the likelihood of developing such conditions and/or ease the symptoms of them by being proactive in the areas discussed above.

5 Ways to Earn a Passive Income as a Senior

Retirement sits in the back of everyone’s mind as they navigate life. When one reaches that point, however, they may wish to continue bringing in an income to occupy their time and make money on their own schedule. If you retired and want a low-maintenance way to supplement your income, look through our list of ways to earn a passive income during retirement.

1. Rent Out Property

If you own any extra property, or are willing to invest in some, we recommend you rent out a home or two. The effort that goes into maintaining a real estate business depends entirely on the goals of an individual, so you should know what this endeavor may entail. Depending on the amount of properties you have, a management company can handle all the hard work.

2. Sell Your Crafts Online

Do you have a hobby such as sewing, knitting, or woodworking? If you do, you can turn your favorite hobby into an income. You can set up an account on an online selling platform, such as Etsy or iCraft. These sites focus on individuals who want to create their own side business selling their handmade items, and it’s an excellent way to bring in a few extra dollars each month.

3. Babysit

It’s likely that your social circle includes a selection of individuals that need someone reliable to care for their children once in a while. This is something that you can do as often as you’d like, and it can give your neighbors or friends an extra date night or two.

4. Teach Local Classes

If you have a skill for something such as cooking or painting, consider teaching a local class on the subject. Partner up with a senior center, a local college, or a local senior community, and advertise your classes in your county’s magazine.

5. Invest in Stocks

Investing in the right stocks is one of the simplest ways to make a passive income, as you essentially wait for the best time to either collect your dividend or sell your shares. If you never purchased stocks before, you may want to consult with a financial advisor before making the investment.

5 Ways to Keep Your Love Alive After 50 Years Together

Your golden years are called this for a reason: they’re a time to step back from decades of hard work and to enjoy life’s most precious treasures. This time in your life is best enjoyed alongside someone you love. If you’ve been by your spouse’s side for fifty years, you likely know each other inside and out. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t still have some magic in your relationship. If you’re looking for that extra something, follow our guide on how to keep your love alive after 50 years together.

1. Celebrate Your Golden Anniversary

Many couples welcome the next era of their lives with a bang, and this is often comes in the form of their fiftieth anniversary. When this time comes, make it a celebration to remember by getting your family and friends involved in recognizing this monumental milestone.

2. Go on a Date

Couples should never stop going on dates. These are the special moments in which you get to treat yourselves and enjoy each other’s company. Hit up your favorite restaurant or a museum, or go see the latest movie in theaters. Even if you are in a retirement community, the staff can help you set-up a special date night in a private dining area.

3. Share Memories

An important way to keep your love alive is to recollect the time when the two of you first started seeing each other. As you bring up these memories, you may feel some of that initial spark and excitement you experienced all those decades ago. It’s important to take the time to cherish old memories as well as to create new ones.

4. Surprise Each Other

A surprise is exciting at any age, and your better half will be elated to receive one every so often. Whether it’s making reservations at a restaurant, giving a bouquet of flowers, or even planning a weekend getaway, the unexpected is sure to keep the excitement alive for both of you.

5. Volunteer Together

Use the extra time you have in your retirement to give back to the world. Getting involved with a charity is an opportunity for both of you to get out and foster kindness side by side. Working together to do good will deepen your love for one another.

Attaining Guardianship for a Parent with Alzheimer’s

Guardianship for an individual with Alzheimer’s is imperative when the patient has reached the point of mental incapacitation. People living with Alzheimer’s will reach the stage wherein they lose their memory and cognitive skills, which are vital for carrying normal day-to-day interactions. Their ability to make decisions regarding their health care, living situation, money, and other personal matters can be severely affected.

It can pose problems for the patients because it puts them in serious physical and financial risks. They can also become vulnerable to physical and financial abuse. At this point, guardianship can be an essential tool to safeguard the patient’s well-being.

What is Guardianship?

Guardianship is a court process of appointing a person, the “guardian”, to supervise a disabled person’s property and to manage his care and living set-up. The court-appointed guardian will have the legal authority to make personal, financial, and medical decisions on behalf of the disabled person, or ward.

A guardianship lawyer can help with this process, especially since state laws differ when it comes to guardianship processes. The guardianship lawyer will guide you through the legal procedure of guardianship and helps you get approved by the court.

The process of guardianship is often lengthy and can get quite tedious. To gain guardianship for your parent with Alzheimer’s disease, your guardianship lawyer will need some information to establish the need for it. The information should help the court understand why your parent’s situation necessitates a guardianship. It should also clearly show why you are the best person to be your parent’s legal guardian.

When is Guardianship Needed?

Because an Alzheimer’s patient cannot make intelligent decisions for himself, a trusted guardian must be appointed to protect the patient’s interest. A court may decide if a guardianship is warranted based on factors:

  • When a person (in this case, a parent with Alzheimer’s) lost his legal capacity to make crucial decisions for himself;
  • When a person, in some cases, agree that he might benefit from having a guardian to help manage the situation;
  • When a person living with Alzheimer’s is no longer capable of legally signing a power of attorney forms because of his mental state;
  • When the ability to carry out basic daily routines like eating, maintaining hygiene, taking the necessary medications, and the likes, are lost.

Attaining Guardianship

You can easily gain guardianship for your parent with Alzheimer’s by meeting the court’s basic requirements for guardianship. Having a guardianship lawyer is a significant advantage as he can help make these proceedings a lot easier for you.

Usually, the court’s primary choice for guardianship is a close family member of the ward. In this case, the spouse or domestic partner or the adult child is the more likely choice. Secondary choices include close relatives or friends. In some cases, when a spouse, adult child, close relatives, or friends are not available for guardianship, the court will appoint a qualified attorney to handle the guardianship part.

You can petition for guardianship of your parent by:

  1. Making a petition to the court and establishing the fact that your parent suffering from Alzheimer’s has lost his mental capacity to function normally;
  2. Obtaining the Notice of Hearing from the court;
  3. Confirming that the ward receives the Notice of Hearing and the copy of petition documents filed in court;
  4. Come on the appointed date of hearing (this usually takes place in an informal setting).

During the hearing, you must be able to convince the judge why you should get the guardianship of your parent with Alzheimer’s. You may choose to go through the whole process without a guardianship lawyer, but having one can be a great advantage.

Why Guardianship Proceedings Can Get Problematic

As a guardian, your core responsibilities include managing the ward’s living conditions, maintenance, and care. You are also expected to make financial and medical decisions, and to see that the ward gets the necessary medical care. You are also required to submit updates about the ward’s condition to the court.

But sometimes, guardianship can be problematic for various reasons:

  • The ward may sometimes feel like he has lost his freedom to make decisions for himself;
  • The ward may feel forced to live in a new living environment that he may find uncomfortable;
  • The ward may feel hurt and may become resentful because he is declared physically and mentally incompetent;
  • The ward’s personal and financial situations become a public record;
  • Attorney’s and doctor’s fees and other fees can get costly, all at the expense of the ward;
  • The ward is losing his life savings due to the mishandling of his finances.

As long as the right and trusted person who truly cares for the ward’s best interest is given guardianship, things will be less problematic. With the right legal guidance of a guardianship lawyer, problems like these can be foreseen and avoided. Guardianship should be beneficial to everyone concerned, but most notably, to the ward.

Guardianship of a parent with Alzheimer’s, especially in an advanced stage, may need a little more involvement to ensure proper care. But in these busy times, it can be a challenge. You might want to opt for the service of a caretaker to assist you in caring for your parents. He may also benefit from memory care services to lessen the impact of Alzheimer’s so he may still be able to enjoy his life.

Live Well on Less: 9 Easy Ways for Retirees to Cut Costs at Home

When you’re living on a fixed income, saving money is a must. However, sticking to a budget doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love. There are a lot of painless ways that seniors can save money on everyday living expenses, like these!

1. Take advantage of senior discounts

Many of your everyday purchases could be eligible for senior discounts, but you won’t know if you don’t ask. Brad’s Deals points out Walgreens, Kohl’s, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Lens Crafters are just a few of the nationwide retailers that offer senior discounts.

2. Swap cable for low-cost TV

Cable packages are expensive and, odds are, you only watch a fraction of the channels you pay for. These days, more households are opting to get their TV fix from inexpensive streaming services. Not only are the monthly fees lower, but you don’t have to buy or rent costly equipment either. For less than the cost of a month of satellite television, you can buy a streaming stick that broadcasts your favorite entertainment apps right to your TV screen. Just make sure the device you choose is compatible with your TV before buying.

