Welcome to the November 10, 2009 edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and this installment is packed with health and wellness posts of interest, including brain fitness tips, what you need to know about Medicare and Medicaid benefits, how to prevent dangerous drug combinations, and more. Join us…

Senior Care & Caregiving

Get a poignant look at Life Inside a Nursing Home in a recent SeniorsforLiving.com latest post, which highlights a geriatric specialty training program that requires students to spend 10 days in a home chronicling their experiences.

According to resident satisfaction surveys conducted by ALFA, residents and families are concerned about who would provide much-needed care services should caregivers that belong to a union that went on strike. Read more at No Place for Union Strikes in Senior Living, posted by Paul Williams at ALFA Re:source.

For senior home care givers who have to be away from aging parents, read Kaye Swain’s post about Electric Solution for Senior Parents posted at SandwichINK.com.

The stresses of caregiving can lead to both unintentional and intentional elder abuse, says Patricia Grace in The growing problem of elder abuse posted at Aging with Grace CareConnection.

At least 10 percent of seniors may be taking dangerous drug combinations, cites a new article at Health Care Today. Seniors who take multiple supplements and/or drugs and those caring for them should take a look at this important piece.

Health and Wellness

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Learn how you can get involved by reading the post at ALFA Re:source.

Join a walking group and lose weight. Read more at Peter Stockwell’s post Group Walking Helps Weight Loss posted at The Senior Walking Fitness Blog.

And Kathi Casey, a fitness/wellness coach who blends her experience of both eastern and western traditions, suggest we lead with the hip when we walk (no, not the pelvis, Elvis!) As a fellow boomer who feels more fit now then when in her 50’s, she offers tips to get rid of back pain in her post Bye Bye Back Pain posted at Kathi Casey, Your Healthy Boomer Body Expert.

Financial Issues

Find out what you need to know about your Medicare and Medicaid Benefits, including your eligibility and how long Medicare covers nursing home costs. “Many seniors have misconceptions on the differences between Medicare and Medicaid eligibility benefits,” Jeff Rose says.

Calculate a Retirement Income Replacement Ratio with Mr. ToughMoneyLove at Go To Retirement. “When determining how much income you will need in retirement, watch out for ‘rules of dumb.”"

Living Life to the Fullest

Get in the holiday mood by Making Christmas Ornaments With Grandkids. It’s easy as apple pie when you follow Kaye Swain’s directions in her new post at SandwichINK.com. “It’s a fun way to start getting ready for Christmas,” Swain writes.

When it comes to one’s purpose in life, these seniors featured in “The Way We Get By,” which will be airing on PBS on 11/11 at 9 p.m., have a phenomenal goal. Watch and read more about the issues that they deal with as a result of the aging process, and the meaningful work they do in seeing off/welcoming home soldiers from the war…it’s truly a powerful piece, which is why it’s our leading post this week at the SeniorsforLiving.com blog.

It’s Never Too Late to Benefit from Music Lessons, says Cynthia Wunsch at The Unlikely Entrepreneur. “A study about the health and brain boost benefits of learning to play an instrument in your senior years, even if you’ve never played before,” she writes.

Get a dose of “self-help humor.” Madeleine Begun Kane presents Contending With Time posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Give your brain a workout — Charles Chua presents All About Living with Life: Baby Boomers – Tips for Brain Fitness posted at All About Living with Life.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on What Is a Blog Carnival? page.

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Welcome to the October 27, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors: News You Can Use. This installment focuses on transition, memories, and meaning… and the more, the merrier. After all, there’s nothing like having a strong support network when you’re going through a major life transition. That’s why we’re so glad to honor the Top Boomer & Senior Bloggers on Twitter. Each Twitter personality on the list has something to offer anyone needing advice, real stories, or facts about boomer and senior issues. Like this blog carnival, it’s a great way to connect with those in-the-know.

