As we get older, the idea of independent living can become more important than ever. After 60, many people want to stay in their own homes, make their own decisions, and continue living life on their own terms. Independent living isn’t about doing everything alone—it’s about having the freedom, confidence, and support to keep control of your everyday life.

Aging doesn’t happen to just one part of your body. Changes in one area can affect how the rest of you functions, sometimes in ways you may not notice. Scientists are finding that one often-overlooked part of the body may play a bigger role in the aging process than most people realize. Here’s what it is—and why paying attention to it could matter as you get older.

As we get older, medications can become a regular part of daily life. But taking too much of certain drugs—or using them longer than necessary—can create serious problems, especially for older adults. Here are three common types of medications that seniors may be overusing, along with why it’s important to review them with a doctor or pharmacist.

Grandchildren can be one of the greatest joys in a grandparent’s life. But sometimes, as they get older, they begin to pull away. Phone calls become less frequent, visits become harder to arrange, and you may find yourself wondering what happened. The reasons aren’t always obvious, but understanding what may be behind the distance—and knowing how to respond—can help rebuild the relationship and bring you closer again.

READ MORE...

^^^^

How to Make a Will

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a will and find useful resources to help with the will writing process to ensure your estate plan is in order.

Read more...

Read more...

Read more...

Read more...

Although Roosevelt is famous for his fireside chats broadcast via radio, the nation’s 32nd President was also the first to ever be seen on television. The President appeared on TV during the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, although only a handful of TV sets in the area were able to actually watch the broadcast. As World War II exploded across Europe and Asia, and TVs became more commonplace in American homes, FDR became the first President to really use the emerging medium. FDR was also the first President to ever fly on an airplane for official presidential business (though FDR’s fifth cousin Theodore was the first President to ever fly in a plane overall).

Preserving your money becomes more important as you get older. After a lifetime of saving and working, you want your hard-earned assets to last and provide financial security for the years ahead. Here are five simple wealth-preservation tips that can help seniors protect their savings, avoid unnecessary financial risks, and make their money last longer.

As we get older, it’s not unusual to take several prescription medications every day. But taking five or more drugs at the same time may come with added risks. A new study finds that older adults taking multiple prescription medications face a higher risk of death, highlighting the importance of regularly reviewing medications with a doctor or pharmacist.

Getting older is a natural part of life, and our bodies change with us along the way. From our 20s through our 80s and beyond, we experience changes in muscle, bones, skin, vision, hearing, metabolism, and more. Some changes are gradual and easy to overlook, while others become more noticeable as the decades pass. Here’s a look at what you can expect as your body moves through each stage of life—and what you can do to stay healthy along the way.

Getting older doesn’t mean giving up the habits that keep you healthy and independent. In fact, geriatricians often point to certain everyday behaviors that can quietly work against healthy aging. One habit in particular may be more common among older adults than you think. Here’s what doctors who specialize in aging say healthy seniors tend to avoid—and why it matters.

The text message said someone was trying to charge $299 on my Amazon account and if it wasn’t me, it gave me a number to call. That spam message was easy to detect because I don’t have an Amazon account.

Unfortunately, many people my age are on the receiving end of spam emails, text messages and phone calls like that one and they become victims. I wrote recently about a fraud problem I experienced on my computer that almost cost me $500.

Giving up driving in your 80s can be one of the hardest transitions of aging. For many seniors, driving means independence, freedom, and the ability to come and go without relying on others. But there may come a time when safety has to take priority. Knowing when and how to make that change—and finding reliable ways to stay mobile—can make the transition easier.

Moving to a new home can be complicated enough without worrying about Medicare. But your move may affect your Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage, especially if you move to a different service area. Here’s what you need to know before, during, and after your move to make sure your Medicare coverage continues without an unwanted interruption.

A windowless bathroom may seem like the perfect place for a plant—but most houseplants simply won’t survive without natural light. Fortunately, a few tough varieties can handle low-light conditions and the humidity of a bathroom. Here are three houseplants that can survive, and even thrive, in a bathroom with no windows.

READ MORE...

I am a child of the TV era.

Like just about every baby boomer, the television was the centerpiece of our home. It was where we gathered, where we relaxed, and, for me, where I planned my day.

As a kid, I organized my life around one very important question: “What’s on TV?”

And believe me, there wasn’t that much to choose from. At least not for kids.

For Mom and Dad, there was the news.

Around 5 p.m., John Cameron Swayze came on with a 15-minute newscast. Mostly, it was just Swayze sitting there reading the news, with some grainy newsreel footage thrown in.

At night, there was “family” entertainment. Tuesday nights meant Uncle Milty—Milton Berle. He was silly, loud, and completely over the top, but America loved him.

After that, no matter how much I begged, it was bedtime for me. It would be many years before I discovered what late-night TV was all about.

But Saturday mornings? That was when television really belonged to kids.

Cartoon after cartoon, all in glorious black and white, of course.

I would sit cross-legged about two feet in front of our 12-inch DuMont TV, a bowl of Rice Krispies in my lap. I was perfectly happy.

I didn’t need Ritalin.

TV was my drug.

Now, I can't stay awake.

Before you pass judgment and think, “Well, he’s 80 years old. Of course he falls asleep at the drop of a hat,” let me set the record straight.

I’m not one of those guys who randomly falls asleep during the day. I don’t nod off at the dinner table, reading the newspaper, or having a conversation. Nope. I’m wide awake.

Put me in front of a TV, though, and that’s a different story.

Apparently, somewhere along the way, television went from being my favorite form of entertainment to my favorite sleep medication.

So, maybe I shouldn’t complain. After all, I’m getting two things out of every movie or TV show I watch: a little entertainment and a good nap.

The only problem is, I still want to know how the damn movie ends without having to watch it again….bwc

Read more...

Read more...

***

Read more...

Read more...

- Adults have 206 bones. Babies are born with around 270 bones, but some fuse together as they grow.

- Your skeleton is constantly changing. Old bone tissue is broken down and replaced with new tissue throughout your life.

- The femur is the longest bone. Your thigh bone is also one of the strongest bones in the human body.

- Your smallest bone is in your ear. The stapes, located in the middle ear, is only about 3 millimeters long.

- Bones are living tissue. They contain blood vessels and nerves and store important minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus.