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Important tips for Turning 65

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Isn’t it true that as we get older, milestone birthdays become fewer and fewer? While the days of celebrating 15, 18, 21, and 25 are long gone, 65 continues as one of the most memorable birthdays you can have! Many people aim to retire around this age, which is known as the golden years. You now have the energy to accomplish the things you’ve always wanted to do, the freedom from many of the duties that may have been holding you back, and the insight to choose how you want to spend your time. Most people consider 65 to as the traditional retirement age, as they will soon become eligible for full social security benefits. Senior citizens are those who have reached this major milestone and are eligible for government programs as well as discounts from various companies. Here are some helpful tips for anyone approaching the age of 65.

Take Advantage of Medicare

Your healthcare bills are expected to climb as you become older. Many health concerns, including pneumonia, heart disease, osteoporosis, and arthritis become more common as people become older. Fortunately, the federal government provides Medicare, a health insurance program, for adults aged 65 and over. Medicare covers some of your medical expenses as you become older, but it doesn’t cover all your deductibles, coinsurance, co-payments, and more. That appears as the reason so many people prefer to supplement their Medicare coverage. You may know it as Medigap insurance.

Most Americans are covered by Medicare Part A, which covers hospital and hospice care. Part B covers doctor visits for a reasonable monthly price, while Parts C and D include dental, vision, and prescription medication care. The Initial Enrollment Period, which lasts seven months, allows you to finish your Medicare application. It begins three months before your 65th birthday and finishes three months after your 65th birthday. Everyone who receives Social Security payments automatically becomes enrolled in Part A and you need to apply for the other benefits.

Medicare vs. Regular Insurance

Even if you’re still working and have a health insurance plan via your workplace or your spouse’s employment, you may utilize Medicare to cover many of the expenses that your health insurance won’t cover. When you go for your yearly physical, for example, Medicare may cover a significant percentage of the expenditures.

Long Term Care Insurance

Nursing facilities, home health aides, and other services get covered by long-term care insurance and not Medicare. As you get older, you may wish to stay in your current home or move to a retirement community. Long-term care insurance allows you to choose where and how you get care in either case.

Decide When to Retire and Get Social Security Benefits

Do you intend to retire at 65 or continue working? There isn’t always a right or incorrect response because everyone’s circumstance is different. There are several social security misconceptions. In reality, several of these beliefs jeopardize the financial stability of many Americans.

While Social Security isn’t intended to cover all of your retirement expenses, it can assist with some of them. And, of course, we all want to get the most out of that check each month. This may necessitate deferring Social Security benefits. While you can begin getting benefits before the age of 65, you will get the most out of your money if you wait until you reach full retirement age (66 or 67). And if you wait longer to file for benefits, you might get even more. In reality, some people refuse to retire because they genuinely like what they do. And other people may have to work longer hours to make ends meet. The Covid pandemic caused many individuals to reconsider their retirement plans. Some people were forced to retire earlier than they planned, while others were able to extend their careers.

Applying for Social Security Benefits

Of course, if you want to continue working, fantastic advantages can occur — both in terms of your health and your income. You may retire before you are 65 if you have enough money in your retirement funds. When you reach the age of 62, you can apply for Social Security payments, according to the Social Security Administration. People turning 65 in 2021, on the other hand, will not receive their full pension until they are 66 years and two months old. Some people continue to work while collecting Social Security benefits, while others wait to apply. Your monthly payment will continue to rise each year until you become 70, the age where you can get Social Security full benefits.  Whether you’re still working, or not, when you become 70 you need to apply for Social Security payments.

Maximize Catch-Up Contributions for Your Retirement Plans

To sustain your quality of life after retirement, you need to acquire and save around 10 times your yearly earnings. The precise amount you’ll require depends on:

  • When you decide to begin receiving Social Security benefits,
  • How long you continue to work, your spending patterns,
  • The success o your investments.

Preparing for retirement takes willpower so that you do not put off starting to save. For decades, you should put as much money into your wealth-building account as possible. Save today to enjoy tomorrow. Many retirement plans, thankfully, accept catch-up payments from the IRS. People under the age of 50 can contribute $6,000 to an IRA and $19,500 to a 401(k) (k). The contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k) s climb to $7,000 and $26,000, respectively, once you reach 50, allowing you to make up for years when you didn’t invest much.

Start Using Senior Discounts

Food, hotels, entertainment, public transit, gym memberships, utilities, auto repair, and other expenses can all be reduced once you turn 65. The extra income will extend the life of your retirement funds and make numerous pleasurable activities more accessible. Ask an employee whether a discount is available before making a purchase, or check the company’s website.

When you reach the age of 65, you may expect a lot of changes, so planning beforehand is critical. These suggestions will assist you in ensuring that your years as a senior are joyful and healthy.

 

10 ways to save on health care

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According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, healthcare expenditures are a considerable expense. In the United States, insurance costs an average American family $12,530 each year. The typical household brings home slightly over $67,000 in income but many households bring home considerably less than that. Thus, insurance remains a significant portion of a monthly family’s budget.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the job market has been substantially negative. With the loss of jobs and the benefits of employer health insurance, millions of people no longer have healthcare insurance coverage.  People are now looking for other solutions to meet medical bills, and are seeing how difficult it is to navigate the health care system.  This is a daily task for those with chronic diseases and long-term treatment demands. However, if you know where to search you can find ways to save a lot of money on healthcare.

According to medical professionals, the following 10 methods will save money on your healthcare:

Evaluate your Current Insurance Plan

So, are you getting the most bang for your buck with your insurance policy? Since many of your healthcare-related charges are determined by your plan, you should examine them and understand what’s covered and what’s not covered. That entails learning how much your copay and/or coinsurance costs. Determine your deductible cost, and which doctors, clinics, and hospitals are in-network. Also, familiarize yourself with the prescription formulary covered by your plan. You can work with your doctor to see if your medicines can be changed. A different medicine may fall into a lower pricing tier of your insurance plan.

Save Money on your Medicines by Looking for Methods to Cut Costs

Register for a pharmacy discount card. Pharmacy savings cards are no-cost programs. These cards can provide substantial reductions in medicine prices when purchased at the pharmacy counter. You may evaluate different programs to compare pricing for your medication. Simply present your card to the pharmacist to receive discounts on your medicines. Furthermore, certain pharmacies, such as Walgreens and Walmart, provide prescription savings programs you can sign up for.

When possible, request generic drugs. Your doctor may not automatically prescribe the least expensive medicine. Doctors frequently prescribe the name-brand medications with which they are most familiar. Generic medications, on the other hand, are just as effective as brand-name medicines. Often, generic medication can cost 80 percent to 85 percent less. Always check with your pharmacist to see if you are getting a generic version.

Think about changing your medications to be sent via mail. Opting for a mail-order pharmacy may save you money. And if you use the same medications regularly, you can also select autofill. Mail-order pharmacies let you fill your prescriptions in bulk. This allows the patient to receive a 90-day supply rather than a 30-day supply. Ordering your prescriptions this way typically results in significant savings.

