OUR ELDERS, OUR SENIORS: March 2012

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

OUR ELDERS, OUR SENIORS

The Golden Years are to some, comprised of those years when elders, or seniors, enjoy the fruits of retirement, social security, grandchildren and more importantly, a life of leisure. For some, these Golden Years come early and for other seniors these years come much later in life. The wrinkles, graying of the hair, lack of agility, aches and pains, memory loss, diminishing eyesight and hearing all reflect getting older, becoming elders and reaching the senior years. Along with this progression of life though, comes wisdom and knowledge. Whether elders or seniors are left with regret or satisfaction with their life, their experiences and circumstances surrounding their life, make seniors an encyclopedia on living. Their experiences, whether good or bad, are life experiences that many of us can learn from. Seniors exhibit a keen awareness and understanding of people and situations. This knowledge, this awareness, this understanding is embedded within them and comes with the experiences and situations they themselves, have encountered in life. It is this knowledge and those experiences that have gotten them this far. Their approach to life in general, stems from not only their awareness and understanding of life, but the strength and morals they built within the family structure.

Elders are far more capable of living through adversity than we ever will be. They are humble and sincere. They are honest and deliberate. Because of this honesty, it sometimes makes it difficult for us to digest what they sometimes have to say. They accept accomplishment and defeat with grace as well as life and death with grace.

So many of us see seniors as old people who know absolutely nothing about life and therefore, certainly have no input on the state of affairs occurring today. So many people see them as individuals who are just preparing to die. What we do not realize is that any one of us could die today or tomorrow, young or old alike. Depending on our longevity table, every one of us faces the possibility of reaching these older senior years. Any one of us could continue to live an independent senior life style or some of us could be faced with needing some form of help or assistance. Instead of seeing elders as a less meaningful group in our society who have grown old and out of touch, we should be looking to these seniors as individuals where lessons of life can be learned. We should be listening to them, watching them, cherishing their existence and taking care of them. They are the people who gave us life. Without them we would not be here.

Let us consider our seniors as valuable resources to life and learn a thing or two from them...patience, respect for others, honesty, perseverance, love, companionship, trust, commitment, sincerity, self-discipline and humility.

ADOPTING YOUR PARENTS: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE ... Click Here!
Available in ebook or paperback

SENIOR EBOOKS... Click Here!
The Ultimate Babyboomers' Resource, Retirement Planning and
The Ultimate Eldercare Resource

Monday, March 19, 2012

WHO ARE SENIORS

Many seniors or elders today are very interested in keeping healthy, staying fit and having fun. They stay engaged in activities that keep their minds and bodies going and find many interesting things to do that keep them busy. Seniors are more involved today. Many keep up with the news, politics and events. They have no problem communicating and speaking their minds. Seniors are patient, tolerant and exceptionally good listeners. They are very interesting to listen to as well. Their stories are genuine and heartfelt. They are storytellers by trade. Seniors or elders are very loyal to this country because many have fought in the wars we now read about in the history books. They think much about the past, for that is the most recent thought in their memories. Seniors are sometimes set in their ways, and in some ways, we need to capture and incorporate some of those ways into our life style. They can sometimes be harsh in their words. But that harshness defines truth and the “telling it like it is” belief. As the senior mother of the homeless “voice man” said to her son on TV …do not disappoint me this time... On national television, overwhelmingly emotional with the reunion of her son, she still spoke her mind and still told her son how she felt about the way he was living his life.

As seniors grow older, they begin to fight loneliness and isolation. They fight depression, sleeplessness and other ailments. And, they fight so very hard to maintain that so very critical component, "senior independence". The onset of certain age-related diseases can confront seniors and take away their independence with very little warning. When depression, sleeplessness and other ailments start creeping into a senior’s life, it can impact their ability to stay healthy, stay fit, maintain independence and have fun. With a little help or assistance though, it may be possible for seniors to preserve some independence and continue engaging in activities that will keep their minds and bodies fit. This care or companionship will also provide a safe, secure and comfortable living environment so many seniors need in order to survive. It is this help or companionship though, that so many older seniors fight.

There are many entities that define who our seniors or elders are. The seniors of today are seniors who are redefining life and longevity.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

SENIOR, ELDER POPULATION

The US Census Bureau has released data that highlights a boom in the global senior citizen population. In the United States seniors will increase to 40% within the next 5 years. The senior population 65 and older will more than double by 2050...39 million seniors today as compared to 89 million seniors in 2050. Seniors are going to make a much bigger contribution to the economy than once thought. Businesses will flourish and benefit by tapping into this senior resource. Within this senior population, growth and living standards will rise. This group though, will pose challenges to families, society and health care providers. Will there be easier solutions to the financial problems associated with Medicare and Social Security? The senior population will certainly put a lot of pressure on these structures and organizations to meet their demands and their needs.

Our seniors will continue to vote and speak their minds. Many will still be capable of physical and mental growth and stimulation. They will be able to maintain their senior independence for a longer period of time. They will fight for the rights and respect that they, themselves, and other seniors deserve. They will not be forgotten or pushed aside. This senior influx is not going away. It will be necessary to look for options associated with all entities of the senior community. These options will impact our quality of life and what is available to us as we grow older. And, did you know that in the next 10 years or so seniors will outnumber children?

Seniors are redefining life.

