Emotional Problems in Later Life: Common issues in late life are retirement, divorce, widowhood, misues of prescription drugs, suicide, and neglect

Getting old is no fun, the 83 year old told her daughter. Having lost her husband suddenly, the result of an aneurysm nine years earlier and currently recovering from a complicated spinal surgery, she expressed the sentiment of many elderly adults. We have all watched as our parents, grandparents, neighbors, or friends navigate their way through the minefields of aging, hoping to avoid the disruptive effects of physical, mental, and social deterioration. Aging has emerged as an area of concern worldwide. Life expectancy has increased, largely due to advances in medical science, improved health care, and improved nutrition. As a result, the elderly population has rapidly increased, bringing a growing consciousness of this distinct group to society. The 60+ population increased 50.4% from 1960 to 1980 with projections of 57% from 1980 to 2000, and about 65% from 2000 to 2020. This 60-year span from 1960 to 2020 has a projected increase of 410% while there will be only a 157% increase for the total population.

1 The elderly are traditionally characterized in either a positive or a negative light. Some view the elderly as a source of wisdom, and they are respected, exerting influence in their families and in community life. Others see the elderly as dominated by major and irreversible losses, both physical and mental. Each view has demonstrable legitimacy. How individuals perceive old age is greatly influenced by how society as a whole views old age. The contrasting view of Asian cultures as opposed to our society is evidence of these two views.

 

The idea that aging can be stressful is a prevalent notion. The aging process can be fraught with an endless list of physical problems that result from both normal and abnormal physiological changes. Physical deterioration is inevitable. Mental deterioration and memory impairment, while frequent in later life, may not be inevitable. Physical and mental problems can be devastating for aging adults and their families. In addition, older adults are faced with changes that constitute significant losses. Numerous adjustments are required of aging adults as they encounter: retirement with its altered daily schedule and economic decline; marital disruptions related to divorce and widowhood; changes in living arrangements; experiences of trauma related to abuse and neglect; confrontations about the misuse of alcohol and prescription drugs; and an inability to deal with the inner turmoil that can lead to suicide. This is not a complete list of problems faced by elders, but it is an indication that there are obstacles in the path of aging adults that impact their remaining years. Christian mental health professionals have the opportunity and obligation to minister to this segment of society and bring a measure of comfort, healing, and blessing.

 

*Retirement*

Retirement, in most cases is a onetime event. Retirees reactions to retirement may vary from delight to dread but typically involve moving through stages, according to Atchey.2 These stages are not fixed and are not necessarily experienced in sequence or in total.

 

1. Pre-retirement stage anticipation of impending separation from employment.

2. Honeymoon stage a joyful phase of fulfilling old wishes and exploring new things.

3. Immediate retirement routine stage a phase for those who made advance plans and now can organize their lives into activity patterns.

4. Rest and relaxation stage a time of respite often followed by boredom and, for some, an attempt to reinstate some of the previous lifestyle.

5. Disenchantment stage in some cases, this stage can deteriorate into depression.

6. Reorientation stage a search for more realistic and appropriate life choices.

7. Routine stage selecting and committing to a new set of more satisfying patterns of activities.

 

8. Termination stage retiree either reenters the work force, becomes involved in new interests, or experience poor health and chronic impairments that preclude other choices. Retirement can be viewed as an achievement, an accomplishment. The retiree has completed a major phase of life and now can enjoy the fruits of the labor. For those who have developed interests and hobbies, this is a welcomed time of life. But for others, who have lived to work, this may be a time of difficult adjustment. For some, retirement represents more than just a cessation of work. It may represent relinquishing of power, control, and/or authority. The sense of accomplishment is lost as is the security of a daily routine. For those whose life was their work, there can be a loss of identity. Even in the best of circumstances, retirement requires some adjustment and problems may emerge. Marital problems develop when couples have difficulty adjusting to changes in their roles or to different lifestyles. Most couples have evolved into specific roles and division of labor.

Retirement may disrupt this structure. Isolation can result for those whose social life revolved around time spent with co-workers and who never developed a circle of friends outside the workplace. If retirement is accompanied by the decision to sell the marital home and relocate, the adjustment can be more difficult. Moving to another state, away from support systems in the neighborhood, the church, and the community, can result in times of loneliness and isolation. Older adults tend to find comfort and security in familiar surroundings. Financial concerns are a major issue when facing retirement. Most people have not been able to arrange their retirement income to maintain the same standard of living experienced

during the employed years. Incomes are usually fixed and are only a portion of the previous income. Social Security alone is well below poverty level. Adjusting to a reduced income can result in stress and worry about the financial stability of the future. Plans for a wonderful retirement may not be realized. Adjustment to retirement is not automatic. Retirement means change, whether welcomed or dreaded. Counselors can help the process along by being aware of the impact of this major life transition and can facilitate the adjustment by offering realistic suggestions for problem solving. For example, retirees have much to offer, and serving as a volunteer can enhance ones self-image and fulfill the need to be needed.