Always Shop Around

If you have high healthcare costs, you should investigate your choices. Many consumers are unaware that some surgeries can be done at a surgery center. And it could cost tens of thousands of dollars less than a hospital surgery. Each facility has different charges, so ask your doctor for a more reasonable option. Patients can get surgery estimates for operations by calling hospitals ahead of time. Before making doctor appointments, many insurance plans enable you to search for in-network providers. Some hospitals and insurers even provide real-time pricing estimates using internet platforms.

Avoid Unnecessary Healthcare Expenses

Be open and honest with yourself about any financial obstacles you may experience. Evaluate your treatment plans and prescriptions. Identifying your financial constraints will help you focus on the questions you should ask. Ask your insurance company and your healthcare provider about how to find lower-cost options. Finally, consider what type of test, medication, or operation has been prescribed and make sure they are indeed necessary. Also, ask for a more reasonably priced solution that will work for you.

Do Not Hesitate to Negotiate Costs

Despite appearances, many huge hospital bills are negotiable. Waivers, monetary reductions, and relief plans are available at many hospitals. Call the billing department and see if there are any healthcare savings available. You can also ask if any connected expenses may be waived. The billing department will also have information on how to set up an interest-free payment plan.

Use Free Resources to your Advantage

Certain health tests may be available for free or on a sliding scale. Some community clinics and many large corporations have programs that allow you to receive treatment at no cost.

Preventive services can help lower health costs. If you have health insurance, many plans include a free yearly checkup. For example, annual physicals and well-woman exams are covered with no payment. Check with your insurance provider to determine whether you qualify for this benefit.

For instance, insulin treatment could be more reasonably priced. According to the American Diabetes Association, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. It is no surprise that many individuals with diabetes are struggling to pay for their treatment as the costs continue to grow. However, in recent years, pharmaceutical companies have launched programs that offer free or low-cost insulin. Insulin assistance programs like coupons are available online from several manufacturers. You can also contact them directly to see if they can help by locating the corporate phone number online. In addition to these initiatives, discount pharmacy cards can assist diabetics to lower the costs of prescriptions. Also, they can help locate the drugstore that offers the most reasonable insulin prescription pricing.

Contrary to common belief, economical vaccines are not usually available at community health clinics. Both uninsured and underinsured people can get free or reduced-cost immunizations from local health centers and state health agencies. Manufacturers of vaccines provide payment assistance for both children and adults. You must shop around and find the ideal choice for you. This will help you save as well.

Sign Up for an HSA or an FSA Account

Firstly, if you have health insurance, see if you have an HSA or FSA option. HSA (health savings account) or an FSA (flexible spending account) can help you save money. It could also help with your out-of-pocket medical expenses. Both accounts enable you to set aside a percentage of your pre-tax income. This will pay for eligible medical expenditures such as copays, coinsurance, medications, and more.

Get Appropriate Care

It’s tempting to go to the first care facility that has an appointment available. Especially, when you’re sick. However, not all supplier choices are equal in price. Do you need to go to the ER or urgent care facility? Or can you wait for an appointment with your primary care physician or a clinician in your network? Depending on the type of condition and the urgency, there are many options to choose from. These options offer a wide range of patient responsibilities, including copays and deductibles. So, the right option may save you hundreds of dollars.

Examine your Medical Bills for any Mistakes

When you get a huge medical bill, there are certain procedures you should follow. To begin, make certain you receive an itemized receipt with each product listed separately. It should include the expenses broken out for each item.  Compare your bills, both the treatments listed and their charges with your health insurance’s explanation of benefits (EOB). Review it item by item. If you discover an inaccuracy, contact your insurance company, and file an appeal. You can also contact your doctor’s office for help. You can contact who billed you and inquire about your charges. To appeal is easy. Also, keep all your bills and receipts along with a copy of any payments.

Practice Preventive Care

Finally, establish a daily health and wellness regimen that works for you. This can certainly help reduce your long-term healthcare bills. A good diet, regular exercise, and stress management will help to stabilize a person’s health. When you have all three of these working for you. You will have a really good recipe for your health. Staying hydrated, going for a daily walk, stopping smoking, and drinking less alcohol, will catapult you into great health. These changes can have a significant influence on your future health. And save you lots of money on medical bills.

These approaches are excellent for reducing your day-to-day healthcare expenses. There’s no reason to spend more on your healthcare than is required. Regardless of your insurance coverage, you must diligently manage your healthcare.

 

 

10 Healthy Processed Foods

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In today’s world of nutrition, eating healthy is a household and national topic.  To help stimulate our conversations, our Federal Government has been providing us with nutritional guidance for about 100 years.  In addition, our Government has advised us on both good and bad things to eat.  For instance, processed foods are generally labeled as unhealthy choices. However, not all processed or treated foods fall under this category as some are actually beneficial to our health.  When it comes to the best healthy food preparation, nutritionists recommend preparing meals from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Using the most nutritious things will make the food better tasting and healthier.

Most of us live busy lives and are far from farms growing the food that we eat.  Thus, we rely on grocery stores to stock our pantries and freezers with healthy food. Due to high levels of salt, sugars, and other chemicals, many believe that processed foods should be avoided. However, claims that all processed foods represent junk food do not ring true, and for this reason, certain ones should be included in our daily diet.

What are Processed Foods?

Simply said, the term “processed” refers to altered foods or foods that are changed from their original state. Food processing methods include canning, freezing, drying, and pasteurizing. Hence, the majority of what you buy in supermarkets has been treated in some form, including some foods picked right off the vine. As an example, many processed fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are altered.

Processed foods are food products that have been altered and changed, according to food experts. Some examples are shelf-stable biscuits, chips, lollipops, pastries, frozen pizzas, ready-to-eat meals, soft beverages, and ice creams. These foods are normally super-sized and widely advertised. They often consist of a large ingredient list.  They are also heavy in salt, sugar, fat, and high in calories.

Different Methods to Process Foods.

Milk requires processing to make them safe to drink. Milk needs to go through pasteurization to kill germs. Frozen fruit and vegetables even retain most of their nutrients during processing. Canned food offers year-round readiness, ease of storage and preparation, less waste, and cheaper pricing. “Processed” does not always mean the food equals good or bad nutrition for you.

Beneficial Processed Foods

Breakfast cereals

Processed cereals are a pantry staple for most people due to their long shelf life. You should choose items with a health star rating on the carton instead of high-sugar and high-salt types. Health star-rated foods are vitamin and mineral enriched, quick, simple, and high-fiber breakfast choices.

Bread

White bread has been processed to contain much less fiber than wholegrain bread. Because of its higher fiber and heart-healthy lipids, whole grains qualify as a medium glycemic index food. Whereas, heavy wholegrain bread-like soy–linseed or mixed grain remains the healthiest option.

Milk and yogurt

Milk represents an excellent source of bone-strengthening calcium. While yogurt provides bacteria that are good for your stomach as well as calcium. Pasteurization destroys some potentially hazardous bacteria, and homogenization gives milk its smooth and creamy texture.

Microwavable rice and quinoa

These pantry warriors include a one-year shelf life and are a good source of starchy carbohydrates. Whole grain types with added fiber are increasingly available. Try to avoid flavored variants because they tend to include additional additives and a lot of salt. Always read food labels for nutritional information.

Packaged cheese

Milk, salt, starting culture, and an enzyme are needed to make natural cheese. High-quality natural cheese plus emulsifiers are used to create processed cheese. During the cooking process, cheese emulsifiers prevent the fat from separating. This also aids in the preservation of the cheese’s flavor, texture, and smoothness. Choose a salt-reduced/low sodium type to help manage your salt consumption.

Canned legumes

Canned foods seal under high pressure, and keep their nutrients.  Making many of them as delicious as fresh food. Canned beans are one of your five daily vegetable servings. According to the USFDA, five daily vegetable servings contain both canned and frozen options. Just make sure you buy the low-salt versions.

Canned fish

Increase your omega-3 fat intake by eating two to three servings of oily fish each week. Some good choices are sardines, tuna, and salmon because there are only a few added ingredients. Others add unhealthy oil or salt, so read the label carefully. The American Heart Association suggests eating two servings of fish every week. Frozen fish (typically frozen aboard boats straight after the catch) is just as tasty as fresh fish. Unless you are bagging your own salmon.

Ready-made meals

Ready-made meals are often cited for being high in fat and salt and poor in fiber. Choosing a healthier, ready-to-eat meal normally provides a healthier meal than ordering takeout. Also, the label can assist you in determining proper portion sizes.

Frozen fruit and vegetables

Frozen fruit and vegetables, which count toward your two-and-five-a-day requirement. They are high in nutrients and often more than fresh food stored in the fridge for a week. Because they are frozen right after harvesting, they also keep vitamin C or folate in the food.

Packaged salads

Looking for a way to save time during the week? Make your way to the produce aisle. You can select precut fruits and vegetables, such as packaged broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots. You can eat them raw, microwave-steamed, or added to a soup. Salad kits remain a popular choice as well. Select a package that includes heart-healthy toppings such as almonds and seeds.

Ways to Avoid Bad Processed Foods

Always read the label. Highly processed foods consist of a large list of ingredients with terms you can’t pronounce. Avoid anything with salt or sugar in the first few components. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Because most processed items sit in the center aisles. Soft drinks, candies, and biscuits are in the middle of the store. Look to the outer aisles for your most nutritious food choices.

Raid the freezer section. Frozen pizza and tubs of ice cream are not the only items in supermarket freezers. Fruit and vegetables in snap-frozen packets are less expensive than fresh.

Make smarter snack choices. Sometimes a chocolate bar or a bag of salty crackers may appear as a good snack.  However, a handful of almonds or a tiny cup of yogurt are better choices. Or better yet a piece of fresh fruit is a great choice.

The Bottom Line

Processed foods differ from foods that are harvested and sold to consumers in their original state. Highly processed foods or ultra-treated foods are higher in calories, salt, fat, and added sugars. They also contain chemicals like flavor enhancers and thickeners. In a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, we should always limit ultra-treated foods, but not avoided totally. You should eat a completely balanced, nutritious diet consisting primarily of whole foods. And occasionally indulging in your favorite snacks, candy, and/or other highly processed items.

Long-Term Care: Explain it and How does it work?

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Lengthy-term or Long-term care comprises a wide variety of services aimed at meeting a person’s health and personal care needs. This service can continue for a short or long period as needed. When people are unable to carry out everyday activities on their own, these services enable them to get the help they need to live as independently as possible.

Additionally, long-term care helps keep people as safe as possible. Actually, long-term care can be in a variety of settings depending on the individual‘s needs. For instance, family members and friends can provide long-term care in the person’s home. Long Term Car can also provide services at an institution, such as a nursing home. Sometimes a community will also have these types of services, such as an adult day care center.

Long Term Care Services

In short, Long Term Care Services provides personal care help with daily activities. As one of the most common senior assistance plans offered, Long Term Care has several options. Bathing, dressing, grooming, getting to the bathroom, eating, and moving around are all things that people do daily. These activities include things like getting out of bed and sitting in a chair.

Long-term care includes community services such as food, adult daycare, and transportation. These services may be offered for free or at a cost. Understandably, when a person has a serious, long-term health condition or impairment it requires long-term care. After a heart attack or stroke, long-term care likely becomes necessary unexpectedly to help a person recover. Most of the time, though, it happens gradually as people age and become feeble. Also, as a person’s illness or handicap worsens over time.

Who Will Require or Need Long-Term Care?

It’s difficult to predict how much or what type of long-term care a person may need. A lot of things that contribute to the need for long-term care are listed below.

  • Age. People’s danger grows as they get older.
  • Gender. Women are more vulnerable than men because they live longer.
  • Relationship status. Single people are more likely than married people to need professional help.
  • Lifestyle. Poor nutrition and exercise habits may raise a persons’ risk.
  • Your health and your family’s medical history. These variables have an impact on your risk.’

What Are the Different Types of Home Long-Term Care Services?

Health, personal, and support services are included in home-based long-term care. This type of care enables people to stay at home and live as independently as possible. The majority of long-term care gets delivered at the home of the person receiving services or at a family members’ home. In-home services are also short-term for someone recovering after an operation. Or they can be long-term for those who require continuing assistance.

Personal care, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and taking medications are also advantages of this service. As the most common type chosen, it provides home-based services, and supervision to ensure a person‘s safety. As previously stated, family members, partners, friends, and neighbors provide the majority of this type of care.

Paid caregivers include informal caregivers and healthcare professionals such as nurses, home health care aides, therapists, and homemakers. These caregivers are appointed through home health care companies. This type of caregiver can provide home-based long-term care services. Home health care, homemaker services, friendly visitor/companion services, and emergency response systems are among the services available.

Moreover, part-time medical services or Home Health are both available. This care must be authorized by a physician for a specific disease. Nursing care may be provided to assist a person in recovering from surgery, an accident, or disease. Physical, occupational, or speech therapy, as well as temporary home health assistant services, may be included in-home health care. Also, Medicare Home Health, a government insurance program for persons over the age of 65, provides these services.

Personal Care and Housekeeping Services

Home health organizations can provide housekeeping and personal care services that do not require a physician’s order. This includes meal preparation and household tasks such as personal care among the services provided by a homemaker. Similarly, bathing and dressing assistance are included in personal care. To provide these services, agencies do not need to be approved by Medicare.

Visitor Services and Senior Companionship

Volunteers frequently staff visitor/companion services. They pay short visits (less than 2 hours) to someone who lives alone and qualifies for the service. These types of aid are also available at home health agencies for people who desire this type of service.

