Happy New Year! We love this time of year. There’s something wonderful about the clean, crisp and blank pages of a new calendar. It’s a fresh start, a time of reflection, and that feeling that it’s the first day of the rest of your life.

Let that mindset resonate a bit past the first few weeks of the year, and just think of the possibilities! This edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use will help you be good to yourself, plan for a better retirement, and cope with your role as caregiver, among other things.

Are you ready for a great 2010? Be inspired by watching some fun videos of “Extreme(ly Old) Athletes Who Defy Age & Inspire,” but not before checking out these posts…

Senior Housing & Caregiving

Buying a home can be complicated enough, but when you add an aging relative into the equation, there are important things to consider. Kaye Swain offers List Ideas for Sandwich Generation House Buyers at the SandwichINK Real Estate Info blog. “Having a list of very specific requirements really helps Sandwich Generation house buyers to find a home that will work well with aging parents and grandchildren,” she explains. See which factors are important to think about.

At our very own Seniors For Living Blog, Elizabeth Thielke reminds of an an important reason to consider senior housing: Aging in Place is Not Always Easy. “It’s important to plan ahead and do some research before you arrange for a senior to be cared for at home,” she says.

If you’re a caregiver or just someone who’s dealt with a loved one’s sickness, you’ll be able to relate to Viki Kind‘s post, The Power of Empathy – Helping People Connect to their own Hearts posted at KindEthics.com. Learn how empathy can bring about healing for everyone involved.

Boomer Trends

Techie boomers will surely bookmark Kaye Swain’s 16 iPhone Apps For The Sandwich Generation posted at SandwichINK.com. “There are tons of iPhone apps, including plenty for the Sandwich Generation,” she says. “Here are 16 for senior home care givers, grandparents, and general use.”

Sasha A. Rae encourage that it’s Time to Get Down With Your Inner Zen. The post offers some ways to ease into yoga and meditation, and ultimately relieve stress. Read about it as the Wisebread blog.

Planning a weekend getaway? Donna Hull overviews 36 Hours in Tucson for the Active Baby Boomer at the My Itchy Travel Feet blog. “This itinerary will keep boomers active in Tucson,” she says. See for yourself!

Financial Issues

Drop that pricey cup of coffee! In Are You Eating Your Retirement?, Joe Plemon does some eye-opening math to illustrate how some small financial changes can go a long way. “Whether looking for ways to fund your retirement or stretch it,” he says, “the answer could be on your dinner plate.” Find out how at the Personal Finance By The Book blog.

On the fence about retiring? If so, Super Saver breaks down some Reasons to Retire to help you decide if now is the right time. Check it out at the My Wealth Builder blog.

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that retirement savings are fragile. That’s why SVB‘s Retirement Investing Advice For Late Start Investors is such a vital read. Learn about the dos and don’ts of retirement investing at The Digerati Life.

Health & Wellness

“Who knew that life expectancy could reach 77.9 years?” asks Seniors for Living blogger Michelle Seitzer. Her post Give Thanks for Medical Advances focuses on some of the medical breakthroughs, promising stats, and health trends that we should pay attention to this new year.

Ask yourself this: If you were facing a medical emergency, would you have enough information on your person for paramedics to properly treat you? Patricia Grace presents the importance of carrying medical identification posted at Examiner, which maps out exactly what you should have on you at all times… just in case.

Losing weight and eating more healthy is on most people’s lists of resolutions. Debra Joy offers a unique perspective on the topic in her post Death and Dieting at B celebrated.

Did you know heart failure hospitalizations rise during the winter holidays? Heartstrong explains why in The Christmas Coronary – Holiday Heart Attack posted at the Healthy Hearts with Heartstrong blog.Peter Stockwell get right to what’s on everyone’s mind in his post, the Best Way to Lose Weight in 2010. Here’s a hint: It’s on The Senior Walking Fitness Blog. But beyond fitness, you’ll learn about caloric intake and other nutrition basics.

“Struggling with knee pain?” asks Denise Harris. Her post Aching Knees offers tips on how to cope with knee pain that comes with aging. Learn more at the Able Mart blog.

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That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors – News You Can Use to be hosted by the fabulous Kaye Swain of SandwichInk.com by using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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