A1. Staying in Touch? Defeating Isolation? Easier Than Ever!
A major issue for many seniors and their families today is isolation.
A century ago, almost all Americans lived in multi-generation homes. In
the farm belt, large families worked together. In crowded cities, space
was hard to afford, so mom and dad, kids, and grandparents all lived together.
Sometimes multiple branches of a family all lived in the same building,
increasing the family community able to run upstairs to lend a hand, watch
children while adults worked, or look after a sick family member. And
at holiday times everyone was together around the table.
It's not universally true anymore. While some cultures in America still
result in extended families living together, the forces of the 21st century
have split many into smaller, dispersed households. When a single senior
is on the other side of the continent from family, it can get lonely around
the senior's apartment.
Fortunately, today there are technologies that can solve this problem!
It's a matter of spreading the word.
Web cameras, Skype, email, and relationship networking web sites are
powerful additions to an isolated senior citizen's quality of life. These
devices and services are inexpensive, easy to use, and provide a line
of communication that can be vital. Let's take a look at a few of these:
What's a "web camera"? It's a simple little camera attached
to your computer that allows people to see you while you're sitting at
the keyboard. You can buy one online or go to a big box retailer like
Best Buy or Wal-Mart. If you go to an electronics store they will often
hook it up for you, too.
"Skype" is a video phone service allowing two-way communication
anywhere the Internet goes - and beyond. When two people subscribe to
Skype and both have web cameras, a "two way video telephone call"
is the result. No web camera or Internet? Skype still allows a free telephone
call as long as one of you is a subscriber.
"Relationship-Networking sites" have popped up in the last
several years, allowing people from around the world to stay in touch.
These are services that are secure, and can be as private or as public
as the consumer decides to make his profile hosted on the site. Facebook.com
is one of the most popular. Think of it as your electronic scrapbook,
bulletin board, hotline, and photo album. Once you've signed up, these
sites allow you to keep in touch with family, old friends, and business
associates. Writing, sharing pictures, writing and/or sharing a diary,
and keeping tabs on the comings and goings of life can connect an isolated
person in a powerful, beneficial way.
Your local senior community center probably has an Internet whiz who
can help explain it all to you, and the devices and services really are
easy to use. Give it a try and see how wide you can expand your friendships
by reaching out, all from your desk at home!
Don't forget that a Valentine's gift can also bring relief from isolation.
Find gifts for your senior at our Senior Bazaar.
http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm
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A2. Is it Time for a Real Estate Move?
Real Estate is a BIG value today. Prices are as low as they have been
in decades. This reality is not to be overlooked when considering housing
for senior citizens. Reducing - or eliminating - the distance between
relatives and friends is commonly sought as a method of increasing life
enjoyment and easing the burden of daily living.
If you have good credit and a down payment there are a number of creative
options to consider. Always wanted to relocate Mom closer to you? Or have
you wanted to relocate yourself to a state with milder weather? Now could
be the perfect time. Interest rates are low, housing stock is plentiful
- too plentiful, in fact -- and this has created opportunity. Don't worry
about news reports of banks curtailing lending. A customer with good credit
and a down payment can always find a lender.
Right now the real estate available on the market is vast and varied.
From "MacMansions" to condominiums, to foreclosed suburban tracts
homes owned by the bank, there are many options. Your local real estate
agents are where you should start. Interview a couple of them before you
decide on which agent you prefer, because you need to work with just one.
Find out what types of real estate they specialize in. Just condos? That
may be good for you if that's what you need. Apartments, duplexes, and
fourplex buildings? Maybe there are options there you had not considered.
There are many niches in real estate besides the single-family home.
If you are considering a move to a different city or state, Seniorresource.com
can help you find an agent in the immediate area to which you're contemplating
a move. Just send us a note at
http://www.seniorresource.com/realtors11.php?rid=1
Ever think about owning a duplex to solve care-giving needs? Dad can
live on one side and you can rent the other side out, or live there yourself.
In this way you both have your privacy, and yet you're next door with
an intercom if you're needed.