Transportation for Seniors

People use transportation services to get to and from medical appointments, shopping centers, and other community locations. Some senior living communities and community organizations provide seniors with transportation services at no charge. Then of course there is Uber and Taxi service to help the senior get to certain destinations. Unfortunately, some services are not free, while others are completely free. Seniors with disabilities will need to do some research to see which ones are available.

Medical Alert Systems in Case of Emergencies

Emergency response systems use electronic monitoring to automatically respond to medical and other situations. Sometimes, a person can wear a necklace or bracelet with a button to press for an emergency. When a person presses the button, emergency assistance will be notified and dispatched to the home. This type of service remains particularly beneficial to those who live alone or are at risk of falling. Usually, this service charges a monthly fee for convenience.

Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

Consider what might happen if you were to become very ill or disabled and needed help for an extended period. Discuss long-term care with your family, friends, and lawyers. This way they will know your thoughts on who you would want to oversee your care. Learn how to create healthcare advance directives in this article. Being healthy and independent can help you delay or avoid the need for long-term care. Discuss your medical and family history, as well as your lifestyle, with your doctor. He or she may make suggestions on how you can improve your health and individual care.

Why would you need long-term care?

Accidents, illnesses, aging, stroke, and other chronic problems can all lead to the need for long-term care. Dementia and Alzheimer type conditions are examples of cognitive disorders that are becoming more prevalent in society. Almost half of all Americans now have Alzheimer‘s disease, and the number continues to increase. In fact, by 2050, the expected number will have risen to about 14 million people. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer‘s disease, the average life expectancy will not exceed 8-10 years. And a lot of that time will require long-term care or assistance.

Long-term care situations affect entire families, not just individuals.

Consequently, long-term care planning has become a priority. Because people continue to live longer, and healthcare costs continue to climb, you must discuss it. If you have a long-term care strategy in place sooner, you are more prepared than most people. Home health costs are sometimes difficult financially, and emotionally for you and your family. The administrative decisions you and your loved ones may need to make will help if they are already prepared.

Total life expectancy has risen by 9 years and will rise approximately 7 more years shortly. As people live longer, 98 percent of those polled said that long-term care planning gives them more confidence. Confidence in their health and financial futures.

Choices in the Care Settings

The majority of individuals want to get long-term care at their home, and depending on the situation, that sometimes can’t happen. Thus, people must become acquainted with their options early on so that they can live life on your own terms when elderly.

The first step is to know what options are available. Secondly, you must determine where to receive care. And third, requires having something in writing so you can relieve your family and friends of a stressful situation.

Insurance for Long-Term Care

Long-term care insurance has a lot of misinformation associated with it. For this reason, many folks confuse Medicaid with long-term care insurance. As a result, many falsely believe that Medicaid will cover their long-term care needs. Remember, Medicaid exists for financially disadvantaged people.

Many people also believe that Medicare will cover their long-term care needs, and it will not. Long-term care insurance referred to as “long-term care,” also adds to the confusion. A long-term care insurance coverage pays for long-term care for those who have a chronic, progressive health condition.

Normally a disability, or an illness that worsens with time, such as Parkinson‘s disease, Lewy Body dementia, or Alzheimer‘s disease requires Long Term Care. Personal care help, hospice care, durable medical equipment, and home modifications are sometimes covered by long-term care insurance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Long Term Health Care Insurance is something you purchase now to help you, should you need it, in the future. Purchasing a policy early in life, will keep the cost very affordable.  We strongly advise that you give us a call and let one of our Long Term Health Care Experts help you find the best plan for your needs.  We are here to help and there is no cost for our experts to inform and guide you as you make choices regarding the type of Long Term Health Care you need.

 

Signs of Dementia

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The condition Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that impact a person’s cognitive abilities. For example, their capacity to think, remember, and/or reason. There are a few critical early warning signs. Unfortunately, these signs tend to get worse over time. When nerve cells in the brain quit working, dementia develops. Although it occurs more often in older people, dementia does not exist as a natural part of the aging process. However, a natural decline in brain function occurs in everyone as they age. Unfortunately, the aging process happens more quickly in persons with dementia. Dementia comes in a variety of forms and according to the National Institute on Aging, the most common dementia appears as Alzheimer’s. The following identify other conditions:

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies.
  • Front temporal dementia.
  • Vascular diseases.
  • Diseases, mixed dementia, or a combination of these.

5 Signs of Dementia:

Notably, there are five common dementia warning symptoms. In short, a person must have two or more symptoms for a dementia diagnosis. Also, the symptoms must interfere with daily life. The following identify the early signs of dementia:

  1. Loss of Memory

A common dementia symptom occurs with memory loss. For example, a person with dementia may have trouble recalling current information. The trouble recalling will affect dates or events, as well as new knowledge. People with dementia may find that keeping track of things requires help. The aid of friends and family or other memory plans will help. Normally, as people get older, they tend to forget things more often. In addition, if the person has age-related memory loss rather than dementia-related, they should remember what they forgot after a short period of time.

  1. Planning or problem-solving difficulties

A person with dementia may have trouble following a plan. Case in point, It becomes difficult to follow a recipe when cooking. It can even affect driving and following directions. Problem-solving may become more difficult as they age. As an example, sometimes the daily task of adding up amounts to pay bills will be hard for them.

  1. Difficulty performing routine work

A person with dementia may have difficulty doing routine activities. Some of these include changing television settings, sending an email, or making a cup of tea. Another troubling or difficult routine can happen in a simple trip to the drug store and then having trouble getting home.  The problem with routine duties can occur at home or work.

  1. Being perplexed by the passage of time or the location of an event

Dementia can make it difficult to keep track of time. People can also lose track of where they are at any given time. They may have problems with events in the future or the past, as well as dates.

  1. Difficulties in processing visual information

For someone with dementia, visual information seems difficult to understand. Likewise, reading, judging distances, or differences between colors becomes difficult. Someone who normally drives, or cycles may find these activities difficult when first getting started.

Dementia symptoms – Where can I get assistance?

Above all, a visit to the primary care physician will get your diagnosis started. However, you’ll need to consult a neurologist, geriatrician, or geriatric psychiatrist to acquire a definitive diagnosis. If you can’t find one, the National Institute on Aging suggests calling a neighboring medical school’s neurology department. Dementia clinics are also available at several hospitals. When a person gets diagnosed, the doctor will take a complete history of the patient and of the immediate family during his exam. Alzheimer’s disease in a family or relative remains a big risk factor.

According to new research, simply having dementia in your family becomes your first clue.  For this reason, genetics can increase the risk of developing dementia. As expected, Doctors use a variety of techniques to diagnose dementia. Some of them include performing physical and neurological tests. This will help rule out any other causes of dementia symptoms that treatment can help. The following testing will provide a firm diagnosis:

Testing

  • Cognitive and neuropsychological exams. These tests will examine language, math skills, memory, problem-solving, and other types of mental functions.
  • Blood and other fluids testing, such as testing levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins. These tests can help rule out non-dementia causes of symptoms.
  • Changes in brain structure and function are found by brain scans such as CT, MRI, or PET imaging. These tests can also detect strokes, cancers, and other conditions that can lead to dementia.
  • A psychiatric evaluation can evaluate whether a mental health problem causes or affects the symptoms.
  • Genetic studies are crucial, especially if symptoms appear before the age of 60. According to the Mayo Clinic, the early-onset form of Alzheimer’s disease links directly to a person’s genes. Before and after getting tested, patients should consult with a genetic counselor.