Senior Care/Caregiving

Currently, 5 million U.S. citizens have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and an unfortunate outcome of the disease is that a person may wander away, explains Jaclyn from ALFA Re:source. “Earlier this year Congressman Lloyd Doggett from Texas introduced the Silver Alert bill – it passed the House but not the Senate. Doggett’s Silver Alert bill is similar to the effective Amber Alert for missing children. If Doggett’s bill were to become law, states would have a mechanism for alerting all of us about a missing individual with dementia. ALFA is a strong supporter of this bill. Are you?” Read more about it at Needed Now: Silver Alert Support.

New research about dementia has resulted in the reclassification of the disease, and both the public and the medical community are startled. In a recent blog post “Redefining Dementia as a Terminal Illness,” Dale Carter demonstrates how deeply this impacts the choices we make for our loved ones with advanced dementia. For more valuable caregiver-related information, read her blog Transition Aging Parents.

Our SFL post, The Stuff of Life: Sorting Through Your Loved One’s Belongings, got a lot of interest this past month. It’s a topic to which many can relate. However, the decision to let dg of one’s materials isn’t just an issue that affects seniors. According to Opted Magazine, our life stages greatly affect our dependence on possessions.

December is generally when people say thanks to health care providers with a small token or gift. And while those gifts are appreciated, Viki Kind has an even better idea. See what it is at the KindEthics.com blog, in her post Celebrate the Holidays Today.

The World of Work

Have you been one of the stock market’s recent job loss victims? If so, it’s time to get back on the hunt. Start with SeniorsforLiving’s 10 Part-Time Jobs For Fixed-Income Retirees.

Along those lines, Super Saver presents its picks for part-time work. Check out Looking for Great Part Time Retiree Jobs at My Wealth Builder for even more ideas.

And if it’s meaningful work you’re seeking, click into In Search of Senior Employees posted at ALFA Re:source to find out more about ReServe. This New York City-based organization serves local communities by matching area seniors and baby boomers with programs that serve youth, seniors, and other members of the community in need of help.

Lisa O’Neill gets us thinking about whether there is a glass ceiling in existence in care sector? at Whereforcare.com. Even if you don’t work in the industry, the points she raises is sure conjure up some interesting debate.

Boomer Issues

When the work day is done, it’s time to look for fun ways to enjoy the season. Enter Kaye Swain and her post, Time for Autumn Magic for the Sandwich Generation posted at SandwichINK.com. “Read up for some Autumn Fun for the Sandwich Generation,” says Swain, “and don’t forget the time change coming soon!”

Here’s something new not only for the kids (they probably already have it mastered!), but for the older ones in our lives: Skype. In her post, 10 Ways Seniors Can Use Skype posted at Bright Insights, Erin Schmidt targets all of you who are wondering what all the Skype hype is about? “It’s actually a great way to keep seniors and the disabled connected with family and friends.”

It’s time to fall into autumn with our September 22, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. The chillier weather makes this season the time of year when you just want to snuggle up and stay inside. But there’s a harvest of opportunities to enjoy, even when it’s brisk out there! Read on for great resources about staying active and informed this fall. And, if it’s inspiration you seek as the days get a bit gloomy, look no further than this recent SeniorsforLiving.com post about Dr. Joseph Kirsner. He just celebrated his 100th birthday in a very unique way. Find out here!

Welcome to our August 25, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. In other words, it’s our say-goodbye-to-summer edition, which is why we’ve packed it with hot topics and sizzlingly useful advice! Enjoy…

Senior Care/Caregiving

For many caregivers and those who have elderly loved ones, keeping seniors happy in their own homes for as long as possible is first and foremost. Find out the moves baby boomers just like you are making to accommodate “Seniors Who Decide to Stay Put.” Aging in place is a popular topic of conversation these days — add your feedback to this recent SeniorsforLiving.com blog post.

