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Elder Abuse Most of the time, elder abuse is caused by someone who knows the older person: a husband or wife, a family member, a caregiver, or a staff member at a nursing home. We tend to think of abuse as being physical, such as someone pushing or hitting an older person. However, elder abuse can take place in other ways. For example, someone can be abused emotionally, when another person yells at them or threatens them. There is also financial abuse, when a senior is cheated out of money or other belongings, or has something stolen from them. If you think that you, or someone you know, is being abused, please take a moment to check these resources to get the help you need. Web:
Fitness for Seniors Perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself (at any age) is to stay fit. If you are a senior, regular exercise of some type can make a huge difference in your life. The Usenet discussion group is a good place to talk to other people about fitness topics. The Web sites have lots of exercise tips, including suggestions for staying fit over fifty. Web:
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Grandparents Without a doubt, grandparents are the most wonderful people in the world. When I was growing up, I had all my grandparents. We all lived in the same city, and I used to see them a lot. In high school, I would sometimes visit my grandmother for lunch. On Saturday nights, my brother and sister and I would visit her and my grandfather for dinner. (And then, because I was the oldest, I got to stay overnight.) On Friday nights, we would visit the other grandparents for dinner, where I would often see my cousins. I hope there are families like that around today, but what with people moving around so much and getting divorced, a close child/grandparent relationship just doesn't seem to be as common as it used to be. If you are a grandparent, never forget for a minute how important you are to the little ones, and, no matter what happens, you will be alive in their memories for the rest of their lives. I know that my grandparents are. Web:
Housing for Seniors As you get older, your housing needs will change. If you travel a lot, you may want information about RVs and retirement resorts. If you want to scale down from the responsibilities of maintaining a house, you may want to live in a retirement community. And if you need assistance, you will have to find out about at-home senior care, assisted living or nursing homes, whichever is appropriate. Here are some resources that can help you with all of these topics. Remember, though, wherever you choose to live, don't forget to check your email. Web:
Jobs for Seniors As I get older, one thing I notice is that the specific age that qualifies you as a "senior" seems to get lower and lower. Perhaps it's just my imagination. However, what I know that's not my imagination is that there are far too many seniors that are not working, who want to work and who should be working. To me, this is a huge waste, one that does not speak well of our society. It's okay to call people "seniors", but it's not okay to discriminate against them when it comes to employment. So, suppose you want to find a job. We all know there are companies who don't want to hire older people. Don't waste a minute of your time with such employers. Turn to the Net, where you will find people and companies who will appreciate your experience, wisdom and skills. Many people actually prefer hiring seniors. For example, my friend Linda runs a business and she will only hire older people. Why? Because she finds them to be more motivated, dependable and responsible than younger, less-experienced employees. Web:
Senior Magazines Here are some online magazines specially designed for people of retirement age. If you have more time in your life for leisure, hobbies and family, you'll enjoy looking at these Web sites where you will find articles on travel, relationships, grandparenting, health, finance, cooking, books and culture. Web:
Senior Organizations These are the official Web sites of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP). Both are nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping people over the age of 50. (The name "Retired Persons" is a misnomer, as you don't have to be retired to join.) You'll find a lot of useful information about retirement, housing, health, money, volunteer programs, and more. Web:
Senior Resources If you are a senior (which means anyone old enough to remember when tattoos were not considered polite forms of self-expression), I want you to connect to the Net. As soon as you do, take a look at these resources. You'll find a lot to read and a lot to do, as well as many new places to explore. Web:
Senior Talk and General Discussion Many people spend hours on the Net talking to people. After awhile, you will find yourself with a whole collection of Internet friends with whom you will share many pleasant hours. These Web sites have chat rooms (talk facilities) that you visit and meet people whenever you want. If you are new to talking on the Net, I have a few hints. First, do not give out your real name, address and phone number. If you get to know someone well, you may wish to contact them away from the Net, but please understand that, on the Internet, it is perfectly acceptable to use a nickname to protect your privacy. Second, there are a lot of scam artists around, especially on the Internet. Never give money to anyone you meet on the Net. Finally, people are not always accurate in how they describe themselves -- perhaps this is human nature -- so please be careful. When people on the Net talk about themselves, take it all with a grain of salt substitute. Web:
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Travel for Seniors Some people are happy just sitting home, doing whatever it is they like to do. Other people like to get out and see the world. If you are a travel person, here are some resources to help you find senior discounts and programs, as well as valuable travel tips. Web:
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