Causes of Dementia:

Doctors and scientists identify the cause of Dementia as being damage to or loss of nerve cells in the brain, as well as their connections. Dementia affects people differently and expresses itself in different ways depending on which section of the brain has been affected. Dementias are typically grouped based on similar features, such as the protein or proteins deposited in the brain or the affected brain region. Some disorders, like those caused by reactions to medicine, correspond to dementias and should improve with medical aid.

Types of Dementias that progress

The following are samples of dementias that progress without being reversible:

Alzheimer’s disease – Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, progresses as time goes by. Because of this, Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent reason for dementia. Although no one knows what causes Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have found anomalies in three genes. These genes are usually passed down from parent to child and are associated with a small number of Alzheimer patients.  While many genes are thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, apolipoprotein E4 is one of the most important.

Vascular dementia – Vascular dementia affects the blood vessels. Damage to the vessels that carry blood to the brain causes this sort of dementia. Frequently, blood artery problems can lead to strokes or have other effects on the brain. This type can harm the white matter fibers in the brain.

Dementia with Lewy bodies. Lewy bodies are abnormal protein clumps that have been discovered in the brain. These clumps cause suffering from Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia indicates damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. This type of dementia destroys nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Personality, conduct, and language are all related to certain areas of the brain. Common symptoms include an impact on behavior, personality, thinking, judgment, language, and movement.

Mixed dementia: Dementia with a mix of symptoms. According to autopsy analyses of dementia patient’s brains, many people with dementia aged 80 and up had a combination of causes. These causes include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Researchers are still studying mixed dementia to discover the symptoms and treatments.

Preventions:

Keep your mind active as a preventative measure. Memory training and cognitively engaging hobbies work to defer the symptoms. Using your mind such as reading, puzzle-solving, and word games may assist to prevent dementia. Engage in physical and social activities. Physical activity and social interaction may help to prevent dementia’s onset. Likewise, it may also stop or delay some symptoms. You should try to exercise for 150 minutes a week.

Stop smoking. Smoking in your forties and fifties can increase your dementia risks. According to multiple studies, smoking raises your risk of dementia and blood vessel disease. When you stop smoking it decreases your risk of heart disease. Just giving up smoking can help you live a better life. Make sure you’re getting vitamins. People with low vitamin D levels in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. According to many studies, vitamin D can help keep dementia at bay. Vitamin D comes from a variety of sources, including meals, supplements, and sun exposure.

Maintain a good diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help. Along with nuts, this type of diet will help you stay healthy and lower your dementia risk. Furthermore, this diet also boosts cardiovascular health, which may also lower dementia risk.

 

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) law was signed in March 2010 by President Barack Obama and was designed as a healthcare reform bill for the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obama Care, implemented a set of healthcare regulations aimed at increasing access to health insurance for millions of uninsured Americans.

The law increased Medicaid eligibility and established health insurance exchanges to permit and require Americans to purchase Health Insurance if they had no health insurance. It also prevented insurance companies from rejecting coverage (or charging extra) because of pre-existing conditions. In addition, the law permitted children to remain on their parent’s health insurance plan until they become 26 years old.

An Overview (ACA)

As mentioned previously, the ACA was designed to provide insurance coverage for people who were not insured, but met certain qualifications. Because the law provided tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, it assisted lower-income individuals and families so that they could afford health insurance.  The savings were from the tax credits that reduced the overall monthly health insurance costs, and the law decreased some of the associated costs of insurance including, cost-sharing reductions, out-of-pocket payments, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

All ACA-compliant plans, must cover certain essential health benefits, such as:

  • Ambulatory patient services
  • Breastfeeding
  • Emergency services
  • Family planning
  • Hospitalization
  • Laboratory services
  • Services for psychological state and substance abuse disorders.
  • Maternity, neonatal care, and pregnancy
  • Prescription medications
  • Chronic illness management, as well as preventive and wellness programs
  • Pediatric services
  • Service for rehabilitative purposes.

In addition, it mandates that most insurance plans include a list of free preventative care measures. These consist of check-ups, patient consultations, immunizations, and a range of health tests. It also permitted states that opted-in to cover a broader group of patients under Medicaid. That option has been adopted by 37 states and the District of Columbia as of June 2021.

Each year the healthcare marketplace opens an enrollment period during which customers can purchase or transfer insurance policies. If you miss this deadline, enrollment will be delayed until the following year. Exceptions due to marriage, divorce, having a child, or leaving a job that provides health care coverage permit enrollment outside the open period.

Improving the Quality, Efficiency, and Accountability of Healthcare Services

By enacting broad changes, Medicare and Medicaid payments changed. These new payment options and service delivery models included a new spectrum of ideas. Some of them paid for medical devices, clinically integrated & accountable care organizations, and allowed episode-based and bundled payments.

These modifications were meant to allow public payers to encourage the healthcare system to behave differently. This included terms of how health professionals were to work in a much more clinically integrated fashion. These changes affected how they monitor and report on the reliability of their care. Also, the law targeted serious and chronic health conditions and implemented monitoring hospital admissions and readmissions in order to find methods to improve the quality of care.

Improving Public Health and the Training of Health Professionals.

The Act also focuses additional public health and healthcare spending on certain subpopulations. These populations receive special attention targeted at enhancing the performance of health and healthcare programs. School-based health centers, dental health-care preventative activities, tobacco cessation programs for Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women, and the inclusion of individualized Medicare healthcare prevention planning received new funding. In addition, the Act permits significant investments in primary care health professional training.

Except for additional expenditures in teaching health centers, all changes were approved but not financed as part of the Act, and therefore, require separate budgeted funds.

The Affordable Care Act Necessitates Rapid Changes

Anyone who acquired a health insurance plan by March 23, 2010, maintained a
“grandfathered” plan. The grandfather clause guaranteed that current plans would continue as long as their insurer stayed in business.

After March 23, 2010, anybody who purchased health insurance would need to enroll in a new plan that fulfilled all of the Affordable Care Act’s new requirements.  The original deadline for this shift was January 1, 2014, or the renewal date of a plan during the 2014 plan year.

After 90 days, the Affordable Care Act required implementing the following changes.

  • June 23, 2010:
    • Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums were available to some small enterprises.
    • A total of $5 billion was set aside for people who were unable to obtain insurance.  Instead, they were able to purchase insurance from the government with these amounts.
    • A temporary reinsurance scheme was created to pay employers for a portion of the expense of providing health insurance coverage to early retirees.

 

  • July 1, 2010:
    • The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) was created to provide health insurance to those who had been denied coverage by private insurers due to a pre-
      existing condition.