If you’re exploring senior housing options and are deliberating between nursing homes, Eric Dowdy’s post, Study Finds Not-for-Profit Nursing Homes Provide Better Care Than For-Profits, may be a help for you. For more on this, and other elder care decisions, add Aging Services of California’s blog to your daily reading list.

In Kaye Swain’s two-part series, Email For Our Aging Parents and Relatives Part 1 and Part 2, she highlights email options that are easy for aging seniors. “While most of us who are Sandwich Generation caregivers would be lost without our email, cell phone, and other hi-tech communications,” she explains, “our aging parents are often quite a different story. Fortunately, there are some new options available for our aging seniors, with a little help from us.”

Geriatric care managers may seem like a luxury in this tough economy, but think about the value they bring in terms of knowledge, experience, and access to resources, says Dale Carter in her post Five Things You Need to Know about Geriatric Care Managers at Transition Aging Parents. Find out what five things you should consider before you begin your search for the right geriatric care manager for your parent.

You’re only as old as you feel, right? Well, to see that mentality set to hip-hop (yes, hip-hop!) music, you just may want to head to the theater to see “Gotta Dance.” Watch and see the first senior dance troupe with the New Jersey Nets take the court – and America – by storm. The trailer, embedded on SeniorsforLiving.com’s Gotta See Gotta Dance, will definitely get you movin’ and groovin’!

For another heartwarming read about aging with class, click into Going Gray — or Purple — Is Easier With Friends posted at All Things Aging. This reflective article about connecting with friends who know you well by Ellen W. Miller, executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community, underscores the importance of social engagement in our older years.

Did you know about the big AARP backlash going on with regard to the latest health care debate? Nearly 60,000 members have actually left the organization, reports Derrick Grant in his post AARP versus American Seniors Association (ASA) and the Health Care Debate. Learn more about the issues, how they affect you, and check out the ElderGuru.com blog.

Financial Issues

When it comes to paying for elder care, families often have to think outside the box and seek out alternate ways to afford it. Patricia Grace presents a look at the Senior Living Line of Credit option in her post Eldercare Funding Options – Part 1 at the Aging with Grace CareConnection. See if it’s a viable tool for you!

As boomers, even if your house-buying days are over, you should still think about your credit score. The Smarter Wallet blog presents Equifax Credit Report and Score: Review of Equifax Products. “Everyone, including boomers, should keep an eye on their credit,” they say.

Everyone has a vision of their ideal retirement. And if you read Emotional Planning for Retirement to Avoid Family Conflicts, you’ll understand why it’s a good idea to discuss your dreams with your partner and family. Check it out, and learn more at the Planning Your Retirement Smart Way blog.

Health & Wellness

Here’s some food for thought, courtesy of our very own Michelle Seitzer: Drinking and Swearing Might Improve Your Health. Find out what some recent studies are saying, and get the scoop on why moderation is key.

If you ask Jody T. Fransch, it’s totally possible to live and thrive to 100. Follow the advice posted in 7 Health Habits That Will Help You Live To 100, and give yourself a shot at shooting for those triple digits. And, for more on the goal of living to be a centenarian, click into Emma Taylor’s 100 Web Tools to Help You Live to 100.

How we stay healthy – at any age – is intrinsically connected to what we eat (and don’t eat), which is why Nancy Lapid’s Celiac Disease in Elderly People posted at About.com Celiac Disease, fascinated me so much. Find out how eliminating gluten from one’s diet can help counter the affects of Alzheimer’s, age-related illnesses, and more.

Donna Hull presents Staying Healthy on the Road posted at My Itchy Travel Feet, saying, “Tips for taking care of your health while traveling.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use to be held at CareBuzz.com on September 8th using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Hope you enjoyed this short but sweet and relevant edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. Please let us know your thoughts on the above posts — we can’t wait to hear from you! And, if you’re a blogger who writes about these senior-related issues, you can submit your blog post using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

U.S. News & World Report recently released its compilation of the top 100 hospitals, providing results by a range of 16 specialties, from Cancer to Geriatric Care to Urology.

