Blog Posts

The Benefits of Social Media for Older Adults

Fact: Social media has changed the way people interact, facilitating an unprecedented level of worldwide communication and sharing. But if the term makes you sigh and long for telephone landlines, real bound books, and actually going to the mall to shop, you’re not alone. Many older adults avoid the social cyber bandwagon, assuming it has no relevance to this stage of their lives. But we beg to differ... Social media is not just for your kids and grandkids. In fact, it presents a golden opportunity for seniors to connect with family, friends and those with shared passions and interests. If it’s the tech that is holding you back, take a class or let your grandkids walk you through it. In five minutes, you can be an active participant in the cyber world everybody’s buzzing about. While you’re waiting for your young tutor to arrive, check out these benefits of social media. Facebook for Seniors Ever try to call your kids and grandkids? They may have that phone in their pocket, but they are far too busy to answer it. If you want to know what your family members are up to, friend them on Facebook. Reading their posts makes it so easy to stay current and involved in their lives. Though nothing will ever replace actually getting together with family, for those with long-distance loved ones, Facebook is the next best thing to being there. You Can See Your Family Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and Instagram make sharing videos and pictures simple. You will feel like you are sitting at that kindergarten graduation or right there when the baby takes her first steps. With the flick of a button, you can be a real time participant in your family’s milestone events or the every day stuff that makes up their lives. And Your Family Can See You Whether you are aging in place or have rightsized into an active adult community, your family is concerned for your welfare. One of the great benefits of social media is the ability to touch base with family members as often as desired to reassure them that you are well, happy and having fun. Seniors Social Networking Nothing enhances health and wellbeing like social interaction. Social media provides an outlet for making new friends, as well as reconnecting with long lost buddies. If you are new to an active adult community, seniors social networking can help you engage with other community members and be the impetus for meaningful new relationships. Get Motivated Social media can introduce you to new topics and connect you to forums where you can participate in discussions with others who share your interests. Get connected through social media and expand your world while staying closer to family and friends. Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

10 Tips to Maintaining Successful Relationships after 50

At 55 you are not the same person you were at 25, 35, or even 45. When seeking to create new relationships or nurture existing bonds with family and friends, it’s important to consider who you are today and bring this version of yourself to the table. Check out these tips for maintaining successful relationships after 55. The best is yet to come. Be Yourself At the top of the list of relationship advice for seniors: Be true to yourself. There is no time for games at this stage of the game. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and share your true feelings. Pretense will only get you so far. A relationship that is built on honesty and integrity will be both enriching and built to last. Be Accountable Any relationship advice over 55 must include willingness to accept your part in the dynamic. When you take responsibility for your own actions you will be able to create a closer connection to family and friends. Love Yourself Eating healthy and getting into a regular exercise routine will contribute to a graceful aging process. In keeping yourself fit and healthy, you will bring more vitality and energy to any relationship. Open Up Sharing begets sharing. The more you share with the important people in your life, the more comfortable they will feel sharing with you. As you learn about each other, your bond will strengthen. Be a Safety Net The circle of trust between you and your loved ones should be a safe space where everybody can feel truly seen and heard. Facing the challenges of aging is less daunting with good friends by your side. Having each other’s backs is what it’s all about. Learn How to Fight No two people are always going to share the same opinion which is why conflict is a part of any healthy relationship. Approaching disagreements with the intention of really listening and understanding each other’s point of view will go a long way toward mature and peaceful resolutions. Be Positive In everyday interactions, instead of always sharing what you don’t want, focus on what you do want. When addressing issues, use language that is kind instead of hurtful. Be sure to remind your friends and family members how much they mean to you as often as possible. Pay Attention When communicating with those you care about, give your full attention. That means put the phone away, turn off the sports network, and be fully engaged in what they have to say. Sneaking a look at an incoming text during a conversation may seem like a small distraction but can have big consequences in the relationship. Make Time for Yourself A little personal space goes a long way in relationships. Spend quality time with friends and loved ones, but make sure to nurture your own interests and passions even if it means venturing out on your own. Have Fun Together The kids are gone, retirement is either a reality or just around the corner. The one obligation you have is to have fun with friends and create new memories. Laugher is the best anti-aging serum. Ask yourself if you’ve been getting what you need from past or present relationships, and if those needs have changed, it’s time to make them known. Love and friendship are wonderful gifts at any age but can be particularly rewarding during this chapter of life.