 

 

 

*Late Life Divorce and Widowhood*

Marriages are dissolved in two ways: by death or divorce. Either way, the loss is painful. Divorce is a time of crisis and one of life’s most stressful events. It is often compared to the death of ones spouse, especially with regard to the emotional impact and the need to reorganize ones life. Divorce in late life is especially difficult and profoundly affects the quality of life for the elderly. It tears apart a relationship that has existed for many years and forces both parties into new lifestyles that bring changes in every facet of everyday life. Although both men and women experience difficulties as a result of divorce, women are especially impacted. In her 10-year longitudinal study on divorce adjustment, Judith Wallerste in found that the economic, social, and emotional status of older women was distinctly different from that of the other subjects.3 Older women faced worse economic troubles as their incomes declined significantly. They experienced more widespread anxiety and loneliness, decreased involvement in interpersonal relationships, and none of the older women remarried.

The differences between older women and all other subjects was striking and sobering. This does not suggest that older men do not suffer economic, social, and emotional consequences. They experience the same difficulties that older women do; however, they tend to remarry at a much higher rate than older women do. As age increases, the opportunity for women Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not  merely given back given back with bonus and blessing. Luke 6:38

 

(The Message, E.H. Peterson translation)to remarry decreases greatly because they outnumber men. Currently, older women outnumber older men in every state in the United States except Alaska where the ratio is equal. Loss of a marriage impacts the quality of life and requires changes in ones lifestyle, but there are significant differences between divorce and widowhood. Those who have lost a spouse through death are afforded a parting ritual (funeral) and an extended period of time to grieve. The divorced are expected to get on with life. Sympathy and compassion are not equally distributed between the two situations. Death generously allows the widow the comfort of remembering the good times, while divorce tends to flood the memory with the bad times. The widowed have pictures to remind them of past joys with their spouses; the divorced often must still encounter the ex-spouse and re-experience the anger and pain. Economically, widowed and divorced older adults have a lower standard of living. And the older woman may be plunged to poverty level.

For the widow, there is often a downward adjustment on the pension and social security that results in income somewhat less than when the husband was alive. For the divorcee, access to the former husbands pension is usually denied, and the ex-wife has only her Social Security and any settlement awarded by the court. For women who have not participated in the workforce, Social Security is meager. Most older divorced women and many widows experience a severe decline in economic status. Socially and emotionally, divorced and widowed older adults must reorganize their support networks. The divorced may lose support from the ex-spouses family and from friends shared during the marriage. Widows are more likely to maintain some support from extended family and shared friends. The support that follows a divorce or the death of a spouse tends to diminish over time, leaving the older adult vulnerable to loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression. Connecting with others and developing new support networks facilitates the adjustment to the single lifestyle. At a time in their lives when they anticipated that life’s demands would

decrease, the widowed and divorced are faced with life’s most demanding transition.

 

 

*Suicide and the Elderly*

The suicide rate in most countries is higher for older adults than for any other age group. In the United States, suicide in the 65+ group is twice the rate of the rest of the population, with older males at highest risk. Although women attempt suicide three times more often than men, they are less successful than men, who typically choose more lethal means like firearms. Older adults commit approximately 20- 25% of all suicides.4 The risk factors for suicide among older adults are numerous. Depression is, of course, a major predictor for suicide and is generally correlated with significant changes in the aging adults life. The deterioration of physical health, cognitive dysfunction, stressful life events, substance abuse, relationship problems, bereavement, and genetic predisposition are contributors to later life depression. Suicide is most likely a response to the panorama of life’s circumstances rather than to a single factor or incident. Older adults commit suicide with

 

less warning than younger adults and are less likely to express suicidal intent. Previous attempts are significant predictors, but for men who tend to be very successful, this predictor may rarely appear. Treatment for the suicidal older adult may be difficult because the elderly (especially men) generally do not seek mental health services. Identification of suicidal older adults by others who have contact with the potential victims is essential. Because most elderly suicide victims have visited their primary care physician in the month prior to their suicide, recognition and treatment of depression in the medical setting is a promising way to prevent elderly suicide.5 Psychiatric hospitalization can provide an opportunity to involve suicidal older adults in therapy. A hospitalized patient who fit the high-risk profile was referred to me for therapy. He was an over-65 male who had lost his farm and his wife, had stopped going to church, had become a heavy drinker, and exhibited warning signs for potential suicide. Helping him reconnect with his previous spiritual foundation brought a fresh awareness of Gods love and opened the door for developing a treatment plan.