3. Borrow, don’t buy, books and movies

Why pay full-price for something you’ll only use once or twice? Instead of buying books and movies or ordering pay-per-view, visit your local library for free book and movie rentals. While some libraries still loan DVDs, many have switched to digital media libraries so that members can stream and download media from home.

4. Get rid of your landline

Cable TV isn’t the only overpriced service you’re still paying for. While many seniors still have landline phones, most households are transitioning to cell phones only. Doing the same could save you $30-$40 a month, but as The Nest suggests, consider the pros and cons before making the switch.

5. Save on utilities with a programmable thermostat

A warm house keeps the chill away, but cranking up the temperature 24/7 can lead to high utility bills. If you have trouble staying warm, use a programmable or smart thermostat to turn the temperature up during the day when you’re home, and down at night and when the house is empty. Used properly, a programmable thermostat could save 20-30% on heating and cooling costs.

6. Drink water instead of sweetened beverages

Choosing water instead of sweetened beverages like soda, juice, and sweet tea is good for your wallet and your waistline. However, you’ll lose out on the savings if you spend money on bottled water. If you’re not a fan of your tap water, buy a faucet filter to improve the taste.

7. Grocery shop with a friend

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money on groceries and household goods, but as a one- or two-person household, it’s sometimes hard to use up a bulk purchase before it goes bad. By grocery shopping with a friend or neighbor, you can split bulk purchases and save on transportation costs too!

8. Plan fun nights in

When shopping with your friend, why not pick up cocktail supplies and games for a fun night in? Socializing at home costs far less than going out for dinner and drinks, and it’s a great way to build a strong social network to carry you through the senior years.

9. Move closer to town

Does living in the suburbs make it hard to maintain an active social life? If your suburban family home is no longer working for your lifestyle, move closer to town. While centrally-located homes are often more expensive, downsizing can put you in a great downtown home, or senior community at a great price. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get rid of your car and use public transportation to save even more.

 

Think through these ideas and how you can apply them to your life. None of these tips require a major lifestyle change, but by following them, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year! That means more money to spend on the things you love, and fewer financial worries during your golden years.

 

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Guide to Caring for Elderly Parents at Home

 

 

 

 

 

It’s tough to watch your parents get older. They may experience health issues or need more help performing day-to-day tasks. One way to ensure your parents get the care they need is to have them move in with you. These simple tips on caring for elderly parents at home will serve as a guide for anyone thinking about making the decision.

Prepare your Home

One of the first things you should do if your elderly parents will move in with you is to prepare for their arrival. Make sure you have an extra bedroom your parents can sleep in, and it should be as comfortable as possible. As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive and we can’t retain heat as easily. Use the smoothest sheets available and well-insulated blankets, so your parents stay comfortable. Also, use sheets without any added bleaches or dyes; they’re gentler on aging skin. If possible, let your parents have a separate area (close to the main living space) for themselves in the house. That way, they can have their own space, and you can quickly reach them if they need assistance. Also consider grab bars, shower seats and other safety precautions as needed.

Upgrade Your Bed for a Better Night’s Sleep

Invest in High-Quality Sheets. Sheets are costly, but how many sets do you really require? Although having two sets on laundry day is convenient, you can get by with just one. For the most comfort, choose the highest thread count you can afford. Also, stick to natural fibers such as cotton or linen. They breathe and will allow your body to rest better. They are also soft. A snug fit and a better sleep is possible when you use a sheet holder. It is an item that secures a fitted sheet, flat sheet, or mattress pad in place.

Hire In-Home Caregivers

People who want to keep their elderly parents at home but still work may want to hire in-home caregivers. Many services, like New LifeStyles, can help you find someone to care for your parents. Research websites that have lists of caregivers in your neighborhood. Another option is to utilize neighborhood advice websites for testimonials. Lots of towns have websites structured like open forums so that you can get recommendations. Have parents meet with the person you decide to hire before you make things official, though. You want to be sure whoever you choose gets along well with your parents.

Call in the Calvary

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Switching roles with your parents is really hard. Children don’t think that one day they’ll have to do what their parents once did for them, so home care can cause stress for some people. Join support groups with others who also care for their parents. Research online forums for answers to any questions you may have. Also, if you have siblings, come together as a unit. Lean on each other when needed, and make decisions as a group. If you’re an only child, talk to your friends, and get out of the house for a break when you need to. There’s no reason to pretend that things are easy all the time, and everyone needs support.

