Many years ago, when people thought about retirement, they imagined living in quiet retirement community Memphis TN and spending their golden years parked in front of a television. Today, in the real world, people are living much longer, healthier lives and seek to do meaningful things with their time after starting retirement. Senior citizens are now far more active than ever before and use their energy to make substantial work-oriented contributions to charities of all kinds. There is a myriad of causes, non-profits and charitable organizations that desperately need the know-how, experience and knowledge of our senior citizens.

There are many directions to go in choosing a volunteer opportunity. Simply take some time to reflect on how you would like to contribute to the well being of the world and then contact an organization that is focused on that particular cause. The following is a list of possibilities.

Animal Shelters

Every community has animal shelters devoted to caring for lost or abandoned dogs, cats and other types of pets. These organizations always need people to help out with caring for the animals, helping with fundraising and finding homes for the animals.

Activism

If you have strong political views, now is your chance to join the cause for which you feel the most passion. With your volunteer work, you can help a candidate in a local, state or national campaign actually get elected. These candidates often list volunteer opportunities on their websites. The work might consist of canvassing local neighborhoods, making telephone calls or handing our pamphlets.

Tour Guide

You probably are familiar with a museum, university or other local attraction that needs people to provide tours for visitors. Many such places will train the volunteer to be knowledable about the facility in question and to then impart that knowledge to others. This can be a very rewarding way to volunteer.

Disaster Relief

Unfortunately, natural disasters or other events occur in the world that place large populations of people in need of food, shelter or medical assistance. Organizations like the Red Cross need volunteers who have medical experience but also others who can provide administrative support or simply offer caring assistance to those affected.

Help Feed the Hungry

Join Meals on Wheels as a volunteer dedicated to feeding hungry families and individuals. This organization and countless others such as local food banks feed millions of people in need nationwide. Many of these people in need are senior citizens themselves but many others are children who may be malnourished.

Combine Travel and Volunteering

This combination of traveling to a foreign country and then working to help conditions there is a wonderful idea. By doing so, you may get to know the natives of the country you are visiting while also helping them in a constructive way. Work to protect wildlife or tutor children, among other things, as a way to get acquainted with your destination.

Help the Children

There are always children who need the special knowledge and care that seniors can provide. Look up your local Big Brother/Big Sister organization or contact a children’s hospital for information about volunteering there. Opportunities might include tutoring, helping families, or reading stories to younger children.

Support Our Troops

There are almost countless volunteer opportunities designed to help support the members of the military who help to keep the country safe. If this is your passion, the USO is a great place to start, as it is their mission to improve the quality of life of members of the military. The Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service Program (VAVS) is also a great place to start as they are dedicated to helping wounded and homeless service members.

Build Houses

Join the ranks of Habitat for Humanity to help build and/or repair houses for lower income families and individuals. Volunteers comprise most of the Habitat for Humanity workforce and the service certainly helps not only to build shelter for those in need but it also helps to build stable communities.

Be An Advocate

Charitable and non-profit organizations really do need help either representing themselves or the populations they serve in one way or another. Environmental organizations, battered wives, or foster children, for example, all need the help of seniors who have experience with legal matters. Volunteers also serve on boards of directors or perform administrative tasks.

Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens abound! All it takes is some thinking about what type of service might be the best match for you. Once you determine exactly where your passion lies, get on the phone or the internet to start a rewarding path as a valuable volunteer.

Whether you’re approaching retirement age or you are planning ahead, the ins and outs of funding your golden years can be confusing. Here are the answers to the most common questions seniors have about their Social Security benefits. For more detailed questions, you may want to consult a workers compensation lawyer.

When Can I Begin Receiving Social Security Benefits?

You can claim Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit amount will be. The benefit amount is reduced by a percentage for each month before your “full retirement age” you claim benefits. Full retirement age depends on the year you were born, but ranges from 65 for those born before 1937 to 67 for those born after 1960.

How Much Money Will I Receive Each Month?

The amount of your monthly Social Security benefit depends on a number of factors. According to the Social Security Administration, the average retired worker receives about $1,341 each month. You could receive more or less depending on how long you worked, how much money you made during your career, and other factors. The best way to find out your monthly benefit amount is to consult the Social Security Administration’s Retirement Estimator, online at https://www.ssa.gov/retire/estimator.html.