This year’s top five are: Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.

Don’t be disappointed if your local small-town hospital didn’t make the grade, even though you might feel their services are top-notch. The report is “a tool for patients who need medical sophistication most facilities cannot offer.”  We’re talking about complex medical procedures and management of extraordinary conditions, or, as the article describes it, “High-stakes medicine.”

It goes without saying that if you need to schedule a colonoscopy or visit the ER to get stitches for that huge gash you acquired while chopping onions in the kitchen, that most doctors can do it right or well. We all want quality and competence when we visit a medical professional. But, if you need a triple bypass and you’re suffering from diabetes and hypertension, you naturally need a higher level of expertise. Likewise, you might be overwhelmed by the healthcare decisions that must be made, and who is going to provide the best care for your special situation – and that’s why this list was created.

A total of 4,861 hospitals were considered (of which only 174 were ranked in even one of the 16 specialties) and were rated on reputation, death rate, patient safety (a new category this year that indicates how well a hospitals manages risk for the patients entrusted to their care), and other care-related factors (i.e. nurse staffing and technology).

Honor roll participants (the top 21 on the list of 100) achieved their noteworthy status by earning high scores in at least 6 of the 16 specialties, demonstrating an “unusual breadth of excellence.” The A++ “student,” Johns Hopkins Hospital, has held the prestigious #1 ranking since 1991, and was surpassed on this list only once by the Mayo Clinic (the first report was published in 1990).

As a former resident of Baltimore, I say “Way to go, Johns Hopkins!” and I’m glad to know that if there was ever a need for complex medical intervention for me or my family, I’m only an hour from the best of the best!

- Michelle Seitzer

As I was preparing this week’s Seniors & Boomers: News You Can Use blog carnival, I was Tweeting away about how much I enjoyed all the posts, how much I was learning, and how proud I am of the connections we’re able to forge for those of you interested in senior and boomer issues. I think you’ll agree after perusing through the recommendations below.

Please share your thoughts, feedback, and questions in our Comments area, and feel free to join us in a future Carnival (the link for submitting posts is located at the end of this compilation). Thanks again, and enjoy….

Senior Care & Caregiving

Just because it’s August doesn’t mean travel season is winding down. In fact, for many families, it’s a mad-scramble month to take a trip before school (and the fall routine) starts back up again. Many of us joke that we need a vacation after the vacation, what with all the travel planning and such. Before you even embark on your next trip, though — especially if you provide senior home care for your aging parents or loved ones —  check out Kaye Swain’s post, Travel Tips: Stairs!, at SandwichINK.com. Kaye shares some important questions to ask when making travel plans when there’s an elderly loved one’s name on your itinerary.

Ruth Ferris is exceptional for presenting much-needed information about caregiving issues on Bridging Memories – Mother, Do You Remember Me? I’m Your Daughter. A recent post focuses on the Elderly Care Waiver Program, which allows seniors to get the help and services they need (skilled nursing, home health care aides, a personal care assistant, adult day care, supplies and equipment, etc.) to remain in their own homes or community.

For many, back-to-school season brings to mind not just new books, school supplies, and academic gear, but the worries of writing a tuition check in addition to paying for the care of aging loved ones. What happens when nursing home or in-home care costs make the financial weight of those in the sandwich generation  too much to bear? Check out Carol Marak’s post, Sandwich Generation: A New Trend, for advice on how to ease the burden of loving and supporting those from your past and those who will be your future.

Health and Wellness

Have you heard about 100+-year-old Ivy Bean, yet? Despite being really active on Twitter, we somehow missed her Tweets of wisdom until we read about her on ColinTimberlake.com in Training Log: The Riddle of Steel – Day 30. Really, who better to derive fitness and health tips from than a centenarian?  (And yes, Seniors4Living on Twitter is now following IvyBean104, for sure!)

