Halloween anyway...

With a super storm about to bear down, some families could be gathering unexpectedly without that usual "planned ahead" itinerary, their Halloween high jinx may have been postponed or canceled and the young and old, who couldn't wait for trick or treat or the neighborhood Zombie Walk, might be wrestling with both cabin fever and disappointment long before the authorities sound a welcomed "All Clear."  

I've mentioned in a previous post how much great information the Internet portal "Grandparents.com" has provided me in the past on all manner of topics pertaining to family and children.  Right now, this tip, that was scheduled for notation on the blog any way, couldn't be more timely!  For Halloween, they have hit the ghoul on the head again.  Not only do they offer a diverse collection of holiday activities, crafts, fun foods and other frolics suitable for the spookiest of good times, they have granted access to all they've put together on ONE page on the site.  Follow this link:

 http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/holiday-activities-and-crafts/halloween-food-activities-one-page 

for instructions to make Muffin Top Monsters for breakfast, mix up glow-in-the-dark-slime, print coloring pages and start telling scary stories.  This site is a great resource and the time to check it out might never be better! Stay safe and spooky out there!

Senior Savings...

Most folks I know like a bargain, no matter what their age. That being said, many over 50 embrace a bargain savvy lifestyle with gusto. Whether looking for a deal is a budget requirement or just a satisfying strategy toward “having it all,” finding and claiming senior discounts is “the hidden object game” of retirement. According to author, Emily Brandon, in How to Get Senior Discounts on the U.S. News Money platform, “Many stores provide discounts only to seniors who ask for them. 'Most businesses won't advertise or promote their senior discount, so it's very difficult to locate them,'says David Smidt, president of SeniorDiscounts.com. 'Wherever you are doing business, ask whether there is a senior discount available.'”

As I am a bargain hunter and hope to share some of what I discover in the marketplace here with you, I read on to discover several “not your usual 50 cents off a sub” senior discounts worth noting in another article, 10 Great Senior Discounts, also by Emily Brandon. With the holiday season fast approaching I liked that “Kohl’s shoppers age 60 and older get 15 percent off in-store purchases on Wednesdays. And Ross customers age 55 and older get 10 percent off purchases made on Tuesdays. In some cases, the day of the week a discount is offered varies by location,” according to Brandon.

Also good to know were her travel tips on hotels, Amtrak, Greyhound, car rental companies and national chain eateries that offer discounts: some attached to a $16 a year membership to AARP, but others just with proof of age. Of note was “The America The Beautiful pass “for people age 62 and older, just $10 ($20 via mail) will get you a lifetime pass that provides you and up to three other adults—or a carload of people—free admission to more than 2,000 national parks and federal recreation sites.”

Check out her photo slide show/article at http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/10-great-senior-discounts

mind games...

The benefits of taking proactive measures to keep brain activity vital as one grows older are well documented. One engaging way to develop and enhance memory, problem solving and several other key functions is to solve puzzles and challenge specially designed “brain games” that target brain function enhancement in one way or another. There are several available portals on the internet that have these games available for players of all ages. Some charge monthly or yearly fees to play long term, but they are comprehensive and allow players to communicate within the platform.

A similar no cost option is found within the AARP web offerings. They invite potential gamers to“have fun working your memory and problem-solving and language skills with these new online games. Adjust the game to your skill level and see how you rate next to top players.” Some featured game offerings are “Entangled Figures” designed to “keep your brain in shape by identifying elements of a jumbled object” and “The Squeaking Mouse” that “strengthen your visual and auditory memory by matching animals with their calls.” Many of the AARP games are offered free online, but there is a section of games available to those who have chosen to join AARP's membership at $16.00 per year. Check out 

http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/ 

and enjoy the work out!

A grand time...