 

*Misuse of Alcohol and Prescription Drugs*

Alcohol and prescription drug misuse affect over 17% of the 60+ population. Substance abuse lowers the quality of life at any age, and it can have a devastating impact on the lives of older adults. Older adults consume alcohol for some of the same reasons younger adults use alcohol to numb psychological or physical pain. Several studies have indicated that about one third of alcoholism among the elderly began after entering later life. This suggests that a significant group  of older adults had alcohol problems prior to entering the last third of their lives. Late onset occurs more frequently with women; men more

commonly were drinking at an earlier age. Alcohol consumption tends to decrease over the life span; older adults drink less than their younger counterparts, but the drinking patterns are similar for all age groups.

 

The effects of alcohol on older adults differ from younger adults. Due to the aging process, tolerance for alcohol decreases with age. Health problems, social problems with family and friends, grief and loss, and mental problems exacerbate drinking patterns or are factors in late onset alcohol abuse. A significant danger exists when alcohol and prescription drugs are mixed. The ability of the aging liver to metabolize alcohol and medications is a concern. Accidental overdose can occur. Whereas older men are at greater risk for alcohol abuse, older women are at greater risk for the misuse of prescription drugs.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that 2.8 million women over age 60 are addicted to psychoactive prescription drugs. Older women are more likely to visit family physicians and receive prescriptions, especially for psychoactive drugs. Although older adults make up about 15% of the general population, they consume 2535% of prescription drugs and a disproportionate amount of over-the-counter drugs.6 Misuse of prescription drugs can occur when the elderly patient does not understand the directions for the medication, forgets to take the medication, or accidentally or deliberately takes extra doses. The elderly experience numerous physical and emotional problems that require medications, such as chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory problems. Drug dependence and drug interactions are a major concern for the elderly.

The aging body typically has a decreased ability to clear the system of drugs, leaving the older adult at risk for overdose or serious side effects. The same medication that is a blessing can also be a curse. Treatment for alcohol problems and the misuse of medications varies according to theoretical orientation. The counselor s belief regarding the etiology of alcohol dependence (disease or dysfunction) will inform the choice of treatment. Engaging the older adult in treatment may be difficult and may require the assistance of family and friends. Unfortunately, most alcohol treatment programs are designed for younger populations and seldom address the unique problems of the elderly.

Treatment for the misuse of prescription drugs commonly begins with an intervention.7 Interested persons express their concern for the one who is abusing drugs, explain

how the problem has affected their relationships, and encourage the person to seek professional help. This method (also used with alcohol related problems) addresses the denial that is typically present. The prescribing physician is often unfairly blamed for the problem (Well, he’s the one who got this started by giving the prescription). In some cases, physicians do contribute to the problem and need to be included in the solution. Having a significant person go to the doctor with the older patient can be helpful for understanding directions for medications. Also keeping a list of all medications for the physician to review can aid in correlating the drugs. There are containers specifically designed for organizing medications by the week and indicating the day and time to take the medication. As is the case with alcohol abuse, there are few drug treatment facilities that accommodate the elderly. Hospitalization is an alternative; however, managed care generally does not pay for the treatment.

 

 

 

*Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly*

Elder abuse is generally divided into four broad categories (physical, psychological, financial, and neglect), and the definition of abuse usually depends on intent, severity, intensity, and frequency. Currently, only four prevalence studies have been cited in the literature and the results are considered an underestimate of the worldwide occurrence of abuse.8 One of these studies9 surveyed over 2000 non-institutionalized elders in the United States and found that: The prevalence of elder abuse ranged from 4% to 10% of those 65 years and older; abuse was perpetrated more often by spouses (58%) than adult children (24%); victims were equally divided between men and women; and neither economic status nor age were related to risk factors.