We wonder what Ivy would have to say about Wenchypoo’s addition to a Yahoo! Health article entitled Four Common Ways to Cut Disease at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket. Find out what her fifth suggestion is, then add your own!

Staying healthy is so imperative, and when it comes to staying heart healthy, you can never know enough. Which is why you may wish to click into Joe E’s post, 7 Unconventional Tips to Get Heart Healthy at Promote Health. “Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, so it’s important to live a lifestyle that supports heart health.” Joe promises seven easy ways to keep your ticker in tip-top shape.

Of course, living healthy doesn’t just mean staying in shape — for many of us, it’s equally important to stay sharp. And with Dale Carter sharing that a Common Form of Dementia is Preventable at Transition Aging Parents, there’s no time like the present to “mind” your mind.  “If you’re a boomer, get some very important guidelines and motivation to stay dementia-free for the rest of your life. You need to start now!”

Start what, you ask? Can’t I do it later… I’m so tired now. Snap out of it, says Deb Serani. Her latest post at Dr. Deb, entitled 5 Reasons You May Be Tired, helps you understand where those Zzzzzzzzzzz’s may be coming from. Even better, she suggests remedies to counteract the causes of these “sleepies.”

Boomer Trends

If someone calls you an “heirloom,” don’t get so offended. And if you didn’t think you could learn anything from vegetables, think again. After reading Debra Joy’s post, Ugly is Only Skin Deep at B celebrated, you’ll see what we mean. It’s a heartwarming, exquisite look at how we can learn about ourselves through gardening. Take a look!

Financial Issues

It doesn’t look like this economy is getting any better, does it? Perhaps we should look to the advice of elders to help us get through it. Here at SeniorsforLiving.com, 10 Financial Lessons Your Grandparents Can Dust Off From the Last Depression reveals some simple, yet strategic ways to weather the financial storm.

For those thinking about going back to work, finding a job can be a struggle. Thanks to a variety of programs specifically designed to assist seniors with job placement, however, that hurdle can be avoided. Another SeniorsforLiving.com post focuses on such programs in a Programs Help Seniors Return to Work.

For those needing specific strategies, consider this one from Mr. ToughMoneyLove in  Retirement Income from an Inflation Indexed Annuity posted at Go To Retirement: “Life income annuities can help with a secure retirement but indexing them to inflation may help you come out ahead over the long haul.” Dig in, and see.

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Hope you enjoyed the Carnival. Our next installment of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use will be hosted by Carol Marak of CareBuzz.com. Can’t wait! Submit your blog post using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: boomers and seniors – news you can use, blog carnival.

Summertime is vacation time for many, which is why this latest edition of Seniors & Boomers: News You Can Use is a bit leaner than usual. Yet still, there is an abundance of resourceful blogs here that focus on baby boomer trends, caregiving, senior living, and more — perfect for summer downtime reading.

Senior Caregiving
It may be summer, but for many caregivers, there’s no such thing as vacation time. In fact, more and more caregivers are forgoing “me” time altogether as a sacrifice to their loved one. However, there is such a thing as “caregiver burnout,” which our SeniorsforLiving.com blogger, Michelle Seitzer, writes about in Respite Care: A Caregiver’s Best Friend.

For their continued commitment, sacrifices, and enduring love, caregivers should be heralded, says Ruth Ferris in Honoring Caregivers. Her post at Bridging Memories – Mother, Do You Remember Me? I’m Your Daughter highlights the U.S. Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee’s consideration of a stamp commemorating the role of the caregiver. Find out how you can lend your support.

For our family, the biggest challenge with learning to deal with my grandmother’s dementia is figuring out how to best communicate with her. We know that in her mind, she is making sense, expressing her opinions and lending advice in her own way – the hurdle is making her feel understood, even when we really don’t. Thanks to Patricia Grace’s article at Examiner.com, Four Ways To Communicate with a Person With Dementia, I now have some extremely helpful insight and tips to help us in this quest. If you know or love someone with dementia, this is an article to bookmark.