 

  • September 14, 2010
    • A list of frequently asked questions published by eHealth, along with a timeframe for the implementation of major improvements. Remember that several of these elements changed throughout the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

After 180 days, the Affordable Care Act required the following changes:

  • September 23, 2010:
    • To overcome the Medicare Part D coverage gap, seniors can receive a $250 reimbursement.
    • People may search for information on health insurance firms, available plans, and other important details on a government website.
    • Pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded from coverage for children by insurers.

 

  • October 19, 2010:
    • eHealth publishes the first in a series of materials to assist uninsured children in navigating state disparities.

In summation, the Affordable Care Act caused a major change in America’s healthcare.  Each year challenges occur, but they become nullified by the continued advancements in public health policy and practice. The Act provides reformed healthcare coverage and care, but also considers public health’s essential role to provide its citizens with universal health coverage.

What the ACA Means for You

The Affordable Care Act, which covers a large percentage of Americans, is possibly the most significant transformation of the US healthcare system yet. In addition, one of its significant innovations is the inclusion of health coverage for persons with pre-existing diseases, which previously did not universally exist. These significant changes in healthcare insurance have become beneficial to individuals and families across the nation.

With all of the good things said about the HCA, there are lots of other Health Insurance Companies.  These other Health Insurance Companies offer customized Health Insurance.  Finding the best insurance at the best price for an individual or family is still necessary to guarantee that you and your family receive great healthcare insurance at an affordable cost.

Criticizing the Affordable Care Act 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was criticized by many as an unprecedented extension of federal authority in the healthcare business. The reason:  it obligated everyone to acquire health insurance — whether they wanted to or not. This side of the law was a serious focus of dialogue, and it was challenged within the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 by the National Federation of freelance Business. The court upheld the individual mandate as a constitutional use of Congress’s taxing authority, classifying the fines imposed on the uninsured as a tax.

Today, the Affordable Care Health Insurance Plan does not work for everyone, and is known as only one of the many health insurance plans available to all.  We invite you to learn more about Health Insurance for you and your family.  Our experts can help you select an affordable great plan that will pay the doctor and hospital in case you or a family member needs coverage.

 

 

Questions About Social Security You Need to Ask

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Social security income is a widely used income source and public pension system President Franklin D. Roosevelt created in 1935. The Social Security Administration provides sustained benefits to the retired and the disabled every month.

The Social Security Administration, SSA, currently employs 60,000 Americans. This makes it one of the largest federal agencies in the nation and has been operating for more than 85 years.

Fun Social Security Facts:

  • The first-ever social security check was cashed in 1940 for $22.54. Now the average retired individual makes ~$1,500 a month.
  • The Social Security Administration conceived social security numbers, and now those nine digits track us from the day we are born until our last.
  •  In 2020, 65 million Americans were paid social security benefits.

In 2020, 9 out of 10 people aged 65 and older received social security benefits; 57% of retirees claim that social security accounts as a significant source of income. The money you put into social security will be there for when you lose a spouse, become disabled, or retire.

Americans rely on social security payments every month. Meanwhile, many questions are floating around the topic because social security is more complex than federal income tax.

In this article, we’ll explore a few pressing questions about social security so that you can better understand the purpose of the agency and how their work affects you.

 

When am I eligible for social security benefits?

People wonder if they should claim social security benefits at age 62, 66, or 70 or assume that everyone retires at age 65. However, with at least ten years of work history, everyone is eligible for benefits at age 62; that doesn’t mean you should retire and claim benefits the moment you turn that age. There are many factors that you must consider when deciding when to retire.

First, you will want to keep track of your social security statement, which you can find here. Because everyone makes mistakes, you can avoid miscalculations if you track your payment history with your statement.

The SSA is not in the business of giving out advice; therefore, it is the responsibility of the public to understand and consider the benefits that the government offers its citizens. You can learn all about your social security benefits from a local social security specialist with The Best Senior Services.

Factors that must be considered:

  1. Age
  2. Marital Status
  3. Marital History
  4. Health
  5. Spousal Considerations
  6. Retirement Assets
  7. Employment Status
  8. Years Spent Working
  9. Tax Situation
  10. Home Equity
  11. Survivor Needs
  12. Children
  13. Disabilities
  14. Need for Income

 

Terms that you should know:

Full Retirement Age: FRA – this is the age that the SSA considers the age at which you receive your full benefit, based on your birthday. Here is the birth year breakdown:

Birth Year Full Retirement Age
·       1937 and prior 65
·       1938 65 and 2 months
·       1939 65 and 4 months
·       1940 65 and 6 months
·       1941 65 and 8 months
·       1942 65 and 10 months
·       1943-54 66
·       1955 66 and 2 months
·       1956 66 and 4 months
·       1957 66 and 6 months
·       1958 66 and 8 months
·       1959 66 and 10 months
·       1960 and later 67

 

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings: AIME – monthly pay for the most profitable 35 years of your work history.                                                  

What Benefits Can I Receive from Social Security?

Your benefits are calculated using a formula that averages your top-earning 35 years, taking cost of living adjustments into consideration, and divides that by 420. The result is then adjusted for inflation, and that number is your AIME. Your AIME is then run through a series of calculations called bend points to determine your benefits finally.

The average American salary is around $50,000; at that income, a retiree could expect $1,890 at full retirement age.

When Should I Start Claiming Benefits?

There is a positive correlation between the number of years waiting to retire and the percentage of eligible funds. When you postpone retirement, you can earn considerably more in benefits.

If your full retirement age is 66 and you wait till you are 70 to retire, you will make 32% more in benefits.

On the other side of that coin, there is a negative correlation if you retire early. If your full retirement age is 66 and you retire at 63, you will lose 20% of your full benefits.

74% of Americans today have chosen to retire early and assume reduced benefits. Retirement benefits were being paid out to 65 million people in 2020. Keep in mind that the cost of living adjustment is around 2.6% a year; this increases each year.

How much do I pay for Social Security?

Everyone pays 6.2% of their salary each year into social security. Your employer matches what you pay into Social Security. The Social Security Administration then distributes these taxes to beneficiaries across America.

Are there spousal benefits?

Yes, you do not have to have any earning history to qualify for spousal benefits, as long as your husband or wife has at least ten years of earning record.

The Best Senior Service is here to ensure you get the most benefits out of your retirement.

10 Can’t-Miss Discounts for Seniors.

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Saving money on your everyday expense is too great of an opportunity to pass up. However, it is a challenge to keep up with all the available discounts for seniors. Because there are so many offerings, not everyone wants to ask if a company offers discounts.

Therefore, we’ve compiled a selection of ten amazing discounts for seniors. Starts saving money today with The Best Senior Services.

 

  1. Costco

Costco offers significant discounts on prescription medication to its senior members. There are requirements for this senior discount; you must be a Costco Member. Costco offers special operating hours for senior members only. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 am, as Costco’s across the nation, only members 65 years of age or older will be permitted to shop.