 

According to Wolf, the risk factors include: the abusers dependence on the victim (i.e., financial support); the psychological state of the abuser (i.e., mental health, substance abuse); the physical and cognitive state of the victim (i.e., frailty, memory deficiency); and family social isolation (i.e., housebound).10 Although empirical studies are lacking with regards to the consequences of abuse and neglect, Wolf reports that depression, learned helplessness, alienation, guilt, distrust, withdrawal, fear, shame, and post-traumatic stress disorder appear to be responses to abuse. Similar to the victims of domestic violence and child abuse, the elderly tend to hide or minimize the abuse, fearing abandonment and rejection. Interventions for elder victims of maltreatment vary according to the individual case, from crisis intervention strategies to treatment of longer duration. Of course, the primary goal is to end the abuse. Counselors need to explore the elders view of the abusive situation, keeping in mind the fear of abandonment and rejection experienced by most victims.

 

*Conclusion*

As Christians, we are instructed to minister to the hurting and wounded that we encounter in our society. As Christian counselors, we have no less of an obligation. The elderly are a segment of society that is often neglected and ignored by the professional world. As we become aware of the numerous problems the elderly face, we have the opportunity to bring help and healing. Christian Counselor is always available to help you out.

One of my students recently told me that I need to help her overcome her resistance to working with the elderly. She is aware of her responsibility to minister to her clients but has not developed a willingness to open her heart to aging adults. As I have talked and listened to others, I realize that there are many who share her view. This may be the result of living in a society that does not value the aged, or it may be an inability to face ones impending entrance into this dimension of life. There is an open field for harvest and an opportunity to minister to those in the final phase of life. Web counselor plays a vital role for the welfare of society.

Paying for Assisted Living

As more Baby Boomers – 77 million strong – begin to slide into retirement, the term “assisted living” is going to be on the lips of everyone from financial planners to family physicians.

Assisted living gives older adults a safe, sanitary and supervised living space to spend their sunset years. The number of Americans with an assisted living facility in their future is on the rise – the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of Americans 85-years-and-older will grow by 33% by 2010.

In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that approximately 6.5 million older people currently need assistance with daily living activities. The Bureau reports that number is expected to double by 2020.

With great numbers, however, comes great financial responsibility. How, after all, are people going to pay for assisted living services? Let’s take a look:

What does assisted living cost?

The Census Bureau estimates that, on average, the per-diem rate for assisted living in a private room is about 60%-to-70% of the cost of a similar-sized room in a nursing home. That could mean a bill of between $50 and $120 per day- and a good-sized case of sticker shock for potentially millions of Americans.

How can you pay for assisted living?

There are several sources of funds commonly used for paying for assisted living: Private funds, long-term care insurance, or sometimes veterans benefits. Private funds can come from personal investment portfolios, like 401k plans or Individual Retirement Accounts. Many people sell their homes, using equity that has built up over their lifetime, to pay for assisted living.

Seniors who do not want to sell their home may consider paying for services through a reverse mortgage, where long-time homeowners essentially borrow against the value of their home. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a good analysis of reverse mortgages.

Long-term care insurance – an umbrella term for insurance that covers nursing home care, home-based health care, assisted living health care (in addition to other medical services) – can help shoulder the cost of assisted living for those who have a policy with a few restrictions:

For example, most long-term care insurance policies won’t cover the costs unless you are unable to perform two or more “activities of daily living” (ADLs). Some examples of ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, getting from a bed to a chair, using a toilet, and walking. Some insurers may evaluate with a physician of their choice – not yours – to see if your condition qualifies for coverage.
The type of long-term care policy is critical, too. For instance, a “facility-only” policy covers care received in a licensed Assisted Living Facility or Skilled Nursing Facility, but not care in an unlicensed facility or in your home. Better to get an Integrated Home Care policy with 100% protection for care received either in a licensed Assisted Living Facility or Skilled Nursing Facility, or in an unlicensed setting, like your home.

In some cases, veteran’s benefits can cover the costs of assisted living programs. To qualify, you’ll need your military discharge papers (copies are fine); a valid medical condition (like blindness – but the condition need not be life threatening) that comes with a doctor’s letter of validation, certain minimum financial asset conditions, and the filing of a formal application, called the Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension, VA FORM 21-526, Parts A, B, C, and D.

Does Medicaid cover assisted living?

While Medicare won’t pay for assisted living care, in some cases, Medicaid will. Specifically, Medicaid may pay for an assisted living stay of limited duration (mostly 90 days or less). But there are factors that could reduce or stop Medicaid from paying during that time period (for example, your physical condition hasn’t improved during your assisted care facility stay). Payment statutes vary from state to state, and with Medicaid, financial help with assisted living costs is highly needs-based, i.e. the less money you have, the better chance you have.

