Monday, January 31, 2022

6 Perfect Gifts for the Health-Conscious Senior in Your Life


Guest post from Rhonda Underhill

Changing your health for the better is never easy. For seniors with long-held habits, it can feel nearly
impossible. If your senior loved ones are trying to make changes to improve their health, why not give a gift that helps them along their journey to healthier aging?

 

About Aging Parents understands how hard it can be to find the perfect gift for someone you really care about. These five holiday gifts are a great way to show your support and help your senior loved ones achieve their health and wellness goals in 2022.

Fitness devices and gadgets

Finding the motivation to get up and exercise can be difficult regardless of your age. However, there are some modern gadgets and devices that can help seniors who need a little incentive to get off the couch. A smartwatch, for example, can help them track how many calories they’ve burned, how many steps they’ve taken, and other important information.

Convenient nutrition

A balanced diet is one of the pillars of senior health, but age-related changes make it tough to keep up with home-cooked meals. Whether your seniors struggle to get to the grocery store, lack motivation for meal planning, or are simply habituated to an unhealthy diet, a meal kit delivery service simplifies healthy eating. With a subscription service like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh delivering healthy ingredients in easy-to-follow recipes right to their door, adopting a healthy diet couldn’t be easier.

 

Another way to keep proper nutrition super simple is with a superfoods-charged beverage. With the right ingredients blended into one antioxidant and nutrition laden option, seniors can simply sip vitamins and minerals to keep them strong and healthy. Pair it with a durable, personalized to-go tumbler for the ideal gift!

Send them back to school

Seniors are in a unique position to understand the old saying, We never stop learning. That’s why helping them go back to school – whether helping them to register or paying for a class – is a great way to give them something positive to focus on. Also, the flexibility of online programs means virtually any schedule and interest can be easily accommodated.

A YMCA membership

The YMCA is the perfect place for seniors who want to become more active but are intimidated by gyms. While YMCAs have all the fitness amenities of other gyms, they also offer senior-friendly classes like aquatic workouts for people with arthritis, yoga for seniors, and balance training. Better yet, many YMCAs offer discounted membership rates for older adults.

Furry or feathered companionship

Pet ownership offers amazing health perks to seniors. The benefits range from improving heart health to improved socialization. Unfortunately, pet ownership is also something many seniors set aside, usually due to the commitment it involves, yet they often miss the companionship of an animal.

 

If that sounds like your loved one, consider encouraging them to add a furry or feathered companion. Some pets are particularly well-suited to seniors, like birds and rabbits, and in some respects, they are smaller commitments than some pets, such as in terms of lifespan, space, and responsibility.

 

You can even get all the goodies for your loved one so they can pick the individual animal that really speaks to them. For instance, bird lovers might enjoy a birdcage kit, and there are full outdoor setups for rabbits. A pet companion can be an amazing pick-me-up, and be the mental and physical boost your loved one loves most.

A rideshare gift card

Senior health goes beyond the physical. The National Institute on Aging points out that maintaining an active social life is just as important for healthy aging, especially when it comes to a senior’s mental health. Unfortunately, physical limitations make it difficult for some seniors to get out and connect with friends.

 

If it’s no longer safe for your senior loved ones to drive, give them the gift of transportation with a giftcard to Lyft or Uber. With access to ride-share services, seniors can get out of the house without getting behind the wheel — and you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing they’ll get to their destination safely.

 

Whether your senior loved ones are in good health and just need a little something extra or have a long way to go toward their wellness goals, there’s a gift that can help them get there. However, while these gifts will set seniors on the path to better health, there’s one gift money can’t buy: your support. Whether it’s rides to the gym or motivational text messages, make sure your senior loved ones know you’re cheering them on.

 

Image via Unsplash 

 

 

 

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Golden Years, Golden Opportunity to Become an Entrepreneur

 

If you’ve never been an entrepreneur before, rejoice. Your senior years are an especially great time to expand your interest, do something you love, and earn an income along the way. But, before you get started, it’s best to at least have an idea of what to expect.

 

About Aging Parents offers the following advice for seniors. For active seniors, one way to stay engaged is to start their own business during their golden years.

 

Home Business Basics

 

Starting a business today often means opening up from the comfort of your kitchen table, private home
office, or living room. There are many benefits of running a business from home, including being able to control your own schedule. As a senior, you might have plenty of time on your hands, but you want to make sure that you use that time in a way that makes you the happiest, healthiest, and most whole. Opening a home business means you aren’t driving on the roads and you can supplement your income by focusing on the things that you enjoy the most.