What Are Social Security Credits?

Credits determine whether you qualify to receive Social Security benefits. Credits are determined by your total annual earnings. In 2016, you get a credit for every $1,260 earned, up to a maximum of four credits each year. Depending on your retirement age, you need a certain number of lifetime credits to qualify for benefits. No one needs more than 40 credits to qualify for any Social Security benefit.

When Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits?

Apply for retirement benefits three months before you want to begin receiving Social Security payments. You can do so online at ssa.gov. This is the fastest way to apply for benefits, but you can also choose to apply by phone or in person if you prefer.

How Are My Benefits Affected if I Continue to Work During Retirement?

Many seniors choose to supplement their retirement benefits by holding a part-time job. If you have reached full retirement age based on your date of birth and you continue to work, there is no impact on the amount of your Social Security benefits. If you are younger than full retirement age, there is a deduction of $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $15,720. That means you can make up to that ceiling with no effect on your benefits. In some cases, working may actually increase your benefits since you are continuing to pay Social Security taxes.

Should I Apply for Social Security Benefits Now, or Wait Until Full Retirement Age?

If you are older than age 62, you may be considering retirement. This is a personal decision that must take into account your current cash needs, your current health, and expected longevity. For some people, it makes sense to take a lower benefit monthly amount but claim benefits sooner.

Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?

Social Security benefits are tax free for most retirees, and partially tax free for all who receive benefits. The amount taxed depends on your income. If your adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus one-half of Social Security benefits exceeds $25,000 ($32,000 if you’re married) up to 50% of your benefits can be taxed. If your income is more than $34,000 on a single return or $44,000 on a joint return, up to 85 percent of your benefits can be taxed.

To get answers to questions about your specific retirement situations, consult a professional along with the resources at ssa.gov.

Longevity in life is perhaps the strongest motivation for making measurable changes at an early age. There are so many factors that determine how long you’ll have to live that many people ignore some of the more important aspects of self-preservation. Extending life expectancy isn’t just about adding as much life as possible. It’s also about adding usable time that can be spent on activities. Many modern chiropractor professionals focus solely on extending time, but they forget about the quality of that extended life. What good is an extra three years if you have to spend them lying in a bed?

Scientific understanding is constantly evolving, and it won’t be long before many anti-aging treatment plans are commonplace. Certain holistic methods of extending life are already well-known to be effective, and a few of those techniques are outlined below.

Drink More Water

This is one of the most overlooked aspects of human health, and the problem isn’t limited to aging members of society. The vast majority of people in the world, even those in highly civilized and modernized countries like the US, don’t drink enough water in their daily life. It was once believed that humans need to drink 64 ounces of water per day in order to maintain optimal health, but recent studies have shown the amount should be much higher. Some researchers believe that as much as 128 ounces of water per day is adequate for proper hydration. Failure to drink enough water can lead to dehydration, which is a problematic condition. Even light dehydration can causes headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and a general lack of energy and positive mood.

Follow A Strict Diet

As important as water is to extending life expectancy, diet is even more vital. The food you eat directly correlates to the overall health of your system, so foods that are known to cause health issues should be avoided. These include foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt. It’s best to create a diet that is based on natural foods like fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean region has one of the highest life expectancies in the world thanks to their rich diet of raw vegetables, nuts, fruits, and healthy oils. A proper diet will help prevent heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even memory loss.

Continue Learning

An active mind is much more likely to maintain a healthy body, according to new research that shows a correlation between education and life expectancy. As the mind ages, it tends to work less on everyday problems, which can lead to degradation through inactivity. Continuing education into your later years will help stimulate the brain into staying young and active. Not only that, but education at an early age tends to translate to longer lifespans due to higher income potential throughout life and healthier decisions made throughout life. It has been estimated that obtaining a bachelor’s degree can boost life expectancy by up to nine years.

Avoid Negative Stress

Stress itself isn’t entirely negative. Stress related to work, family, and society are generally good in small doses, since that stress helps give the mind focus and purpose. However, too much stress can actually start to inhibit certain aspects of aging, and it can even reduce life expectancy. High levels of negative stress causes your body to release stress hormones, like cortisol, that aren’t conducive to longer living. Stress should be maintained at a low level in order to avoid any negative effects on life expectancy.

