Resources For Aging Well

1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery backups. ( Glow sticks also provide light for a few hours. Stand them upright in a glass or jar to make a lantern.)2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill them with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill them with water and store them in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize. 3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill the washing machine and leave the lid up to store water.4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep them near sinks for washing hands. 5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store it in the freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a backup water supply. 6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in the fridge. You can store the rest on the counter and use it before opening any water bottles. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter. 8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for the first day without power. 9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated. 10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you'll be sweating a lot. You're going to want clean sheets. 11. Toss out any expired food, clean cat litter boxes, and empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don't have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster. 12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills. 13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area. 14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor-free environment. Store water-filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing. 15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.16. Make sure you have cash on hand.17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets. 18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges. 21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible. 22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you'll have to live in the mess you started with. 23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you'll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out. 24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit. 25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don't flush them. It's not the time to risk clogging your toilet!26. Run your dishwasher, don't risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you'll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands. 27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also, put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don't evacuate! Remember to pack for pets as well. 28. Check on all family members, set up emergency backup plans, and check on elderly neighbors. 29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.32 . Use plastic cups and paper plates. You need water to wash dishes....33 . Also if you run out of water tap your hot water heater it can have up to 30 gallons stored in there.34 . Put water in balloons and store it in the freezer.35 . If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown Flush it down!If you can, take a video of your house and contents....walk room to room--open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don't forget anything)...I highly recommend it!!!

Navigating Sexual Health in the Over-85 PopulationThe term sexual health is rarely considered in discussions focusing on older adults over the age of 85. However, engagement in sexual relations or being emotionally intimate may continue to be of great value to older age groups.The term sexual health is rarely considered in discussions focusing on older adults over the age of 85. However, engagement in sexual relations or being emotionally intimate may continue to be of great value to older age groups. In the present context, as peoples lifespan increases and cultural norms change, it becomes essential to think about the sexual health concerns of this age group.Understanding Sexuality Beyond 85With regards to sexuality of older adults, it is not only about having sexual actsit also involves emotional relationships, physically being close to someone, and caring about them. For many people over 85 years it may be important to help and sustain such intimate relationships as it contributes to positively beautiful enhancement of life satisfaction and mood. Sadly, negative social norms and beliefs regarding ageing often create a false impression that the older generation is devoid of any sexuality or does not wish for any such engages, which is not the case.A considerable number of these adults still have sexual fantasies, indulge in sexually related actions, or even seek people in intimacy although they face problems of old age that hinder sexual health. These problems include, amongst others, medical illnesses, cognitive ageing, the adverse effects of treatment, and lack of other peoples participation.Common Sexual Health Concerns in the Over-85 PopulationPhysical Changes and Sexual Function: Changes related to the normal aging process can affect sexual function. The most common sexual problem in older men is erectile dysfunction. For women, there may be insufficient lubrication, pain during intercourse, or decreased interest in sex due to lower levels of estrogen. Nonetheless none of these changes entail per se the cessation of orgasmic activity. All medications, lubricants and other interventions can address these problems.Chronic Illness and Sexual Health: It is not unusual for some of the people over 85 to have chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, or arthritis among others that have bearing on the sexual act. More so, the treatment of these conditions may require certain medications whose side effects may interfere with sexual drive or performance. Still, many elderly people adjust and manage to be intimate with others, be it through non-sexual skin contact, talking to someone or other ways of sexual expressions.Cognitive Decline: Cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimers disease, can lead to difficulties in relationships, especially the physical aspects of such relationships. Furthermore, although this is uncommon, patients who experience cognitive decline may act out sexually inappropriately or exhibit states of confusion or other changes regarding their sexual interests. In all situations where sexual health needs are to be addressed, it is rather critical that family and caregivers understand these matters compassionately and ensure that dignity is preserved.Psychological Factors: Factors such as social isolation, the death of a partner, geriatric depression, and anxiety are problems that can be noted in these older people and also have an adverse effect on sexual health. These emotional issues might trigger a drop in intimacy levels. It helps to combine support from practitioners with social activities.Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Older adults are likely to believe that they are not at risk of infections. Despite this myth, older population is also prone to STIs. Also, there has been a rise of STDs among older people due to lack of information and methods to prevent. With a doctors recommendation, these lessons should not be contraindicated to people aged 85 years and above.Promoting Sexual Health and Well-beingThose over 85 require an integrated response which addresses sexual health and includes health practitioners, family, care providers and patients.Open Communication: Discussing sexual health issues is mostly forgotten when one advances in age. Society needs to blatantly create the need for these conversations. Healthcare workers are to include sexual health without being directed on how to include it in the routine visits as sexual health is central to ones wellbeing irrespective of their age.Education and Awareness: Enlightening seniors on how to practice safe sex, how the body functions sexually, and how medications work can ensure their participation in relevant activities. Stereotypes that associate old age with certain characteristics can also be suppressed by campaigns that seek to raise awareness of the harm of old age.Tailored Healthcare: Patients treatment plans must integrate sexual wellness into the wider picture of healthcare. This might mean providing patients with means of addressing erectile disorders or prescribing post-menopausal hormone therapies or other forms of mental wellbeing support.Emotional and Social Support: Older individuals are encouraged not to isolate themselves and look for activities that boost self-esteem, and even relationships, which can promote a healthy sexual atmosphere.ConclusionSexual health cannot be ruled out even in elderly persons above 85 years of age. By taking care of the various spheres of a person on a particular age, we are able to achieve a better health and quality of life among a specific group of people. Societal misunderstandings should be disregarded and the notion that older persons are not entitled to any sexual care should be disbanded. This view enables better facilities and improvements in the quality of life for elderly people.