Senior Care
Across the board, safety is of utmost importance, but especially when it comes to our aging loved ones. Kaye Swain presents Senior Home Care Safety Tips at SandwichINK.com, filled with ways to help elderly parents in that area. “Safety needs to be an important issue in senior home care, whether our aging parents live with us, in their own home close by, or at a distance.”

When elderly loved ones are at a distance, keeping in touch can be difficult. However, Dale Carter has found a way to bridge the technology gaps with seniors, which she recounts in New Software Enabled Elderly Mother to Send First Email. This timely post at Transition Aging Parents highlights an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use product to get your aging parent online. “As I told my mother after she sent her first email, ‘Mom, welcome to the digital age.’ I’ll never forget the smile on her face!”

Boomer Fun
For SandwichINK.com’s Kaye, a trip down memory lane proved quite musical and inspiring for play time with her grandchildren. “As a member of the Baby Boomer Generation, I grew up listening to and loving the Monkees, especially Davy Jones. Imagine my pleasure in discovering he has recorded the most adorable song about penguins — perfect for myself and my grandkids to enjoy! And that’s not all!” Find out why she’s singing the song’s praises in Blue Moo for The Sandwich Generation.

Financial Issues
For a variety of reasons, more and more boomers are raising their grandchildren, which is why Hal LaPray’s post at Disability Information & Resources is so useful. Raising Children While On Social Security discusses the eligibility requirements for such benefit payments in an easy-to-understand manner.

Health & Wellness?
If you appreciate doctors who take time to discuss topics with you, you’ll want to read 200+ Health and Medical Accounts Worth Following on Twitter. Broken down into four groups: Health Media, Doctors, Medical and Corporate Institutions, and Nurses and Healthcare Professionals, this post from Medical Future provides a gateway to all the medical insight you can muster in 140 characters or less. (Speaking of Twitter, be sure to follow us there at Seniors4Living.)

Preventative care starts with a suitable diet for the particular illness or chronic disease one is trying to avoid or reverse, and most everything can be avoided or reversed with fresh, raw fruits and veggies added to one’s daily diet, explains Wenchypoo’s Health Care Proposal. This post is just one of many nuggets of insight that make perfect sense at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket.

Happy summer!

Bloggers: Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors – News You Can Use using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on “What’s a Blog Carnival?” page.  

How you live directly affects the ways in which you thrive, particularly when you reach the fine status of Baby Boomer or Senior. In the latest Seniors & Boomers: News You Can Use blog carnival, started by SeniorsforLiving.com and hosted by Ageless-Sages.com on July 14, 2009, you’ll find health and wellness details about exercising your brain, preparing for hospital visits, and maintaining healthy sleep habits. Also included are details about the importance of establishing and keeping up with a smart fitness routine.

Especially in these uncertain economic times, your investments should be on your mind – read about how to manage your finances wisely now and for the future. Caregivers too will find details and understanding in this edition, with articles that discuss the emotions of being in the role of caregiver and making the tough decisions that come along with such a position. Finally, the term Boomerism is explored – do you know what it really means?

Check out the latest edition of Seniors & Boomers: News You Can Use today! To contribute to the next carnival, click now. To inquire about hosting opportunities, contact Gina LaGuardia, Editorial Director at glaguardia@seniorsforliving.com, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

Welcome to the June 23, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use – the first of the summer! And with the new season comes new trends, advice, and resources for boomers and their aging loved ones, courtesy of the fabulous blog contributors below. Enjoy, and keep cool!

Boomer Trends

Here’s an interesting trend to consider: Retiring Overseas. SeniorsForLiving’s very own Michelle Seitzer highlights author Barry Golson’s tips for spending the golden years abroad.