Stay Social

It is commonly believed that an aging person must have a reason to keep living, or else their mind and body will start to shut down in response to their lack of responsibility or connection. People must feel needed and appreciated in order to reach those higher years of their life. The best way to do this is to stay as socially active as you possibly can. This will create connections that promote continued existence through a desire to maintain those connections. Staying social can involve something as simple as spending more time with family, or it can be as complex as running for public office or contributing to society in some other literal sense.

Keep Active

Of course, exercise is one of the hallmarks of healthy elderly people. It has been estimated that every hour of inactivity throughout life results in as much as 22 minutes being lost from your life expectancy. That means that merely sitting in place for long periods of time is possibly the least healthy thing you can do for yourself. Staying active doesn’t have to be anything incredibly difficult, either. A solid exercise routine for an aging individual might include several walks throughout the day combined with light calisthenics. Small free weights can even be used to help boost the

Just as infants need a certain concentration of nutrients on a daily basis to grow up healthy and strong, seniors also need to feed the body in a certain way to adjust for the inevitable metabolic changes caused by aging. In this post, learn helpful expert tips to plan the healthiest diet for an elderly person.

Tip 1: Follow the MyPlate guide for percentage and portion sizes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed MyPlate as a tool for daily nutritional planning. MyPlate offers a visual as well as text guide to assemble balanced meals.

Specific MyPlate adjustments for older adults include an increase in fiber, a focus on hydrating with water, an effort to supplement with vitamins as needed, and avoidance of added sugars.

Tip 2: Talk with your doctor for specific dietary limitations or additions.

For elderly individuals who are at risk for or have already been diagnosed with health condition such as diabetes or heart disease, it is critical to make nutritional adjustments to moderate symptoms.

For example, often diabetic individuals need to pay special attention to sugar consumption, while those with heart disease need to moderate salt intake.

Tip 3: Adjust daily caloric intake to maintain weight.

Weight gain is a common complaint among seniors today. Food tastes just as good, but often an aging body just doesn’t need as much of it. This is because the metabolism tends to slow as the body ages.

A good general daily caloric guide to follow for active seniors is to aim for 1,800 calories per day as a female and 2,300 calories per day as a male.

Tip 4: Be aware of how medications may interact with appetite.

For some seniors, prescribed medications may interfere with experiencing a normal healthy appetite. Side effects of many medications can include nausea, constipation/diarrhea, and even changes in how food tastes. As well, some foods (grapefruit is a common culprit here) are contraindicated while taking certain drugs.

Always check with your doctor to find out what nutritional and dietary adjustments may need to be made when starting a new medication.

Tip 5: Be sure you are getting sufficient quantities of vital vitamins and minerals daily.

The National Institute on Aging recommends that individuals over the age of 50 pay special attention to daily intake of certain essential vitamins and minerals.

These nutrients include:

– Folate.
– Vitamin D.
– Vitamin B12.
– Vitamin B6.

However, it is always wise to talk with your doctor before self-supplementing with additional vitamins or minerals.

Tip 6: Be especially aware of calcium intake to keep bones strong and healthy.

The aging process is not always kind to bones, which can become brittle and fracture or break more easily as the body gets older. By keeping daily intake of calcium-rich foods such as dairy products and dark leafy greens sufficiently high, the bones continue to get daily infusions of calcium.

For elderly individuals who don’t have much appetite, smoothies with a dairy or yogurt base can be a great way to boost calcium intake naturally.

Tip 7: Make good choices for digestive health.

For some elderly persons, exercise diminishes or ceases with age. This can cause problems when food gets to the digestion stage. Fiber can be a help as can hydration.

Taking prebiotics and probiotics can also help ensure the gut has sufficient quantities of healthy bacteria to break down the food, extract needed nutrients, and convert the rest to waste as it is designed to do.

Tip 8: Aim for daily helpings of high grade lean protein.

Protein is as vital for the brain as for the body, especially as both begin to age. Research shows that protein, in the right form and quantity, can ease depression and anxiety, improve stress resilience, clarify thought processes, and improve overall energy and mood.

