New Years Resolutions for Older Americans

For the retired who have heretofore enjoyed structured lives and for Baby Boomers launching onto new lifestyles, there are cautions to be considered. With fewer obligations, aging Americans need to figure out new ways to remain healthy. One sure way is to find activities in which to be involved socially. Social activity is good for your overall health. One may have Church and family activities already in place. Yet, there are all those weekdays to fill with new endeavors.

Some may elect to work from home on a project they have longed to begin. Others may take part-time employment in their career fields. Still other people may choose to volunteer their talents to students or to those in nursing homes or to services the public library makes available to its constituents. Nevertheless, there are other aging Americans who have suffered setbacks in life and really need to rethink their daily schedules. An orthopedic event, heart ailment or widowhood may be keeping them apart from the company of others. Here are some suggestions drawn from a government survey that reports that Americans age 65 and up spend half their leisure time watching TV. They are often alone in this sedentary occupation and that is not healthful for them either mentally or physically.

1. Physical activities such as taking walks, swimming or joining an exercise class are more enjoyable than doing those at home video exercises because of the social connections you make being with people with whom you share them.

2. Being socially active and giving support to others actually creates a lower risk of becoming physically ill. Socially connected people are at a lower risk of developing depression and cognitive impairment. They even live longer.

3. Maintaining friendships keeps you sharp. Lively conversation, playing games or dancing helps to stimulate the ?feel good? chemical norepinephrine. You keep your brain working efficiently through social interactions. You don?t have to have your calendar stuffed. You just need to involve yourself with others if it is just sharing a casual meal or walking and talking out in the sunshine near your home.

4. Try to visit someone who may not be able to get out much. Enjoy familiar activities and try something new every now and then.

5. Research new fields such as painting or photography. Commit yourself to an afternoon of volunteer work. Take a class in Spanish conversation or learn quilting or ceramics.

6. Your remaining socially active creates a safety net for you in the event of further life changes or isolating conditions. The friendships you have nurtured can be a boon to you in coping with the aging process. Friends understand and accept you.

7. In some areas lucky older American can visit Senior Centers designed to offer a multitude of enlightening activities. There are classes in the arts and foreign languages. There are Bridge Clubs and Pool tournaments. Computers and exercise machines are often available to people. In many such centers a nutritious noon meal is provided daily with drinks and snacks on hand all day long. Community volunteers offer free tax preparation services, library books, free blood pressure screening and even gift shops where seniors can sell their handicrafts. Vans are scheduled to take members to appointments or to transport them to and from the center.

You may think ?Oh, no, I am not ready for that.? Well, there are plenty of older citizens participating in center programs who are not in chairs or walkers and who drive and attend only for certain chosen activities. Try it. You?ll like it. The Senior Center in my neck of the woods is busy and the parking lot is full every day. As we age we need to take care of ourselves more than ever before. Keep up with changes in society. Know that today more than ever before, drug users, con men, criminals and people down on their luck are taking advantage of seniors. Secure your personal information and lock up your mailbox, because a third of the cases of identity theft are the direct result of stolen mail.

Jane Hercules is the author of this article. She researches current issues on security, mail theft, and identity theft. She believes that a locking mailbox prevents the mail theft so common today. Often older Americans, the Baby Boomer Generation are targeted by thieves. To learn more about choices you can to the website. locking mailbox.

Source: http://www.womenfavor.com/home-and-family/baby-boomer/new-years-resolutions-for-older-americans.html

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