Strategies for Getting Organized

Life’s challenges sometimes upset the balance of things like career/family, indoors/outdoors, saving/spending, and working/relaxing. Following are strategies and resources to help you restore balance in your life. Tips Counseling – seek help from a career coach, financial planner, nutritionist, therapist, or trainer. Goals – set goals for eating healthier, getting exercise, going outdoors, and spending time with family. Flexibility – stay alert for opportunities and be patient with setbacks. Journaling – keep a journal to record ideas, express gratitude, and track goals. Meditating – make a routine of daily meditation using an app or video. Monitoring – monitor balancing progress with quarterly reviews and smartphone apps. Planning – adopt step-by-step plans to achieve your goals and dates for completing them. Scheduling – schedule time for planning and relaxing during the week. Prioritizing – focus on a few matters to avoid overload. Simplify – de-clutter your life, spend l...

Falls can lead to disability from brain damage, fractured bones, and muscle sprains. Fall risk increases with age due to declining eyesight and hearing loss. Falls also result from age-related medical conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Use the strategies and resources mentioned in this article to help yourself, your family, and your friends to avoid falling down. Strategies Checkups  – use a checklist to assess your fall risk. Devices   – wear a pendant or smartwatch to detect falls and call for help. Distractions  – suspend the use of smartphones and headphones when driving, exercising, or walking. Exercise  – maintain strength and stability with daily exercise (i.e., aerobics, strengthening, and yoga); use a fitness tracker. Footwear  – prevent trips by wearing practical shoes (e.g., slip-ons, low heels, etc.). Gait  – take slow, steady steps when walking; use a walking stick for balance and a gate sensor for steadiness.  He...

Hearing difficulties can start at any age and can worsen over time. Hearing loss is a problem for a third of Americans over 65 and for half of those older than 75. Most fail to take advantage of listening devices despite recent improvements in appearance, features, and size. The first hearing aids were clumsy and unsightly, but modern listening devices are attractive and convenient. The recent launch of a hearing aid feature for Apple’s AirPod Pro should increase their popularity. Below are tips for selecting a listening device and resources for using it.   Tips Alternatives  – Apple AirPod Pros are a good choice for listeners with mild impairment, but hearing aids are better for those with severe hearing loss. Hearing aids are less noticeable than AirPods since they mostly hide behind the ear. Apps  – Users can adjust AirPod Pros and hearing aids by touch or by using smartphone apps that control loudness and background noise. Audiologist  – AirPod Pros facilitate se...

Below are tips from Joe Murphy’s article about getting better service from Doctors. For more insight, read  Murphy's article  and the additional articles listed below. Tips Advice  - Consider seeking a second opinion Advocacy  - Be your own patient advocate  Checkups - Get periodic checkups like colonoscopies calcium scans, etc. (even if you feel healthy) Finding - get recommendations from friends and family Lifestyle  - Lead a healthy lifestyle by exercising daily and eating a nutritious diet Questioning  - Ask lots of questions when you go to the doctor Research - Use the Internet to research articles and databases about your condition/symptoms.  Articles Aging Well Boosting Immunity   Concierge Doctors Finding a a Doctor Healthy Living Patient Advocacy   Personal Health Records .  Murphy's Insights

The majority of Americans listen to podcasts. Most listen to podcasts for education, news, and entertainment. Many listen while exercising, commuting, and walking. Podcasts can be played using apps on computers, smartphones, tablets and smart speakers. Below are links to articles with tips for finding and listening to podcasts. Articles Beginners Guide to Podcasts Benefits of Listening to Podcasts Choosing Smart Speakers Finding Podcasts Selecting an App Using Smart Speakers Apps Apple Podcasts Downcast NPR Pocket Casts Spotify YouTube Music Devices Android Phones Earbuds iPhones and iPads Computers Speakers Amazon Bose Google Sonos Reviews ABA Atlantic Clio New Yorker Pew Reader's Digest Time