Looking for a fun activity for you and your grandkids on a rainy day? Kaye Swain presents Rainy Day + Chuck E. Cheese = Happy Grandkids & Grandparents posted at SandwichINK.com, which offers some practical tips for navigating the popular play place.

Confused by the big move by TV to digital? Maryan Pelland of the Digital Grandparent blog presents TV’s Changing Bandwidth to help demystify the technology behind the changes. “The TV conversion has befuddled lots of us,” she says. “TV is a big part of life and here’s an explanation of one more piece of the puzzle.”

Senior Care/Caregiving

With the largest generation of Americans entering the latter stages of life coupled with our longer life expectancy, it is crucial that patient care is readily available, writes Victoria Powell in her post Arkansas’ Institute on Aging Gets $33.4 Million. Read more about the good news at the VP-Medical News blog.

Mary N. presents a roundup of blog resources suited for Only Child Parent Caregivers. Posted at Eldercare on Hubpages, if you’re an only child taking care of an aging parent, you’ll find some useful advice and realize you’re not alone.

Caring for an elder is tough work, and if often takes it toll on the caregiver, who is more often than not female. Patricia Grace uncovers The new ‘female problem’: Caregiver stress at the Aging with Grace CareConnection blog, revealing why it’s vital for caregivers to first take care of themselves.

Financial Issues

The prescription drug bills of a senior with medical conditions can be staggering! SeniorsForLiving’s guest blogger from Boomerator.com offers some great tips on how to save money despite the rising costs of prescriptions.

No matter how carefully you think you planned out your retirement, the economy has more and more people adjusting their best laid plans. Check out Super Saver’s post Planning to Retire Later Also has Risks for some resources on how and why you may have to reconsider your retirement at the blog, My Wealth Builder.

When it comes to the golden years, two areas of finance that you’ll spend countless hours thinking or worrying about are your pension and your social security check. Jeff Rose covers both topics at the Good Financial Cents blog. Check out Company Is Going Bankrupt. What About My Pension? and Cash Your Social Security Check Now Not Later; your wallet will thank you for it.

Mr. ToughMoneyLove offers unique strategies for those living on a fixed income: How to Make Your Retirement Money Last posted at the Go To Retirement blog. “Find a strategy that works for you,” he urges.

If your parents’ money is disappearing, you need to intervene, poses Patricia Grace in her post, Does the Buck Stop Here? at the Aging with Grace CareConnection blog. “If your elderly loved one is spending money inappropriately, this could be a warning sign,” she says. Find out why…

If you’ve got another minute to think about your financial future today, Jeff Rose has one more important post to share:  What’s in a Number? Choosing a Withdrawal Rate for Your Retirement Assets.

Health & Wellness

You’ve seen the commercial, now get the facts about RLS. Heartstrong’s post Restless Leg Syndrome May Increase Your Risk for a Heart Attack posted at Healthy Hearts with Heartstrong sheds some light on the relationship between the two ailments. If you have RLS, it’s a definite read.

Catherine Eagleson presents Improving Your Memory posted at Crosswords For Fun, saying, “It seems to be harder and harder to remember the stuff that matters amongst all the chatter and static of the ever-increasing, technology-based information overload.” Click into her post on Improving Your Memory at  Crosswords For Fun for some slick memory tricks.

When you reach a certain age, some health examinations must be done, one being the colonoscopy. “Recently there has been a movement to find an alternative technique to colonoscopy that will bring more people to get their routine screenings done,” claims the How To Live a Longer Life blog. A recent post, CTC Scan vs Colonoscopy: Which Is Better? weighs the pros and cons of the latest CTC Scan technology.

Dale Carter poses an interesting question at Transition Aging Parents: Can Memory Loss Be Prevented? “Read about a new research trial assessing whether learning a new skill can preserve cognitive function,” she encourages. “Quilting, anyone?” Don’t miss her short and sweet list of tips to incorporate into your lifestyle to prevent memory loss.