How to Make the Perfect Bucket List Over 50

Big birthday coming? Don’t dread it. Think of the Big 5-5 as an opportunity. You’re not getting older, you’re just reaching a point where you can really zero in on your priorities and fine tune that 55th birthday bucket list. Okay, so you are actually getting older, but with that age comes the wisdom and enthusiasm that make this time of life so special and rewarding. To be clear, bucket list is an umbrella term that can include any and all of your dreams and aspirations, whether it’s a once in a lifetime adventure, or taking up a brand-new hobby that will be an ongoing addition to your life. Don’t think of it as a “before I kick-the-bucket list” but a “can’t wait to fill my bucket list!” The good news, it’s your personal wishlist so it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks about your goals and ambitions. You are constrained by neither tradition nor expectation. The better news - the possibilities are limitless. Sure, there will be some ideas that may have reached their expiration date for obvious reasons. That bungee cord that looked so exciting 20 years ago may now be, how shall we say, a swing and a miss. But that doesn’t mean there are not loads of adventures waiting for you. You’ve probably got dozens of ideas for your list already, but here are a few suggestions to help get the bucket rolling. Once in a Lifetime… Travel to an exotic destination Splurge on something extravagant Push yourself out of your comfort zone with a feat of daring like skydiving or mountain climbing Grab a microphone and belt out a karaoke song Dramatically change your hairstyle or color Participate in an international festival like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain Find an old friend you’ve been thinking of Go on a road trip with buddies Try unusual food Join a flash mob Get a New Hobby Hobbies for Men Over 55 Enjoy the great outdoors on your own or with buddies and experience new parts of the country as you go fishing in lakes and rivers, even oceans. Golf is a sport that stimulates both body and mind while providing social connection and a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Car restoration is a fun challenging way to bring out your inner car enthusiast. If you’ve always enjoyed dabbling in woodworking, carpentry may be the hobby you’ve been looking for. Beer brewing has bucket list written all over it. You can start with a reasonably priced beer brewing kit and upgrade as you get more involved. Hobbies for Women Over 55 Take up a new sport. Cycling, running, swimming, rowing, tennis, and golf are all sports that will keep you active and connect you with others Bring back the art of knitting its making a comeback as a fun, therapeutic activity and a great pastime. It’s never too late to discover the beauty of photography. You can make and store memories while enhancing your cognitive abilities. Gardening is a huge passion for the over 55 set. Get involved with a few plants and maybe you’ll work up to growing your own patio veggie garden Get your personal blogger on. As you share your thoughts with a broader community, you will connect to the larger world. When creating your personal “can’t wait to fill my” bucket list, the most important criteria is to be honest and include desires that really resonate with your true self. Whether you’ve always dreamed of learning a second language, getting a pilot’s license, or studying classical piano, there is no time like the present to make your list and start thinking about how to get those items checked off. Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Ways to Show (And Spread!) Kindness to Those Around You

Kindness is like a spiritual boomerang. The more you put out, the more it comes back to you. Just ask Leon Logothetis , host of “The Kindness Diaries” on Netflix. His social experiment out on the road has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that random acts of kindness not only reaffirm our humanity but also inspire us to give back. Even the smallest overture of compassion and caring can have a profound impact on both giver and receiver. Be proactive and take the first step. Any of these basic ways to show kindness can make somebody’s day. Smile “Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahlil Gibran It’s amazing how powerful a smile can be. Smile when you pass somebody on the street, or in the hallway, or in the grocery store. You will see the light of appreciation in their eyes. You never know when that connection can blossom into a friendship. Be a Supportive Friend “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain If you know a friend is having a tough time, reach out to them. Make yourself available to listen and let them know they are not alone. So often people who are struggling are uncomfortable asking friends for support but so appreciative if it is offered. Stand Up to Bullies Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” – Albert Schweitzer It’s hard to believe that grown up adults can exhibit the same bad behavior as middle school students. Bullying is unattractive at any age, but particularly so at a time of life when offenders have enough life experience to know better. If you witness an incident of bullying, report it immediately to those in charge. Let it be known that you will not tolerate this hurtful conduct and become a role model for kindness and inclusion in your own community.. Use Your Skills A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. ” – Amelia Earhart If you are a great cook, make a casserole for a neighbor. If you are crafty, leave a gift of something you’ve made on a friend’s doorstep. Your random act of kindness may involve offering your time to help a friend or neighbor organize a move, do their taxes, write a resume, decorate their living room or bake cookies for a bake sale. Find out where there is a need that you can fill and offer your services. Unlock the door to your heart and let the kindness flow freely. Your world and that of those around you will be a brighter place.