With Costco’s Prescription Program, seniors can get up to 80% off prescription drugs.

 

  1. Life Alert

Life Alert is perhaps the most well-known emergency medical alert provider. However, if you’ve ever investigated acquiring the product, you have noticed the hefty price tag and contract length.

If you are a senior who purchases a system and then refers a friend who also buys a system, you will receive a $100 rebate on your purchase. To qualify for this rebate, you must be 65 or old.

 

  1. CVS

Prescription medication is expensive and necessary. This reality unfairly impacts seniors more so than their younger counterparts. When you are on a fixed income, medicine can quickly eat up your budget.

CVS offers seniors the opportunity to save money on their prescriptions. With CVS ExtraCare membership, individuals 65 and over can receive personalized prescription coupons and discounts.

 

  1. T-Mobile

These days, cell phones are necessary for keeping up with today’s fast-paced society. Cell phone technology continues to improve, and seniors are, in a sense, are forced to adapt. Cell phones allow seniors to stay in touch with their community and provide an always-ready GPS for travel.

Additionally, the cameras that come with today’s cellular phones are impressive. T-Mobile stands out amongst the crowd when it comes to discounts for seniors. If you are 55 or older, you can get a T-Mobile unlimited plan for as little as $27.50 a month.

 

  1. American Airlines

Every day since the start of 2022, over 1 million people have traveled by air. That is a lot of people, and it’s safe to assume a good percentage of those travelers are seniors. If you feel comfortable traveling by air, TBSS recommends flying with American Airlines.

The airline company offers discounts for travelers over 65 years of age. You can find the option at their website’s advanced search feature or in the drop-down menu from the passenger’s choice option when booking a flight. The discount can be as much as 50% off tickets.

 

  1. IHOP

That’s right, the famed International House of Pancakes is a friend of seniors. The renowned restaurant has long been a favorite of seniors.

IHOP has gone so far as to dedicate an entire menu section for people over 55+. You can get a discount on anything from French toast, BLT, or a Breakfast Sampler.

 

  1. Hertz

If Tom Brady is pro-Hertz, they must be doing something right. Even with the recent negative PR issues, Hertz offers exceptional discounts for seniors. So, keep in mind that travel is not limited to air travel.

Hertz offers 20% off base rates for seniors. If that isn’t enough for you, when you sign up for Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program, you can skip the line, earn premium status, and redeem points for free rentals.

 

  1. Michaels

Once you’ve retired, it is essential to fill up the free time you now have on your hands. Crafting is a hobby that many seniors take up. Quilting, leather, woodwork, sewing, any artistic endeavors are some of the hobbies that can be started at your local Michaels.

If you want to take on a new hobby and don’t want to break the bank to get started, Michael’s is the place for you. If you are a senior (55+), register for Michaels Rewards account, and you can enjoy 10% off all purchases online or in-store.

 

  1. Hyatt

Once you’ve reached a certain age, you’ve grown accustomed to certain living arraignments. Perhaps you’ve grown used to a very tidy living space. These customs could include morning or evening rituals. When traveling, we’d all prefer to maintain these rituals and standards.

When staying outside of the house, the expense can snowball. Save money when you stay with Hyatt. Specific locations offer senior discounts. However, you must be 62 years of age or older to qualify.

 

  1. National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass

Few sights can compare to what American National Parks has to offer us all. Yosemite, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and many more beautiful National Parks. There are 14 National Parks in the US. There is no better way to get moving than visiting a nature preserve for some hiking and sightseeing.

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass is offered at a reduced rate for individuals who are 62 or older.

 

Bonus Discounts:

  1. Whataburger: Ask for the CLUB55 discount.
  2. Piggly-Wiggly: Must be 60+ for discount.

Top 10 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

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With a new year comes new opportunities, responsibilities, and of course, the ever-popular new year’s resolution. These resolutions are often easy to declare and then challenging to maintain.  

Sometimes you put your nose to the grindstone and accomplish your solutions before the year is up; other times, your resolutions can slowly fade into the background with the daily minutia. Many resolutions focus on improving mental and physical health, making them inherently difficult resolutions. 

However, these challenging resolutions are much more rewarding than joining a gym when accomplished. As you age, your motivation to remain steadfast to a resolution can fade, and thus resolutions become less critical.  

Moreover, a new year is a prime opportunity for seniors to improve their health mindfully. Here are ten healthy New Year’s resolutions for seniors looking to make 2022 better than 2021 and improve their overall well-being. 

1. Don’t shy away from doctor visits. 

Not everyone jumps at the opportunity to visit the doctor for regular checkups, and most hesitate to explore a potential issue. However, as you age, it is paramount to rely on your health care team to keep you functioning at your absolute best.  

If you are apprehensive about visiting the doctor, keep in mind that you are not merely going for yourself but also for your family and friends. Remember, most people aren’t excited about a doctor’s visit, so you are not alone. Skipping doctor appointments will lead to stress in the future. 

2. Establish and stick to a daily routine.  

Maintaining a routine is a great way to adapt to stress and optimize wellbeing. Get in the habit of eating your meals, engaging in physical activity, and getting in and out of bed at scheduled times each day. Developing a steady routine will allow you to feel grounded, prepared, and better able to adapt. 

3. Get 8 hours of sleep every night. 

Getting 8 hours of sleep each night provides more benefits than you might think. A well-rested individual will enjoy efficiently coping with stressors, improved brain functionality, and a healthier immune system.  

At the same time, their sleep-deprived counterpart painfully suffers through long days. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, speak with your doctor about it sooner rather than later. Sleep disorders are pervasive and manageable. 

4. Engage in some type of physical activity at least three times per week. 

No matter your age taking some time out of the day to practice physical activity is immensely beneficial. Something as simple as practicing some 

Light yoga: will improve balance and stress management. If yoga is not your thing, no problem, a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood or the local track will enhance your physical and mental wellbeing. Remember to stay hydrated before, during, and after any physical activity. 

5. Eat as best as you can. 

For decades now, medical professionals have affirmed that eating a clean, balanced diet is a habit to keep. The scope of this article can’t include the numerous benefits of a healthy diet. However, healthy eating can support muscle functionality, lower one’s risk to certain diseases and some cancers, as well as boost your immune system. 

Understand that this can be a very challenging resolution, so take your time and do not set the bar high. Small gradual steps will lead to noticeable positive change. If you’d like to learn more about healthy eating, you can read more here. The main priority is to limit your salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and be sure to get enough fiber, veggies, fruits, and plant-based protein. 

6. Hydrate, Even When You Are Not Thirsty.  

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of seniors visiting emergency rooms. Right after you wake up, drink a full glass of water, and fall asleep with a full glass on your nightstand. If you never let yourself, be thirsty, you are on the right track. Staying hydrated will keep your energy levels up, help brain function, and prevent headaches. The big picture here is, don’t be thirsty. 