Where to look for adult dating fun in Dorset

Dorset has an overall population of around 750,000 people but 300,000 live in the Bournemouth – Poole area. The rest of Dorset is fairly rural and relatively thinly populated. It is also an area that is said to have the highest over 50’s population in Europe, making it a more popular place to retire to than the Spanish Costas!
As far as adult dating and swinging is concerned, these statistics make Dorset a county of considerable contrasts. Outside of the Bournemouth area in the more rural parts of Dorset, there is little in the way of adult fun activity whereas Bournemouth itself has plenty to offer, including at least two established adult party venues. The best of these is a swinger party only venue; meaning that it caters for swinger couples and single females only. Single males are welcomed at the other venue which also operates as a naturist sauna. How much swinger and adult dating fun occurs in the county can be calculated by taking a look at how many profiles are displayed in the county when browsing top adult dating sites.
My own adult dating club is Club Aphrodite, so I also checked out its membership records for Dorset back to 1996 when the club started.
There is extensive duplication in examining the numbers of active members of adult dating clubs since a number of singles and couples sign up with quite a few sites at any given time. This was allowed for when working out the number for Dorset.
From that starting point, I would speculate that the totals of the numbers of people indulging in adult dating in the county is somewhere in the region of 800 people.
Although the figure seems to suggest that the county has some reasonably good areas for adult dating, these are concentrated in and around the urban areas of southeast Dorset and the picture for the rest of the county is quite bleak.
Whilst Dorset has the two established adult party club venues referred to above, it is the opinion of lots of seasoned swingers, that many of the best adult parties are likely to be those that are privately hosted.
The way to receive invites to adult parties of this nature in Dorset, is to join with a leading swinger club and adult dating site, such as Club Aphrodite. Once you’re signed up, compose your profile then start building a popular presence on the site. It is essential that you commit yourself to expend much time and energy on line, contributing to the chat rooms and forums. Peruse the advice articles that are available for both members and site visitors. The articles will teach you the best practices for developing your online personality and getting the most out of using online adult dating sites.

How Good a County is Devon for Adult Dating?

Devon is England’s fourth largest county by geographical area, covering nearly 2300 square miles.  It has a population of 1.1 million, making an average of nearly 500 people to every square mile. Whilst this is sufficient for adult fun activities to be reasonably widespread, Devon is not one of the best of counties to live in for easy access to adult dating and swinger party fun. Furthermore, it has a substantial and growing over 50’s population, being one of England’s most popular retirement locations.
To the west, Devon borders Cornwall which is a more sparsely populated county with fewer opportunities for adult daters and swingers. To the east is Dorset and Somerset. Dorset has an even higher over 50’s population and neither county can be said to be much more favourable to adult dating activities than Devon itself.
The best areas of Devon to live in are the county town of Exeter and the city of Plymouth. Both areas have sizeable numbers of active adult fun seekers who like to meet up and attend swinger parties.
Getting an idea of how much adult fun activity goes on in the county can be reckoned by taking a look at how many profiles are displayed in Devon when browsing leading adult dating sites.
One of the main clubs and sites of this type, is Club Aphrodite and I was able to examine it’s membership records right back to 1996 when I first started it.
People interested in adult dating and swinging quite often decide to sign up with several online swinger sites at the same time. This was taken into account when trying to estimate the total number of people on the adult dating scene for Devon. From that starting point, I have guesstimated that the totals of the numbers of individuals and couples active in adult dating in the county is somewhere in the region of 650 being made up of 250 couples, 220 single males and 180 single females.
What these figures appear to show is that the county of Devon is not one of the better counties to live in when it comes to indulging in some adult dating fun.
There is not an established adult party club venue in Devon at present although one could start up at any time. However, many seasoned swingers consider that the truly memorable parties are more often than not those hosted in private houses, so an absense of an extablished venue is not necessarily a bad thing.
The opening move to receiving invites to adult parties held in private residential property and organised by other adult fun seekers in Devon, is to register with a popular swinger club and adult dating site, such as Club Aphrodite. Next, take plenty of time and effort to draft a really good profile and get yourself well known on the site. It is essential that you commit yourself to spending a great deal of  time and energy logged into the site getting involved in chat rooms and forums. Please study the advice articles that are on hand for our members. The articles will teach you the techniques and secrets of establishing an online adult dating presence effectively.

Senior Retirement Homes – Plan Today for Your Future

Some people dream of spending their retirement among friends and family or prefer to live alone. Whatever your choice is, a number of independent senior living facilities are at your disposal. As older adults age, family members are usually the first choice to lend a helping hand. In today’s world, however, families may have less time and resources. If a senior requires assistance with daily activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing, then he or she should find assisted living housing to improve their living situation. The retirement homes of today offer an array of amenities to their residents, which include various indoor, outdoor, and social activities.