ADOPTING YOUR PARENTS: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE ... Click Here!
Available in ebook or paperback

SENIOR EBOOKS... Click Here!
The Ultimate Babyboomers' Resource, Retirement Planning and
The Ultimate Eldercare Resource

Thursday, March 15, 2012

SENIOR, ELDER STATISTICS

Since the 1900s the number of seniors or elders in our society has tripled. Seniors increased by 13% as compared to an increase of about 12% for those under 65 years of age. The statistics show that Americans between the ages of 45 and 65 who will reach 65 or older in the next two decades will increase by 31%. Our seniors are steadily getting older and living longer.

What effect does this have on life expectancy? In 2007, seniors reaching the age of 65 had a life expectancy of 83 to 85 years of age. A child born in 2007 could expect to live well into his or her late 70s. Females have a projected increase of approximately 2 years over that of a male. Much of this increase in life expectancy has occurred because of reduced death rates in children and young adults and the increased focus on living healthier life styles.

Looking at the statistics, in 2008, seniors or elders between the ages of 65 and 74 averaged about 20 million in our society. The seniors between the ages of 75 and 84 averaged around 13 million in our society. Those seniors 85 years and older registered to reach about 5 million. In this same year, there were 22.4 million senior women and 16.5 senior men. Also, in 2008 about 2.7 million people became seniors by celebrating their 65th birthday. Along with the birthday celebration of those 65 years of age, about 1.8 million seniors 65 years or older died. Census estimates indicated an increase of approximately 927,000 seniors 65 years of age and older in this year.

Did you know that there were about 92,000 seniors 100 years of age or older in 2008? What effect is this going to have on senior independence and other issues related to seniors?

For additional database sets on aging visit http://www.census.gov/popest/datasets.html.

ADOPTING YOUR PARENTS: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE ... Click Here!
Available in ebook or paperback

SENIOR EBOOKS... Click Here!
The Ultimate Babyboomers' Resource, Retirement Planning and
The Ultimate Eldercare Resource

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES

NATIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, LINKS AND RESOURCES

RESPITE CARE

National Adult Day Service Association, Inc.
ARCH National Respite Network
Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project, Inc.
National Respite Locator Service

HOSPICE

LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

REVERSE MORTGAGES - SENIORS

If you have a senior family member in need of extra funds for daily living expenses, medical bills, care, or just more financial security, a reverse mortgage may be a consideration. A reverse mortgage may be an excellent way to provide financial freedom to a senior.

A reverse mortgage, also known as a Home Conversion Mortgage, is a loan for senior homeowners that use the equity in their home as collateral. In general, it does not need to be repaid until the homeowner dies or the last surviving homeowner moves or also dies.

The requirements for a reverse mortgage are as follows:

62 years of age or older
the home must be owned free and clear or all existing liens must be satisfied with the reverse mortgage
the mortgage balance must be able to be paid off by the reverse mortgage

Generally there are no income or credit report requirements for a reverse mortgage. The loan does not become due as long as the homeowner lives in the house and maintains it. In the event of death by the homeowner or upon vacancy of the home for more than 12 months, the estate can choose to repay the reverse mortgage loan or put the home up for sale. If the equity in the house is higher than the reverse mortgage loan repayment, then the remaining equity goes to the estate. If the sale of the house is less than the reverse mortgage loan, then the lender takes a loss.

The amount of the loan depends on four factors:

age
current interest rate
appraised value of the home
government imposed lending limits

There are several ways to receive the funds from a reverse mortgage. They are:

lump sum
equal monthly payments for as long as the homeowner lives in the home
equal monthly payments for a fixed number of years
drawing any amount down at any time until all funds are exhausted

There are many companies offering reverse mortgages. Check all credentials including:

license/s
NMLS (National Mortgage Licensing System)
BBB (Better Business Bureau)
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Associations

The following guide is available to better explain the pros and cons on reverse mortgage.

A GUIDE TO REVERSE MORTGAGES
Click Here!

Monday, March 12, 2012

SENIOR DEPENDENCE

Seniors have been around for quite some time. Certainly they have been around much longer and have experienced much more than all of us. They have a very strong voice on insights of people in general and the dynamics of the world. But we see them as a menance to society. They take their time at so many things and we cannot tolerate their slow pace. They walk slow, think twice as hard about issues and comment from facts as those facts are integrated with their hearts. Answers to questions take more thought. Eating is slow and methodical. They are strong willed and fight to retain strength in both the mind and the body. We see them as individuals who get in the way of our progress and functionality. Their methods, thought processes and honesty do not fit into the norm of today's fast-paced, self- gratifying, I, Me, My attitude, way we live. They find it hard to live in a society so different from theirs...lack of respect for one another, lack of manners, lack of discipline, very few if no true friendships and the lack of family connections. Many seniors age by themselves because family members are too busy to visit, care for or take an interest in them. We seem to forget that these seniors are our parents, grandparents and/or relatives. We also forget how much they have contributed to society and paved the way for us. There are so many seniors that have little or no connection to family once they become "care dependent" or need additional support. Not taking the time or having the patience to care for a senior family member, many are thrown prematurely into institutions. They become lifeless individuals who long for connections to living. Seniors are as much a part of today's society as we are...as our children are...

Let us provide the support and care necessary for our older seniors to live in a safe and comfortable environment. Let us show them that we do appreciate all that they have done for us.