 

This guide on caring for elderly parents at home will make a difficult time a little easier. Remember to enjoy this time with your parents. Even though things are changing, it’ll be nice to have them in such close proximity to you. At the end of the day, you’ll appreciate the time you have together.

Can’t Wait to Become a Grandparent or Great-Granparent? Plan a Gender Reveal at Your Senior Community!

Many retirees look forward to being grandparents and even great-grandparents. Those already with grandkids are excited about having more free time to spend with them, while those waiting on their children to become parents of their own are eager to spoil them rotten right out of the gate. 

If your daughter, daughter-in-law, or grandaughter is currently expecting, chances are you’re counting down the months, weeks, and days along with her. If so, you might want to consider helping plan a shower or gender reveal party as a way to focus your excitement and anticipation. Just because you may live at a retirement community is no reason not to host. Make use of your beautiful community & the common areas & party rooms available to you.

But how do you put together a special gender reveal for your pregnant daughter? Simply follow the suggested steps below:

Ask Your Son or Daughter

Before you start getting ahead of yourself with gender reveal ideas, ask your son or daughter if it’s alright for you to host such an event. Some couples do not want to know the gender of their child until the baby is born. They may also have planned something on their own and you don’t want those events to clash. You can always consider a small shower instead.

If they agree, talk with them about their personal wants, needs, and ideas. Find out if they have any special people they’d like to invite, destinations they’d prefer, and type of cuisine. These days it is less about the surprise and more about hosting a party your expectant child will enjoy. 

Find Out the Gender

The next thing you want to do is find out the gender of the baby. Your pregnant daughter may already be aware of the baby’s gender. If not, they can certainly provide permission for the doctor’s office to provide you with the information so you can plan and keep the gender a surprise. If they aren’t aware of the gender, just do your best to hold that secret in. 

Choose a Place to Host

Where are you going to host the gender reveal party? If you have a nice size home or yard, you may prefer to do it at your place to save money. If you live in a senior home that has a community or recreational room, talk with the staff about reserving the room for the party well in advance as you never know what other events could be going on. What about your local senior center? You might also consider options like restaurants or reception halls for larger crowds or more lavish events.

Decide on Decor/Theme

Now that you’ve nailed down a place to host the gender reveal party, consider the theme or decor of the event. Are you going to keep it basic with pink and blue decor or do you want to try something different like a prince and princess, bowties and hair ribbons, or an athlete and cheerleader theme? There are a ton of gender reveal ideas you can draw inspiration from online and through social media platforms.

Menu

Next up is the menu. Decide whether you’ll be making the food yourself or having it catered. If you’re going to cook yourself, you may want to stick to things that can be cooked in large quantities easily like spaghetti and meat sauce with a side of salad. If it’s being catered, then start looking for catering companies in the area to get an idea of how much it will cost. While deciding on what will be served, don’t forget to consider any dietary, religious, or medical requests when it comes to the guest list. You don’t want anyone getting sick or unable to eat at the event. It’s always good to have at the very least, a vegetarian dish or plenty of fruits and veggies in case someone doesn’t eat meat.

Reveal and Other Activities

Last, on the list of things to do for the gender reveal party is to decide how you’ll make the reveal and what other activities will take place to keep the guests entertained. You could hand out a Chinese gender predictor to each guest and provide them with a few facts to see if they can determine whether there will be a boy or a girl. Then, for the grand reveal you might have a cake with pink or blue interior. You could host a raffle where guests are allowed to guess whether it’s a boy or a girl and the winning guesses receive a gift. 

Hosting a gender reveal party can be a fun and memorable way for retirees to share in the joys of pregnancy and the arrival of a grandchild. If you follow the suggested steps provided above, you should have no problem putting together a special event no one will soon forget.

How Retirees Can Use Rental Property for Better Cash Flow

As we approach the end of our working life and inch closer to retirement, many people worry about ensuring they have reliable income streams established.  With this in mind, recent retirees and those soon to be retired should consider owning rental property. Rental property ownership is one of the best investments one can make to provide the financial security they desire to allow them to enjoy a happy and stress-free retirement.