The options for senior living has increased and improved. A newer concept, holiday retirement homes, is like a permanent vacation to the place of your choice. Assisted living housing is another great option for those who face physical challenges but still want to live a healthy and relaxed life. A number of tasks become easy with the assistance provided by the staff of senior homes. Among all the senior living options, independent senior living provides the greatest versatility and freedom.

Planning everything for the future is always good as it will save an individual from last minute troubles and hassles. Seniors can choose from the variety of facilities and services including live-in management, chef catered meals, maintenance and laundry services, linen service, housekeeping, and other exciting, recreational activities. Retirement homes give a shelter to the elderly person who does not know what is in store for him in the days to come. In some high-end assisted living housing or retirement communities, residents may be offered indoor golf greens, exercise classes, swimming pools, spas, and much more. Special Catholic retirement communities are also available.

As part of your future plans, you can opt for independent senior living, which is ideal for seniors who are healthy and able to take care of themselves without the hassles of maintaining a house. It is a good idea to plan ahead and search for retirement homes, early on, to find the most ideal living option. Generally people wait until their retirement and with no option left, enroll themselves with any retirement community that they might not be happy with. Understand what your options now to help you live better later.

Comparing The Best Retirement States For The Golden Years

Are you researching the best retirement states in the hope of discovering the most desirable area to spend your golden years? Certain factors to search for in a senior friendly state are area, cost and added benefits different states can give older active adults.

 

The best retirement states should have several possibilities in residences that include almost everything an active adult may require and also accommodations for a senior that may need an assisted living community. The kinds of complexes to consider will have independent living homes, full care retirement homes and resort style senior communities.

 

An active adult retirement community attracts retired persons along with those approaching retirement age. They ought to consider a home in one of the best retirement states. These kind of residential areas ordinarily offer things to do for active adults including tennis, golf and swimming.

 

The active adult interested in nationwide retirement solutions will find that accomodation opportunities will vary from single family style cottages, condominiums, town homes to possibly, a suite in a high rise. They frequently include their own golf courses, country clubs, swimming pools, exercise rooms and social clubs devoted to different passions. Some of these pursuits may include art classes, dancing, ceramics and woodworking to name a few. Many of these residential areas are gated to give maximum safety and security to their occupants.

 

Oregon has been named among the list of best retirement states in the united states. There are many fantastic locations from which to choose that cater to the retirement community. Retirement residents can take splendid walks and enjoy restful moments bathing in the natural beauty of the Oregon landscape. Oregon has beautiful beach resort retirement communities in addition to those located in the amazingly green hills and valleys covered with evergreens and oak.

 

In Grants Pass, Oregon you can find the charm of country living with the advantages of the city located within reach. Its area makes it possible for one to enjoy the great outdoors while still located in town. You can find quite a few things to do including golfing on one of the area’s many well designed courses.

 

Grants Pass is situated near the gorgeous Rogue River where you can find great fishing, camping, hiking and walking through wooded areas viewing the regional wildlife. Take visiting relatives on a jet boat journey down the wild and scenic Rogue River. Because of the the great climate within this location a large number of pursuits could be experienced almost all year round.

 

Location should be considered essential whenever looking for a residence and all the more necessary for an older active adult. Significant elements to think about will be easy access to shopping, dinning, health professionals and medical facilities. Peace of mind when one reaches their retirement years can also be really significant. Therefore insist on the above mentioned amenities when searching for a retirement home or community in which to enjoy your golden years.

Why Should Retired Seniors Downsize from a Home to an Apartment?

While it is not the easiest thing to move on to, there is going to come a point in time when retired seniors must face crucial decisions.  One of the many decisions that you will face is moving on and leaving behind your home.  Instead of moving into a retirement home, downsizing to an active adult apartment home is ideal for seniors looking for an independent living lifestyle.

Even moving into an apartment can be a difficult step, but planning early can make things far easier.  It will allow you to prepare for what is to come and smooth things over when it actually happens.  This is not to say you should plan on moving out years before it actually happens, but knowing what to expect can make things easier on you.

Relocating to a different place can be sad and confusing at the same time for retired seniors.  However, it is important that you do not feel like a burden if you lean on family and friends for advice and support.  These are the people that care about you and want what is truly best for you in the future.