 

Possible Business Ideas

 

If you do not yet know what you’d like to do, you have options. Before you make any decision, consider your experience, mobility level, and how much money you have available to get started. A few low-cost startups here include:

 

      Writer. As a freelance writer, you can lend your wisdom to e-books, blogs, and more. As long as you have a computer, a mastery of the English language, and the ability to meet deadlines, you can earn an income from home.

 

      Seamstress. All those years ago when your grandmother taught you how to quilt might pay off now. As a seamstress, your sewing machine can earn you more than $70,000, depending on where you live and how much you want to work. You can monogram, make custom clothing, or hem wedding dresses.

 

      Tutor. Tutoring is an excellent income opportunity for retired teachers. Care.com explains that becoming a tutor means deciding which subjects you want to teach, choosing who you want to work with, and getting familiar with your state’s curriculum.

 

Yes, You Can Go Back To School

 

If you don’t have experience in the area where you’d like to start a business, you can go back to school at any time and at any age. Look for a business program that teaches management, strategy, and general operational procedures. You might even be eligible for scholarships based on your age, income, or personal history.

 

Income and Social Security

 

Many new retirees mistakenly believe they can’t work and receive Social Security benefits. Fortunately, this isn’t true, and depending on your age and income, you may be able to work without losing any benefits. If you reach full retirement age, which as of 2022 is 67, you won’t be dinged. However, if you were born prior to January 2, 1960, you will lose half your benefits for every two dollars you earn in excess of the threshold of $19,560. If you’re not sure how to calculate your earnings and your Social Security benefits, contact your financial advisor. If you don’t have one, spend some time looking at options in your area, but make sure to avoid scams and steer clear of anyone claiming that there is no risk to your finances in retirement.

 

Starting a business in your senior years is exciting. It’s a chance to do all of the things that you wanted during the trenches of your career. But there are things to know before you get started, and the more you prepare yourself now, the sooner you’ll be ready for success when it comes knocking.

 

About Aging Parents is a blog for seniors and caregivers alike. Kathy Quan RN BSN PHN invites you to bookmark the page to stay up to date on news and resources pertinent to you.

This is a guest post from Donna Erickson. Donna Erickson is a retired public educator. She created Fit Memory with a few friends as a way to promote wellness among senior citizens with the hopes it will help inspire others to make the most of their golden years.

 

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels


 

 

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Find Fulfilling Volunteer Opportunities for a Purpose-Filled Retirement with These 3 Networking Tips


 

As a senior, you may find yourself wondering how to fill up newly freed-up time. Volunteering is a terrific option that allows you to stay productive even as you relax and enjoy the fruits of a life of hard work. You wouldn't be alone, either. Statistics show that 28% of individuals aged 65 and older reported engaging in volunteer activities in 2021. Volunteering allows you to try new things and comes with advantages such as connecting with others. Research also shows that it raises happiness levels. There are many volunteer opportunities out there that cover a wide variety of interests and skills. Here are three networking tips to help you locate the one that best suits you. 

 

1. Connect Over the Internet

The internet is filled with websites that can help you find volunteer opportunities by either providing recommendations or directly connecting you with organizations. For example, VolunteerMatch allows you to search for ones close to your home and then click on listings you are interested in to start getting involved. Job boards are another place you can look, as is your local chamber of commerce. Nonprofits occasionally post on job sites to search for volunteers. For example, by visiting freelance job boards, you may be able to find volunteer work as a translator.

 

Social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook are also excellent for finding volunteer opportunities. Post that you are searching for volunteer opportunities and briefly outline your relevant skills, and you will be surprised by the number of people who offer suggestions or reach out to see if you are a good fit for their organization's needs. 

 

If you don't have the time or transportation means for in-person volunteering, virtual volunteering is flexible. Among the available options are Crisis Text Line, Project Gutenberg, Zooniverse, Librivox, and Cards for a Cause. While some may have more stringent requirements, others ask nothing more of you than making an account to get started. 

 

2. Contact Specific Organizations 

If you already have an organization in mind, initiating direct contact may be the way to go. Write an email or even send a physical letter to the main office. Contact staff members through social media asking if they need volunteers or for the chance to talk to them. Before doing so, do your research. Demonstrate that your interest is genuine by knowing the facts, including what the company does and its values.

 

3. Reach Out After Meeting 

Don't get into contact once and never reach out again. In the busy rush of life, individuals from charity organizations may forget you. One of the best ways to avoid this is to reach out again and remind them of who you are and your interest in volunteering for their company, whether that is through email, letter, social media, or phone. Maintain relationships with these people. 

 

Networking is vital to effective volunteering. Making use of available internet resources, taking the initiative, and contacting organizations and following up after initial contact can help you find the volunteer opportunity that gives you the most fulfillment and enjoyment. 

 

A guest post from Dan Hall

 

Photo credit: Pexels.com 

 

Thanks Dan!