Rental properties can add an extra stream of income to your retirement portfolio.  Buying a property or two could provide enough income to even allow you to retire sooner.  However, you’ll need to ensure your rental properties will become a steady, positive cash flow throughout your retired life.  You don’t want a rental property to become a drain on your retirement resources. Here are a few tips to make sure your rental investment will work to your advantage.

Location, Location, Location

If you choose to make rental income the foundation of your retirement plan, be sure that you purchase the right properties.  Choosing a property in the right school district, or in an attractive neighborhood, has a huge impact on the type of tenants your property will attract.  For example, single-family homes in good school districts tend to attract families with children who are less likely to break a lease and remain tenants of yours for an extended period of time.  Consistent tenants are crucial to creating positive cash flow. 

Buying cheap won’t help you earn a return on your investment if you can’t find renters who want to be your tenants.  Using an experienced real estate agent to help you find rentals near downtown, a college campus, or in an attractive neighborhood may cost you more upfront, but it will pay off over the long term to help ensure that you find an attractive property that will be a consistent source of positive cash flow.

Less is More

As a retiree, your goal should be to focus less on the headaches and hassles of maintaining, repairing, and managing your rental properties, and spending more time on the things that bring you joy.  Finding a dependable property management service in your city will help achieve this goal. For example, retirees in central Florida looking at Orlando property management companies will want to find one with a reputation for being honest and reliable. Having someone on your side to screen out problem tenants, act as the point of contact for tenant concerns, and market your rental for you are just a few of the advantages of having a reliable and trustworthy property management firm working for you.  The less you as a retiree have to stress about your tenant’s rent being paid on time, the more you can enjoy the free time you worked so long to finally have.

Inflation Protection

Another reason a portfolio of rental properties is such a great investment in retirement is due to the value of your rental property as it appreciates over time.  As your property appreciates, you’ll also be paying down your mortgage, and your mortgage payment doesn’t increase. If you borrow a 30-year fixed mortgage, with a $1,000 payment, you’ll still be paying $1,000 per month 20 years from now.  This acts as a shield from the rise of inflation– your rental becomes more valuable (also allowing you to charge more for rent), but your mortgage payment stays the same. This provides a secure and reliable source of income and is just another reason why real estate investment is such a good choice for retirees who want to generate wealth and create financial security in their post-work life.

Meeting your retirement financial goals can be as simple as owning a few rental properties.  The wealth that real estate investment can create for you will help ensure that you expire long before your wealth does.

4 of the Best Hobbies for New Retirees

One of the biggest struggles for new retirees is finding things to keep themselves busy and productive. Fortunately, retirement is the perfect time to learn or try something new, and you can often find plenty of opportunities to do so in your town or retirement community. When you’re searching for the best hobbies for new retirees, try these options that will keep you creative, social, and active.

Volunteering

The number of different volunteering options to choose from is nearly limitless. You can join a local charity organization or fundraise for a nationwide cause you support. Volunteer organizations are great ways to meet new people, and they provide opportunities for trying different things. You can participate in a charity run or walk, work a fundraising or information booth, and attend many other kinds of events with your organization.

Beekeeping

Throughout our working lives, finding the time to get out and reconnect with nature can be difficult. One hobby that lets you catch up on your time in the great outdoors is beekeeping. There’s a growing love for honeybees, and the beekeeping community is growing along with it. This pastime takes a bit of investment, especially when you’re just getting started, but it’s a great way to care for something and benefit your local environment. You can also make some extra cash by selling honey or other bee-related products down the road.

Art

The best hobbies for new retirees are often the ones that teach you new skills, which is why art in all its various forms is an excellent choice. You can teach yourself to paint or knit with online tutorials, pick up an instrument and join a local band, or attend classes to learn pottery, glass-blowing, or woodworking. As with many of these hobbies, joining art or music classes doubles as a way to get involved with your community and meet new people.

Book Clubs

Book clubs are great opportunities for any age, and if you haven’t had the time to join one before, now’s the perfect chance to start. You’ll get to have fantastic discussions with a diverse group of people, and you’ll be introduced to an entire list of new books to enjoy. Find a club that reads in your favorite genre, or branch out and use your book club as an opportunity to read books you would otherwise never pick up. Either way, it’s a great way to satisfy both your social side and your scholarly side during retirement.

There are so many activities and hobbie available these days, from good old fashioned fishing to golf, cards and yoga. Try them all! You never know what might tickle your fancy.