Moving to an apartment can have a number of perks that you may not even think of.  It will free up equity which is capital that you can use to invest in order to give you interest or dividends that you can use to supplement your income.  It will make retirement much easier as living expenses will be far less than in a home.  You will no longer have to pay property taxes, home owner’s insurance, and apartment living will free you from maintenance expenses as you will have full time maintenance at your fingertips anytime you need them (no more paying plumbers, painters, electricians, etc.).  You will also be free from the tedious chore of lawn maintenance or from the expense of paying someone to do lawn maintenance for you.  In addition, many senior apartment homes will save you money by offering such things as FREE high speed internet access, cable TV, fitness centers, etc.

Also, at times, it can feel lonely living in a large home filled with items rather than people.  Moving into an apartment will make this easier and allow you to feel less lonely since apartment living places you in the midst of people on a daily basis which presents the opportunity to meet many new people and make new friends.  With your new friends, you can truly live your life the way it is supposed to be lived as a retired senior.

Something you will face when moving into an apartment is disposing of belongings that you won’t be able to take with you to an apartment.  Because an apartment is normally smaller than a home, chances are that it will not be capable of holding everything that had fit into your home.  However, on the bright side, this gives you the opportunity to share sentimental items with others close to you.  You can hand down various sentimental items to children and grandchildren that they too can pass down from generation to generation.

Moving out of a home that you may have lived in for many years is a difficult step to take in life.  However, retired seniors have to look at the many positives that can come from moving into an apartment home.  Take into consideration the benefits listed in this article as you move on to the next step in life.

Top Benefits of Active Adult Communities

Adult communities are slowly making amazing progress in the industry of real estate and overwhelming challenge. In fact, more and more people consider highly prefer to invest in retirement communities understand the many benefits of this investment.

Launching into semi-retirement or retirement may be difficult without having to choose to relocate to a new home, at the same time. However, many people over 55 are choosing to leave their large families or household to move to active adult communities.

In recent years there has been much discussion of lifestyle on the welfare and harmony. Philosophies about how to keep good lifestyle that encourages health living are springing up here and there and everywhere. active adult community living is a regular feature of a special development of high-end community. It caters to the healthy lifestyle and active adults living in the community. It promotes wellness, camaraderie among neighbors and socialization activities

The recognition of active adult communities continues to spread worldwide. These districts are intended to provide all the needs of the elderly in a residential individual. These styles also try to motivate them to participate in the routines of energy instead of assuming non-active lifestyles. Thanks to the efforts of men and women who developed this rapidly growing community, older people can now enjoy interesting activities, such as meetings sociable and a variety of exciting sporting activities.

San Francisco Orange County is a happening place, as it is a first class resort with popular attractions such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. It is known for its beautiful beaches which are considered to attract hundreds of tourists and visitors the lonely years. Orange County has very well developed cities, of which seven are on the list of the 200 largest U.S. cities. It is known for offering many opportunities for sport and recreation such as surfing, kayaking, hiking, biking, golf and more.

From the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii to the Atlantic coast of Florida, there are countless active adult communities that provide life insurance, active and assisted for the elderly. It is not an easy task to select five of a list as long and is even more difficult because the interests and needs of the people are so different. The good news is that, regardless of their particular needs and desires can be no one to make your list as the top in the country

Aging is a period in his life when he comes to discover a host of exciting things and discoveries that will never get to do in his younger days even busier. Gone are the days and the idea that old age is limited to the four corners of your room bitterly remembering the days when they were in the prime of his youth. Definitely deserves to enjoy and reap the fruits of their work through giving yourself the best you can offer the quality of life. One is by investing in properties in active adult communities.

What Services Do Assisted Adult Living Institutions Provide?

There is, of course, a tremendous difference between assisted adult living in a private home where the owner takes in retired folks and provides rooms for them, and the extremely posh assisted adult living quarters of some of the newer “country club” facilities. Most assisted adult living locales provide for transportation, daily living activities, housekeeping and of course meals.

The differences in such facilities will vary tremendously, not only in the amazing grounds available in many of these facilities, but also the sumptuousness of the facilities themselves. After all being served meals chosen from a menu, as a restaurant would do, and being served the meal of the day in a sterile cafeteria makes all the difference in the world, yet both are providing the service of offering meals to the residents.

 For instance your loved one may need the possibility of having meals served in their room when they are too ill to make it to the dining room, thus if you already know that this is an occasional need, then make sure that particular service will be available. Verify that if the doctor prescribes a controlled diet, such as salt free or sugar free, that the choices can be made.