If you work for a midsize or large company, you may soon be able to review your employee benefits package, as we are entering the open enrollment season. So, consider your options carefully, with an eye toward making changes appropriate for your needs.             Here are some of the key areas to look at:             Retirement plan  Depending on your employer, you could change your 401(k) or similar retirement plan at any time of the year, but you might want to use the open enrollment season to review your contribution amounts. If your salary has gone up over the past year, you might want to boost your pre-tax contributions (including catch-up contributions beginning at age 50). At a minimum, try to put in at least enough to earn your employers match, if one is offered. At the same time, look over how your contributions are allocated among the various investment options in your plan. Youll want your investment mix to reflect your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.              Life insurance  If your employer offers group life insurance at no cost as an employee benefit, you may want to take it but be aware that it might not be enough to fully protect your family should anything happen to you. You may have heard that you need about seven to 10 times your annual income as a life insurance death benefit, but theres really no one right answer for everyone. Instead, you should evaluate various factors including your mortgage, your income, your spouses income (if applicable), your liabilities, the number of years until your retirement, number of children and their future educational needs to determine how much insurance you need. If your employers group policy seems insufficient, you may want to consider adding some outside overage.             Disability insurance  Your employer may offer no-cost group disability insurance, but as is the case with life insurance, it might not be sufficient to adequately protect your income in case you become temporarily or permanently disabled. In fact, many employer-sponsored disability plans only cover a short period, such as five years, so to gain longer coverage up to age 65, you may want to look for a separate personal policy. Disability policies vary widely in premium costs and benefits, so youll want to do some comparison shopping with several insurance companies.             Flexible spending account  A flexible spending account (FSA) lets you contribute up to $3,200 pre-tax dollars to pay for some out-of-pocket medical costs, such as prescriptions and insurance copayments and deductibles. You decide how much you want to put into your FSA, up to the 2025 limit. You generally must use up the funds in your FSA by the end of the calendar year, but your employer may grant you an extension of 2 months or allow you to carry over up to $640.              Health savings account  Like an FSA, a health savings account (HSA) lets you use pre-tax dollars to pay out-of-pocket medical costs. Unlike an FSA, though, your unused HSA contributions will carry over to the next year. Also, an HSA allows you take withdrawals, though they may be assessed a 10% penalty. To contribute to an HSA, you need to participate in a high-deductible health insurance plan.              Make the most of your benefits package it can be a big part of your overall financial picture.  Chad Choate III, AAMS828 3rd Avenue WestBradenton, FL 34205941-462-2445chad.chaote@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.Edward Jones, Member SIPC

If you work for a midsize or large company, you may soon be able to review your employee benefits package, as we are entering the open enrollment season. So, consider your options carefully, with an eye toward making changes appropriate for your needs.             Here are some of the key areas to look at:            Retirement plan Depending on your employer, you could change your 401(k) or similar retirement plan at any time of the year, but you might want to use the open enrollment season to review your contribution amounts. If your salary has gone up over the past year, you might want to boost your pre-tax contributions (including catch-up contributions beginning at age 50). At a minimum, try to put in at least enough to earn your employers match, if one is offered. At the same time, look over how your contributions are allocated among the various investment options in your plan. Youll want your investment mix to reflect your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.             Life insurance If your employer offers group life insurance at no cost as an employee benefit, you may want to take it but be aware that it might not be enough to fully protect your family should anything happen to you. You may have heard that you need about seven to 10 times your annual income as a life insurance death benefit, but theres really no one right answer for everyone. Instead, you should evaluate various factors including your mortgage, your income, your spouses income (if applicable), your liabilities, the number of years until your retirement, number of children and their future educational needs to determine how much insurance you need. If your employers group policy seems insufficient, you may want to consider adding some outside overage.            Disability insurance Your employer may offer no-cost group disability insurance, but as is the case with life insurance, it might not be sufficient to adequately protect your income in case you become temporarily or permanently disabled. In fact, many employer-sponsored disability plans only cover a short period, such as five years, so to gain longer coverage up to age 65, you may want to look for a separate personal policy. Disability policies vary widely in premium costs and benefits, so youll want to do some comparison shopping with several insurance companies.            Flexible spending account A flexible spending account (FSA) lets you contribute up to $3,200 pre-tax dollars to pay for some out-of-pocket medical costs, such as prescriptions and insurance copayments and deductibles. You decide how much you want to put into your FSA, up to the 2025 limit. You generally must use up the funds in your FSA by the end of the calendar year, but your employer may grant you an extension of 2 months or allow you to carry over up to $640.             Health savings account Like an FSA, a health savings account (HSA) lets you use pre-tax dollars to pay out-of-pocket medical costs. Unlike an FSA, though, your unused HSA contributions will carry over to the next year. Also, an HSA allows you take withdrawals, though they may be assessed a 10% penalty. To contribute to an HSA, you need to participate in a high-deductible health insurance plan.              Make the most of your benefits package it can be a big part of your overall financial picture.  Chad Choate III, AAMS 828 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-462-2445 chad.chaote@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC