Surviving the Senior Citizen Years

  Figuring out the Internet and social media can be a real challenge, especially for a senior citizen who rarely uses the Internet.   It is even easier now to connect to the Internet using your phone. I still use a desktop, but most folks use their phones.   But it might not be a bad idea if you try it. Even though I used the Internet and a PC extensively at my last job, I find it difficult to maneuver around various sites. Social media changes constantly, and you must keep up.   Here are five reasons to use social media To keep in contact with people you know   If a relative or friend lives far away, Facebook and Instagram are great ways to stay connected. You can exchange photos and even videos. While there seem to be many strange things online, you can choose which ones you can connect with.   Shopping Online Not everyone likes to shop, but it is a lot easier online, and the choices are endless. You can buy anything on Amazon. ...

Why is balance important? Balance is one of the most important functions that our bodies have. Without it, walking and any movement would be difficult, if not impossible. Many things can harm the body’s balance, like illnesses and disorders. Vertigo is a well-known disorder that throws your balance off, and Meniere’s less well-known disease also plays havoc with your vestibular system.   How does your balance work? Your balance is controlled by a labyrinth, which is made up of semicircular canals on one side and a structure called a cochlea on the other. The labyrinth works with your eyes and your feet to determine your balance. Signals sent to the brain from the labyrinth inform the brain about our movement or lack of movement, which defines our balance. What causes problems with your balance? viral infections in the ear can cause problems with your balance A head injury Certain medications   Exercises to improve your balance Always check with your doctor ...

  If you are retired and don’t have a pension or much of a 401(k) pension, you might need help besides Social Security Retirement benefits. C an the government help you out? 1.     Social Security and Medicare are the most significant government help you’ll probably get. The earliest you can get social security benefits is age 62. Of course, it will be at a considerably lower rate than if you reached your full retirement age, which is usually after 67. And that may change soon. Medicare is 65, and the cost of that will be taken out of your SS check.   Numerous programs in each state offer Medicare Advantage Programs. 2.     Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program—Energy costs always go up. The government has a program called LIHEAP that helps with the cost of keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | The Administration for Children and Families 3.     Medicaid...

  Living alone in your later years after your spouse has passed away can be a real challenge. Death, unfortunately, comes for us all. While it can be sad and lonesome, you must carry on.   My mother was 53 when my father had his last heart attack. It was especially difficult for her because my sister and I were moving away simultaneously. I was a sophomore in college, and my sister was studying to be a medical tech where she would reside for a year.   Mom went from having a whole house to being all alone. It was difficult for her, but she carried on. My father had kept all the financial information, and Mom didn’t know where to start.   But she did it.   She paid the bills and balanced the checkbox. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was all new to her.   Her investments prospered, and she met new friends and lived a fulfilled life.   Not everyone is so fortunate.   Other folks living alone haven’t had it so easy. They ...