A website I enjoy as  both a non-traditionally aged parent and a senior interested in remaining savvy and social is “Grandparents.com.” The site maintains that “our goal is to connect and inspire today's families. As the Trusted Resource for Grandparents, we strengthen the ties between family members, promoting well-being and giving timely information and expert advice on what really matters to you, from health and money, to travel and retirement. Our stories and videos celebrate the role of grandparents, and encourage you to tell your story, passing on a meaningful legacy to your children and grandchildren,” and they do a comprehensive job.

I first logged on when seeking resources for an inquiry into volunteering opportunities for Baby Boomers and discovered their initiative to engage seniors via their “Grand Corps,” an internet clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities across the nation. Once on the site, I stayed to explore the more than 50 resource portals that encompass information about grand kids, family and relationships, work and money, food and leisure, health, marketplace deals, games, advice and much more! The contests and give-ways section is always fun to share one's dreams with, and “5 Things I Learned This Week” covers random, but always provocative topics I look forward to browsing.

So sign on and take a look. The Community section has some good conversation this morning!

The next move...

The 2012 article, Top Ten Trends in Senior Housing by George Yedinak looks forward to a time in the senior housing industry when change is no longer “stop-gap” reactionary movement within the industry due to crisis economic conditions, but rather, is more of an evolutionary process born of pro-active response to emerging trends that will drive the industry's development long term. The commentary offered is valuable as Americans move in greater numbers into 21^st century retirements.

As more Baby Boomers look toward senior care housing as a resource for living, the risks and costs associated with their potential care will rise substantially, not only because there are more older Americans, but, also in part, because people are entering residential care when they are older, sicker and their care costs more than ever before. Although benefits for seniors may change drastically due the political realities of today, someone will still have to pay these bills. Coming out of a resource and revenue shrinking recession, without perhaps government supports, the industry is trying to determine just who that “bill payer” is going to be moving forward.

The discussion of the proposed shifts in what care is provided at what stage of aging, where and by whom is an excellent springboard for thinking about this future as a senior, a family, an industry and a culture: well worth the read! http://seniorhousingnews.com/2012/01/09/top-10-trends-in-senior-housing-for-2012/

School rules...

     Emily Brandon, in her article, Forget Tuition: How Retirees Can Attend College for Free, written for U.S. News and World Report Money, covers well the retirement retooling trend of beginning or returning to the college campus after “retirement.” Some seniors report that they are now at school preparing for the work they will do next during their “retirement” careers. Others are re-visiting degrees and coursework they left behind years before as life moved in other directions. Still others are checking out topics and ideas that they have long wanted to explore but just never had an opportunity to do.

     These returning students are, in many cases, taking advantage of NO TUITION programs for citizens over 60 or 62 years of age at both private and public institutions, under graduate and graduate, across the country. Some of these plans are state initiatives while others are offered by the institutions themselves. Classes are offered usually on a space available basis and can be available as an “audit” which means access to classes, no obligation to test or write papers and no credit granted upon completion. Exciting for those who are just shy a few credits for that long ago degree, many institutions also offer the senior program on “for credit” classes.

     Be advised that “no tuition” does not mean no cost. Most schools do require the payment of other fees like parking and lab access and the purchase of books and other materials. Textbook access has changed over time too; so for some, books can be rented not purchased or viewed on-line, all at a cheaper cost than ownership.

     Seniors report that the related costs are often far outweighed by the benefits. Of course, the first benefit is intellectual enrichment...no matter what age, education can really never be taken away from a scholar. New faces and places, access to libraries, fitness centers and interesting programming are also cited as benefits of a return to campus. At some campuses, seniors can actually live on campus at extended care facilities where services for seniors change as their needs change over time. These facilities are often operated in conjunction with the institution's gerontology degree programs.

     Does this idea appeals to you? If so, read the article at: http://money.usnews.com/money/articles/2009/04/20/forget-tuition-how-retirees-can-attend-college-for-free . Also do a Google search for “senior citizen college programs” and you'll discover just how many schools are fueling this trend and just how close you may be to joining in!