Skincare Tips for Seniors

Be Kind to Your Future Self Its always tempting to live in the momentto think about today rather than plan for tomorrow. But thats a recipe for disappointment when it comes to preparing for our older years. Experts have developed many innovative experiments to encourage younger people to plan ahead for the changes of aging. There are aging suits that use technology to simulate the muscular, visual and thinking changes we might face. Facial aging apps can give young people a glimpse at how they might appear in their later yearsin a sense, allowing them to meet their older selves. A good way to motivate ourselves to prepare for our later years is to consider ourselves in a continuum of ages, each stage influencing the well-being of the next. And consider this: At every age, and in the face of any challenges, you will still be you! Your priorities may change, but in general youll           Treasure your independence.         Want to do things you enjoy.         Want to be free to be you! Fortunately, today we have lots of information on raising the odds well get those wishes. Have you heard of cohort studies? This research observes large groups of people over a long period of time. Looking at the data allows experts to provide us with a road map for making choices when were young for which our older selves will thank us! Take care of your overall health. Thats a pretty tall order. But there are a lot of things we can do when were young that raise our odds of independence when were older. When were healthy and young, regular health care appointments might not seem like a priority. But an individualized health plan, as well as prompt attention to any problems that arise, can have long-term positive effects. Stay active. We might say, Well, Im too busy now. Ill start working out when I retire. But science tells us that exercising when were young is an important head start in preventing disease and frailty. People who have been active their whole lives are stronger when theyre older. Building a foundation of strong muscle and bone early on creates reserves for when its harder to stay fit. And dont forget that the heart is a muscle, too. Find activities you enjoy and make time for them. Make good lifestyle choices. Bad habits also have a lifetime effect. Experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University looked at data from a number of cohort studies and said, Maintaining five healthy habitseating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy body weight, not drinking too much alcohol, and not smokingat middle age may increase years lived free of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Think safety. Theres a stereotype that younger people like to take chancesis that true of you? Consider that some activities could have consequences that last well into our later years. An automobile accident, a climbing fall or skateboard wipeout could create disabling injuries that continue to affect us as we age. For example, cohort studies show that head injuries increase the risk of Alzheimers disease. Wear your seatbelt, get a bike helmet, and practice sports safety. Prioritize brain health. Its impossible to look at brain health separately from overall health. All the factors above protect the brain from injury and shrinkage. But we also need to give our brains a good workoutand the earlier, the better. Much important brain development happens when were young. Luckily, most beneficial activities are funincluding studying a musical instrument and learning a language. And the brain needs sleep: Several recent, large cohort studies show that over time, getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night raises the risk of Alzheimers by 30%. Make future-oriented financial decisions. Heres another area where planning ahead will really pay offliterally. Its hard for most younger people to save money, but even a small savings plan allows time to work its magic. If your employer offers a retirement savings plan, take advantage of it. Do your homework and talk to an independent financial advisor, even early on. Picture your older self enjoying the benefits of what might feel like a sacrifice now. Think about where to live. If youre considering settling down in a forever home, consider whether it could continue to meet your needs even if you were living with disabilities. Or would you have to move, thereby giving up years of established social ties and your familiar spaces? Maybe youre planning a big remodel. If youre investing in a new kitchen or bathroom, think ahead and install doors wide enough for a wheelchair, and an accessible shower and kitchen counters. Educate yourself about senior support services. Younger people who are providing care for aging parents or other loved ones may be getting these lessons already! Even if this isnt you, its good to know about assistance you will (and wont) be able to access down the road. Some older people decide to live in a retirement community or supported living environment. Those who value staying in their own homes can hire professional in-home care to preserve their independence and help them do things they want to do, despite their age or health challenges. Cultivate a beneficial attitude about aging. Yes, it seems to be a pattern that the younger generation makes disparaging remarks about their elders. Were certainly seeing it these days with slurs against the baby boomerswho themselves lived under the slogans of never trust anyone over 30 and hope I die before I get old. But consider that a definition of ageism might be prejudice against your future self. Numerous cohort studies reveal that young people with a negative attitude about older adults are less likely to experience healthy, happy later years. Its time to retire the term anti-aging. People do grow older and, as the old saying goes, consider the alternative! Instead, the goal is to promote healthy aging as best you can, while being prepared for health challenges, so your older self can look back at the you of today and say, Good job!  Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Contact Right at Home with locations in Daphne and Mobile, Alabama at 251-459-8671 or at RAHsouth.com for more information.