7. Make time for yourself. 

The notion of engaging in conscious self-care has cemented itself in American culture, which is great because everyone needs “me-time.” There are no structured rules to self-care; establish some boundaries that you believe you’d enjoy and stick to those boundaries.  

The art of letting go of control, drama, and negativity opens the door to tranquility, confidence, and courage. Each week find time for yourself, and selfishly enjoy that time, doing activities that make you happy. In doing this, you’ll bring that positive energy into upcoming situations. 

8. Get organized. 

Organization guru Marie Kondo has written the book on tidying up, and her work has inspired millions to get organized. Kondo recommends discarding items that lack value or do not “spark joy.” You certainly do not need to purchase a book or hire a consultant to get organized.  

Try to work in categories, not rooms, and don’t start if you cannot commit. Getting organized will allow you to lead your ideal lifestyle. While it might take time and effort, the process and the results are certainly worth the work. 

9. Read more. 

On average, readers enjoy better physical health, greater empathy, and better overall mental health than non-readers. Finding suitable material is essential and challenging, but hunting is worth the reward. The benefits of reading, especially for seniors, are impressive.  

Experts claim that reading can improve memory, focus, increase vocabulary, strengthen analytical skills, improve mood, and even reduce stress. Enjoy it if you are lucky enough to find reading material that inspires you. 

10. Take on a new hobby or acquire a new skill. 

Being a lifelong learner is a trait that will pay off in the long run. A curious mind creates an innovative, wise, and confident individual. Whoever said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”, was mistaken. Seniors can practice several hobbies or skills and benefit from trying something new.  

Hobbies like fly-fishing, crochet, model building, gardening, and painting are rewarding and fun at any age and not physically demanding. Moreover, developing new skills will help improve focus, problem-solving, and stress reduction. You are never too old to learn a new trick. 

New Year Resolutions 

Resolutions are tricky, but they are also tools for improvement and enjoyment. Do your best not to be too hard on yourself if you slide off track of a resolution. Remember, if you are having fun, you’re more likely to stick with it.   

Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors

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Believe it or not, the end of the year is quickly approaching, and it’s time for Thanksgiving yet again. Many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving for multiple reasons: spending time with friends and family, eating good food, Black Friday deals and football, among other things.

 

There are a lot of different ways you can spend Thanksgiving, especially as a senior. And this article is designed to share some activities that you can do, based on many successful Thanksgivings experienced.

 

Activities for the Thanksgiving season

 

  • Play “Pass the Plate.” Thanksgiving is about, well, giving thanks. And what better way is there to give thanks than to play Pass the Plate? This is a game in which, just before Thanksgiving dinner, everyone at the table takes a turn to list some of the things that they’re thankful for. This tradition typically calls for a special plate to be passed around, and whoever is holding the plate is the person who gets to share what he or she is thankful for, but a plate isn’t necessary for the game to be enjoyed. The purpose of Pass the Plate is to get you to think about what it is that you’re thankful for, whether it be on a short-term scale like the dinner you’re about to feast on, or a long-term scale, like your family. Either way, this Thanksgiving tradition is a great activity for seniors to try out.
  • Host a Thanksgiving cook-off. Now this one may be a little more difficult to do, especially if all of the cooking is taking place in one kitchen. However, if you have family coming to your house to celebrate the holiday, this is a fun and unique way to how someone will prepare his or her dish. This is also an activity that you can make unique to yourself by setting all of the rules in place. For example, the host of Thanksgiving could be the judge of the cook-off and determine who is bringing what. How you will determine the winner will be up to you, but you can at least expect a lot of wonderful dishes to be served that day!
  • Play Thanksgiving bingo. Bingo is a great game to play during the holidays because the number of players who can participate is endless. And not to mention, the concept of the game is extremely easy to grasp, so your grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren will be able to play right alongside you. It’s also a great way to come up with unique and creative prizes for all of the winners because these are prizes that you can bake or make on your own. Make sure to visit this article from Crazy Little Projects to learn more about the specific rules, and to gain ideas for your bingo cards.
  • Put together a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. If your grandchildren are younger, this is an activity that is fun for both seniors and their grandkids. And depending on if you’re experiencing beautiful fall weather or getting hit with an early winter chill, you’ll be able to determine whether you want to host your scavenger hunt inside or outside. And, of course, you can’t forget the prizes. Prizes can range from Thanksgiving-themed candies, dollar bills, plastic jewelry and more. If those who are in your family are mainly older, but would still like to participate in this activity, prizes can include liquor-infused chocolates,
  • Bake Thanksgiving treats. There are a lot of different treats that you can make on Thanksgiving, whether they’re for you, your grandchildren or for your friends. The particular Thanksgiving favorites include pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, cranberry cobblers, snickerdoodle cookies, pumpkin and/or banana bread, and more. If you want to make this activity more memorable, our suggestion would be to bake your treats while watching a holiday-themed movie or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on Thanksgiving morning.
  • Watch Thanksgiving specials on TV. Thanksgiving specials are a definite favorite past-time in America. Specials can include A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving specials, and special episodes that your favorite shows make, too. And don’t forget, there are also Thanksgiving-themed movies you can watch, too. If you have younger grandchildren, Free Birds, Turkey Hollow and Paul Blart: Mall Cop are great family-friendly holiday movies that are based around Thanksgiving. Other movies that are more fit for adults include Friendsgiving, Turkey Bowl, You’ve Got Mail and more. Trust us, this is one of the best things you can do after eating an entire delicious meal with your family!
  • Make Thanksgiving crafts. Wreaths, paper turkeys, fake leaves, oh my! The amount of Thanksgiving crafts a senior can do is endless. If you’re looking for some fun and crafty ideas to bring to life for the Thanksgiving holiday, click here. You’ll be able to find a lot of inspiration, as well as how-tos, for making some amazing crafts. Who knows, maybe they will end up as great gifts for your loved ones! Our suggestion is to make crafts that are easy and durable to ship to your loved ones in the event that they live farther away.
  • Watch football. This one is a guaranteed activity for many Americans during the Thanksgiving holiday. Seeing as football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, there are plenty of games that will be on this year. The matchups you can expect to see this year will be:
    • Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions. 12:30 p.m. EST on FOX.
    • Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys. 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS.
    • Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints. 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC.


Now, the real question is, who are you going to be rooting for?

  • Take holiday photos. This is something that many families do during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it’s mainly because this is the last time that they will all be together before the next wave of the holiday season begins. This way, the photos are the most up to date to prepare and send out to your loved ones.

 

Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays to spend with your family because it’s a great opportunity for you to share with them how much you appreciate having them in your lives and do things with them that you wouldn’t have been able to do at any other point in the year. Make sure to share this list of activities with your loved ones so that you can see which sounds like the most fun for your family to celebrate.

 

For more tips and tricks about the holiday season, make sure to visit The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) blog page. We at TBSS strive to be the nation’s leading senior resource center. We aim to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources. If you’re interested in getting started with us today, visit our website to fill out a form or give us a call at 855-979-8277.