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Many seniors look at aging as a period of constant decline; the beginning of the end, but it’s a stage of life that can be enlightening and inspiring if the right attitude is taken. Seniors should cease the opportunity to undergo an intrinsic development as they age; really taking the time to find the person who’s really inside them, once all roles of life have been cast aside. Older adulthood isn’t about decline; it’s about development if you follow this approach.

1. Push aside the roles that have been set for you – don’t look at yourself as the person created by adaptation to a career or family life, take a long hard look at who’s really in there and consider your goals, dreams and aspirations

2. Pursue self-exploration – in order to really get a grasp of who you really are, pursue new hobbies, explore interests, travel, form relationships; all of these things can aid in self-discovery

3. Find ways to look inside yourself – getting in touch with the person inside can be as simple as trying yoga or meditation; activities that cut out the noise and allow us each to focus on ourselves

4. Reconnect with loved ones – take the time to really get to know the important people in your life in older adulthood. You’ll find that with defined familiar roles no longer in the forefront, you’ll be able to see your adult children for who they really are as people and re-connect with your spouse or partner on a deeper level

Via: Second Journey

babyboomer-magazine.com

Gardening is an ideal way for seniors to relax, and feel like they’ve regained control over an aspect of their lives at a time when there’s so much uncertainty. Planting fresh fruits or vegetables can also be rewarding as fresh produce can be turned into nutritious dinner ingredients. Think about container gardening if you’re a senior who doesn’t have access to a traditional garden plot, and use these tips:

1. Get the right sized container – purchase containers or consider saving things from your recycling. All you need to do is punch a few holes in the bottom of the container to make it suitable for planting. Most vegetables require larger containers, although you might be able to use a recycled container the size of a large yogurt container for herbs, leaf lettuce, spinach and radishes

2. Use a good quality soil – purchase a high-quality potting soil or top soil in order to keep your container garden free of weeds.

3. Following planting instructions – if you’re planting vegetable plants or others which are already grown, place a little bit of soil at the bottom of the pot, remove the plant from its existing container and fill in any remaining space with the potting soil. When planting seeds, fill the pot completely with soil and follow directions for spacing

4. Care for as directed – put your pots in an area that will be the right temperature and have exposure to sunlight as directed. Water according to instructions.

Via: AFB Senior Site

Regardless of age, many of us take what our doctors say at face value, assuming they know more about our health than we do. But, when it comes to prescription medications, we need to be cautious, ask questions, and ensure that during our senior years when polypharmacy is common (multiple medications prescribed), there are no drug interactions that harm our health.

1. Keep medications documented – carrying a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications taken (including vitamins and supplements) can help ensure none are forgotten about when speaking with doctors and pharmacists. The list should also include why they’re taken, the dosage and frequency

2. Mention even over-the-counter medications to medical professionals –you might not think they’re important, but even over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements can interact

3. Don’t assume – don’t assume that your doctor remembers what they’ve prescribed you in the past. Doctors are often busy and frazzled. When they prescribe a new medication, don’t hesitate to ask them about potential interactions as a reminder

4. Make sure all doctors are aware of your prescriptions – if you’re a senor who sees multiple doctors or specialists, don’t automatically expect that information regarding your prescriptions has been shared. This is where having a complete list can come in handy and avoid issues with polypharmacy

5. Check out new drugs – sticking with one pharmacy will allow your pharmacist to verify that there will be no drug interactions; they might catch something your doctor hasn’t. Otherwise, take the initiative to research any new drugs for interactions yourself

6. Be cautious of side effects – don’t assume any side effects are just that, talk to your doctor to ensure they aren’t the result of drug interactions

Via: CSA Connections

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