Q – My mom has been talking about moving abroad somewhere since her recent retirement. She wants a different lifestyle than one she has here in Florida. It’s a huge lifestyle change and I want to make sure that she chooses the right destination. Any tips for seniors who want to retire abroad?

A – Choosing where to retire abroad permanently can be a hard decision, but here are some tips that will help make sure that your mother has the best experience possible:

1. Consider the cost of living – the cost of living varies from country to country and city to city, so make sure you do your research and choose one that has a cost of living that is lower and well-suited to your retirement budget

2. Find out the regulations for living in a country where you’re not a citizen – in countries like Mexico, retired seniors can receive residency permits that can be renewed annually; or for those with their own homes there, with a monthly pension of $1000 a permanent residency status can be granted

3. Think about your health – the climate and environment of various places abroad can have an impact on your health. Also look at the type of health care system in the countries you’re considering retiring to; some developing countries do not have the same standards as those we’re used to in the US while others have even more comprehensive health care systems

4. Choose your lifestyle – depending on what you’re looking for from your retirement, different destinations can meet your requirements. If you dream of senior years on a beach, Mexico, Spain or Italy might be a good choice; but if you want a historical experience look at Greece or England

Via: Retirement Story

Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

For today’s seniors, retirement doesn’t come at the same time it used to. While decades ago, seniors could look forward to retirement in their mid-60’s, some older adults are now remaining in the workforce until age 70, 80, or 90. Retirement is changing, and there are a number of factors that contribute to it, including the following:

• While the average age to claim Social Security Benefits is 63.9, many need additional income on top of it to be able to afford basic aspects of daily living, like housing and food

• Many seniors would love to retire and just focus on their family and relaxing, but based on the numbers of seniors aged 65 and older which are rising higher than ever before, this isn’t a reality for everyone. The number of older works, aged 80+ has had the most substantial increase at 67% to 500,000 Americans

• With people living longer, money doesn’t go as far as it used to, and as time goes on this might increase even more, keeping more and more seniors in the workforce longer than planned

• Government benefits, which were initially defined in 1940 certainly weren’t designed to support 30 or more years of retirement, which means seniors need a fairly substantial nest egg to make it through

Via: AARP

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

When you retire, it’s a time to relax and enjoy your life. If you’re thinking about relocating, consider the factors below that can influence the level of stress you experience day-to-day:

1. Population and crowding – consider the population density in the area. The more populated it is, the more likely it becomes that there can be crime, petty problems between neighbors, and other factors that can influence your overall quality of life. If you’re looking for a quieter retreat where you can relax in privacy, avoid cities like Chicago (ranked the most stressful place to live) where crowding is high.

2. Employment – even in retirement, the level of unemployment in your area can affect your quality of life. You don’t need to be in the workforce for it to have an impact! Unemployment rates attest to the overall state of the economy.

3. Air quality and weather – the air quality can affect your overall health, which greatly impacts your quality of life, as well as your finances. Also choose a climate that brings you the most enjoyment.

4. Home values – with rising interest costs and decreasing home values, it can be a worry that you might lose your home in older adulthood or find it unaffordable. Low home values can also mean little equity when it comes time to sell. Choose a place to live where home values seem to be higher and holding strong.

Via: Yahoo! Real Estate

Image: money.aol.com

Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

It’s unfortunate, but many Florida families find themselves in a similar family structure – one where the older and younger generations have minimal interaction. You might not feel that you have much in common, but close the gap, because one day when the older generations are gone, you’ll wish you got to know them better. Here are some activity ideas to help you close the generational gap:

1. Take a field trip – take your senior care recipient out on a day trip, and even invite other caregivers and their seniors to come along. Travel to a museum, go see a movie, or visit a nice park. Keep the whole day to 6 hours or less, so it’s not sure long that the seniors still enjoy themselves. A nice day like this can help seniors and their caregivers bond.

2. Throw an intergenerational party – get all generations of family together for a nice meal and a casual day of games that everyone can enjoy. Serve foods that are good for even the pickiest eaters

3. Document family history – when all generations are together, use a tape recorder or create a scrapbook of family history. Let the older generations lead and have the rest of the family add on

4. Get creative – art is a great way to bridge the generational gap. Purchase some simple supplies and create a mural, or do a group craft together suitable for all ages

5. Garden – setting up a garden and getting all the family involved, creates a bonding experience which can be enjoyed over family meals when the fresh garden produce is cooked and consumed!

Via: Suite101

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Historically, mindfulness referred to your treatment of other people; but today, it has a more intrinsic meaning that encourages us to focus on our own well-being. Mindfulness now means focusing on the moment, holding onto a thought, and not getting swept away by too much activity. You need to learn mindfulness, and with these 5 simple steps you can be well on your way to a happier life in your senior years:

4 Ways to Practice Mindfulness:

1. Breathe – to push away worrying thoughts or to stop your mind from wandering, simply stop and take a few deep breaths and focus only on your breathing and the environment around you. Take a few minutes to do this in situations where your mind tends to start running away on you, like in the car when stopped at a traffic light, or when you’re taking a shower

2. Focus in the morning and at night – before you fall asleep, your mind is likely to wander about your expectations for the next day, and the same thoughts might plague your mind when you wake up in the morning. Take a few minutes just to breathe

3. Turn off the autopilot – with tasks that you tend to do impatiently, like brushing your teeth or cleaning, take yourself out of autopilot mode and focus on the motions of what you’re doing, no matter how mundane the task is

4. Remind yourself to focus – a normal daily occurrence can act as a reminder that it’s time to tune back into the present. When the phone rings, or you go to put on your seatbelt, stop and focus

Via: About.com

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

There’s a saying that with age comes wisdom, and while that’s true, there’s evidence that also shows that despite the misconception that seniors minds only decline in older adulthood, they actually continue to develop. Based on these 4 stages presented by Dr. Gene Cohen, author of “Mature Minds”, older adulthood is a great time to get creative and try new things!

1. The Midlife Re-evaluation Stage: this stage is about exploration and transition. At this period in your life, start thinking about what you’ll want from your retirement. This is a good time to start dreaming about the future!

2. The Liberation stage: at the beginning of your retirement, once you enter this stage, let go of your inhibitions and start exploring and creating. This is a great time to take on new hobbies, envision what you want for yourself and your life during you retirement, and to make it happen!

3. The Summing up Stage: this stage occurs in the 60s, 70s and 80s and are about reflection and resolution, which is so important at a time when seniors need to accept the changes the aging process brings, and overcome it to ensure that they are successful and happy through the remainder of their lives. It’s also a great time to find new activities that help you to cope, so you have an outlet for the emotional trials you’re dealing with

4. The Encore Stage: it’s not the end, but a new beginning; the perfect time to cope and prepare for what might be ahead and be grateful for what you have

Via: Examiner

Image: guardian.co.uk

Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Want to maintain your health well into your senior years? Who doesn’t. While we can’t promise these tips will keep you free from every illness or ailment, there 5 tips will help you to stay young, body and mind!

1. Combine fiber with water –a diet of fiber with water can help with the digestive process and put limited pressure on the intestines. Fiber and water can also help you to feel full so you don’t overeat. Choose vegetables, whole grains, oats, beans and fiber-filled cereals

2. Sweat it out – don’t be afraid to sweat, the harder you’re working the better the favor you’re doing for your cardiovascular health. Walk everyday for at least 30 minutes, but try to break a real sweat for at least an hour a week

3. Focus on calcium – most older adults require additional calcium in their diets for strong bones and great health. Choose calcium rich foods, but also take chewable calcium supplements

4. Improve balance – to prevent falls, work on improving your balance. Lift dumbbells or try activities like yoga to help build strength and improve posture and balance

5. Step back – time to relax is so important. Take a few minutes, sit back and breathe, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or not

Via: Real Age

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Do you walk into the grocery store, or check out produce at a Florida farmer’s market and feel overwhelmed because you don’t know what to choose with the produce selection? With fall approaching, the variety of in season vegetables will only increase, so to help you make your decisions, here are details about the different colored vegetables and how they can improve your health in older adulthood:

• Go green – choosing green vegetables can help fend of mascular degeneration which can cause blindness (Lutein, found in hearty greens such as kale, chard, and romaine lettuce can have this result), and prevent cancer through antioxidants found in Vitamin C in greens (i.e. Bell peppers, broccoli, and brussel sprouts). Other green vegetables and fruits that are a great source of nutrition include avocados, green peppers, celery, kiwi fruits, cucumbers, asparagus, and even green apples

• Try orange or yellow produce – Beta-carotene and Vitamin C appear in yellow and orange produce. Choose carrot, sweet potatoes, mangos, apricots, and cantaloupe for beta-carotene which can help prevent Vitamin A deficiency and increase antioxidant intake. Vitamin C is especially present in ripe fruits like papaya, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and cantaloupes. Even lemon and lime contain great sources of Vitamin C!

• Choose red for cancer prevention – red and pinkish vegetables can help to prevent cancer with the nutrient lycopene that is present. In addition to preventing cancer lycopene also can slow the hardening of arteries and slow tumor growth. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit are great sources of lycopene

• Go dark – darker fruits and vegetables, like shades of blue and purple are a great source of anthocyanin which helps support and improve the vascular system and can help to fight cancer. Many of these fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber. Look for blackberries, blueberries, figs, plums, prunes, eggplants, and raisins.

• Don’t underestimate light produce – shades of tan, brown and yellow may not be as eye-catching, but they play a role in a well-balanced diet. Bananas increase potassium and help prevent calcium loss, ginger boosts the immune system and garlic inhibits cancer

Via: Body and Health

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

It’s no secret that lifestyle, genetics and your current status of health can all play some role on how long you’re going to live. Although this rule may not be universal, since we’ve all known someone who drinks heavily, has smoked like a chimney their whole lives, and has been overweight due to lack of exercise and poor eating habits. But, for most of the population, good health can equal a longer life. The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator can give you a general estimate of how long you’ll live.

Share your results with us, and tell us how you feel about the number you were given. Does it seem accurate based on your family history? How long did previous generations in your family live? Do you think there’s such thing as living too long? Tell us, there are a lot of perspectives on aging and we want to hear yours.

Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

For the first time in decades, Florida seniors will find that their Social Security benefit checks have shrunk beginning next year. Although legally, Social Security benefits cannot be reduced, cost of living adjustments will not be made to Social Security Benefits over the next few years. As premiums for the Medicare Prescription Drug Program will be raised slightly, this means that Social Security benefit checks will be smaller than ever before. Although the change will be slight for most seniors, for those living on a limited and fixed income, the impact can be severe. In order to survive through this reduction, seniors can take note of the following money saving tips:

1. Set a budget: know how much money you have available to spend on a weekly basis, and keep a record of your spending so you ensure that you’re never overspending. Pay in cash, and then deposit any remaining money at the end of the week into a savings account

2. Smart shopping – create a shopping list and buy only what you need. Plan meals around items that are in season, and try out generic brand products over name brands for the savings

3. Think all unnecessary purchases over – instead of buying things you don’t need impulsively, wait 24 hours and think it over. More often than not, you will find that the temptation passes

4. Discounts – clip coupons or shop at stores that offer more discounts. Also be aware of places that offer discounts to senior citizens, like movie theaters, museums, and even grocery and retail stores

Sources:

1. MSNBC

2. Associated Content

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.