 The minds of adults need to be challenged in order to keep the mind working properly, thus you need to be sure that the activities that are planned do create mind-challenging opportunities as well as entertaining ones. For example bingo games or card games need to be encouraged, and for those who like to play chess or checkers, there should be one or more such tables available.  “Name that tune” type of group play is also mind-challenging. Even the ubiquitous sing-alongs challenge the memory.

 The assisted adult living that takes place in a private home will not, of course, provide as many services as the “country club” facilities can offer, however sometimes they are preferable to the “fancier” places. For instance the homeowner may have pets, which the resident can care for and of course lavish love onto. In larger facilities there may be visiting pets, but they are not the same as having them constantly around the residents. After all, it has been shown that pets are important for mental health.

 As for services too, keep in mind that assisted adult living facilities are not nursing homes by any stretch of the imagination. Your attention is called to the “assisted” meaning assigned to each of the assisted adult living locales.

How to Avoid the High Cost of Healthcare

There is a storm brewing in America. It has the power to ruin lives directly and indirectly. The storm will wreak more havoc than any natural disaster in history. The name of the storm is not a common name like Katrina. This storm’s name is called “America’s Health Care Crisis.” The early signs are already here. Just consider these facts:

* Every 30 seconds, someone in the United States files bankruptcy due to a serious health problem.

* According to a Harvard University study, 50 percent of all bankruptcy filings in the United States are the direct result of medical expenses.

* Health care spending in the U.S. is more than $1.8 TRILLION!

* In 2003, the U.S. spent 15.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care.

* Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance in the U.S. have risen five times faster than workers’ earnings since 2000.

* Experts predict retiring elderly couples will need a conservative $200,000 to pay for basic medical services and most experts agree that the number is probably closer to $300,000.

With the cost of services going up, the demand for those services is also increasing. Consider the following:

* Cancer rates have exploded from 1 death in 20 in 1910 to 1 death in 3 in 2006.

* Diabetes Type 2 (adult onset) has exploded by 600% in just the last generation.

* Heart Disease deaths went from obscurity in the early 1900’s to the #2 killer in America.

* Stroke moved from obscurity to the #3 killer and the #1 cause of disability in the US.

* Auto-immune disorders like Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia have become commonplace.

Why is this happening? What could be the common link? Many experts believe it is what we eat. Not just the types of food and how they are prepared, but the actual nutritional content. Over a 10-year period, the potassium level in oats and buckwheat dropped by two-thirds. That means you need to eat three bowls of oatmeal to get the same potassium as one bowl gave you just ten years ago. Think about you and your children – over the last ten years you and they have eaten the same amounts of food but with much less nutritional content. In the fifty years between the 1940s and the 1990s, nutrient values for protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid declined in at least 43 garden crops.

What’s the answer? What can we do to add nutrition back into our diets and our bodies? What can we do to keep from spending all our savings on medical bills? How can we continue to enjoy an active lifestyle well into our senior years?

The answer is simple: Supplement.

Even the FDA, along with a growing number of nutritionists and medical experts agree that nutritional supplementation is the key to leading a healthy and fit life. Read why more and more people are being proactive about improving their health and at the same time they are fighting the effects of aging. I encourage you to examine the nutritional content of your current diet. You can definitely look and feel better with proper nutrition.

As we get older, many of us start taking more and more medications. Consider that while Americans comprise only five percent of the entire world’s population, we consume ONE-HALF OF ALL the prescription drugs manufactured WORLD WIDE! That is more than 3 billion prescriptions each year. Prescription drug expenses are the fastest growing health care costs increasing by more than 15% each year since 1998.

The pharmaceutical industry has done a great job at convincing people that drugs are intended to cure disease. But if prescription drugs were the answer to health, why aren’t we the healthiest nation on Earth? In spite of all the drugs, the physicians, and the hospitals, Americans are getting heavier; the rate of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are rising; and we have one of the highest infant death rates in the world.

We need to transition from our over-reliance on drugs and believing that taking a pill is the ’solution’ to finding and treating what caused the disease in the first place. It is certainly fair to say that traditional medicine can do amazing things – especially in treating trauma and infectious disease. But for promoting health, traditional medicine is ineffective and extraordinarily expensive.

Many in the wellness industry work very hard spreading the word that it is much better (and cheaper!) to prevent disease than to treat it after it occurs. Preventing disease and fighting the effects of aging are two of the primary reasons why many people take supplements and how they become proactive about improving their health. By putting yourself into a state of optimal health, you feel better, have more energy, and increase the quality of your life.

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