What about a larger home to accommodate an added family member? Perhaps
one with a finished basement suite would provide the flexibility you need.
Maybe you can find an older home with a master bedroom addition. These
additions have been popular with builders in recent years, and the added
combination of bedroom and extra bathroom can make living together possible
where it isn't in your current home.
Now may be the time to look for the home that would allow your kids'
grandmother to move in. Many families find this arrangement is positive
in all aspects of rearing children in today's hectic world. Seniors bring
the dimension of life experience. They often have time on their hands.
They can be home when your kids arrive after school while you're at work...and
it works both ways. You'll always be in touch, thus keeping you aware
of concerns about the health, diet, happiness, and life activities of
your older family members.
NO extra fees or obligation
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You may benefit from Seniors Real
Estate Coordination
- Property preparation for sale - Estate cleanout
-No-hassle transitions
- Communication with family & professional advisors
- Home sale and closing
To contact a Seniors Real Estate Professional
click HERE
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B. DID YOU KNOW...?
1. Improved VA Loans
With the October 2008 signing of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement
Act of 2008, veterans with conventional home loans now have new options
for refinancing a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home
loan. Refinancing of a subprime or conventional mortgage is available
for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. Congress also raised
VA's maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans up to $729,750.
For more information, or to obtain help from a VA Loan Specialist, veterans
may call VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit http://www.homeloans.va.gov
Additional financial information may be found at
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
2. Small Steps to Health
Two out of every three Americans are overweight or obese. Obese means
having a body mass index over 25. In order to lose weight, you have to
burn more calories than you consume. Even small changes in your life will
add up to big results.
A few key actions can help you along the path of reduced weight.
- Learn how eating right and being physically active
are keys to a healthy lifestyle.
- Get physically active at least 5 times a week,
for 30 minutes or more.
- Avoid harmful substances such as tobacco and illegal
drugs altogether.
More important, there are many small steps that one can undertake to
begin moving toward better health.
For example:
- Get off a bus one stop early and walk.
- Order your latte with fat-free milk.
- Park farther from your destination and walk.
- Portion out your snack on a plate, not from the bag.
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator.
- Try smaller-sized items when snacking or eating out.
- Visit http://www.smallstep.gov
to learn more.
Additional health information may be found at
http://www.seniorresource.com/health.htm
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C. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr. -"It is not the years in your life but
the life in your years that counts."
Lana Turner -"A gentleman is simply a patient wolf."
Gypsy Rose Lee - If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing slowly…very
slowly."
Roger Staubach - "Winning isn't getting ahead of others. It's
getting ahead of yourself."
Bob Marley -"Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is
better than silver or gold..."
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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D. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
1. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
The ADRC initiative, a collaborative effort of the U.S. Administration
on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is designed
to streamline access to long-term care. Launched in 2003, the ADRC program
supports state efforts to develop "one-stop shop" centers in
local communities that help older adults and individuals with disabilities
make informed decisions about their service and support options, and serve
as the single point of entry to the long-term care system. To find out
if there is an ADRC serving your community, click http://www.eldercare.gov
to begin your search.
Also learn about Aging in Place at http://www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm
2. Time to Get a Benefits Checkup
Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care,
utilities and other basic needs. Ironically, millions of older Americans-especially
those with limited incomes-are eligible for but not receiving benefits
from existing federal, state and local programs. Ranging from heating
and energy assistance to prescription savings programs to income supplements,
there are many public programs available to seniors in need--if only they
knew about them and how to apply for them. Developed and maintained by
The National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp® http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
is a comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for
seniors with limited income and resources.
Additional financial information may be found at http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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E. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
1. When Insults Had Class JB San Diego
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked
by his friends." Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play,
bring a friend...if you have one." George Bernard Shaw to Winston
Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second...if there
is one." Winston Churchill, in reply
2. Wisdom of Larry, the Cable Guy
- Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
- If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple
of payments.
- How many of you believe in psychokinesis? Raise
my hand.
- OK, so what's the speed of dark?
- When everything is coming your way, you're in the
wrong lane.
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone" is at: http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (betsyjday@aol.com).
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