At different times, inflation may be high or low, but, except in those rare periods of deflation, its always with us. During your working years, when you may receive boosts in your salary, you at least have the potential to keep up with inflation but what happens when you retire? As a retiree, what can you do to cope with the rising cost of living?            Here are a few suggestions:            Keep some growth potential in your investment portfolio. During your retirement years, you may want to move your portfolio toward a somewhat more conservative approach by owning investments that offer significant protection of principal. However, these same investments offer little in the way of growth, which means they are susceptible to inflation. Consequently, youll also need to own a reasonable amount in growth-oriented investments, such as stocks and stock-based securities. Of course, these investments will fluctuate in value as the financial markets move up and down, but by owning some more conservative investments, you can reduce the overall impact of market volatility on your portfolio.             Consider inflation-adjusted bonds. You might want to consider Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), which are indexed to the Consumer Price Index, so the principal increases with inflation (and decreases with deflation). Another inflation-adjusted Treasury security is the I bond, which differs from TIPS in that the principal doesnt change but the interest rate does, every six months, based on a combination of a fixed interest rate and the inflation rate. Like all investments, though, TIPS and I bonds have various features and risks of which you should be aware before investing.              Delay taking Social Security. You can start collecting Social Security benefits at 62, but your monthly checks will be much bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, likely between 66 and 67. You would receive the maximum amount if you waited until 70 before collecting. Of course, if you need the money to help support your retirement, you may not be able to afford to wait, but if you can, your bigger checks can be a big help against inflation.                 Dont hold too much cash. During your working years, its a good idea to have an emergency fund containing several months worth of living expenses in liquid, low-risk accounts. And when youre retired, you might want to have up to years worth of expenses in such a fund. But be careful about holding too much cash, as it will lose purchasing power each year due to inflation. Instead, when keeping cash, seek the Goldilocks solution not too little, not too much, but just the right amount.            Think about extending your employment. If you like what you do, you might want to consider working a few years longer than you had originally intended. Not only will you be bringing in more income, but you could also continue to contribute to retirement accounts, including your IRA and 401(k). Even if you dont want to continue working full time, you could do some part-time work or consulting. Any earned income you bring in can help in your fight against inflation.             You cant control the cost of living, but by making some of the moves described above, you can help yourself mount a defense against the effects of inflation during your retirement years.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.

Moving to a new home is an exciting adventure, but for your furry friend, it can be a stressful experience. Pets thrive on routine and familiar surroundings, so a sudden change can trigger anxiety. But with a little planning and the right support, you can help your pet feel safe, secure, and comfortable during the moving process.At Bluestar Move Management, we understand that every move is unique, and were here to help make the transition smoother for both you and your pets. Here are some strategies to ensure your four-legged family members feel right at home in your new space.1. Plan Ahead for Your Pet's Health and SafetyBefore you begin packing up your home in SWFL, take a few crucial steps to ensure your pets health and safety during the move:Schedule a Vet Visit: Ensure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations before the move. If youre relocating to a new area, ask your vet for recommendations for local clinics and get a copy of your pets medical records.Update Microchip & ID Tags: If youre moving to a new address, dont forget to update your pets microchip and ID tags with your new contact information. This ensures theyll be safe in case they get lost during the transition.2. Stick to a RoutineRoutine is key to your pets comfort. During the moving process, try to maintain their usual schedule as much as possible. Feed them at the same time, keep walks on track, and continue giving them plenty of love and attention. Familiarity helps reduce anxiety and keeps your pet feeling secure, even in the midst of change.3. Create a Safe Space During the MoveOn moving days, things can get chaotic, especially in the busy neighborhoods of SWFL. With movers coming in and out, its easy for your pet to become overwhelmed. To keep your pet calm and prevent them from getting lost or stressed, set up a quiet, secure room where they can relax.Make sure the room includes your pets bed, toys, water, and some familiar scents. If youre traveling with your pet, whether within SWFL or beyond, bring a comfortable carrier or harness to ensure their safety during the trip.4. Take It Slow in the New HomeOnce you arrive at your new home in SWFL, its important to introduce your pet to their new environment gradually. Start by setting them up in one room with their bedding and toys to create a comforting, familiar space. Let them explore other areas of the house at their own pace.Introducing your pet slowly to the new environment will help them adjust more quickly and feel less overwhelmed. The familiar smells and objects they recognize will help them settle in faster.5. Trust Bluestar Move Management for a Stress-Free ExperienceWith the right preparation, your pet can adjust to their new home in SWFL without too much stress. Bluestar Move Management is here to provide the support and expertise you need for a seamless move. We handle all the detailsfrom packing to unpacking and setting up your new spaceso you can focus on what really matters: your pets comfort and your own peace of mind.Moving with pets doesnt have to be stressful. Let Bluestar Move Management take care of the heavy lifting while you enjoy a smooth, easy transition to your new home.Ready for a stress-free move with pets? Contact Bluestar Move Management today at 239-387-1147, and well help you every step of the way!