Some of the best protein sources include nuts, plant-based protein such as soy-based tofu and tempeh, organic grass-fed red meet, organic wild caught fish, chicken protein isolate powder, dairy products such as milk and yogurt, eggs, and legumes. For those that prefer organic protein, organic chicken protein isolate may be the best option.

Since every body is different regardless of age or stage of life, it is so important to consult your doctor before embarking on any significant dietary or nutrient modifications. It can also be helpful to talk with your doctor about the ideal body weight range for your height, gender, and age so you know what to aim for calorically to reach and maintain that weight.

By making small dietary and nutrient adjustments as needed, you can enjoy your golden years with the greatest amount of energy, vitality, strength, and physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, you may just surprise yourself by how good you feel!

Visiting with family at a senior living Memphis TN facility might seem like a chore, especially when you do not get along too well. However, you may regret missing out on these moments later in life. Instead of continuing to groan every time that you see your family members, learn how to maximize the joy of those moments. These tips are courtesy of Hearthside Senior Living.

Make Plans

Perhaps you feel stressed when you visit family members because the plans always pop up last minute. Your mom calls you to invite you over to dinner when it’s already late in the afternoon, or your cousin asks you to go shopping right before he leaves the house. Making actual plans can help to alleviate some of this stress. Also, you may start to get excited for the plans as you do when you have plans with friends.

Take Your Time

When you just squeeze in time with your family members between other events, the moments that you spend with them are not quality. If you are like many people, you probably put a time limit on how long you plan to spend with your family. Instead, just let the day progress naturally. Try to make sure that you just plan to spend time with family that day instead of making other plans too.

Don’t Make a Fuss

When you make plans with family, everyone might talk about it and make a fuss. This situation puts pressure on you to make the event perfect. Think about how you act when you have plans with friends. You probably don’t talk about it constantly. Take some more of the stress out of the situation by not making such a big deal out of the plans.

Don’t Do Chores

Going over to your family member’s house should not turn into a cleaning escapade. You might feel so comfortable at your adult children’s house, for example, that you start to fold laundry and clean the windows. When you go to your sister’s place, you might feel inclined to cook a meal for your nieces and nephews. By participating in those chores, you are losing out on more quality time.

Set an Activity

To prevent yourself from doing chores, you should decide on an activity that you are going to do in advance. For example, you may decide that you will play board games or that you will have a wine and cheese tasting party. You mean even decide to host a party with the extended family and set a theme.

Leave the House

You may also fall into old routines of doing chores if you just stay inside the house. The next time your brother wants to invite you over, suggest that you go to the local bar instead. When your cousins ask if they can come to your house for a barbecue, find out if they want to try the new restaurant in town. Going out allows you to have new experiences as opposed to just recreating old ones.

Drop the Tension before You Go

Sometimes, you go to the home of family members even when you are having fights with them. Upon arrival, the tension just starts all over again. You went to show support, but the emotions came to the surface. The next time, make amends and discuss the issue before you show up so that the day can progress without issues.

Diffuse Fights Quickly

A great part of family is that you can say what you want to family members. However, that is also a negative because it can turn a good day into a major problem. If you notice that tensions are starting to rise with a loved one, take yourself out of the situation before it grows worse.

Let the Kids Play

With family, you may find that you are constantly telling them what to do and what not to do with your kids. While making safety a priority is necessary, you also want your children to spend time with their siblings and cousins in a positive manner. Give them some space to explore, and don’t obsess over every cookie that your parents give to your kids.

Talk

Talking is more than just asking about work and the weather. Think about the topics you discuss with your friends or when you have casual conversations with your coworkers. Bringing up new topics might feel awkward at first because you aren’t used to it. However, you will likely find that your family members are happy that you are not just talking about the same old and boring topics yet again.

Making the most out of visits with your relatives is important because doing so helps you to create memories. You probably have good memories of playing with your siblings and cousins when you were kids, and you do not have to let those good times fade away.

There is a special place in our hearts for grandchildren, don’t let worry get in the way of paving the bond with yours. There are many activities and ways to encourage a strong and healthy bond between you and your grandchildren. Depending on the age of your grandchild you can watch movies with them, take them out for special treats, read or tell them stories, host a grandchild sleepover, or even host a weekly or monthly dinner to bond with them. By showing your grandchild that you are present and you care for them you are well on your way to a joyous grandparent-grandchild bond. Just be sure your hearing is sound. Limited hearing can interfere with such visits. If you are in need of hearing assistance, you may want to start by obtaining hearing aids centennial co from an ear doctor limon colorado.

Watching movies with your grandchild is a wonderful method of bonding no matter how old either of you are! With a newborn you can flip on a kid’s movie and simply watch while rocking her in your arms and allowing her to nap. As she grows a little older she will eventually be able to sit by you and enjoy the film too. When she is old enough and you feel confident then you will be able to move the event to a movie theater and enjoy it on the big screen! Even teen and adult grandchildren will enjoy a good movie in the theater with you from time to time. By enjoying films together you show your grandchild that you enjoy similar things, it’s a great conversation starter once the film finishes, and it provides an opportunity for you to care for your grandchild while her mom and dad run errands!

A second way to bond with your grandchild is to take him out for treats! Every child loves an ice cream, a day at the arcade, or dinner at a place they picked! If your grandchild is a newborn you can take him to a park and push him around in a stroller as a treat. As he grows older you will eventually be able to play with him at the park or help him feed the ducks. Another treat he may enjoy once he is talking is going to a children’s restaurant and receiving a small toy in his meal or playing in the restaurant arcade. Although it’s not mandatory, it goes a long way in showing your grandchild you care when you also engage in playing arcade games with him or treat yourself with ice cream too! Having shared interests shows your grandchild that you are similar to him in some ways and will strengthen your bond. Teens and adult grandchildren can be treated with a visit to a movie theater or stroll in the mall as well. Try out a few different locations and scenarios to learn what your grandchild values most as a treat.

Another great way to forge that bond is to simply tell stories or read to your grandchildren. Newborns, infants, and toddlers will benefit from being read a children’s book even if they’re still too little to look at the pictures. Pick one of your own childhood favorites to read! Or simply sing a song. Hearing your soothing voice will help your grandchild to feel content and happy around you and will allow you to appreciate them more as they are in a calm and happy state of mind. As your grandchild grows a little older you can start reading chapter books one chapter at a time out loud to them or take turns reading out loud. Eventually, you may end up sitting side by side, each of you quietly reading your own book. When your grandchild is old enough you can tell them stories about your childhood and your family growing up. You can also tell them nursery rhymes and urban legends. Teens and adult grandchildren may enjoy listening to stories about themselves as kids!

If you are feeling brave then hosting a grandchildren sleepover may be just what you need to get a strong bond going with your grandchild! If your grandchild is still a baby then be prepared to wake up throughout the night. If they’re mobile then be prepared to have a kid sneaking into your bed at midnight! Hosting a sleepover with your grandchild shows them that you are a safe person who will protect them and they will learn to trust you. Even having teens or adult grandchildren over can be fun if you set up a guest room as sometimes they may not be able to visit for as long due to their commute home. Allowing them to stay the night allows them to spend more time with you and shows them that you trust them which will allow your bond to strengthen.

Finally, another great way to bond is to simply host a weekly or monthly dinner. Invite your grandchildren and their parents! Maybe have a weekly pizza Friday or a monthly potluck Sunday where everyone brings a dish. By gathering together and giving yourself the time and ability to interact with your grandchildren you are creating a strong bond they can grow to appreciate. Maybe once they are adults they’ll be hosting the dinners at their house! By having this weekly or monthly time you will gain the ability to at the very least be able to see your grandchildren as it can be hard to make time for each other in such a fast pace and busy world. This dinner shows your grandchildren you care about them to make time for them and you want to be there with them. Hopefully it is a value that can be passed onto their generation as well.

In conclusion, there are many ways to create and everlasting bond between you and your grandchildren and it’s never too early or too late to begin. Some easy and simple ways to start include sharing time watching movies, partaking in treats, telling stories, hosting grandchild sleepovers, or routine dinner mini-parties! By engaging with your grandchildren you will learn what they like best, what makes you feel closest to them, and you can bridge off of these ideas to find additional ways to bond!