10 Jobs Perfect for Retired Active Adults

It’s official. Your full-time commitment to your career is over. Surrounded by colleagues and champagne, you celebrated your hard-earned retirement. However, what used to be a definitive ending is now often a new beginning. These days retirement may indeed close one door but leaves you free to open new ones. For some, it’s strictly numbers. Too much month at the end of the money means it is imperative to find a new source of supplemental income. For others, it’s about staying busy, active and involved with other people. Then there are those who can now pursue a passion that simmered for decades on the back burner while practicality dictated a more lucrative career path. So, what does job hunting look like for the over 55 set? Well this time around, there are a few different issues to consider. What kind of work setting would you prefer? After spending 30 years behind a desk, maybe a part-time job outside in the fresh air might be fun. If you have physical limitations, you will want an environment that is comfortable and easy to navigate. Maybe your circumstances require a job that can be done out of a home office. Wherever you work, you don’t want responsibilities that will send you to the chiropractor. Take a look at this list of senior jobs. Maybe one of them will be your next part-time adventure. Tutor Share your expertise and knowledge by tutoring others. With flexible hours, great earning potential and the satisfaction of knowing you are impacting students’ success, tutoring is the senior job that keeps on giving. Athletic Coach If you love sports, how about sharing that enthusiasm with kids? The kids will learn the game and you’ll have a chance to interact with them while staying active. It’s a win/win. Pet Sitter/Dog Walker Attention animal lovers! Get some exercise and enjoy the company of four legged companions as a dog walker. You can take it a step further by offering to pet sit while clients go on vacation. Consultant After decades of working in your chosen field, you have become an expert. Why not share your knowledge and experience by working as a consultant? You might find part-time employment at your old company or other companies who do similar work. Youth Monitor Schools and libraries are often looking for someone to oversee small groups of children. It’s a great way use your grandparent skills and connect with kids. Virtual Assistant Your comfort with technology, writing skills and attention to detail would make you the perfect virtual assistant. It’s an opportunity to work from home and still be an integral part of a team. Retail Selling on the floor or working the cash register facilitates interaction with all kinds of people. Often these jobs come with the perk of great store discounts. Tax Preparer Your accounting background could be your ticket to a part-time tax preparation job. You’ll work long hours through tax season’s crunch time, and have plenty of leisure time the rest of the year. Nanny If your grandkids are miles away, become a part-time nanny and bring your caring and experience to someone else’s little one. Restaurant Host If you are a people person, yours could be the friendly face that meets and greets customers at their favorite restaurant. Find the right senior job and enjoy the best of all worlds: Some extra money and plenty of freedom to enjoy the perks of retirement.

Try These 2019 Fitness Trends to Stay Active as You Age

There is fitness. And then, there is fitness. Chances are the only six-pack you’re carrying these days contains your favorite beverages. But, the fact that you’re strong enough to carry it is more important than those washboard abs. Unlike those younger gym rats who spend hours pumping iron, older adults don’t necessarily live to exercise. Instead, at this stage of the game, it’s more about exercising to thrive. Staying flexible and strong will enhance the quality of life as we age, allowing us continued independence and the freedom to participate in the activities we love. To that end, today’s senior fitness trends are about keeping older adults off the sidelines and active in the game. Functional Fitness Many senior fitness classes focus specifically on enhancing our ability to function in daily life. Hence the term, functional fitness. Trainers are developing programs that pay attention to balance, core strength, endurance and multi-joint flexibility. A body primed to tackle daily tasks like reaching high shelves to put things away, bending to make the bed, or puttering in the garden, requires a more comprehensive approach than a few bicep curls. Yoga With classes tailored for the young at heart, yoga has become the gold standard for senior fitness. Stretches and poses that tone and build muscle, and improve strength, balance and flexibility check all the important boxes. Yogis claim to sleep better, have lower blood pressure and experience less arthritic pain. Swimming Soothing for both body and mind, water-based low impact exercise is still a senior fitness fan favorite. Take the plunge to build strength and balance while you relax your cares away. Tai Chi In the last decade, Tai Chi has moved into the mainstream and is definitely a popular senior fitness choice. This art of moving meditation is a great multi-tasker, building core muscles while reducing stress and tension in the body. Walking Nothing combines function with strength and stamina like walking. The best part about walking is all you need is your own two feet. Walk at your own pace by yourself or join a walking club and stroll or power walk with friends. While smart gyms are integrating functional programs into their seniors’ fitness regimens, those classes are not overcrowded. Based on statistics from the Center for Disease Control, almost a third of all seniors are not prioritizing their physical conditioning. Even when research clearly cites exercise as a major deterrent to disease and depression, many still refuse to answer the call. There’s no time like the present to get off the couch. No matter what activity you choose, as long as you keep moving, you’re headed in the right direction.