Below are tips for insuring your health and resources with additional information.  At the time of retirement, married couples spend about $1,000/month for health insurance. During retirement years, the cost of insuring healthcare increases due to aging and inflation. Plan now to financially secure your healthcare after retirement. Tips Budgeting During your 20’s, start saving for post-retirement healthcare and other costs of living. Open a Health Savings Account and an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to save tax-free. It’s never too late to start saving or increase your savings rate. Motivate yourself with rewards for reaching milestones. Dental, Hearing, and Vision Medicare doesn’t provide coverage for routine dental, hearing, or vision care, except for limited coverage available to participants in Medicare Advantage plans. Consider purchasing insurance to cover these expenses and asking healthcare providers for discounts available to retired patients. Drugs Unless enrolled i...

Every Winter millions of Americans are infected with colds, Covid, and flu.  Although caused by different viruses, they share common symptoms  like aches, chills, fevers, runny noses, and sore throats. Below are tips for staying healthy this Winter and resources for implementing them.  Tips Antiviral  - ask healthcare provider about antiviral immediately after flu symptoms Diet – eat fruits, vegetables, and proteins to boost your immune system. Hygiene  -  use hand sanitizer and masks since flu spreads from respiratory droplets in the air and on surfaces Sleep - get 7 to 8 hours/night of sleep every night. Vaccinations - stay vaccinated against the flu and Coronavirus; ask your doctor whether to get RSV vaccine. Vitamins – take a multiple vitamin every day. Work – remind family and friends to stay home when sick.   Articles Getting Boosted Against Covid Living Healthier in Winter Preventing Colds and Flu Why Colds And Flu Viruses Are More Common In W...

Reduce the stress of hosting a dinner party by ordering the meal from a local grocery store or restaurant. Another alternative is to assign responsibility so guests bring the food. Avoid problems by using a checklist and ordering food several weeks in advance. Take time during the meal to encourage guests to talk about themselves. See below for resources to help dinner party.   Apps Apple Invites Evite Meal Planning Party Planner Articles Cooking at Home Guide to Hosting for the First Time How to Host a Dinner Party Planning a Potluck Dinner Putting "Thanks" in Thanksgiving Takeout Options Tech Tips   Books Family Dinner Playbook Hosting a Dinner Party Mastering Thanksgiving   Checklists Dinner Party Checklist Thanksgiving Planning Checklist

Political activity enables us to discharge our civic duty and advance causes we support. Below are tips for staying politically active and resources for implementing them.     Tips   Encourage Others  - rally family and friends to vote. Influence Outcomes  - influence outcomes by voting for candidates that support your causes.  Investigate Candidates  - research voting records of candidates and their truthfulness. Participate  - consider volunteering to help candidates to win election.  Register  - confirm your voter registration and calendar for renewal. Stay Informed  - read local and national publications to determine candidate positions.  Vote Early  - avoid long lines by voting early or balloting by mail.   Articles Kelsey Alpaio,   How to Respond When Someone Says I'm Not Voting , Harvard Business Review, Oct. 28, 2020. Dena Bunis,   Six Ways to Check Out a Candidate , AARP, Apr. 30, 2018. Kayleigh Lic...

About 40% of American retirees downsize or move after retirement. Some retirees opt to relocate to a new community and others decide to age in place. Below are things to consider when choosing a home for retirement and resources to help make the best choice. Tips Alternatives  – consider changing lifestyle, downsizing to a condominium, or living with family. Benefits  - moving provides opportunities for improving health, lifestyle, and happiness. Communities  - choices include active adult, assisted living, life plan (also known as continuing care retirement), and lifestyle communities (e.g., beach and golf communities). Cost  - consider financial and psychological expenses of moving; rent before buying to reduce risks. Dwelling  - varieties  include apartments, cabins, condominiums, garden homes, mobile homes, and townhomes. Family  - explore alternatives with family members to achieve consensus.   Health  - plan for the go-go years, th...